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PRESIDENT OF THE TURKIC CULTURE AND HERITAGE FOUNDATION MRS. AKTOTY RAIMKULOVA PRESENTS CERTIFICATES TO PARTICIPANTS OF THE “AITYSH/AITYS – ART OF IMPROVISATION” EVENT HELD AT UNESCO
5/17/2025
2:20 PM
On May 17, 2025, for the first time in history, an international Aitysh/Aitys — the traditional poetic duel of improvisation — featuring Kazakh and Kyrgyz akyns was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the inscription of Aitysh/Aitys on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The cultural event was jointly organized by the Permanent Delegations of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic to UNESCO and became a celebration of the deep-rooted brotherly friendship and shared heritage between the two nations. For the Kazakh and Kyrgyz communities in France and Europe, it provided a rare opportunity to witness this vibrant living art form performed by leading improvisational poets.
The Aitysh/Aitys was moderated by two renowned poets and current members of parliament — Mr. Amanzhol Altay (Kazakhstan) and Mr. Mirlan Samyikozho (Kyrgyz Republic). The jury included Members of the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan Mr. Nurtai Sabilyanov and Mr. Zhanarbek Ashimzhan, Member of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Shairbek Tashiev, Director of the Manas Theatre Mr. Nurbek Talantbekov, among others.
Following four dynamic poetic duels — with pairs drawn by lot and winners determined by an open vote of the jury — the Grand Prix were jointly awarded in accordance with the “қос бәйге” (shared prize) principle to Aibek Kaliev and Azamat Bolgonbaev. Diplomas for 1st place were awarded to Didar Kamiyev and Akmatbek Sultan uulu, 2nd place to Meirbek Sultankhan and Amantai Kutmanaliev, and 3rd place to Abai Zholmagambetov and Maksat Kuluev.
On behalf of Mrs. Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, honorary certificates were presented to Boribay Orazymbet and Akmatbek Sultan uulu for their outstanding exploration of the common Turkic heritage in their