Kyrgyzstan’s Public Diplomacy in the Process of Change and Transformation

Public diplomacy is a term that allows a state to promote itself in the international arena not only through official channels, but also through people-to-people relations. This type of diplomacy encourages direct communication among individuals and strengthens cultural ties compared to traditional diplomacy. For young independent states like Kyrgyzstan, public diplomacy plays a crucial role in increasing international recognition and ensuring effectiveness in its foreign policy. Public diplomacy has become a significant element of Kyrgyzstan's foreign policy since gaining independence. The main goal of Kyrgyz public diplomacy studies has been to ensure that Kyrgyzstan is recognized as a peaceful country rich in culture. In this process, the internationally renowned Manas Epic and Chingiz Aitmatov played critical roles.