The event was given several names.  At first they reflected the tendency of naming political upheavals by referring to the colours sported by the protestors, but the name which survived over the years in the press was “The Tulip Revolution”, reflecting the fact that this was supposed to be the time of year when tulips started to bloom.  Here in Kyrgyzstan, however, it is known as “The People’s Revolution.”

In 2007 a competition was announced for the best decorated building in Bishkek to commemorate the Holiday of Norus, and the Day of the People’s Revolution, March 24th.  The following year the Labour Code was amended and it became an official public holiday, a non-working day for Kyrgyzstan’s population.

Things were not necessarily going well, however, as many people say the Bakiev regime simply repeating the behavior and mistakes of its predecessor.  Some opposition politicians were complaining that Bakiev had “hijacked” their revolution.

Then, in 2010, two weeks after the holiday, the White House was stormed by demonstrators once more, a sitting President fled and the government fell.  In 2005 there had been much mayhem but only four lives were lost, and the deaths were all a result of the rioting that night.  In 2010, however, some 87 people were killed during the protest action, many on the steps of the White House itself.  A new, interim government was installed and prepared for a transition from a Presidential system of democracy to a Parliamentary one.  It was not an easy path and was marked by outbursts of violence in different parts of the country.

In December, the Ministry of Labour issued, as they usually did, a list of holidays for the coming year.  Some of us were intrigued to see that the Day of the People’s Revolution, (March 24th), was still on the list but there was no mention of April 7th.  How, we wondered, would people, (especially the relatives of the victims of that day’s tragic dénouement), take to the fact that the events leading to Kurmanbek Bakiev becoming President were being commemorated, but his demise was not?

One of the deputies in the newly elected Parliament began a public debate, by asking whether the holiday should be cancelled, or moved to April 7th, or if both historical events should be commemorated and declared holidays.  The results of the debate were far from conclusive.  There were strong feelings on all sides, matched equally by an attitude of “a plague on both your houses”.

Some people took the view that although the government of Bakiev had turned out to be a disappointment, the popular uprising of 2005 should not be denied recognition as a formative and decisive moment in Kyrgyzstan’s short history.  Others took the view that, simply because the 2005 revolution had led to such a disappointment, that it should not be celebrated.  A few said that they should be both be granted recognition whilst others said that neither should be.  How is it possible to “celebrate” an event that cost 87 lives?, was one telling, poignant question.

In a conference held yesterday, however, the President, (Roza Otunbaeva), said that many people had asked her to abolish the celebration of March 24, but that there are also people who asked to keep this day as a public holiday.  She said that she believes two these dates should be marked, saying:  ”If we didn’t have the  March 24 events, then society wouldn’t have matured for democratic changes.   These changes served as impetus and now we are on the path towards mature democracy.”  The idea of marking both dates was apparently supported by the Speaker, Ahmatbek Keldibekov.

It was interesting to see the analysis of the two revolutions which Roza Otunbaeva outlined in the conference.  She said that the revolution of 24 March 2005 should be valued and considered “an important benchmark on the path towards democratization of Kyrgyzstan.”  Although there are different opinions about those events, she said, everyone “should realize that Akaev’s overthrow, who “privatized power”, was a true achievement of the people.”  Both Askar Akaev and Kurmanbek Bakiev, “didn’t realize importance of a legitimate handover of power. They privatized power and turned into dictators. But the people of Kyrgyzstan can’t tolerate dictatorship.”

Central Asia didn’t have the conditions for building a democratic state, she said, pointing out that “in Europe, the struggle for democracy lasted for centuries, during which its theory and practice were shaped, whereas regionalism, clanship, nepotism, paternalist and Communist ideas dominated here.”

She went on to outline several causes that led to the revolution: the fragmentation of forces; the absence of a political system adapted to the society and the use of  ”regionalism” and “clanship” ideas for selfish goals. The use of government resources by the previous administrations had put the brake on the development of democracy, she said, but all of these issues were now being addressed  The country had passed through several stages on the path to democracy during a difficult and complex period, she commented,  adding that “the June events were the most difficult part.”

She had come to the conclusion that March 24 should remain a public holiday in Kyrgyzstan. “We should value the revolution of 24 March 2005 and consider it an important benchmark on the path towards democratization of Kyrgyzstan. We struggled not for Bakiev’s power at that time. We struggled for democracy.  … The revolution of 2005 substantially changed the situation in the country and showed the necessity of change of the society to make it equitable and democratic.”

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I cannot say it was ever a particularly popular holiday in the past, even if there were parades and other events organized.   The fact that it comes just a few days after Norus may have detracted a little from the celebrations, (after all, you can have too much of a good thing).  This year however, the preparations suggest that it is going to be a more significant event, starting with that conference dedicated to the events of 2005 that was held yesterday.   In the main square, small crowds had already started gathering, erecting photographs, flags, bunting and other decorations in readiness for the “festivities”.

