Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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December 16, 2025 Culture and education
The UN headquarters in New York celebrated the first time World Day of Turkic Languages – a new international date designed to highlight the importance of Turkic languages and traditions for global cultural diversity. It is symbolic that the Day was celebrated alongside an event dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the adoption of General Assembly resolutions on the millennium of the Manas epic, one of the key monuments of the Turkic cultural heritage.
In an interview with the UN News Service, Mirbek Mambetaliev, Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, noted that the preservation and development of Turkic languages has significance far beyond the region. "Preserving the Turkic language is crucial not only for the Turkic peoples but for the entire world, as the heritage of the Turkic peoples has very deep roots," he emphasized, citing the rich cultural traditions of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The Manas epic calls for living in harmony with nature, living in peace with neighbors, respecting elders, and paying close attention to the upbringing of the younger generation. Today, more than ever, we all need these values.
"Today we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the UN resolution on the Manas epic. Manas is considered one of the fundamental cultural legacies of the Kyrgyz people and the entire Turkic world," he said.
The Epic of Manas, comprising approximately 500,000 lines, is recognized as one of the longest in the world and is included in the Guinness Book of World Records. Its international recognition has steadily grown: in 2013, the Manas-Semetey-Seitek trilogy was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and in 2023, the epic's manuscripts were added to the Memory of the World Register, underscoring its universal value to humanity.
The interview focused specifically on youth engagement and the adaptation of cultural heritage to the digital age. According to Mirbek Mambetaliyev, learning the Kyrgyz language today faces significant challenges. "In the age of YouTube and mobile phones, the Kyrgyz language is difficult for children," he noted.
In response to these challenges, new cultural and educational initiatives have been launched in Kyrgyzstan. "We have begun producing animated films and anime in the Kyrgyz language. We will soon begin filming an anime based on 'Manas,'" the minister said. Concurrently, work is underway to translate the epic poem into Russian, English, and Turkish, as well as to retell it in prose and create comics to make the complex poetic text more accessible to children and young people.
The minister emphasized that Manas played a key role in shaping the national identity of the Kyrgyz people. "The epic calls for living in harmony with nature, living in peace with neighbors, respecting elders, and paying close attention to the upbringing of the younger generation. Today, more than ever, we all need these values," he said.
Speaking about the role of international platforms, Mirbek Mambetaliev noted the importance of the UN and UNESCO in promoting cultural dialogue. "At the UN and UNESCO, we work with partners from around the world to develop culture and live in harmony with nature without losing our identity," the minister emphasized.
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