Postcard from Bishkek » Calendar

August – commemorations and anniversaries – 2014

ian — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 18:05:17 +0000

People often ask me about how I keep track of all the special days and anniversaries that feature in my postcards … and the answer is that I try to keep a diary of them.

Actually, the diary has a lot of other entries … but here I have extracted the entries that have some specific connection with the International community or to Kyrgyzstan

I must confess that I am not that good at keeping it up to date … every time I come across a new date or Commemorative Day, then I should reach for the computer and load the diary file to make an addition … but more often than not I happen to be away from my desk and the computer and so the new entry gets put onto one side and eventually over looked.

Then again, we don’t know, (I can’t find), all of the dates … as a result the selection is quite eclectic … there is a lot missing and sometimes, when I go back to look over the list, I ask myself, “why on earth did I include that entry?” … so, if anyone wants to help me fill in the gaps I will be very grateful.

The entries include:

Public Holidays

International Commemorations

Those officially recognized by the UN – which means they are normally marked in Kyrgyzstan

Professional Holidays

Births

Deaths

Events

Miscellaneous

Moveable feasts

Where the dates change from year to year – they appear in italics.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 1st

Births

1949 – Birth of former President Kurmanbek Bakiev

Miscellaneous

International Beer Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 2nd

Deaths

1963 - Death of the akyn Alymkul Usenbaev

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 3rd

Professional Holidays

Railway Workers’ Day – First Sunday – this year 3rd August

Deaths

1983 – Death of the writer Shatman Sadybakasov

Miscellaneous

International Forgiveness Day – First Sunday of the month – this year 3rd August
International Friendship Day - First Sunday of the month – this year 3rd August

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 4th

Deaths

1922 – Death of the Turkish General Enver Pasha

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 5th

Deaths

2005 - Death of the poet Esengul Ibraev

Events

1952 - The establishment the Mayakovskiy Teachers Training College (now the Arabaev University)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 6th

Deaths

1942 - Cholponbai Tuloberdiev dies covering the recess in an enemy bunker using his body – an act for which he is awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.

Events

1905 - Mass meeting and disturbances in Pishpek
1999 – First Batken incursion

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 7th

Births

1949 (or 47?)- Birth of the former Prime Minister Amangeldy Muraliev

Events

1905 – The People’s Protest
2000 – Opening of The Silk Road Lodge

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 8th

International Commemorations

International Day of Mountaineering - the Day of the Climber

Births

1896 – Birth of the Kyrgyz national actor and the humorist, Sharshen Termechikov

Deaths

1942 – Death of Sharshen Termechikov

Events

1924 – Opening of the railway in Pishpek
1987 – Tashtanbek Akmatovich Akmatov becomes Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 9th

International Commemorations

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

Professional Holidays

Day of the Builder - Second Sunday in August – this year 10th August

Births

1926 – Birth of the literary critic, E.K.Ozmitel

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 10th

Births

1916 – Birth of the poet, Kamchy Junusov

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 11th

International Commemorations

World Humanitarian Day

Births

1931 – Birth of the Kyrgyz writer, Abziy Kydyrov

Events

1911 – Sack of the Svetly Mys Monastery (by the Gregorian Calendar – 30th July in the Julian Calendar)

Miscellaneous

Day of Remembrance of the Batken events

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 12th

International Commemorations

International Youth Day

Professional Holiday

Day of the workers in the Criminal Correction System

Deaths

1994 – Death of the musician, Ryspai Abdykadirov

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 13th

Deaths

1949 - Death of the writer Kasymaly Zhantosheva
1988 – Death of the novelist and playright Kasymaly Djantoshev

Events

1906 - Mannerheim and Pelliot meet with Kurmanjan Datka in Gulcha
1943 - The opening of the Kyrgyz branch of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 14th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 15th

Births

1896 – Birth of the akyn, Toktonaly Shabdanbaev
1922 - Birth of T. Abdumomunov, the known Kyrgyz playwright, the honoured worker of arts of Kyrgyzstan, the winner of the state award by a name of Toktogul
1924 – Birth of the novelist and poet Zuura Sooronbaeva
1945 – Birth of the Kyrgyz Science Fiction writer Begenas Sartov
1951 – Birth of the poet and the critic, Abdykapar Egemberdiev

Events

2005 - Feliks Kulov becomes Prime Minister

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 16th

Births

1932 – Birth of the statesman and politician Arstanbek Duysheyevich Duysheev

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 17th

Professional Holidays

Day of Employees in the Drug Control Authority

Events

1942 - The organisation of the Kyrgyz state opera and ballet theatre by a name of A.Maldybaev on the basis of is musical-drama theatre
1954 - Establishment of the National Academy of Sciences
1971 – Commissioning of the Hotel “Kyrgyzstan” – now the Hyatt
1974 – TsUM Aichurek opens in Frunze

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 18th

Births

1955 – Birth of the politician (Prime Minister) Djoomat Otorbaev

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 19th

International Commemorations

World Photograph Day
World Humanitarian Day

Births

1907 - Birth of A.Kuttubaev, Kyrgyz national artist
1934 – Birth of the former Prime Minister Apas Jumagulov

Events

1991 – Moscow coup attempt which leads to the demise of Soviet Union and the Independence of Kyrgyzstan

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 20th

Events

1922 – First airplane arrives in Pishpek

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 21st

Births

1961 – Birth of former Prime Minister Igor Chuidinov

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 22nd

Births

1936 – Birth of the theatrical critic and the translator Avas Syrymbetov

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 23rd

International Commemorations

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

Births

1950 – Birth of the politician Roza Otunbaev who became President of Kyrgyzstan following the 2010 revolution

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 24th

Professional Holidays

Day of the Interior Ministry

Births

1921 – Birth of the Kyrgyz national painter Jakyp Kojakmatov

Events

1991 - Lenin Square in Bishkek is renamed Ala Too Square and Derzhinsky Boulevard is renamed Erkindik
2008 - Crash of the Bishkek-Tehran flight at Manas airport killing 68 passengers and crew

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 25th

Deaths

1227 – Death of Genghis Khan

Events

1978 - Sultan Ibraimovich Ibraimov becomes Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet
1991 – Communist Party of the Kyrgyz SSR dissolved

Miscellaneous

Kiss and Make up Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 26th

Miscellaneous

National Dog Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 27th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 28th

Births

1938 – Birth of the novelist Asanbek Stamov

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 29th

Deaths

2005 - Death of the opera singer Asec Dzhumabaev

Events

1991 - The Supreme Soviet of the KSSR adopts a resolution dissolving the Communist Party

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 30th

Professional Holidays

Archivists’ Day

Births

1966 - birth of Orzubek Nazarov – a Southpaw (left handed) boxer and one time WBA Lightweight champion.

Events

1951 – Opening of the Kyrgyz State University
2011 - unveiling of the statue of Chingiz Aitmatov on the southern side of Ala Too Square

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Aug 31st

Public Holidays

Independence Day (Public Holiday)

Professional Holidays

Miners’ Day – last Sunday – this year 31st August

Births

1896 – Birth of Toktonaliev Shabdanbaev
1902 – Birth of the Kyrgyz General Ysakbek Moniev

Deaths

1873 – Death of Alexei Pavlovich Fedchenko

Events

1878 – Approval of the “Draft City Plan” for Pishpek
1991 – The Jogorku Kenesh adopts the Declaration of political independence of Kyrgyzstan
2011 - unveiling of the Aikol Manas (Magnanimous Manas) monument in the main Ala Too Square

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Notes

Railway Workers’ Day – First Sunday (Professional Holiday) – this year 3rd August
International Forgiveness Day - First Sunday of the month – this year 3rd August
International Friendship Day - First Sunday of the month – this year 3rd August
Day of the Builder (Professional Holiday) Second Sunday in August – this year 10th August
Miners’ Day – last Sunday (Professional Holiday) – this year 31st August

1932 Arstanbek Duysheyevich Duysheev

July – Commemorations and Anniversaries – 2014

ian — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 18:05:46 +0000

People often ask me about how I keep track of all the special days and anniversaries that feature in my postcards … and the answer is that I try to keep a diary of them.

