OSCE helps promote mutual understanding between Kyrgyz and Tajiks in Batken in south Kyrgyzstan

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek in co-operation with the UN Development Programme supported the Music and Drama Theatre of Batken, a city in south Kyrgyzstan, to premiere the play “Friends” on 31 July 2014.

The play depicts two old friends, one Tajik, the other Kyrgyz, who served together in Afghanistan. Today, they find themselves struggling with the problems that many people living in the border areas face.

The play is directed by Peoples’ Artist of Kyrgyzstan Zamirbek Soorbaev, who expressed his hope that the play would promote mutual understanding, tolerance, peace and stability in the border region.  

William Leaf, the OSCE's Field Officer in Batken, said:  “Such initiatives at the local level are critical to the success of government efforts to promote and increase stability in the region. People who live near borders in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will see a fine, artistic example of how stability in the area depends directly on them, and not just on their national leadership.

Such innovative approaches to advance tolerance and stability  have a positive impact not only on the provinces of Batken in Kyrgyzstan and Sughd in Tajikistan, but could hopefully serve as an inspiration for other regions and for Central Asia as a whole.”

According to Bakytbek Akmatov, the theatre’s deputy director, after the premiere and initial four-days run in Batken city, the play will go on a roadshow within Batken province to areas bordering both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.  The tour will culminate with a showing at an international UNDP-organized arts festival in Osh in November 2014. Akmatov said he also hoped to show the play in Tajikistan.