A journalist since 1994.

In Kyrgyzstan, 1994–2007

From 1994 to 2007 Kairat Birimkulov worked as a television journalist and commentator, served as editor-in-chief and founded the Bishkek municipal information centre. In those years he co-founded some of the country’s first non-governmental organisations and worked closely with UNICEF, the International Red Cross and other humanitarian partners.

After the events of March 2005 he refused to become the voice of the regime on state television; in October 2007 he left Kyrgyzstan. He tells how it came to that himself under About Kairat.

In Switzerland

Today he writes for the Swiss press, contributes to television projects and is a member of Reporters Without Borders. In 2016 he was one of five refugees who shaped the SRF programme “Kulturplatz”.

Interviews and appearances

Each entry gives the original publication date, the format, the language and his role.

1. Oberbaselbieter Zeitung 09/16/2021 Interview · German Interviewee

   Die Brücken bauen ist zu meinem ganzen Leben geworden

   Zunächst baute ich als Journalist die Brücken von der Regierung zur Bevölkerung.

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2. links.lu · Kanton Luzern July 2021 Interview · German Interviewee

   Interview mit Kairat Birimkulov

   Journalist und Filmproduzent aus Kriens, ursprünglich aus Kirgistan. Sein Film «Schneesturm» lief vor kurzem in Luzern im Kino.

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3. SRF Kultur 01/06/2016 Portrait · German Subject

   Kairat Birimkulov prangerte die Korruption an und musste fliehen

   Er kritisierte offen Korruption und Vetternwirtschaft der Oligarchie — und musste fliehen. Einer von fünf Geflüchteten, die den «Kulturplatz» gestalten.

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Own writing

An archive of his own articles and columns is being compiled; each text will appear here with the date and source of its first publication. Media reports about his work are under For media.