Actually, the diary has a lot of other entries … but here I have extracted the entries that have some specific connection with the International community or to Kyrgyzstan

The entries include:

Public Holidays

International Commemorations

Those officially recognized by the UN – which means they are normally marked in Kyrgyzstan

Professional Holidays

Births

Deaths

Events

Miscellaneous

Moveable feasts

Where the dates change from year to year – they appear in italics.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 1st

Professional Holidays

Tax Inspectors’ Day
Day of the Rescue Services

Events

1869 - Foundation of Karakol by Kaulbars
2011 - Opening of the Alley of the Rescuers in Victory Park – dedicated to the workers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 2nd

Professional Holidays

Customs Officials’ Day

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 3rd

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July
Stay out of the Sun Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 4th

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 5th

International Commemorations

International Day of Cooperatives – First Saturday – this year 5th July

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 6th

Professional Holidays

Medical Workers Day – First Sunday – this year 6th July

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 7th

Events

1950 - Iskhak Razzakovich Razzakov becomes First Secretary of the Communist Party
1995 – Agreement signed with Cameco for the development of the Kumtor Gold mine

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 8th

Deaths

1960 – Death of Karamoldo (Toktomambet Orozov) – The “komuzist who played all day”

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 9th

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July
Orthodox feast of Theotokos of Tikhvin

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 10th

Births

1891 – Birth of the painter, V.V.Obrazov
1894 - Birth of Peter Fedorovich Shubin
1946 – Birth of the poetess, Roza Karagulova
1951 – Birth of the akyn, Egemberdi Ermatov

Events

1916 – Popular uprising “Urkun”
1950 - Abdy Suyerkulovich Suyerkulov becomes Chairman of the Coincil of Ministers (effectively, Prime Minister)
2010 - Ethnic conflict erupts in Southern Kyrgyzstan resulting in about 400 deaths and 400,000 people displaced

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 11th

International Commemorations

World Population Day

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 12th

Births

1944 - Birth of the actress Tattybyubyu Tursunbayeva

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 13th

Deaths

1989 – Death of the writer Kasym Kaimov

Events

1926 - First Passenger steamship launched on Lake Issyk Kul

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 14th

Births

1932 – Birth of the poet Maraliev

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 15th

Births

1912 - Birth of Abdrasul Toktomushev, Kyrgyz national poet, the winner of the state award by a name of Toktogul

Events

1915 – Opening of the Pishpek Public Library and Reading Room

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 16th

Births

1949 – Birth of the politician Ishenbai Duyshonbiyevich Kadyrbekov

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 17th

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July August

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 18th

Events

1938 - I.P. Boryak becomes Chairman of the Supreme Soviet

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July August

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 19th

Births

1971 – Birth of Vitali Klitshhko, the Ukrainian Heavyweight Champion of the World, in Belovodsk

Events

1938 - Asanaly Tolubayev becomes Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet
1964 - The opening of the ski sport base “Chon-Tash.”

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 20th

Professional Holidays

Day of the National Guard
Metal Workers’ Day – Third Sunday – this year 21st July
Service Industries Day – Third Sunday – this year 21st July

Events

1938 - Turabay Kulatovich Kulatov - becomes the Acting Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars – effectively Prime Minister.

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 21st

Deaths

2008 – Death of the conductor A Dzumahmatov

Events

1914 – Soldiers protest being sent to the front

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 22nd

Events

1914 – Soldiers protest being sent to the front

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 23rd

Events

2009 – President Bakiev is relected for a second term

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 24th

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 25th

Events

2005 - Kurmanbek Bakiev formally elected as Kyrgyzstan’s second President

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 26th

Events

2008 - unveiling of the Kind Angel of the World monument in Fuchik Park

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 27th

Events

2010 - Referendum approves Roza Otunbaeva as President and a new constitution

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 28th

Public Holidays

Orozo Ait (Public Holiday) – fixed according to the Islamic Lunar Calendar – this year 28th July

International Commemorations

World Hepatitis Day

Events

1981 – Unveiling of the monument to Maxim Gorky.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 29th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 30th

Events

1911 – Sack of the Svetly Mys Monastery (by the Julian Calendar)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jul 31st

Deaths

2004 – Death of the politician and statesman A. Masaliev

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Notes

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July
International Day of Cooperatives – First Saturday – this year 5th July
Medical Workers Day – First Sunday (Professional Holiday) – this year 6th July
Metal Workers’ Day – Third Sunday (Professional Holiday) – this year 20th July
Service Industries Day – Third Sunday (Professional Holiday) – this year 20th July
Orozo Ait (Public Holiday) – fixed according to the Islamic Lunar Calendar – this year 28th July

June – commemorations and anniversaries – 2014

ian — Sat, 31 May 2014 18:05:42 +0000

People often ask me about how I keep track of all the special days and anniversaries that feature in my postcards … and the answer is that I try to keep a diary of them.

Actually, the diary has a lot of other entries … but here I have extracted the entries that have some specific connection with the International community or to Kyrgyzstan

The entries include:

Public Holidays

International Commemorations

Those officially recognized by the UN – which means they are normally marked in Kyrgyzstan

Professional Holidays

Births

Deaths

Events

Miscellaneous

Moveable feasts

Where the dates change from year to year – they appear in italics.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jun 1st

International Commemorations

International Children’s Day
Global Day of Parents – recognized by the UN

Professional Holidays

Workers in the Fishing Industry Day

Deaths

1944 - Death of the poet Djoormat Bokonbaev

Events

1930 – Arrival of a delegation of the Central Committee of the Czechoslovakia headed by Julius Fuchik
1992 – Kyrgyzstan assumes control of all military units on its territory
1998 The Celestial Mountains Guesthouse opens in Naryn

Miscellaneous

Pen pal Day

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 2nd

Births

1945 – Birth of the writer Anatai Omurkanov

Miscellaneous

Dragon Boat Fetsival (China)

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 3rd

Miscellaneous

1941 - Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) and the CPC Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz SSR on the organization of the Kyrgyz Drama Theatre (the first performance took place on Sept. 21. 1941).
1945 - Nikolay Semyonovich Bogolyubov becomes First Secretary of the Communist Party

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 4th

International Commemorations

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

Births

1837 - Birth of Carl Gustav Mannerheim, Marshall of Finland

Events

1983 - The opening of the Osh bazaar.
1990 – Ethnic riots in Osh

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 5th

International Commemorations

World Environment Day

Professional Holidays

Environmental Protection Workers Day

Miscellaneous

Donut Day

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 6th

Births

1799 - Birth of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin

Events

1999 - unveiling of the statue of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin on Kievskaya, outside the Slavic University.

Miscellaneous

Queen’s Official Birthday (UK)
Russian Language Day
Yo-yo Day
Perfect Number Day 6/6

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 7th

Professional Holidays

Day of Financial and Economic Workers

Births

1906 – Birth of composer, Abdylas Maldybaev who appears on the 1 som banknote

Deaths

1933 - Death of the linguist and educator, Ishenaly Arabaev – in Tashkent – poisoned / suicide.

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 8th

International Commemorations

World Ocean Day

Professional Holidays

Light Manufacturing Industries

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 9th

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 10th

Births

1894 - Birth of the musician Peter Shubin - or was it in July?

Deaths

323 BC - Death of Alexander the Great
1937 - Death of St. Irakliy (by the Gregorian Calendar)
2008 – Death of the writer and diplomat Chinghiz Aitmatov

Events

2010 – Riots in Osh resulting in over 400 deaths

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 11th

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 12th

International Commemorations

World Day against Child Labour

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 13th

Births

1917 - Birth of G.G.Karkockiy, Kyrgyz national artist

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 14th

International Commemorations

World Blood Donors’ Day

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 15th

Professional Holidays

Water Industry Day
Fire Service Day

Births

1907 - Birth of V.I.Vasiliev, movieproducer, Kyrgyz national artist
1934 - Birth of the musician and composer Altynbek Zanykekov
1963 – Birth of the High Jumper Igor Paklin

Deaths

2005 – Death of Akhmatbek Suttubaevich Suyumbaev, Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars – effectively the Prime Minister – of the Kyrgyz SSR

Events

1926 - The first fire service in the Republic was established
1965 - The establishment of the Toktogul State Prize for literature and art.
2001 – Formal creation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 16th

Births

1923 – Birth of the composer and conductor Asankhan Dzumahmatov

Deaths

1961 – Death of the Manaschi M. Musulmankulov

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 17th

International Commemorations

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought - recognized by the UN

Births

1860 - Birth of the Kyrgyz akyn, Togolok Moldo

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 18th

Deaths

2011 - Death of the manaschi Urkash Mambetaliev

Miscellaneous

Autistic Pride Day
International Panic Day

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 19th

Deaths

1988 - Death of the poet Alai Tokombaev

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 20th

International Commemorations

World Refugee Day

Births

1883 – Birth of the Manaschi M. Musulmankulov
1936 – Birth of Kyrgyz national actress, Kaiyrgul Sartbaeva

Events

2005 – Medetbek Karimkulov assumes the role of Acting Prime Minister

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 21st

Deaths

1928 – Death of the composer and conductor A Dzumahmatov

Miscellaneous

World Music Day
World Humanist Day
Summer Solstice

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 22nd

Births

1941 – Birth of the poet, Turar Kojomberdiev

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 23rd

International Commemorations

United Nations Public Service Day
International Widows Day

Professional Holidays

Day of Public Service

Events

1917 – Unrest amongst soldiers about to be sent to the front

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 24th

Miscellaneous

Midsummer’s Day
World Fairy Day

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 25th

International Commemorations

Day of the Seafarer

Events

1916 - Tsar Nicholas II issues a decree to mobilize the people of Central Asia, (Including the Kyrgyz), for “war work at the rear”, leading to the Urkun revolt (July- Oct, 1916)

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 26th

International Commemorations

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

Events

1894 – Unveiling of the Prezhervaslk Monument near Karakol
1997 – The Celestial Mountains Tour Company is established

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 27th

2010 – Referendum approves new constitution and Roza Otunbavea as President

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 28th

International Commemorations

World Hepatitis Day

Births

1892 - Birth of the specialist in folklore, the collector of the Kyrgyz epos, Kaium Miftahov

Events

2011 - The statue of Erkindik is removed from its plinth in Ala Too Square to make way for the Aikol Manas, (Magnanimous Manas) monument.

