Kyrgyzstan’s 35th Anniversary of Independence Celebrated in Brussels

Ambassador Aidit Erkin: “Independence means being free to choose your own future”

Kyrgyzstan’s development ambitions, relations with the European Union and the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic world took centre stage at a reception held in Brussels to mark the country’s 35th anniversary of independence. Following Ambassador Aidit Erkin’s address, Derya Soysal delivered a comprehensive presentation on Yusuf Khass Hajib and Kutadgu Bilig.

Bruxelles Korner / Kadir Duran – Brussels

Kyrgyzstan’s National Day was celebrated in Brussels with the participation of the country’s diplomatic representatives, members of foreign missions, journalists, academics and guests from the Kyrgyz community.

The Kyrgyz Republic declared its independence on 31 August 1991. Addressing the reception, Aidit Erkin, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, stressed that independence was not merely a historic right secured in the past, but a living value whose benefits should be felt by every citizen in everyday life.

The programme also featured a presentation by Central Asia expert and journalist Derya Soysal, who explored the intellectual legacy of Yusuf Khass Hajib, the place of Kutadgu Bilig in Turkic-Islamic civilisation and the cultural heritage extending from the Karakhanid era to the present day.

“Today is one of the sacred days in our history”

Ambassador Aidit Erkin began his address by thanking the guests, diplomatic representatives and friends of Kyrgyzstan. He described the historical significance of 31 August for the Kyrgyz people:

“Today we celebrate our National Day—our freedom, sovereignty and independence. This is a sacred day for Kyrgyzstan: a day of history, hope, promise and new possibilities.”

Recalling that Kyrgyzstan declared its independence from the Soviet Union 35 years ago, Erkin said that sovereignty fundamentally means allowing a nation to determine its own future:

“Independence means being free to choose your own future. What matters to us is that every citizen should be able to feel the benefits of independence in their own life.”

His remarks showed that Kyrgyzstan does not view independence solely through the symbols of sovereignty, flags and national borders. It also connects independence with economic development, justice, the quality of public services and citizens’ well-being.

From national revival to national prosperity

According to Ambassador Erkin, Kyrgyzstan is moving beyond a period of national revival and institutional reconstruction into a new phase aimed at strengthening economic and social prosperity.

The reforms under way in the country focus on strengthening public institutions, judicial independence, transparency, the rule of law and citizens’ access to justice.

“Kyrgyzstan is now moving from a period of national revival to a period of national prosperity. We are continuing reforms aimed at strengthening the independence of the judicial system, increasing transparency and ensuring citizens’ access to justice.”

The ambassador’s message also highlighted the institutional dimension of independence. Genuine sovereignty is not achieved solely by becoming an independent state in the international arena. It also requires accountable and effective institutions that command the confidence of citizens.

Digital transformation and public services

Ambassador Aidit Erkin also addressed Kyrgyzstan’s technological transformation, explaining that investments in digital infrastructure are intended to encourage innovation and improve the quality of public services.

“We are investing in technology and digital infrastructure to foster innovation and improve public services.”

For a mountainous country such as Kyrgyzstan, digitalisation means more than technological modernisation. It is also strategically important for narrowing disparities in services between the capital and remote regions, facilitating access to public institutions and extending economic activity throughout the country.

The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway

One of the most significant economic and geopolitical themes of the ambassador’s address was the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway Project.

Discussed for many years, this strategic transport corridor is intended to connect China, through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, with other Central Asian states, the Caspian region and European markets.

Ambassador Erkin said that implementation of the project had begun:

“We have started implementing the major regional project to construct the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway.”

For Kyrgyzstan, this is far more than an ordinary railway investment. The new line has the potential to strengthen regional connectivity, expand foreign trade, generate logistics revenues and turn landlocked Kyrgyzstan into an important hub along Eurasian trade routes.

Kyrgyzstan is therefore seeking to redefine its historic position on the Silk Road within the transport and commercial networks of the 21st century.

