“The theme of Altai is sacred for us”: a representative center of Altai State University “The Greater Altai” opened at Kyrgyz National University

June 8, at Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn on the first day of the international scientific conference dedicated to the medieval history of the Turkic peoples, the ceremonial opening of the representative center of the REC of Altaic and Turkic studies "The Greater Altai" of Altai State University took place.

The event was attended by Adviser to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Arslan Kapay uulu Koychiev, Rector of KNU named after Jusup Balasagyn, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, Professor Tolobek Abdyrakhmanov, President of Altai State University, Head of the REC of Altaic and Turkic Studies "The Greater Altai", Professor Sergei Zemlyukov, Head of the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Kyrgyz Republic Albert Zulkharneev, Advisor to the Rector of KNU named after Jusup Balasagyn Kanat Sadykov, and other officials.

— Today on the Kyrgyz land is a big holiday for historians, Turkologists, Altaists, because the theme of Altai for all Turkic peoples, especially for the Kyrgyz, is a very important, sacred topic. The authorities of Kyrgyzstan attach great importance to the study of history and Turkic studies,” said Arslan Kapay uulu Koychiev, adviser to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, in his welcoming speech.

As part of the opening ceremony of the conference, Rector of KNU named after Jusup Balasagyn Tolobek Abdyrakhmanov and President of Altai State University Sergey Zemlyukov signed an agreement to open a representative center of the REC of Altaic and Turkic studies "The Greater Altai" of Altai State University at the KNU named after Jusup Balasagyn.

After the signing of the agreement, President of AltSU Sergey Zemlyukov was awarded the diploma “Honorary Professor of KNU named after Jusup Balasagyn. The decision of the Academic Council of KNU on conferring this title was read out by Advisor to the President of KNU Kanat Sadykov, and the diploma and the academic gown were presented by Rector of KNU Tolobek Abdyrakhmanov.

Rector of KNU and President of Altai State University cut the ribbon together at the opening of the representative center of the REC "The Greater Altai" of Altai State University at KNU.

Rector Abdyrakhmanov noted that he had high hopes for the opening of the center:

— The opening of a representative office is a gift for historians, scientists, for those who are engaged in Altaic studies, this is an important topic for our society. I hope that interesting discussions will take place here and good results will be obtained.

President of Altai State University Sergey Zemlyukov, in turn, thanked the university administration for organizing the conference, as well as for the participation of leading scientists of the university in the project "Turkic World of the Greater Altai." He spoke about the results and prospects of joint work with Kyrgyz colleagues.

— Of course, we will continue to strengthen the traditions that were laid on the Kyrgyz land. I hope that in the course of our work and communication we will come to new forms of cooperation between our universities and our countries, the President concluded.

The relevance of the topic of the conference on Turkic history and the significance of the opening of the center "The Greater Altai" at KNU was assessed in his speech by Director of the Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnology named after B. Jamgerchinov, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic Abylabek Asankanov:

— We must admit that we are all Turkic-speaking peoples from the Sayan-Altai, and this gives us an impetus to continue the connection that was between us thousands of years ago. We must pass this connection on to our future generations. The opening of today's branch of the REC “The Greater Altai” in Kyrgyzstan is a big deal, it must continue, and I am sure that this will be supported, and today's conference confirms this once again.

It is worth noting that in the conference "Political, socio-economic and ethno-cultural processes in Eurasia in the medieval period," organized by KNU named after Jusup Balasagyn together with Altai State University, leading scientists of Altai State University are taking part: professors of Altai State University Yulia Lysenko, Alexey Tishkin and Petr Dashkovsky made scientific presentations at the plenary session.