Animator Ermina Takenova will discuss her work and her short film 'Mankurt,' based on a Turkic legend adapted by Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov from his novel.

Margaret Hanson, a professor at ASU, focuses on autocracies in her research, particularly those in the former Soviet Union. Her upcoming talk will cover Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

Kyrgyzstan is witnessing a shift from its tradition of 'street democracy' to creeping authoritarianism under President Sadyr Japarov. Influenced by Putin's style, Japarov's government advances legislation reducing Parliament's role and curbing dissent, raising concerns about democracy's future in the country. theconversation.com

Chinghiz Aitmatov's novel, set in the Soviet Union, follows railman Yedigei's journey to bury his friend Kazangap, intertwining personal history, Kazakh folklore, and a subplot involving cosmonauts contacting extraterrestrial life.