Shared values with the European Union

Ambassador Aidit Erkin said Kyrgyzstan places considerable importance on the partnership it has developed with the European Union over the years.

He described respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law as the cornerstones of the relationship, while emphasising that economic cooperation is another vital dimension of the partnership:

“We greatly value the partnership that has evolved between Kyrgyzstan and the European Union over the years. Respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law forms the cornerstone of our partnership.”

Kyrgyzstan supports the European Union’s efforts to strengthen commercial, economic and transport links between Europe and Central Asia. Brussels’ contributions to sustainable development, governance, education, digitalisation and connectivity in the region are viewed in Bishkek as important components of the strategic partnership.

The visit by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov to the European Union institutions in Brussels in June 2024 was also recalled as an important stage in the development of political dialogue between Bishkek and Brussels.

Special thanks to the Benelux countries

Aidit Erkin described Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg as trusted European partners of Kyrgyzstan:

“Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are trusted and strong partners in supporting reforms, promoting good governance and fostering economic growth.”

The agreements signed between Kyrgyzstan and the Benelux countries in June 2025—covering visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and service passports, as well as readmission—were cited as concrete examples of this growing institutional cooperation.

Ambassador Erkin’s address demonstrated that Kyrgyzstan wishes to develop its relations with Europe not only through political dialogue, but also through trade, transport, reform, governance and people-to-people ties.

Recognition of the Kyrgyz community’s solidarity

At the end of his address, Ambassador Aidit Erkin offered special thanks to Kyrgyz citizens living in Belgium and neighbouring countries.

Highlighting the solidarity shown by members of the Kyrgyz community towards people in need, Erkin said that citizens living abroad not only represent their country’s culture but also form a human bridge between Kyrgyzstan and Europe.

“Together, we are building a strong state with a vibrant civil society.”

This message, delivered on the 35th anniversary of independence, showed that Kyrgyzstan regards its civil society and diaspora, alongside its state institutions, as important elements of its future.

Derya Soysal Presents the Legacy of Yusuf Khass Hajib

During the cultural section of the reception, Central Asia expert and journalist Derya Soysal delivered an English-language presentation on the great Turkic thinker, poet and statesman Yusuf Khass Hajib.

Soysal emphasised that Yusuf Khass Hajib—whose 1,010th birth anniversary is being commemorated through various academic events in 2026—represents a shared civilisational legacy for the Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Uyghur and other Turkic peoples.

She argued that understanding Kyrgyzstan’s independence requires looking beyond the country’s recent political history and examining the thousand-year intellectual and civilisational foundation upon which it stands:

“As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s independence, we must also look at the legacy of Yusuf Khass Hajib to better understand the historical and cultural foundations of that independence.”

From Balasagun to the Turkic world

Yusuf Khass Hajib was born in the 11th century in Balasagun, an important centre of the Karakhanid state located near the present-day Kyrgyz city of Tokmok.

Also known as Yusuf Balasaguni, after his city of birth, the thinker received the title Khass Hajib after presenting his celebrated work to the ruler of Kashgar. The title referred to a senior position at the royal court.

Derya Soysal explained that this title shows that Yusuf Khass Hajib was not merely a poet and philosopher. He was also a statesman with considerable knowledge of governance, politics and diplomacy.

His intellectual world was shaped by the concepts of justice, knowledge, virtue, happiness, good governance and social order.

Kutadgu Bilig: Reaching happiness through knowledge

The presentation focused on Yusuf Khass Hajib’s masterpiece, Kutadgu Bilig, completed around 1069–1070 and consisting of more than 6,500 couplets.

The title has been interpreted as “Wisdom that brings happiness,” “Knowledge of good fortune” or “Knowledge that leads the individual towards felicity.”

Soysal noted that the words “kut” and “bilig” remain recognisable in contemporary Turkic languages, even though nearly a thousand years have passed since the work was written.

