Postcard from Bishkek

When I was a teacher, we used have a topic which was quite popular and that I used to enjoy teaching called the History of Computing.  We would look at the major technological developments that led up to and lay behind the electronic devices and wonders of modern technology that sat on the desks.  One […]

There are some themes that just won’t go away, no matter how much you want them to … and Ala Kachuu is one of them. Ala Kachuu is the name given here in Kyrgyzstan to the practice of “Bride Kidnapping”.  When a young man, (often accompanied by a group of his friends), kidnaps a girl […]

In April, last year, a protest in central Bishkek became a revolution which led to the President, Kurmanbek Bakiev, fleeing the country.  As his replacement was chosen Rosa Isakovna Otunbaeva, who became a member of one the world’s most exclusive “clubs”: Women Heads of State. What a long way we have come since September 19th, […]

Today sees the British Royal Wedding in Westminster Abbey between Prince William and Kate Middleton.  Even here in Kyrgyzstan it has been difficult to miss all the hype, (there is an awful lot of coverage about the event in the international media and on the internet), although, to be honest, there has not been that […]

This might seem like an odd topic to choose for a postcard, but as Benjamin Franklin observed: “There are only things certain in life, Death and Taxes.”  There is no denying the fact that death, (and having to come to terms with loss of a loved one), is a fact of life, (no pun intended), […]

I am aware that there has been a somewhat depressing turn to the postcards recently, in that there have been quite few references to deaths and funerals. I have mentioned several times that last year was the year of the “black tie”.  It wasn’t just a case of the number of people that died in […]

When I first came here I often ran into problems over names.  Back in the UK, for example, as a school teacher, I would have “hit the roof” if one of my pupils had dared to call me Ian.  The correct form of address is “Sir” or “Mr. Claytor”.  The use of the given name […]

One aspect of Kyrgyz Culture which has come to the attention of the West is the practice of Ala Kachuu – or “Bride Stealing”. It appears that this tradition stems from the times of nomadic culture and lifestyle of the past where people were constantly on the move from one pasture (jailoo) to another. (It […]

Zamira, who runs the tour department, got married on Saturday. After the official registration ceremony, the “molodyosh” – “young people” – went on the traditional walkabout to several different spots around the city, parks, war memorial, etc., to promenade and be seen. In the meantime the parents and other guests rushed to the restaurant where […]

The term, “Aksakal Courts” literally translates as “White Beard Courts”, and is used for a court, or council, of elders which is authorized to consider certain types of legal cases. Traditionally, these local community “courts” consisted of the oldest men in the village, who make decisions as if an elected town council.  Today, they are […]