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July
Perfect Number Day 28/6

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 29th

Professional Holidays

Lawyers Day

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Jun 30th

Deaths

2003 – Death of Arstanbek Duysheyevich Duysheev , who served two terms as Prime Minister – the first as Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars and later as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers

Miscellaneous

Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

Notes

Workers in the Fishing Industry Day – First Sunday (Professional Holiday) – This year it falls on June 1st
Dragon Boat Fetsival (China) – This year it falls on June 2nd
Light Manufacturing Industries – Second Sunday (Professional Holiday) – This year it falls on June 8th
Water Industry Day – Third Sunday (Professional Holiday) – This year it falls on June 15th
Ramadan - a month of fasting fixed in the lunar Islamic Calendar – this year from 28th June to the 27th July
Lawyers Day – Last Sunday (Professional Holiday) – This year it falls on June 29th

May – commemorations and anniversaries – 2014

ian — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 18:05:40 +0000

People often ask me about how I keep track of all the special days and anniversaries that feature in my postcards … and the answer is that I try to keep a diary of them.

Actually, the diary has a lot of other entries … but here I have extracted the entries that have some specific connection with the International community or to Kyrgyzstan

The entries include:

Public Holidays

International Commemorations

Those officially recognized by the UN – which means they are normally marked in Kyrgyzstan

Professional Holidays

Births

Deaths

Events

Miscellaneous

Moveable feasts

Where the dates change from year to year – they appear in italics.

May 1st

Public Holidays

Labour Day - variously known as May Day and International Workers Day

Births

1908 – Birth of the poet Temirkulov Umetaliev
1912 - Birth of the academician of Kyrgyz NAS, the doctor of philosophy, the professor, A.A.Altmyshbaev
1936 – Birth of the akyn and the translator Bilim Karagulov
1937 – Birth of the poet Mariyam Bularkieva
1941 – Birth of Muham Isaev, the prose writer
1945 – Birth of the publicist, and literary critic Sovietbek Baigaziev

Events

1926 - construction on Dom Druzhba begins

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 2nd

Events

1927 - Start of the first cloth factory by a name of K.Gotvald constructed by Czechoslovak co-operative society “Intergelpo”

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 3rd

International Commemorations

World Press Freedom Day

Events

2013 – US Air Force re-fueling plane crashes shortly after take off from the Manas Transit Base

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 4th

Events

1898 - Andijan Uprising (17th May according to the Gregorian Calendar)

Miscellaneous

International Firefighters Day
Star Wars Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 5th

Public Holidays

Constitution Day

Births

1904 - Birth of Klavdia Antipina, a Russian ethnographer who documented Kyrgyz traditional nomadic lifetyle
1930 – Birth of the writer Mukhtar Borbugulov
1931 – Birth of Kyrgyz national actor, Estebes Tursunaliev
1936 – Birth of musicologist, Balbay Alagushev

Events

1993 - Kyrgyzstan adopts its first Constitution

Miscellaneous

International Midwives Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 6th

International Commemorations

World Asthma Day – 1st Tuesday of May – this year 6th May

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 7th

International Commemorations

Radio Day

Professional Holidays

Communication Workers Day

Deaths

1971 – Death of the manaschi Sayakbai Karalaev

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 8th

International Commemorations

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day

Events

2012 – unveiling of the monument to the victims of the blockade of Leningrad, in Asanov Park at the Southern Gate of the city.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 9th

Public Holidays

Victory Day

Births

1902 - Birth of M.Baetov, known Kyrgyz melodist and the singer, the national actor of Kyrgyzstan
1905 – Birth of the writer Aitkulu Ubukeev
1924 - Birth of the opera singer Asec Dzhumabaev

Events

1961 - Turdakun Usubaliyevich Usubaliev becomes the First Secretary of the Communist Party
1970 - - The opening of the memorial “Eternal Flame” in honor of the fallen in the Great Patriotic War.

Miscellaneous

Europe Day
Bike to work Day – or May 17th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 10th

Professional Holidays

Day of the Banker

Events

1941 - Start of construction of the Bolshoi Chui Canal.
1961 - Bolot Mambetovich Mambetov becomes the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, the equivalent of Prime Minister
1993 - Introduction of the national currency, the Som

Miscellaneous

World Fair Trade Day – 2nd Saturday of May – this year 10th May
Tax Free Day for Kyrgyzstan – on average, people have now earned enough since the beginning of the year in order to pay off their annual tax bill

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 11th

Births

1906 – Birth of the children’s poet I.B.Zemliak

Deaths

1973 - Death of the ballerina Bubusara Beishenalieva

Events

1926 - The city of Pishpek is renamed Frunze

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 12th

International Commemorations

World Migratory Bird Day – recognized by the UN and UNEP
International Nurses Day

Births

1937 - Birth of poet Sharshenaly Abdyldaev

Events

1937 - The premiere of the first Kyrgyz musical drama “Altyn kyz.”

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 13th

Events

1878 – Pishpek becomes the administrative Centre – replacing Tokmak

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 14th

Births

1844 – Birth of Baron Alexander Vasilyevich Kaulbars, the Russian explorer who was responsible for the foundation of Karakol
1912 - Birth of the Kyrgyz national writer, the winner of the state award of the USSR, T. Sydykbekov
1921 – Birth of the akyn and the prose writer, Talantbek Baigabylov

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 15th

International Commemorations

International Day of Families

Births

1890 - Birth of the linguist Konstantin Kuzmich Yadukin
1914 - Birth of the artist Sadyrbek Akylbekov
1925 – Birth of the poet Sooronbai Djusuyev
1935 – Birth of the critic and the literary critic, Kambaraly Bobulov

Deaths

1944 – Death of the writer Mukai Elebaev

Events

1925 - The Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast is renamed as the Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast
1938 - Kalima Amankulova becomes Chairman of the Central Executive Committee, effectively the equivalent of Prime Minister

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 16th

Births

1894 – Birth of the akyn Alymkul Usenbaev (according to the Julian Calendar)
1910 - Birth of the poet Djoormat Bokonbaev, (after whom the village of Bokonbaeva is named)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 17th

International Commemorations

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

Births

1926 – Birth of the ballerina Bubusara Beishenalieva who appears on the 5 som banknote

Events

1898 - Andijan Uprising (according to the Julian Calendar)
1966 - anti police riots in Bishkek

Miscellaneous

World Day to combat Hypertension
World AIDS Vaccine Day
Bike to work Day – or May 9th
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 18th

International Commemorations

International Museum Day

Births

1906 – Birth of the Dungan poet and the prose writer, Iasyr Shivaza

Events

1936 – First concert by the Orchestra of Folk Instruments
1944 - Tatars forced repatriation to Central Asia

Miscellaneous

Mothers’ Day – Third Sunday in May – This year it falls on May 18th
International AIDS Candlelight memorial

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 19th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 20th

International Commemorations

World Meteorology Day

Births

1902 - Birth the composer, the National artist of Kyrgyzstan, the winner of the state award by a name of Toktogul, V.G.Fere
1970 - Birth of the Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov

Events

2002 - Apas Jumagulovich Djumagulov becomes Chairman of the Council of Ministers, effectively the equivalent of Prime Minister
2012 - the statue of Gennady Pavluk was stolen from it place on Sovietskaya

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 21st

International Commemorations

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 22nd

International Commemorations

International Day for Biological Diversity

Births

1931 – Birth of the akyn and the prose writer Tash Miyashev

Events

2002 – Nikolai Tanaev becomes Prime Minister

Miscellaneous

Harvey Milk Day
Bahai revelation announced

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 23rd

Deaths

1964 – Death of the poet and playwright Raikan Shukurbekov
1979 – Death of the writer Tazabek Samanchin

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 24th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 25th

Births

1932 – Birth of the writer Shatman Sadybakasov

Events

1925 - The Kara Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast becomes the Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast

Miscellaneous

Last Bell
Geek Pride Day
The Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories begins

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 26th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 27th

Professional Holidays

Library Day

Events

1902 - The basis of Issyk-Kul regional library established

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 28th

Professional Holidays

Border Guards Day

Deaths

1937 - Death of St. Irakliy (by the Julian Calendar)
2008 - Death of the film Director and Parliementary Deputy, Dooronbek Sadyrbaev

Events

1934 – The National Library is established

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 29th

International Commemorations

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

Miscellaneous

Day of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 30th

Births

1922 – Birth of Dair Asanovich Asanov – Hero of the Soviet Union

Events

1930 – Arrival of Julius Fucik in Kyrgyzstan

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

May 31st

International Commemorations

World No-Tobacco Day – recognized by the UN and WHO

Notes

World Asthma Day – 1st Tuesday of May – This year it falls on May 6th
World Fair Trade Day – 2nd Saturday of May – This year it falls on May 10th
Mothers’ Day – Third Sunday in May – This year it falls on May 18th

April – commemorations and anniversaries – 2014

ian — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 18:05:49 +0000

People often ask me about how I keep track of all the special days and anniversaries that feature in my postcards … and the answer is that I try to keep a diary of them.

