THE ADOPTED SON

There is an ancient tradition in Kyrgyzstan, whereby parents of a large family offer their baby to a childless couple once the baby has been weaned. In a time-honoured ritual, five old women pass the baby over their bent kness and name it �BeshkempirΣ (which means: five old women). Abdykalikov uses this custom as the starting point for his beatifully poignant tale of a young boy who has been brought up as an adopted son. Azate is a young abdlescent, living a happy life in his small village, frolicking in the mud with his friends, enjoying a loving relationship with his parents and grandmother, spending time with a girl he likes. Then, one day, Azate is told that he is an adopted son, and suddenly his world is turned upside down.