Chingiz Aitmatov (1928–2008) was a Kyrgyz writer, full name Chingiz Torekulovich Aitmatov.

Born in 1928 in the Talas Mountains of Kyrgyzstan. He worked as a secretary for the village soviet and a tax collector, among other roles. He began publishing works in 1952 and graduated from the Agricultural Institute in 1953. In 1956, he enrolled in the Maxim Gorky Literature Institute in Moscow for further studies and, after graduating, devoted himself to literary work. In 1957, he published his first novella, Face to Face, and in 1958, he gained fame with the novella Jamila. His representative works include Jamila, The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years, and The White Ship. His works have been translated into more than 50 languages and have garnered a wide readership both domestically and internationally.

Aitmatov served as the Russian ambassador to Luxembourg and the Kyrgyz ambassador to Belgium, as well as the representative to the European Community and NATO.

On June 10, 2008, Aitmatov passed away in Nuremberg, Germany, at the age of 79. His writing is known for drawing on the traditions of folk literature, blending myths, legends, and real-life experiences. He often used depictions of natural landscapes to reflect the inner worlds of his characters, giving his works a strong artistic appeal.

Jamila / Jamilia («Джамиля», 1958)

To Have and to Lose («Тополек мой в красной косынке», 1961). 

Camel's Eye / Camel Eye («Верблюжий глаз», 1961)

Duishen / The First Teacher («Первый учитель», 1962)

Mother Earth («Саманчынын жолу» / «Материнское поле», 1963)

Farewell, Gyulsary! / Farewell, Gulsary! («Прощай, Гульсары», 1966)

The White Steamship / The White Ship («Белый пароход», 1970)

The Lament of a Migrating Bird («Плач перелётной птицы», 1972). 

The Ascent of Mt. Fuji («Восхождение на Фудзияму», written together with Kaltai Mukjamedzhanov, 1973). 

Cranes Fly Early («Ранние журавли», 1975). Raduga Publishers (1983).

Piebald Dog Running Along the Shore / Spotted Dog Running Along the Seashore («Деңиз Бойлой Жорткон Ала Дөбөт» / «Пегий пес, бегущий краем моря», 1977)

The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years («И дольше века длится день», 1980). 

The Place of the Skull («Плаха», 1987). Grove Press (1989).

The Time to Speak Out («Час слова», 1988).