Actually, the diary has a lot of other entries … but here I have extracted the entries that have some specific connection with the International community or to Kyrgyzstan

The entries include:

Public Holidays

International Commemorations

Those officially recognized by the UN – which means they are normally marked in Kyrgyzstan

Professional Holidays

Births

Deaths

Events

Miscellaneous

Moveable feasts

Where the dates change from year to year – they appear in italics.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 1st

Births

1913 – Birth of the writer R Shukurbekov
1926 – Birth of prose writer A.A.Salnikov

Miscellaneous

April Fools’ Day
Procrastination Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 2nd

International Commemorations

World Autism Day

Events

2004 - Law on the State Language, designed to extend the use of the official language (Russian) in Kyrgyzstan, is signed by President Akaev.

Miscellaneous

Children’s Book Day
International Pillow fight Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 3rd

Professional Holidays

Accountants’ and Auditors’ Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 4th

International Commemorations

International Mine Awareness Day

Births

1960 – Birth of the former Prime Minister – Azim Isabekov

Deaths

1999 – Death of the politician (Prime Minister) Jumabek Ibraimov

Events

1999 – Boris Saliev assumes the role of Acting Prime Minister for the second time.

Miscellaneous

National Love our Children Day
Internet Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 5th

Deaths

1934 - Birth of the painter Sagynbek Ishenov – the Father of Kyrgyz Animation

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 6th

Professional Holidays

Geologists Day – First Sunday – this year 6th April

Deaths

1912 - Death of Shabdan Baatyr

Events

1991 - Jumgalbek Beksultanovich Amanbayev becomes First Secretary of the Communist Party

Miscellaneous

Drowsy Driver Awareness Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 7th

International Commemorations

World Health Day

Professional Holidays

Athlete’s Day – the Day of Physical Culture

Events

2010 - The People’s Revolution which overthrew Kurmanbek Bakiev, the Second President of Kyrgyzstan … Roza Otumbaeva effectively becomes Acting President

Miscellaneous

No Housework Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 8th

International Commemorations

International Day of the Roma

Miscellaneous

Buddha’s Birthday (Japan)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 9th

Births

1336 – Birth of Timur the lame – Tamerlane

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 10th

Births

1933 – Birth of the politician and statesman A. Masaliev
1937 - Birth of the doctor of historical sciences, member-correspondent of Kyrgyz NAS Vladimir Mikhailovich Ploskih

Deaths

1865 – Death of the explorer Chokan Chingisovich Valikanov

Events

1990 - Absamat Masaliyevich Masaliyev becomes Chairman of the Supreme Soviet

Miscellaneous

Siblings Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 11th

Events

2010 – Askar Akaev resigns as President

Miscellaneous

1954 The Most Boring Day in History

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 12th

Births

1839 - Birth of the Russian explorer Nokolai Mikhailovich Prezhervalsk

Events

1999 – Amangeldy Muraliev becomes Prime Minister

Miscellaneous

Cosmonauts’ Day
World Day of Aviation and Cosmonauts

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 13th

Births

1922 - Birth of the Hero of the Soviet Union Cholponbai Tuloberdiev

Miscellaneous

Plant Appreciation Day
Rock and Roll Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 14th

Births

1916 – Birth of the Kyrgyz national writer Nasirdin Baitemirov
1937 – Birth of the novelist Kenesh Djusupov
1937 - Birth of the Kyrgyz prose writer, the winner of the award of Lenin Komsomol of Kyrgyzstan Kazbek Jusupov

Deaths

1926 - Death of the German explorer Gottfried Merzbacher

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 15th

International Commemorations

International Day of Culture

Deaths

1964 - Death of the artist Sadyrbek Akylbekov

Events

1939 - Premiere of the first Kyrgyz opera “Aichurek.”

Miscellaneous

Equal Pay Day
World Penguin Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 16th

Events

2010 - Kurmanbek Bakiev resigns as President

Miscellaneous

National High Five Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 17th

International Commemorations

World Hemophilia Day

Miscellaneous

Zoo Awareness Day 1

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 18th

Events

1946 - Adoption of the text and music of the national anthem of the Kirghiz SSR.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 19th

Deaths

1984 – Death of the poet Tenti Akysheva

Miscellaneous

St. Matrona’s Day (Orthodox)
National Hanging Out Day
Primrose Day
Bicycle Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 20th

Miscellaneous

Easter (Western) – fixed by a calendar based on the Spring Equinox – in 2014 if falls on 20th April
Easter (Orthodox) – fixed by a calendar based on the Spring Equinox – in 2014 if falls on 20th April

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 21st

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 22nd

International Commemorations

Earth Day

Births

1870 – Birth of Vladimir Illych Lenin

1922 - Birth of K.O.Otorbaev, the academician of Kyrgyz NAS, doctor of geographical sciences and professor

Deaths

1957 – Death of the akyn Isak Shaibekov

Miscellaneous

Zoo Awareness Day 2

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 23rd

International Commemorations

World Book and Copyright Day

Births

1906 – Birth of Kyrgyz national artist A.I.Ignatiev

Events

1937 – Maksim Kirovich Ammosov becomes First Secretary of the Communist Party

Miscellaneous

St. George’s Day (England)
English Language Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 24th

Births

1907 – Birth of Bolot Mambetovich Mambetov, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, effectively Prime Minister, between 1961 and 1968

Events

1925 – Arrival of the first group of the Czechoslovak cooperative “Intertelpo” in Pishpek

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 25th

International Commemorations

World Malaria Day

Miscellaneous

Red Hat Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 26th

International Commemorations

World Intellectual Property Day

Professional Holidays

Vetenarians’ Day – (Professional Holiday) - Last Saturday in April – this year 26th April

Births

1956 – Birth of the former Prime Minister – Kubanychek Jumaliev

Events

1938 – Ivan Pavlovich Rebrov becomes Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars
1996 – The “Shanghai Five” create what will become the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (in 2001)

Miscellaneous

World Tai Chi Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 27th

Professional Holidays

Statisticians Day – Last Sunday (Professional Holiday) – this year 27th April

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 28th

International Commemorations

World Safety Day

Births

1968 – Birth of the politician Arstanbek Abdylbaev (of “zima ne budet” fame)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 29th

Events

1878 – Bishkek becomes a city
1957 – opening of the Prezhervalsk Museum near Karakol

Miscellaneous

Dehn Goroda – Bishkek - chosen to commemorate its incorporation as a city … BUT … in 2014 the municipality took a decision to move the commemoration to the last Saturday in September.
International Dance Day
National Sense of Smell Day
Radonitsa - the second Tuesday after Easter – this year 29th April

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Apr 30th

Miscellaneous

International Jazz Day
Fire Safety Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Notes

Geologists Day – First Sunday (Professional Holiday) – this year 6th April
Easter (Western) – fixed by a calendar based on the Spring Equinox – this year 20th April
Easter (Orthodox) – fixed by a calendar based on the Spring Equinox – this year 20th April
Vetenarians’ Day – (Professional Holiday) - Last Saturday in April – this year 26th April
Statisticians Day – Last Sunday (Professional Holiday) – this year 27th April
Radonitsa - the second Tuesday after Easter – this year 29th April

WWD – World Water Day

ian — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 01:00:04 +0000

Logo for World Water Day 2014

Today, 22nd March, marks World Water Day – and has done so ever since 1993 having been approved as such by the General Assembly the previous year. The idea of the day is to encourage member nations to implement measures regarding the world’s water resources. Perhaps one of the most concrete aspects of the day is the public appeal for people not to use their taps throughout the whole day(!)

Water may be commonplace on the earth and it is the most important element for life on the planet … we can live for several weeks without food, but without water we cannot live for more than a few days.

Kyrgyzstan is rich in water resources – glaciers (over 8000 of them of different sizes throughout the country occupying over 4% of the land area – although they seem to be retreating), lakes (almost 2000 of them holding over 1700 billion cubic meters of water .. the vast majority of them small and at high altitudes), rivers (about 3500 with several being important sources of water not just here in Kyrgyzstan but also crossing the border an vital to communities in neighbouring countries), bogs (where ground water comes close to the surface – for example around some of the larger lakes and in the Chui valley), and reservoirs (13 man made reservoirs constructed either for irrigation or hydroelectric power generation, holding over 23 cubic kilometers of water) … but it is one of the resources that is under considerable pressure and, according to some commentators, likely to be the source of potential conflict.

There have been niggling disputes in Talas and the Chui valleys over the course of water, and both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are concerned about the effect of the construction of large hydroelectric power stations on the Naryn River of the availability of water downstream.

Apparently, according to intergovernmental agreements, Kyrgyzstan can use about a quarter of all this water, but a lot of this is wasted due to inefficient irrigation and distribution systems. Almost 90% of the water consumed in the republic goes towards agriculture.

