The best-known non-Russian prose writer in the former Soviet Union and the present-day Russian Federation, Chingiz Aitmatov has helped to bring the history and traditions of the Kirghiz and Kazakhs to the attention of the world. Many of his short stories, novellas, and novels depict the struggles of traditional cultures caught up in rapid change and modernization. The style of his writing--a blend of legend, myth, and realistic details of contemporary life--significantly contributes to the popularity and enduring quality of his prose. His stylistic innovations helped to modify and expand the requirements of socialist realism. Widely promoted and officially decorated by the Soviet government, Aitmatov held editorial positions on prestigious journals, served as president of the Kirghiz Film Union, and sat on the board of the Soviet Writers' Union. In the 1980s he held several important posts in the government of Mikhail Gorbachev.

Chingiz Torekulovich Aitmatov was born...