Abstract
Chyngyz Aitmatov is a world-renowned Kyrgyz writer whose literary works have been translated into 186 languages, as well as a politician and diplomat. Chyngyz Aitmatov not only gained worldwide recognition for his literary works, but also carried out a diplomatic mission. He started his cultural diplomatic career as soon as he wrote his first literary work and spread it to the public. He emphasized the prominent themes of his works and promoted the ideology of peace, harmony, and unity. Each of his translations, the awards he received in other countries, the honors attributed to him were important parts of creating a picture of Aitmatov in the world. The aim of the study is to analyze Chyngyz Aitmatov as a cultural diplomacy actor of the Turkic world. Descriptive document analysis technique was used to analyze the data obtained. As a result of the research, Aitmatov confirms his role as an actor in cultural diplomacy not only through his diplomatic activities, but also through his literary works, translations, awards received around the world, and places named after him.
TopDiplomacy
Diplomacy is the establishment of peaceful and long-lasting relations with other countries (Yıldız, 2013, p. 34). Bull defines diplomacy as “the conduct of relations between states and other entities involved in world politics by official agents and by peaceful means” (Bull, 1997, p. 156). This definition remains the most widely used among diplomatic scholars, following Watson's characterization of diplomacy as a process of “negotiation between political entities that recognize each other's independence” (Watson, 1984, p. 33).
It would be appropriate to define public diplomacy, which is defined in many different ways, as the relationship established with other nations by pursuing national interests in general. At this point, the basic principle of public diplomacy is dialogue (Melissen J., 2005, p. 11). Public diplomacy is diplomacy that is conducted not from state to state, but from state to publics; from civil society to states; from civil society to publics; not behind closed doors, but openly and with the participation of all segments of society. Public diplomacy is the most effective and frequently used way of implementing state soft power. It includes media, cultural, educational, sports, scientific, and other projects that focus on interaction with foreign elites and society to create an attractive image of their own country. In the broadest sense, public diplomacy is a set of measures aimed at studying, informing, and creating a favorable external public opinion about a particular state (Melissen J., 2005, p. 16). The actors of public diplomacy can be not only public authorities but also civil society organizations, media, transnational corporations, private groups, and even individuals.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Global Recognition: Aitmatov's impact as a cultural diplomat led to his widespread recognition and acclaim on the global stage, positioning him as an influential figure in promoting cultural understanding and dialogue.
Public Diplomacy: The use of various communication channels, including media, cultural events, and educational exchanges, to engage with foreign publics and promote a positive image of a country or region. Chyngyz Aitmatov's cultural diplomacy efforts can be seen as a form of public diplomacy, as he aimed to engage with audiences beyond state-to-state interactions and create favorable perceptions of the Turkic world.
Soft Power: Soft power refers to a nation's ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion. Aitmatov's role in cultural diplomacy exemplifies the use of soft power to shape perceptions and build bridges between the Turkic world and other nations.
Diplomatic Career: Chyngyz Aitmatov's extensive experience and achievements as a diplomat, representing his country and promoting cultural exchanges at an international level.
Cultural Bridge: Aitmatov acted as a cultural bridge, facilitating understanding and dialogue between the Turkic world and other cultures. His works transcended national boundaries and resonated with readers worldwide, promoting intercultural exchange and appreciation.
Translation: The process of rendering a text from one language into another, enabling the dissemination of Aitmatov's works and facilitating cross-cultural communication.
Cultural Diplomacy: This term encompasses the use of cultural elements and activities, such as literature, art, and cultural exchanges, to foster understanding, cooperation, and positive relations between nations.
Turkic World: This term refers to the collective cultural and linguistic community of Turkic-speaking nations, which includes countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and others. Aitmatov's cultural diplomacy efforts focused on fostering collaboration and unity within the Turkic world.
Diplomatic Relations: Aitmatov's diplomatic career and cultural diplomacy initiatives played a role in strengthening diplomatic relations between the Turkic nations and other countries, fostering cooperation and collaboration in various fields.
Intercultural Communication: Intercultural communication is the exchange of information, ideas, and values between individuals or groups from different cultural backgrounds. Aitmatov's cultural diplomacy efforts contributed to intercultural communication within the Turkic world and beyond.
Chyngyz Aitmatov: The prominent Kyrgyz writer and diplomat who played a significant role in cultural diplomacy within the Turkic world.