It has been said for many years that water, and access to water resources, may well provide the flashpoint for future conflicts. That may well be so, but we seem to have a number of potential flashpoints over the last week or so … it’s difficult to know with which one to start.

Let’s start with the case of the missing plane – if only because it looks as if the connection with Central Asia may prove to be non-existent after all. The plane went missing over a week ago – and just like in the case of Amelia Earhart, a massive search has been underway ever since to try and find it. It seems that the after turning off the planes transponder it managed to stay n the air for several hours and one of the possible scenarios had it flying through air space that would bring it up to the region of Kyrgyz airspace. The Kyrgyz said that they had no records or evidence of the plane having even approached Kyrgyz airspace, but we know there is always the possibility – however remote – that it may have found a way of escaping detection, so when the Malaysians called and asked President Atambaev to help in the search he, of course he agreed … but nothing was found – although there really no surprise there. It’s difficult to argue any case from silence or the lack of evidence so the question hung in the air … however, the last news that I saw suggested that instead the plane probably turned South … and may well have ditched into the sea to the West of Australia.

If nothing else, the case seems to have exposed a number of gaps in the global security system – from people travelling on stolen passports to vast gaps in the radar surveillance systems.

The other global story that has hogged the headlines has been the situation in Kiev … and the referendum held last Sunday in Crimea which resulted in a massive “yes” vote to join the Russian Federation … and the Russians are proceeding to push the formalities through. There has been a lot of “propaganda” explaining Moscow’s point of view on Russian TV channels which are pretty widespread here … and it seems to be getting though and persuading people that the West clearly has no case in opposing the absorption of the peninsular into the Federation.

That’s not to say that people aren’t worried about possible outcomes … but the parallels with Czechoslovakia in the 1930′s, the Baltic States in the 1940′s, Argentina and the Falkland Islands in the 1980′s, Iraq and Kuwait in the 1990′s, not to mention Chechnya and the Caucasus and so on, is lost on people.

One parallel that hasn’t gone unnoticed is the application of economic sanctions – in particular the freezing of assets … with the Kyrgyz authorities announcing that they were repeating their call on the European Union to freeze the assets of former President Bakiev and his compatriots.

Having issued a pretty damning statement a week ago – saying that Yanukovych had lost the right to be considered the President of Ukraine as events had shown that he had lost the support of the people – apparently, therefore, not supporting the Russian position – the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry have now come out strongly in support of recognizing the Referendum as the expressed will of the people of the Crimea – and so supporting the Russian position. Actually, although they appear to be contradictory, there is nothing inconsistent in these statements … they address different issues and when taken separately it is possible to reconcile the two without having to perform major mental gymnastics.

The suggestion that Russia will next turn their attention towards the Central Asian countries is more or less pooh poohed by everyone – at least openly – except the foreign press and their pundits, (correspondents/analysts) here.

Big though these stories are, they haven’t totally directed the focus of attention beyond our borders. There’s been plenty going on here to keep our minds occupied on domestic affairs.

The protest rallies, for example, that the opposition parties were supposed to be organizing on Monday (17th March) were called off – postponed, not cancelled. They announced that they were proposing to hold them two weeks later, on 31st March, instead.

That raised a huge sigh of relief from everyone – conscious of the fact that Spring is when the protest season gets underway and when we tend to stage our revolutions … tensions and uneasiness start to build up. The last two revolutions (in 2005 and 2010) both occurred around Easter and remember, we have had several reminders from different groups over the winter months they are were making plans to resume their activities in earnest in Spring.

Anyway, a two week reprieve was welcome … although the news broke too late for Beta Stores, the leading supermarket in the capital … who had decided, (after the damage suffered on previous occasions), that discretion was the better part of valour – and to close on Monday. For the rest of us, it was “business as usual”.

The reason for the postponement, they said, was that information had come to light that provocateurs had been recruited to create ethnic tension between the Kyrgyz and other nationalities – primarily Russians … so that an appeal could be made to Moscow for support in any “response” to the situation – presumably mirroring the situation in Ukraine.

Now, I obviously am not privy to the intelligence that the opposition parties have gathered … and there could be something in it … and I am certain that the lovers of conspiracy theories will be convinced that “where there is smoke, there is fire”, but the cynic in me couldn’t help wondering if the reason for the postponement wasn’t a little more mundane … March 17th was before the Norus holiday … the temperatures have not been as clement as in precious years and so not so conducive to calling the masses out onto the streets … perhaps they simply weren’t ready and needed a little more breathing space. But, maybe that’s just a little too simplistic.

In any case … events have moved on and it looks as if the scenario put forward to justify the postponement is probably not valid.

For a start … there is the situation in Ukraine …

As in the Crimea, we host a number of military installations – although, apart from the air base in Kant, they are all quite small and technical – there’s a testing ground for torpedoes up on Lake Issyk Kul, and some communications installations. The only sizable contingent is in Kant – and the Russians are expected to strengthen that anyway … nothing to do with the situation in Ukraine nor the domestic situation here … although both may have had added impetus and import to the moves.

However, the Russian Ambassador was at pains to point out that the facilities and troops at the base are there to deal with external threats … not internal ones. He didn’t comment, (or at least I saw no reference to any any comment in the Press reports of his statement), on the fact that back in June 2010 when the Kyrgyz government appealed for help in the light of the disturbances in the South of the country, there was none forthcoming. It was an internal issue and not an external threat, so the troops could not be deployed … even though, as I understand it, they had made the necessary preparations to do so.

Neither did he make any comment, observation or reference about the use of Black Sea Ports in the Crimea, (at least, as far as I am aware he didn’t – again there is no mention in the press). Oh, sorry, I forgot, the armed men in military fatigues but without any identifying markings, on the ground in the Crimea are “local patriots” and not Russian servicemen so there is no reason why he should comment, is there?

Anyway, it seems to be a fairly clear indication that even if agent provocateurs have been recruited in order to manufacture an incident where the government would be able to appeal to Russia for assistance … there would be none forthcoming.

The Ambassador also made a statement trying to explain how the new, “simplified”, procedures for applying for Russian Citizenship are to be implemented … and it is clear that the move is not aimed just at ethnic Russians – as the two crucial tests are having an immediate family connection with the the countries of the CIS – which basically means the majority of the former Soviet Union … and fluency in Russian, (there will be a commission to administer tests and asses the level of fluency that applicants have. So, basically anyone born in the former Societ Union, regardless of their ethnicity, can apply … IF they know Russian. Having got a Russian Passport, then they will get lots of other advantages – apart from the Protection afforded by Russian military might – they’s be able to travel freely across borders as migrant workers … although I am sure that other procedures will be in place and enforced to make sure that it doesn’t become “too easy”.

Another thing that has upset the best laid plans of mice and men, is that in a shock move the Ata Meken political party, (which is one of the three parties in the ruling coalition), held an emergency meeting after which they announced that they had decided to withdraw from the coalition. Under the terms of the constitution, that means that the government has to resign … although everyone holds onto their post in an acting capacity until a new coalition and government is formed.

Having followed all the formalities – it’s not just a case of giving a Press Conference and making an announcement, the President had three days to invite someone to try and form a new coalition and government. They have fifteen days to negotiate with the leaders of the other parties … if they fail then a second attempt can be made, but if that fails, then we have new parliamentary elections.

In fact the next elections are slated for 2015, so even if a new government is formed, it is going to be have a very limited lifespan and risks being a “lame duck administration” … just at the time when Kyrgyzstan is facing a number of major challenges … accession (or not) to the Customs Union; dealing with the new situation following the drawdown from Afghanistan; completing the reorganization of Kumtor – with all the ramifications for other major foreign investments … including the transport system – new roads, rail and the transformation of Manas Airport into Civilian Hub … and the energy sector; coping with the currency crisis in the light of the devaluation of the Russian Ruble and the Kazakh Tenge (which may indeed get worse if and when economic sanctions begin to bite) … to mention just the main ones.

So … if the collapse of the government is going to cause so much upheaval … why did Ata Meken do it?

That’s the question that has been on everybody’s lips practically all week. Especially given the fact that all the punfits are saying that the new government is likely to be the same, (or at least very similar) to the old one. Feliks Kulov, the leader of the Ar Namys Party even went so far as to speculate that we could have had a new government in place by the end of the week – but we didn’t.

Just to remind you, there are five parties represented in parliament with roughly an equal number of seats: the three government parties – the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK), Ar Namys and Ata Meken and the two opposition parties, Respublica and Ata Jurt.

Ata Meken is quite happy to rejoin the government … and the main complication is whether or not Respublica will also – hey, were in the government majority until just over a year ago … and even held the Prime Minister’s Office … until the same thing happened forcing them out.

Basically, Ata Meken had little or no argument with government of which it was a member or its programme and policies … apart from the Prime Minister, Satylbaldiev, himself … as far as they were concerned – he had to go and this was the easiest way to achieve that aim.

