"The performances of the last few nights have made for a truly powerful showcase of artistry, in what was the Eurasia Festival’s second year. It will be exciting to see how future iterations of the festival will bridge the cultural and geographic divide to share their talents with Western audiences..", Logan Martell, Operawire Read more

"Both the Opening Night Gala and Eurasian Soiree events were brought to a spectacular finish by Omurgazy Zhyrgalbek playing the Kyrgyz komuz and the Kazakh dombra", Logan Martell, Operawire Read more

"Kyrgyz American Foundation and Columbia University’s Harriman Institute hosted an academic roundtable discussion on the issues facing the Kyrgyz diaspora in the United States; the November event also featured Kyrgyz music, dance and cuisine. Sydykov hopes that events like these will help the Kyrgyz community feel welcomed – and included – in their new home.

“What happened tonight was people heard that there are people who call themselves Kyrgyz Americans,” Sydykov told Eurasianet after the forum. “I think it’s a new term that we are going to cement…the fact that we recognize that we exist and that we heard about the challenges and problems [of Kyrgyz Americans]. It means that we are ready to…find solutions.” Maria Mammina, EurasiaNet Read more

"Until last night we knew nothing about the Kyrgyz Republic, only that it was somewhere in Central Asia. The colorful program presented last night at Merkin Concert Hall got us curious about this landlocked country with a population smaller than that of NYC.  Last night was a love-fest between this small nation and our own.  The Kyrgyz American Foundation has a mission-- to strengthen civil, humanitarian and cultural ties between the two nations, and one important way to accomplish this is through the arts." Meche Kroop, Voce di Meche Read more

"Kyrgyz American Foundation will present an historical gala concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of Kyrgyz Independence and Kyrgyz-US relations, featuring world-class Kyrgyz and American artists at Chicago’s Nichols Concert Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago." Musical America Read more

"After three satisfying evenings at the Eurasia Festival, we are feeling very involved and reluctant to see the festival end. Last night's Eugene (Evgeny) Onegin was the capstone of the festival and left us in a state of bliss. Most operas are entertaining; occasionally one captures our intellectual curiosity.", Meche Kroop, Voce di Meche Read more

"We cannot recall another concert with so much variety and so much international cultural sharing.", Meche Kroop, Voce Di Meche Read more

"The Kyrgyz American Foundation aims to build strong and enduring ties between Kyrgyzstan and the United States, Sydykov and Levin told EurasiaNet.org. All too often, the connections between nations are only strategic and political, Sydykov explained, adding that the foundation intends to move Kyrgyz-American relations beyond “temporary things such as Manas Air Base.” While others are focused on building walls, the foundation hopes to use music and culture to show that there are better ways to understand each other, he said. Maria Mammina, EurasiaNet Read more

"Sounds of Kyrgyzstan Gala Concert: The Kyrgyz American Foundation presents a program of classical and traditional folk music composed and performed by Kyrgyz and American musicians. Jonathan Levin is the artistic director. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; $25; www.kyrgyzamericanfoundation.org"

John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune Read more

"Kyrgyz American Foundation will present an historical gala concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of Kyrgyz Independence and Kyrgyz-US relations, featuring world-class Kyrgyz and American artists at Chicago’s Nichols Concert Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago." Ceeres, University of Chicago Read more