“Bilig” is associated with knowledge and wisdom, while “kut” refers to happiness, good fortune, blessing, prosperity and legitimate authority. In this sense, Kutadgu Bilig explains how people can attain happiness, peace and a just social order through knowledge and virtue.

“According to Yusuf Khass Hajib, genuine wealth is not limited to material possessions. Knowledge, virtue and justice are also among humanity’s greatest forms of good fortune.”

The work does more than guide individuals towards an ethical life. It is also a “mirror for princes”: a political and moral treatise advising rulers and public officials to govern justly, maintain healthy relations with different sections of society and extend prosperity to the people.

A just state and a virtuous ruler

Derya Soysal said it was no coincidence that Kutadgu Bilig was read for centuries by rulers, statesmen and intellectuals.

The work teaches that a ruler’s power is not unlimited and must be balanced by justice and moral responsibility. The strength of a state does not come solely from its army or wealth, but also from treating its citizens fairly and being governed by knowledgeable leaders.

In this respect, the book does not speak only to the medieval rulers of the Karakhanid state. It continues to illuminate contemporary debates concerning the rule of law, public ethics, merit and social prosperity.

Remembering Yusuf Khass Hajib during the 35th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s independence therefore provided a powerful connection between the past and the present.

Establishing Turkic as a language of thought and governance

Derya Soysal stressed that the historical importance of Kutadgu Bilig also lies in the language in which it was written.

At a time when most literary, philosophical and academic works in the Islamic world were written in Arabic or Persian, Yusuf Khass Hajib composed his masterpiece in Karakhanid Turkic.

In doing so, he demonstrated that Turkic was not merely a language of everyday life or oral culture. It was also a powerful language of civilisation capable of expressing philosophy, ethics, politics, social order and the principles of government.

Soysal described the Karakhanid lands as a meeting point between Turkic nomadic traditions and Islamic, Arab and Persian cultures. She presented Kutadgu Bilig as one of the greatest works to emerge from this civilisational encounter.

The preservation of different manuscripts in several regions also shows that its influence was not limited to Central Asia, but extended across much of the Turkic and Islamic worlds.

The Karakhanids and the Silk Road

The presentation also examined the Karakhanid state’s strategic position, connecting major cultural and commercial centres such as Kashgar, Balasagun, Samarkand and Bukhara.

The Karakhanids played an important role not only in Silk Road trade, but also in the circulation of ideas, religions, languages and cultures.

Referring to Ambassador Aidit Erkin’s call to revitalise the Silk Road, Soysal said the growing cooperation between today’s Central Asian states rests upon a thousand-year historical foundation:

“During the Karakhanid era, this region served as a bridge between Asia and Europe. Today, Kyrgyzstan and the other Central Asian countries are reviving the Silk Road’s connections and its spirit of cooperation.”

The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway represents a modern expression of this historical continuity. The connections once maintained by caravans are now being rebuilt through railways, energy corridors and digital networks.

A shared legacy of Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Uyghur peoples

Derya Soysal particularly emphasised that Yusuf Khass Hajib’s legacy cannot be confined within modern national borders.

In his lifetime, Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Uyghur national identities and state borders did not exist in their contemporary forms. He should therefore be regarded first and foremost as a representative of the shared intellectual heritage of the Turkic world—and, in a broader sense, of humanity.

Balasagun lies in present-day Kyrgyzstan, while Kashgar is located in today’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The influence of Karakhanid civilisation extended as far as Samarkand and Bukhara in present-day Uzbekistan.

This broad geography explains why Yusuf Khass Hajib is valued so highly in Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Uyghur cultural circles alike.

A literary tradition extending to Chinghiz Aitmatov

Derya Soysal also highlighted the rich literary tradition extending from Yusuf Khass Hajib to the internationally acclaimed Kyrgyz author Chinghiz Aitmatov.