Their main problem with him seems to be that they say they have identified irregularities in his background – particularly when he headed the government agency charged in the reconstruction of the South following the ethnic unrest in June 2010. He, on the other hand, says it is because some people are upset that he wouldn’t appoint their relatives to positions of authority.

Now that he is effectively gone … well, will soon be gone – he is still Acting Prime Minister until a new one is appointed … they are happy to come back into the fold and will support the general thrust of government policy.

Some people have suggested that Ata Meken is simply positioning itself for the next round of elections … in order to try and increase its vote and number of seats in the new parliament … I have even heard a suggestion that it was a deliberate ploy to take the wind out of the sails of the opposition protests … how can they protest against a government which is about to be, or just has been, appointed.

Indeed, the opposition are crying foul. Like Conspiracy Theorists everywhere they see collusion between the leaders of Ata Meken and the President … although they deny it.

Now, if that sounds confusing … it’s meant to … the situation is complicated and confusing …. and, to be fair, it is also a little simplistic … but I think it is a fair representation of the situation as I understand it. I could, of course, be wrong … after all … it is very complicated and confusing.

To cap it all … some other protests have been taking place this week, staged by the supporters of Keldibekov, the former Toroga or Speaker of the Parliament, … They protested outside the parliament calling on the court to change his detention from the cells of the State Committee for National Security – basically, the KGB – to House Arrest … apparently issuing a warning that if the demand was not met then next time they would bring thousands out onto the streets … Even so, the court declined to do so … and as a result a little disorder broke out … with arrests and fines of 500 to 1000 som being imposed.

The authorities have issued a warning that the statement about mass rallies was phrased in such a way that it could be interpreted as a call to overthrow the government … in which case, to quote a phrase we have been hearing a lot recently, “there will be consequences”.

I am rapidly running out of time and space to comment on the other news … and there HAS been other news … but let me leave you with a few snippets:

The President has signed a new law guaranteeing privacy of communication, telephone calls, emails, etc., although there has still been a bit of a storm over the Security Services abilities to intercept phone calls and other communications … which, they say they don’t except for instances when they have a court order.

The Ministry of Finance is considering a new “luxury tax” … actually, as I understand it, it not a “new” tax but a revision of the rates on the Property Tax – on things like buildings and vehicles … basic provision will be taxed aat a lower rate but anything in excess of this will attract a much higher rate.

The US Dollar exchange rate has stabilised somewhat … the National Bank actually kept it at the same value for several days … I hate to think what that cost them in term of interventions … although the vlaue of the Euro was still floating freely, presumably because it had not been as volatile as that of the dollar. We have been warned, yet again, that the strength of the dollar will inevitably have an effect on a variety of commodities – notably fuels – as their prices are set in dollars … which boides ill for inflation which has already hit 1.7% since the beginning of the year.

Gender issues are back on the agenda once more … with news that a survey that revealed that there is a general opinion that contraception is “not a woman’s business”. There were some differences between age and gender groupings – and others – but the statistics did seem to reflect what cold be described as a loose consensus of opinion. The argument seems to be that if women have access to contraception then they might be more prone to be promiscuous … I wonder if I am the only one who sees some problems with that analysis … but then, maybe I simply misunderstood the reports. I hope that’s the case. I do!

Maybe that helps to explain some other startling statistics – such as that about 1 in 6 women have had an abortion and something like 35% have anemia.

Yet another startling survey revealing that violence against women in the home is not only commonplace – but people, including the women – accept it as “normal”. What particularly set this survey into focus was the discovery of two bodies, unrelated – as far as we know, murder victims … one with their hands bound. Apparently the police have leads/suspects in one case but are, so far, drawing a blank with the other.

They are also somewhat mystified about an early morning shootout targeting a vehicle on the outskirts of the city center a couple of days ago … bullets and bullet holes were identified … and there was blood in the vehicle but no leads as to who was inside or why it was attacked.

Another group that may soon be feeling the effect of social controls are children and teenagers (and hence their families). Some MPs are proposing the introduction of a curfew from 10pm to 6am when they will not be allowed in public places without a responsible adult. Although I can see the logic behind the idea, I am a bit concerned about how it is likely to be enforced – especially when the list of proscribed places where the curfew will apply covers not just places of entertainment – cafes, restaurants and internet cafes, streets and public squares but also the courtyards and playgrounds around apartment blocks. So, there’ll be no going out into the fresh air.

Mind you there is a problem … another raid on the city in the city markets during the week identified yet more homeless children, runaways, truants and child workers and even managed to identify ten children that have been reported as missing.

Finally, two religious groups have been in the news … concerning court cases. One, an evangelical church that is trying to protect the building that it purchased to serve as a church years agom back in the Akaev era, and which some authorities are seeking to take back into public ownership … and the other the Tengrist movement, (which claims to be the traditional religion of the nomadic Kyrgyz with elements of Shamanism, Animism and Ancestral Worship – if that’s not too simplified a description), which the State Commission on Religious Affairs refuses to recognize and register as a religion. Both are likely to be cases to keep an eye on in the future.

For anyone interested, there is a wealth of information and statistics about the availability and use of water resources on the official UN Water website.

_______________________________________

Postcard from Bishkek: the weekly postcard that I send out as an email also gets posted on the website ianbek.kg each week – and there are other postcards which don’t get sent out. This week, for example, there has been the following postcards:

Something old … something new … – Difficult decisions about what to include and waht to leave out when writing a book about Kyrgyzstan – 16/03/14
Esengul Ibraev - The Kyrgyz are fond of their poets – such as Esengul Ibraev - 17/03/14
See you in court - Taking someone to court is often a last resort - 18/03/14
Kyrgyz Patent - 540 years ago in Venice – a new revolutionary lay was enacted … and led to a government agency here in modern Kyrgyzstan - 19/03/14
Hanami – Cherry Blossom time … – “Lovliest of trees …” – and laden with fruit - 20/03/14
Alykul Osmonov - Fancy a good read – try a 200 som note - 21/03/14

It is possible to follow me on Facebook, (where we also have specific pages for Celestial Mountains, the Silk Road Lodge, The Celestial Mountains Guesthouse in Naryn and also links.kg, Kyrgyz Diary and Kyrgyzstan Visitki … and not forgetting ianbek), and also on twitter, (@Bishkekpostcard and @celestialMTC ).

March – commemorations and anniversaries – 2014

ian — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 18:05:39 +0000

People often ask me about how I keep track of all the special days and anniversaries that feature in my postcards … and the answer is that I try to keep a diary of them.

Actually, the diary has a lot of other entries … but here I have extracted the entries that have some specific connection with the International community or to Kyrgyzstan

The entries include:

Public Holidays

International Commemorations

Those officially recognized by the UN – which means they are normally marked in Kyrgyzstan

Professional Holidays

Births

Deaths

Events

Miscellaneous

Moveable feasts

Where the dates change from year to year – appear in italics.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 1st

International Commemorations

World Civil Defence Day

Miscellaneous

The first day of Spring (Holiday in Belarus, Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania)
St. David’s Day (Wales)
Cat Day (Russia)
Future Day
Be Positive, Do Something Day
Self Injury Awareness Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 2nd

Births

1818 – Birth of Konstantin Petrovich Kaufmann – first governor of Russian Turkestan

Deaths

1990- Death of Bolot Mambetovich Mambetov – Chairman of the Council of Ministers (equivalent to Prime Minister of the republic) from May 1961 to January 1968.

Events

1992 - Kyrgyzstan becomes a member of the United Nations

Miscellaneous

Forgiveness Sunday (Orthodox)
International Day of Children’s Television and Radio Broadcasting

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 3rd

Events

1992 - Kyrgyzstan adopts a new flag

Miscellaneous

Flag Day
International Day of ear health and hearing
World Day of the writer

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 4th

Miscellaneous

National Grammar Day
Shrove Tuesday

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 5th

Professional Holidays

Day of the Judicial System

Deaths

1953 - Death of Joseph Stalin

Events

1927 – Opening of the State Museum

Miscellaneous

Kalpak Day
St. Piran’s Day (Cornwall)
Ash Wednesday

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 6th

Births

1926 – Birth of the poet, Kasym Kaimov
1941 – Birth of the poetess, Toktosh Abdieva

Deaths

1973 – Death of the writer Aitkulu Ubukeev

Events

1958 – Kazy Dikambaevich Dikambaev becomes Chairman of the Coucil of Ministers (equivalent to the post of Prime Minister of the Republic)

Miscellaneous

International Day for the dentist

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 7th

Events

1927 - Opening of constituent congress of Councils of Kyrgyzstan and Declaration acceptance on formation of the Kyrgyz ASSR

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 8th

Public Holidays

International Womens’ Day

Births

1932 - Birth of poet Sulajman Majmulov
1934 - Birth of the manaschi Urkash Mambetaliev

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 9th

Births

1960 – Birth of the politician and Prime Minister (from October 2009 to April 2010), Daniyar Usenov

Events

1918 – Publication of the first issue of the newspaper Pishkek Sheet

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 10th

Miscellaneous

Commonwealth Day
Get Over It Day
National Napping Day
Passport Day (USA)
Middle Name Pride Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 11th

