Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – In a landmark cultural encounter aimed at deepening international literary cooperation, Margarita Al, President of the World Organisation of Writers (WOW), held an official meeting with the Chairman of the Kyrgyz Writers’ Union during her visit to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. The discussions resulted in a series of visionary proposals, most notably the ambitious initiative to translate and publish 100 World Poets into the Kyrgyz language.
The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Kyrgyz Writers’ Union in Bishkek, was attended by prominent local poets, translators, and cultural stakeholders. Both parties emphasized the need for cross-border literary exchange, mutual translation, and wider dissemination of poetic voices from around the world.
Margarita Al, a writer, editor, and cultural diplomat, has been at the forefront of international literary cooperation through her leadership of WOW, an organization uniting hundreds of writers across continents. WOW’s mission promotes peace, intercultural dialogue, and literary visibility in regions where voices are often underrepresented. Under her presidency, WOW has initiated several global programs, literary congresses, and publishing projects to empower writers and readers worldwide.
The Kyrgyz Writers’ Union, founded in 1934 and headquartered in Bishkek, is one of Central Asia’s most respected literary institutions. It has nurtured generations of poets and novelists writing in Kyrgyz and Russian, and has been instrumental in preserving the country’s rich oral and literary heritage. The current chairman welcomed the proposals from WOW, emphasizing Kyrgyzstan’s desire to open its literary scene to the world and to introduce international voices to Kyrgyz readers.
Among the proposals exchanged were:
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The creation of a WOW-Kyrgyz Translation Series, beginning with the publication of 100 international poets in Kyrgyz.
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A reciprocal project to introduce Kyrgyz literature to the world through translation and festival participation.
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Joint literary festivals and writer residencies hosted in Bishkek and other global cities.
This meeting marks a new chapter in cultural diplomacy and sets the foundation for literary bridges between Central Asia and the world. The proposed anthology of 100 world poets is expected to include diverse voices from all continents, with a focus on poetry that promotes peace, identity, ecology, and resilience.
WOW and the Kyrgyz Writers’ Union plan to establish a working committee to oversee the translation, editing, and publication processes, with calls for submissions and nominations expected later this year.
