Bishkek, April 20, 2026 /Kabar/. President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov sent a telegram of condolences to President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the death of the outstanding Kazakh poet, playwright, public figure, and People's Writer of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Shakhanov.
" I received with deep sorrow the sad news of the passing of a great son of the Kazakh people, a people's poet of Kyrgyzstan, a renowned statesman and public figure, the first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan, a friend of Chyngyz Aitmatov and the entire Kyrgyz people—Mukhtar Shakhanov.
Mukhtar Aga was not only a pillar of support for the fraternal Kazakh people, but also a spiritual mentor for the millions of Kyrgyz people. The Kyrgyz public has lost yet another of its lofty peaks, yet another spiritual pillar, and today it is grieving, as if it has lost a part of its heart. People say of such great figures: "With his passing, an entire era has passed." And indeed, with the passing of Mukhtar Aga, an entire era has passed into eternity for the entire Turkic world.
Having imbued himself with the freedom-loving and just spirit of his Kazakh ancestors, Mukhtar Aga selflessly defended the fate of his homeland during Soviet times and in subsequent years, unafraid to speak the truth openly and frankly. Despite persecution, he did not retreat and courageously expressed his principled position on the events of Zheltoksan.
His poetic and civic voice, equally dear to both the Kazakh and Kyrgyz peoples, resonated like an echo of the mountains and steppes. I would especially like to highlight his fraternal relationship with the great writer Chyngyz Aitmatov, which left an indelible mark on strengthening the fraternal ties between our peoples," the head of state's telegram reads.