International Commemorations

World Kidney Day

Events

1889 - Karakol is renamed Prezhervalsk after the famous Russian explorer he died her the previous year.
1996 – Russian is granted the status of an “official language”

Miscellaneous

Johnny Appleseed Day (USA)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 12th

Events

1927 - Abdukadyr Urazbekov becomes Chairman of the Executive Committee and Yusup Abdrakhmanov the Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars

Miscellaneous

Day against Cyber Censorship

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 13th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 14th

Miscellaneous

International Day of rivers
World Sleep Day
International Ask a question Day
Pi-Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 15th

International Commemorations

World Consumer Rights Day

Events

1927 - Opening of the Central Museum of Kyrgyzstan

Miscellaneous

Ides of March
Purim – Jewish Holiday according to the Jewish lunar calendar – this year 15th March
True Confessions Day
National Agriculture Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 16th

Professional Holidays

Community Building Planners Day – third Sunday – this year 16th March

Births

1933 (or 34) – Birth of the poet V. A. Vlasov
1934 – Birth of poet Esengul Ibraev

Miscellaneous

Freedom of Information Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 17th

Births

1936 – Birth of the akyn and critic, Salijan Jigitov

Events

1991 – All Union Referendum on the future of the Soviet Union
2002 - The Aksy Events : 6 people are killed and more than 60 injured when police open fire on protesters

Miscellaneous

St. Patrick’s Day (Ireland)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 18th

Miscellaneous

National Bio-diesel Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 19th

Births

1917 - Birth of the National actress of Kyrgyzstan Sabira Kumushalieva

Deaths

1979 – Death of Iskhak Razzakov the first Chairman of the Council of Ministers,(equivalent of Prime Minister of the republic)

Events

1967 – Commissioning of the Kyrgyz Soviet Encyclopedia – 1st edition published in 1976.

Miscellaneous

International Day of the client

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 20th

International Commemorations

Earth Day
International Day of the Forest
French Day (International Day of La Francophone)

Miscellaneous

Vernal Equinox
World Storytelling Day
International Day without Meat
International Day of Happiness
World Astrology Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 21st

Public Holidays

Norus

Births

1915 – Birth of the poet Alykul Osmonov

Miscellaneous

World Downes Syndrome Day
World Poetry Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 22nd

International Commemorations

World Day for Water

Births

1936 – Birth of Myrza Gaparov, Kyrgyz national writer

Deaths

1975 – Death of the linguist Konstantin Kuzmich Yadukhin

Events

1943 - Moldogazy Tokobayev becomes the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet

Miscellaneous

International Taxi Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 23rd

International Commemorations

World Meteorological Day

Births

1935 – Birth of the playwright Mar Baidzhiev
1921 – Birth of the poet, Musa Jangaziev

Events

1937 - A new Kyrgyz Constitution was adopted , changing some arrangements in the previous one, including the addition of a provision that Kyrgyzstan had the right to leave the USSR

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 24th

International Commemorations

World Tuberculosis Day
International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and dignity of victims

Events

1907 - Opening of the first local bank in Pishpek (as Bishkek was then called) : The Pishpek Mutual Credit Society
1998 - Kubanychbek Jumaliyev becomes Prime Minister
2005 - Tulip Revolution which overthrows Askar Akaev, the first President of Kyrgyzstan who flees the country and Ishenbay Kadyrbekov becomes Acting President in his absence.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 25th

International Commemorations

International Day of Solidarity with the staff, detainees and missing
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Events

1959 - The establishment of the Union of Journalists of Kyrgyzstan.
2005 – Kurmanbek Bakiev assumes the role of Acting President and Prime Minister following the Tulip Revolution

Miscellaneous

Day of Russian Culture
Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (Catholic)
Good Deed Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 26th

Miscellaneous

Purple Day (Day of patients with epilepsy)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 27th

International Commemorations

World Theater Day

Events

1992 – Kyrgyzstan joins the IMF and World Bank
2012 - unveiling of the bust of Mirsaid Mirrakhimov, clinical psychologist, at the main entrance to the National Center for Cardiology

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 28th

Events

1994 – Chui Chamber Orchestra established

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 29th

Events

2007 – Almazbek Atambaev assumes the office of Prime Minister for his first term

Miscellaneous

Earth Hour

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 30th

Miscellaneous

Mothers Day (UK)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Mar 31st

Events

1972 - the Tokmok “float galss” plant comes into operation

Miscellaneous

Backup Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Notes

Community Building Planners Day – third Sunday (Professional Holiday) – this year 16th March
Purim – Jewish Holiday according to the Jewish lunar calendar – this year 15th March

The day of the Guide

ian — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 01:00:22 +0000

The World Federation of Tour Guide Associations website

To those of working in Tourism, today is an important day … it’s the International Day of the Guide.

It’s not recognized as a Professional Holiday here in Kyrgyzstan, even though Tourism is considered to be a priority area for the Country Development Strategy. Here the International Day of Tourism, (September 27th every year, as designated by the World Tourism Organization), is the designated professional holiday, the day when everyone involved in the tourism industry “celebrates” and marks their chosen profession.

So why is there an International Day of the Guide?

I suppose that there are several answers to that question … one of which would be that the Guide, “a person who leads travelers or tourists through unknown or unfamiliar locations”, plays a pivotal and vital role in the industry. They are “front of house”, dealing directly with the clients, the first (and sometimes the only) representative of the host population that a tourist may meet and communicate with.

For the record: The International Day of the the Guide, was an initiative of the World Federation of Tour Guide Associations – a non-profit, non-political organization based in Austria which aims to promote market and ensure that tourist guides are recognized as “professional ambassadors”.

The organization of such a Federation was first proposed at a convention of of tourist guides held in 1985 and established in 1987. It now has members in over 70 countries, (including Kyrgyzstan), and their combined membership numbers more than 200,000 individual guides.

Although, technically, it is a federation of associations, in countries where there is no Association, the individual tour guides can also join. The also unite educational institutions and other bodies which they describe as partners, which have a interest in the work of tour guides.

The published aims of the Federation is:

establishing contact with tourist guide associations, individuals, tourism training institutes throughout the world and to reinforcing their professional ties
representing professional tourist guides internationally and to promoting and protecting their interests
enhancing the image of the profession and promoting the use of area specific local tourist guides in all regions
promoting a universal code of ethics and skills
raising, encouraging and establishing the highest standards of professionalism
developing international training, and improving the quality of guiding through education and training
facilitating the exchange of information between members

Their Code of Practice is short but is aimed at assuring a high level of professionalism and service offered by guides to their clients. It requires that members:

provide a professional service to visitors, professional in care and commitment, and professional in providing an objective understanding of the place visited, free from prejudice or propaganda.
ensure that as far as possible what is presented as fact is true, and that a clear distinction is made between this truth and stories, legends, traditions, or opinions.
act fairly and reasonable in all dealings with all those who engage the services of guides and with colleagues working in all aspects of tourism.
protect the reputation of tourism in our country by making every endeavour to ensure that guided groups treat with respect the environment, wildlife, sights and monuments, and also local customs and sensitivities.
representatives of the host country to welcome visitors and act in such a way as to bring credit to the country visited and promote it as a tourist destination.

The day is held on February 21st every year, and has been marked annually since the first such day in 1990 when just 15 countries participated. Events are organized at a local level for tourist guides, including presentations and training courses. Some member associations have also organized events such as free tours for members of the public on the day.

February – commemorations and anniversaries – 2014

ian — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 18:05:13 +0000

People often ask me about how I keep track of all the special days and anniversaries that feature in my postcards … and the answer is that I try to keep a diary of them.

Actually, the diary has a lot of other entries … but here I have extracted the entries that have some specific connection with the International community or to Kyrgyzstan

The entries include:

Public Holidays

International Commemorations

Those officially recognized by the UN – which means they are normally marked in Kyrgyzstan

Professional Holidays

Births

Deaths

Events

Miscellaneous

Moveable feasts

Where the dates change from year to year – appear in italics.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 1st

Births

1902 – Birth of the American poet Langston Hughes

Deaths

1907 - Death of Kurmanjan Datka

Events

1926 – Kyrgyz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic established
1933 – Founding of the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
1992 - The USA opens the first foreign embassy in Bishkek

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 2nd

International Commemorations

Wetlands Day

Births

1885 – Birth of Mikhail Vasilivich Frunze

Miscellaneous

Groundhog Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 3rd

Events

2009 – President Bakiev announces the intention to close the Manas Air Base

Miscellaneous

Tu B’Shevat (Jewish) – 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat – this year 3rd February

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 4th

International Commemorations

World Day to Combat Cancer

Births

1949 – Birth of the Ballet dancer Cholponbek Bazarbaev

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 5th

Events

1991 - The capital city, Frunze, is renamed Bishkek

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 6th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 7th

Births

1844 – Birth of Alexei Pavlovich Fedchenko (according to the Julian calendar)

Miscellaneous

National Wear Red Day - wear red to “show support for the awareness of heart disease” - First Friday – this year 7th February – in the US … in Britain it is commemorated on 26th February

