On November 29, the Tauride Palace in St. Petersburg hosted a scientific and practical conference commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast and the 140th birthday of its first leader, Imanaly Aidarbekov.

The event brought together public figures, scholars from Kyrgyzstan and Russia, and Kyrgyz residents of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. It was organized by the Zhogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan, the Secretariat of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly (CIS IPA) Council, and Kyrgyzstan’s Consulate General in Russia’s Northwestern Federal District.

The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, and the Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh, Nurlanbek Shakiyev, delivered welcoming addresses to the participants. Dmitry Kobitsky, Secretary General of the CIS IPA Council, also extended his greetings, noting that the Assembly routinely honors significant historical milestones and celebrates the legacies of prominent statesmen and politicians in the Commonwealth countries.

A notable guest was Medetkan Sherimkulov, Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic and Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Council (1990–1995), who played a pivotal role in founding the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly. In his remarks, he underscored the importance of Kyrgyz youth remembering their country’s history and fostering ties with Russia.

Among the distinguished attendees were Zifargul Aidarbekova, president of the foundation named after Imanaly Aidarbekov, and Chingiz Aidarbekov, his grandson and a deputy in Kyrgyzstan’s 7th parliamentary convocation. Professor Baibolot Abytov of Osh State University delivered a report during the plenary session.

The program included the presentation of the book “The First”, which highlights Imanaly Aidarbekov’s contributions, featuring its authors Zainidin Kurmanov, Arslan Koychiev, Baybolot Abytov, and Nurbek Satvaldiev. The event also showcased a photo exhibition and artwork by Elena Krotova, celebrating these milestones.

Participants included officials from the CIS IPA Council and parliamentary representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

On the eve of the conference, on November 28, Osh State University signed a cooperation agreement with the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a leading research institution focused on Eastern manuscripts and the history of Asia and North Africa.