"The earth - as fragile as an infant's head"

In Chingiz Aitmatov's novel "The Day Draws the Path of the Century" (1980), a Soviet citizen and an American feel a sense of responsibility for our planet. They oppose the Cold War and have to atone for it.

"Planetary consciousness" - an illusion? "Everything is in the WORD", the Kyrgyz writer (1928-2008) repeatedly emphasized. But what can appeals for understanding achieve when interests clash? This eternal question drives Aitmatov's characters, along with the author, who experienced what war means as a child. Irmtraud Gutschke also knew Chingiz Aitmatov well personally. Against the current backdrop, his work takes on a burning topicality.