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 8th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 9th

Miscellaneous

International Day of the Dentist
World Marriage Day – Second Sunday – this year 9th February

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 10th

Births

1926 – Birth of the literary critic and the critic, Sharshenbek Umetaliev

Events

1996 – Referendum on constitutional amendments

Miscellaneous

World Day of the Sick
National Condom Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 11th

International Commemorations

World Radio Day

Events

1918 – the Pishpek county congress of Soviets recognizes the establishment of Soviet power in the city and county
1926 – the Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast is reorganized as the Kyrgyz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 12th

Professional Holidays

Day of workers in antinarcotics services

Events

1865 - Formation of the Turkestan region (which included the Northern part of Kyrgyzstan)

Miscellaneous

Darwin Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 13th

Miscellaneous

Get a different Name Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 14th

Births

1483 - Birth of Babur
1939 - Birth of the Film Director of former deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh, Sadyrbaev Dooronbek

Events

1918 - Russia (The Soviet Union) adopts the Gregorian Calendar

Miscellaneous

St. Valentine’s Day
Day of the Programmer
Singles Awareness Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 15th

Events

1989 – Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 16th

Births

1941 – Birth of the known prose writer and the film writer Kadyrkul Omurkulov

Micellaneous

International Day for Children with Cancer

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 17th

Births

1901 – Birth of Khuseyin Karasaev, linguist and the first state lexicographer

Deaths

1933 – Death of the akyn Toktogul Satylganov

Events

1992 – Kyrgyzstan joins the Economic Cooperation Organization

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 18th

Births

1914 - Birth of the artist Fyodor Stukoshina

Deaths

1405 – Death of Timur the lame – Tamerlane
1938 – Death of the Statesman Djusup Abdrachmanov

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 19th

Professional Holidays

Day of the Financial Police

Births

1865 - Birth of the Swedish explorer Sven Hedin
1934 - Birth of the painter Kubanychek Amankozhoev

Deaths

2012 - Death of the ballet dancer and choreographer Uran Sarbagishev

Events

1876 – the Russians capture Kokand and abolish the Kokand Khanate

Miscellaneous

World Day for the protection of marine mammals (Whales Day)

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 20th

International Commemorations

World Day of Social Justice

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 21st

International Commemorations

International Mother Language Day

Miscellaneous

World Day of the Guide

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 22nd

International Commemorations

International Day in Support of Victims of Crime

Professional Holidays

Day of Land Management, Geodesy and Cartography

Miscellaneous

Work your proper hours Day
Thinking Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 23rd

Public Holiday

Defenders of the Fatherland

Births

1903 – Birth of the Czech socialist Julius Fuchik

Events

1944 – Operation Lentil begins – Forced deportation of Chechens to Central Asia

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 24th

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 25th

Events

1956 – Khrushchev’s secret speech denouncing the cult of personality

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 26th

Deaths

1914– Death of Pyotr Semyonov-Tien-Shansky, Russian geographer and statistician

Miscellaneous

Wear Red Day (UK) to show support for the awareness of Heart Disease

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 27th

Miscellaneous

International Day of the Polar Bear

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 28th

Births

1881 – Birth of the researcher of the epos “Manas”, the literary critic and the translator E.I.Polivanov
1940 – Birth of the poet Omor Sooronov

Miscellaneous

International Day of Rare Diseases
National Tooth Fairy Day

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Feb 29th

Births

1950 – This has to be a mistake – 1950 was not a leap year – Birth of the poet Shailoobek Duisheev

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Notes

National Wear Red Day – First Friday – this year 7th February
World Marriage Day – Second Sunday – this year 9th February

Could this be Kyrgyzstan’s Year – The year of the Horse?

ian — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 01:00:47 +0000

Photo: Lisa Vitaris

Last year was supposed to be my year – the Year of the Snake. I was born in 1953 and in the Chinese Calendar, that was the Year of snake … and according to the Chinese Zodiac, every year has an animal associated with it – there are twelve of them in a cycle, (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and the Pig), and so the cycle repeats itself every 12 years. Hence, last year was also the Year of the Snake.

Today is New Years’ Day according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar – and we are entering the Year of the Horse - and given the Kyrgyz affinity with horses, I suppose that this could be Kyrgyzstan’s Year.

For the record: According to Chinese Astrology, people bear the characters of the animal in the year in which they were born, as adjusted by the five elemental signs – Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. This year, for example, is the year of the Wooden Horse … so, in fact, there are 60 years in the full cycle.

According to one legend, (there are others), a Great Race was held by the Jade Emperor so as to determine the order in which the animals would appear in the cycle. The race was involved running a great distance and then swimming across a great river to the finishing line on the other side.

The rat and the ox crossed easily enough (the rat hitchhiking on the ox’s back before jumping off the back of of the ox to grab first place).

The tiger was a powerful swimmer and had no problems whilst the dragon was able to fly across the river but was delayed by performing magic to bring rain to a relieve a village which was suffering a drought.

The rabbit, crossed the river by hopping from stone to stone and grabbing hold of a floating log (and also got a little help from the dragon).

The horse, whilst being an excellent runner, was not such a good swimmer, and would have been next but, the snake crossed the river by stowing away on horse’s hoof, doing a sudden dismount in order to cross the finishing line in front of his ride.

Then came the Goat, the Monkey and the Rooster who had helped each other in freeing a raft on which they could float across the river.

The Dog came next, surprising low down in the order as he is supposed to have been a good swimmer – but he got distracted en route, playing in the water … taking a bath, he said!

Last of all came the pig … who stopped off for snack on the way and after having eaten his fill fell asleep.

Apparently, the cat was also a competitor … but cats are not good swimmers and it drowned, which is why it’s not in the zodiac … and that’s why they always chase rats – jealous of the fact that they came in first place and for “stealing” their place in the zodiac.

In Chinese mythology the horse is:

seen as symbols of travel and reaching a reaching a (success);
competitive and hot blooded, and likes to show off;
intelligent, but in need of training because as a wild animal it will just wander aimlessly and so needs a guiding hand to give it one;
sociable and affectionate;
noble: they weren’t put to farm work, for example, (that was left to the ox), and only those of noble birth would ride a horse, (so is concerned about their image – their appearance and speech);

Horses are often portrayed as a protagonist for action, providing the driving force behind a venture.

Wood on the other hand is associated with both strength and flexibility, warmth, generosity and idealism, patience and altruism but also with anger.

So, those people who were born in the year of the horse are considered to be

popular;
cheerful, perceptive, talented and down to earth;
clever and kind;
likely to join in collective efforts;
communicative … although they may have a tendency to talk too much and to want to be the center of attention – to be in the limelight;
persistent and do not give up easily;
but their interest can be superficial – easily distracted as they do not pay attention to detail, hence …
- they may not be good with financial matters;
they can also be
- stubborn and independent, not listening to advice and …
- impatient, not taking kindly to being restrained and …
- this can lead to outbursts of a bad temper and …
- pessimism setting in when they do meet failure and have to give in.

Horses are quick-footed, hoofed quadrupeds and there are many different breeds which can be used for transportation, (especially for military purposes), either being ridden, used as a “pack horse”, or for the providing the locomotive power pulling a chariot or wagon … as well as being loved or cherished in their own right as pets or companions … or even as inspirations for works of art and literature … oh, and yes, …for food.

The Kyrgyz people, as as nomads have roamed Central Asia over the centuries. The nomadic tradition is so strong that some say that it is only in death, when he is buried, that a Kyrgyz stop wandering.

For centuries, and even today, the backbone of the economy has been animal husbandry – sheep, yak and horse breeding for wool, meat, milk and fat. Horses and sheep were the main currency of exchange to buy goods … or even a wife.

Horses play an important role in the life of nomadic peoples, and Kyrgyz ponies were famous and a prized possession because they were strong and sturdy, bred to travel great distances with flocks and herds of animals. Even today, herds of horses can be seen wandering mountain pastures,

Children would be placed in a saddle and learn to ride a horse almost as soon as they learn to walk.

In the countryside, nothing is respected more highly than skill with horses. Horse races that test both speed and skill can stretch over 30 kilometers and games played on horseback form the center of festivals such as the Chanach. One such “game” involves two competitors on horseback whose bodies are covered with sheep fat, who try to wrestle each other to the floor. Another, Kok Buro, involves two teams trying to score “goals” by carrying or throwing a weighted carcass of a goat across the opposing team’s goal line. Perhaps more “romantic” is Kyz Kumai where a man chases a woman, both on horseback, attempting to kiss her whilst she does her utmost to avoid him. According to tradition, if he fails then she whips him – but if he is successful, then she is bound to fall in love with him as he has proved himself to be a truly skillful horseman.

Another activity in which horsemanship plays a major role is hunting, especially with eagles, which is still practiced in certain regions of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Horsemeat is also a highly revered food – horses are specially bred, and never ridden to ensure the tenderest meat. For a major celebration or a funeral then horse is the staple meat that is served. A horse is, in fact, a major investment for a Kyrgyz.