Yusuf Khass Hajib’s intellectual world, founded on justice, virtue, wisdom and good governance, and Aitmatov’s works centred on humanity, society, memory, identity and nature represent two great contributions by the Kyrgyz people to world literature.

These two figures symbolise not only Kyrgyzstan’s political independence, but also the cultural and intellectual strength that the country has preserved over the centuries.

Remembering Yusuf Khass Hajib and Chinghiz Aitmatov during Kyrgyzstan’s 35th anniversary celebrations demonstrated the country’s determination to protect its historical memory while building its future.

Liliya Geisler: “This work reminded me of my childhood”

Following the presentation, Uzbekistan-born Liliya Geisler said she had first read Kutadgu Bilig at the age of 11 and spoke about the profound impression the work had left on her.

Geisler explained that Yusuf Khass Hajib’s words are also widely known in Uzbekistan and that the values of goodness, morality, knowledge and happiness expressed in his work have been transmitted from one generation to the next.

Her intervention illustrated that Kutadgu Bilig is not simply an ancient text studied in academic circles, but a living component of the cultural memory shared by Kyrgyz and Uzbek peoples.

Ambassador Erkin recalls Mahmud al-Kashgari

Ambassador Aidit Erkin offered a brief observation following the presentation. He noted that in historical Turkic usage, the word “kara” did not refer only to the colour black, but could also carry meanings associated with greatness, strength and grandeur.

Erkin also recalled the place of Mahmud al-Kashgari, another major Turkic scholar associated with the wider Kyrgyz cultural geography, within this shared civilisation.

Mahmud al-Kashgari, author of Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk, and Yusuf Khass Hajib, author of Kutadgu Bilig, stand out as two great historical figures who transmitted the Turkic language, culture and intellectual tradition to future generations through the written word.

“A person passes away, but a good name and good words remain”

Derya Soysal concluded her presentation by recalling Yusuf Khass Hajib’s teaching on the transience of human life and the enduring value of a good name and useful works:

“A person may lose their wealth and possessions. Life will eventually come to an end, but the good they have done, the truthful words they have spoken and the honourable name they leave behind will continue to live.”

Nearly a thousand years later, the survival of Yusuf Khass Hajib’s name and the continuing relevance of Kutadgu Bilig to discussions about justice, politics, ethics and governance offer the strongest confirmation of that teaching.

Diplomacy, culture and Kyrgyz hospitality

The celebration in Brussels was not limited to formal speeches. The programme brought together Kyrgyzstan’s historical heritage, literature, cuisine and tradition of hospitality.

Following Derya Soysal’s presentation, guests were served traditional Kyrgyz plov and a selection of refreshments. Diplomatic representatives, journalists, academics and members of the Kyrgyz community exchanged views in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The guests were therefore able to discover not only Kyrgyzstan’s political and economic vision, but also its deeply rooted culture and culinary traditions.

The event concluded with lively conversations, new friendships and refreshments reflecting the warmth of Kyrgyz hospitality.

From independence to a new Silk Road

The central message of the 35th anniversary celebration in Brussels was clear: Kyrgyzstan does not regard independence solely as a historic achievement secured in the past, but as a responsibility to build its future according to its own choices.

On one side stand judicial reform, digitalisation, public services and economic development. On the other are the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway, partnership with the European Union and closer cooperation among the Central Asian states.

At the intellectual foundation of this vision are the principles of knowledge, justice, virtue and good governance articulated by Yusuf Khass Hajib nearly a thousand years ago.

The spirit of independence that rose from the foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains is now acquiring a new dimension through transport corridors, diplomatic partnerships and cultural relations connecting Europe with Central Asia.

Kyrgyzstan’s 35-year journey of independence is therefore not only about safeguarding national sovereignty. It is also about carrying the shared heritage of the Turkic world into the future.

Happy 35th anniversary of independence to Kyrgyzstan!

Эгемендүүлүк күнүңүздөр менен!

Long live Kyrgyzstan, and long live the brotherhood of the Turkic world!