Chinguiz Aitmátov, the son of a senior government official and an actress, was born in 1928 in a village of Kirguizistan.

His father was arrested and executed during Stalinist repression, so Aitmátov was rasied by her grandmother, who told him popular tales that later had an influence on his writings.

He studied veterinary and agricultural science and then he worked at an agricultural institute and at a research center. After Stalin’s death, Aitmátov was able to join the high grades of Literature in Moscow St.

He started his literary activity in 1952, showing himself to be a great writer with Yamila. Both this work and The first teacher or Spotted dog running at the edge of the sea have been published in “The young collection”. His books have been published in 170 languages.

Aitmátov obtained many and important literary awards and lots of his works have been adapted in movies, theatre plays and even ballet.

Aitmátov was an active citizen during all his life, taking part in the political life of his country and in his later years he carried out an important diplomatic activity, on behalf of Moscow in Luxemburg and as a representative of Kirguistan in France, Belgium and Luxemburg.

Chinguiz Aitmátov passed away in june 2008 in a clinic of Nuremberg (Germany).