Kyrgyzstan marks 35 years of the Ata-Beyit memorial complex with an exhibition and films

On 9 November Kyrgyzstan marked the 35th anniversary of the Ata-Beyit national historical and memorial complex. State officials, historians, scholars, public figures and descendants of victims of political repression took part, according to the Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy.

The programme included an exhibition on how the complex came to be, a documentary and a three-part animated film. Speakers reviewed its 35-year history, the work of the Scientific Center attached to it and its history exhibitions.

Talks covered the Urkun (the events of 1916 and the mass flight), political repression, the life and work of Chingiz Aitmatov, the April events and the history of Batken. The animated film “Ajar”, about the Urkun and the fate of persecuted women, was screened, and staff who contributed to the complex's development received awards.