In the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, the presentation of the book "ТОПОЗ, УАЗ & БИЗ" took place, written by journalist and documentarian Zhanil Zhusupzhan. This publication is dedicated to the life, culture, and history of ethnic Kyrgyz living in the Sary-Kol area of the Pamir in Tajikistan.
The book is a collection of articles and interviews based on the author's many years of travel to the Murghab district. It describes in detail the everyday life of the Kyrgyz of Sary-Kol, their traditions, language, and attempts to preserve their cultural identity in the conditions of the high-altitude Pamir.
- Sary-Kol is a historical and geographical region of Eastern Pamir, which includes the territory of the modern Murghab district of Tajikistan.
Numerous guests attended the event, including representatives of Kyrgyz communities from China, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. The Deputy Minister of Culture Marat Tagaev was also present, expressing the ministry's willingness to finance a film about the Kyrgyz of the Pamir if Zhanil Zhusupzhan takes on the role of project author.
During the presentation, the author spoke about the process of creating the book and explained that the title "ТОПОЗ, УАЗ & БИЗ" symbolizes various ways to access the Kyrgyz of Sary-Kol — by yaks (topoz) and UAZ vehicles, while the word "Биз" embodies the people themselves and their connection to the road, space, and community.
The publication "ТОПОЗ, УАЗ & БИЗ" was released with the support of the public fund "Chagalak Production".
At the meeting, the akyns-storytellers Mukhammed Sultanov and Sultanbek Akmatbek also performed.
Visitors to the event had the opportunity to view a photo exhibition reflecting the life of the Kyrgyz of Sary-Kol, as well as a collection of embroidery "Pamir elesteri" ("Images of Pamir"), created by master Saidrahman Sharipov.
- Zhanil Zhusupzhan is a professional journalist and documentarian, author of various materials and projects dedicated to the life of Kyrgyz outside of Kyrgyzstan. She has been researching issues of memory, identity, culture, and everyday life of Kyrgyz communities in different countries for many years.
