Origins
I am Kyrgyz, a descendant of nomads. I was born in Frunze, the green, cosmopolitan capital of Kyrgyzstan — today’s Bishkek. What the Alps are to Switzerland, the Tian Shan, the “Celestial Mountains”, are to us.
My childhood was shaped by art and movement. I attended the ballet school of the National Theatre and later played for the Kyrgyz junior football team. I learned to read very early — and from then on believed in the power of good.
My mother worked at the Kyrgyzfilm studio from the day it was founded. It was there that I first saw literature come alive on screen. That fascination has never left me.
Journalism in Kyrgyzstan
From 1994 to 2007 I worked in Kyrgyzstan as a television journalist, commentator and editor-in-chief. My work as a journalist, then and since, is described under Journalism.
The break
My commitment to truth and justice inevitably brought me into conflict with the authoritarian government after the events of March 2005. At state television, I refused to become the voice of the regime. Threats followed, and then an attempt on my life.
The eyes of my frightened daughter, barely ten years old at the time, were the strongest argument for leaving. I still see my departure in October 2007 as a protest against a system without values.
A new home in Switzerland
In Switzerland I have put down new roots. I write for the Swiss press, contribute to television projects and am a member of Reporters Without Borders. Today I preside over two non-profit associations in Central Switzerland that work for integration, culture and participation in public life — see Initiatives.
Film
In 2021 I founded my own production company. I am dedicated to independent auteur cinema from Central Asia, with a focus on human rights. After “Snowstorm” (2021), I have accompanied the feature film “Kurak” as a producer; it had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival in 2025. As Swiss co-producer I am involved in the Kazakh drama “PAY THE BILL”, now in post-production. More under Film.
Politics
Since 5 November 2026 I have been a member of the Kriens City Parliament for the SP and sit on the Committee for Building, Transport and Environment (official source, in German). More under Politics in Kriens.
Roles and connections
- Kriens City Parliament
- Member (SP) since 5 November 2026; Committee for Building, Transport and Environment
- SP Kriens
- Party member
- Kairat Birimkulov Production
- Founder (2021); film production, including “Snowstorm” and “Kurak”
- Verein zusammen
- President; integration through cultural dialogue
- Bridge to Kyrgyzstan
- President; a link between Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan
- Alpine Ascent GmbH, Lucerne
- Founder; a company for film, work integration and IT solutions. Business enquiries via alpineascent.ch, separate from political matters.
- Reporters Without Borders
- Member
Entrepreneur
With Alpine Ascent GmbH in Lucerne I carry this work forward as an entrepreneur — film, workforce integration, media, real estate and technology under one roof.
“Besides journalism I have a second passion: cinema. I am convinced it has the power to change the world. It is more than art — it is a way to speak about what matters, to awaken conscience and to inspire change.”