The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Aitysh

(in Kirghiz; aitys in Kazakh), one of the traditional forms of sung folk poetry, performed at public contests of akyns [poet-improvisers and singers]. Aitysh is a dynamic genre, requiring considerable inventiveness and improvisational skill. The Soviet akyns Dzhambul, Nurpeus, Isa, and others have developed the best traditions of the aitysh, which was created in the 19th century.

WORKS

Aitys, vol. 1. Alma-Ata, 1942.
Step’ poet. Alma-Ata, 1958.
Kostanai akyndarynyng aitysy. Kystanai, 1958.
Karaghandy obi. akyndarynyng aitysy. Karaganda, 1958.
Aitys, vols. 1–3. Alma-Ata, 1965–66.

REFERENCES

Auezov, M., and L. Sobolev, “Fol’klor i epos kazakhskogo naroda.” Literaturnyi kritik, 1939, nos. 10–11; 1940, no. 1.
Ismailov, E. Akyny. Alma-Ata, 1957.
Fabdullin, M. Kazakh khalkynyng auyzë debieti. Alma-Ata, 1958.
Kyrgyz sovet adabiiatynyn tarykhynyn ocherki. Frunze, 1960.

Mentioned in

Toktogul Satylganov

References in periodicals archive

The first few generations of theater actors needed to turn away from traditional entertainment that included reverence for Manas, the Kyrgyz national hero, aitysh (improvised poetry contests or verbal dueling), and recitation of religious verses.

Gender and National Identity in Memories of the Late 20th-century Soviet Theater in Kyrgyzstan

The event will be chaired by the Kyrgyz film director, screenwriter, producer and founder of the Asian World Film Festival in Los Angelesat the event Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, the Aitysh Public Fund reports.

Kyrgyz film director to lead jury of international film festival in Kazakhstan

The founder of the festival is the head of the Aitysh foundation, filmmaker, MP Sadyk Sher-Niyaz.

Georges Chamchoum: Asian World Film Festival has become a monster

Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Muhamedkaliy Abilgaziyev met with the Executive Director of the Asian World Film Festival Georges Chamchoum and the film director and producer, the founder of the Aitysh Public Foundation Sadyk Sher-Niyaz.

Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan receives organizers of Asian World Film Festival

The first convocation of the Eurasian PEN clubs "Together" will be held in Issyk-Kul, the "Aitysh" public fund reported.

First convocation of Eurasian PEN clubs "Together" to be held in Issyk-Kul

The epic trilogy "Manas, Semitei, Seitek", the art of akyns, the art of making felt carpets ala-kiyiz, shyrdak, traditional knowledge and skills of making nomad tents, the art of improvisation aitysh , the culture of cooking breads lavash, katyrma, jupka, yufka, Nooruz, kok-boru have been inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

UNESCO to provide protectorship over III World Nomad Games