Internationally known Kyrgyz people
Kyrgyz People
Here is a biography of notable people in Kyrgyzstan who have made a significant contribution to Kyrgyzstan. The brave Kyrgyz people include those brave women who sacrificed their son to make a peace, a poet who delivered the nation’s message through the songs and the most famous Kyrgyz writer who made Kyrgyzstan widely recognized around the world.
Chyngyz Aitmatov
Chyngyz Aitmatov was a Kyrgyz, Soviet, Central Asian author, translator, journalist and diplomat, best known as a major figure in Turkic and Russian literature. He expressed the ideas of humanism and great love for all living things: for people, wild and domestic animals, plants, and for the entire planet Earth.
Kurmanzhan Datka
“Alai Queen”, “The Queen of the South”, “Mother of the Nation” or “Queen of the Mountains” are the many names she is called. In the 19th century, Kurmanjan Datka united the Kyrgyz tribes and made a peace with the Russian Empire, saving countless of lives. She had the title of Datka in the Kokand Khanate and the Bukhara Emirate.
Bubusara Beyshenalieva
Bubusara Beyshenalieva became the prima ballerina of the Kyrgyz ballet. She received titles and awards such as Honored Artist of the Kirghiz SSR (1947), People’s Artist of the Kirghiz SSR (1954) and People’s Artist of the USSR (1958). Bübüsara appears on the Kyrgyz 5 som note, and her statue stands in Bishkek near the Kyrgyz opera and ballet theatre.
Suimonkul Chokmorov
Suimenkul Chokmorov was a talented artist and actor who have left a deep mark on the history and culture of Kyrgyzstan. The brightest star of Kyrgyz cinema, his unique characters have become a symbol of dignity, justice and honor. Suimonkul Chokmorov has played more than 20 film roles and wrote almost 500 pictures.
Toktogul Satylganov
A great composer, poet, akyn (singer-improviser), and komuzist (someone who plays komuz, a traditional Kyrgyz musical instrument) the great son of Kyrgyzstan, the classic of Kyrgyz literature Toktogul Satylganov played a significant role in traditional Kyrgyz art. He sang about the hardships of the poor people, and he is best known for his songs about freedom and independence during the Tsarist Russia’s colonial era.
Tattybubu Tursunalieva
Tattybubu Tursunbayeva was a famous actress, born on July 12, 1944 in Chayek village, Naryn oblast. Talent, excellent stage performance, singing voice allowed Tursunbaeva to become one of the leading theater actresses of the republic shortly. She played over 30 roles on stage. Tursunbayeva’s first big role on screen was as Ak-Meer in the movie “Ak-Meer” by Melis Ubukeev, which brought her national recognition.
Kojomkul
It is told that Kojomkul was about 2,3 meters tall and weighed around 164 kg. Kojomkul gained widespread fame and respect for his kindness and care of the poor in his village and he made a great contribution to the formation of the economy of the Suusamyr valley in the Chui region. In 1937 he was repressed and died in 1955.
Urkuya Salieva
Urkuya Salieva fought for freedom and equality of women during the formation of Soviet power. Despite being an eastern woman growing up in a patriarchal society, she proved that women have a right to a voice. Fragile, but strong in spirit, Urkuya also defended the rights of the poor and called for work and unity.
Kasym Tynystanov
Kasym Tynystanov was a prominent Kyrgyz educator, linguist, and cultural figure, born in 1895. He was instrumental in developing the Kyrgyz alphabet and educational materials, advocating for the Latin-based script.
Togolok Moldo
Togolok Moldo was a prominent Kyrgyz poet, writer, and folk storyteller. He navigated a time of transformation for Kyrgyz society, as traditional values clashed with modernization and Soviet policies as well as political and social upheaval during Tsarist and Soviet rule.
Nikolay Przhevalsky
Przhevalsky is known as the man after whom a breed of horses was named. He was a Russian Imperial geographer and a renowned explorer of Central and East Asia. He is not a Kyrgyz in origin but he won the trust of the locals and is revered by still by the people especially in the Issyk Kul area. This traveler’s grave is located in the Issyk-Kul region, in Karakol city, which was called Przhevalsky until 1992.
Mihail Frunze
Mikhail Frunze was a key Soviet military leader and revolutionary, born in 1885 in what is now Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Rising to high ranks in Soviet leadership, he championed military reforms. Bishkek was later renamed “Frunze” in his honor, reflecting his enduring legacy.
Read more about Kyrgyz culture
See also Uzbek, Kazakh and Tajik people
Page updated 1.1.2023