Whatever, today is a holiday … The Day of the People’s Revolution.  It will be interesting to see what form will it take next year.

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A soviet poster celebrating the Defenders of the Fatherland

Maxim spent the back end of last week busily scouring the internet for inspiration.

For homework, one of his teachers at school had given him the task of drawing a poster, (a gazeta), to commemorate February 23rd, Dehn zashitnika Otechestva, (Defenders of the Fatherland Day – otherwise known as Army Day or Men’s Day).

February 23rd used to be designated as “Army and Navy Day” in the Soviet Union. The holiday was declared as the “Birthday of the Red Army” in 1942 – and was supposed to have commemorated either (depending upon the source):an occasion in 1918 when rallies in support of the Bolshevik led Red Army took place across Russia …

A victory by the Bolshevik led Red Army over German troops near the cities of Narva (now in Estonia) in 1918, during the civil war, orthe first mass draft of young men (described by some commentators as “volunteers”) into its ranks in Moscow and Pertrograd.

It is sometimes called, “Men’s Day”- and is seen as the equivalent of March 8th, (International Women’s Day).

He found a number of images, (including a Soviet Army insignia, a picture of a soldier and a pistol), which he copied onto the sheet of A2 card that he had been given, and several jingoistic verses extolling patriotism or toasts given on that day which he printed out on the printer and duly stuck onto the card.  The teacher wanted any text to be printed because, he said, people often had difficulty reading handwriting and, anyway, it looked more presentable.

Fortunately, Maxim is quite good at drawing, or at least copying drawings, so the finished product was actually quiet presentable and has found its way towards display in a prominent position in the school.

This year, the holiday has a little more significance and poignancy for Maxim, as he is now 16, (approaching 17), and has had to register with the local Voencomat – the Military Commissariat, essentially the military registration and enlistment office.

Here, military service is compulsory.  When children become 16 they have to register with the Military Commissariat, (although only boys are conscripted into the Army, for a two year term).  The draft is delayed whilst they are finishing school, and again if they enter higher or further education, so most are not actually drafted until the October when they are 18 and have left school.  I remember on one occasion driving past a military post one October and seeing a whole host of young people standing around outside and my driver told me that they were new recruits waiting for the bus to take them to camp.

In theory, because military service is, (technically at least), compulsory the military of the country should reflect the demographics of the general population.  It was a surprise, therefore when during last year’s events in the South, it was revealed that the Kyrgyz Army comprises almost entirely of ethnic Kyrgyz, with very few Uzbeks or representatives of other nationalities.  This was probably the cause of much of the criticism levied against the army for alleged “bias” shown to the different communities.

In fact, not everyone is called upon to complete a term of military service

Those who go on to college, for example, don’t have to serve their two year tenure if they attend the special military training classes organized in their educational institution – a sort of Officer Training Corps, (OTC).  Those in the medical academy, for example, have a special course which they all follow, and another acquaintance went to classes as an “artilleryman”.

Then there are some people who are excused service in the Army, (such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, disabled or the only son – especially when there is no father), who undertake what is called “Alternative Service”.  They still have to turn up to the recruitment office on occasion and perform some tasks, usually, (as I understand it) menial tasks, and then contribute a portion of their salary for a certain period.  There is come controversy about this as it is sometimes claimed that only the rich can afford this option and so those who serve come from the poorer families who cannot afford to avail themselves of this option.

There were suggestions a few years ago that Kyrgyzstan should stop conscription and create a small “professional army” recruited on a “voluntary” basis in the same way as many Western armies are recruited.  Indeed, one of the questions which is quite often put to me concerns military service in the UK.  I grew up just at the period when the UK ceased compulsory conscription, so I didn’t have to serve.  Only one of my school friends went into the army as a volunteer.  Most people, (young people that is, and their parents), seem to like the idea of a professional army of volunteers rather than compulsory conscription, but there are those, (particularly of the older generation), who do see that military service is a good thing and helps to make a “man” of their sons.

Some of the military hierarchy, however, is not too keen on the suggestion.  They see military service as both promoting national pride as well as creating a body of available trained personnel that can be called upon in time of crisis.

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After Independence in 1991, the Defenders of the Fatherland Day holiday was dropped in Kyrgyzstan, but it was reintroduced in 2002 … the rationale being, (according to one news source – Reuters), that the Kyrgyz people had reason to be grateful to the Bolsheviks for ending the genocidal policy which the Tsarist regime had embarked upon, following the events of 1916.

There are sometimes parades organized to commemorate the day, (one year the celebrations even included a Ballroom Dancing competition), however the day is usually a low-key event.  Some schools organize special events, such as the poster competition that Maxim took part in, or concerts where the children sing patriotic songs and enact certain events from history.

As a public holiday, of course, it is a day off work for most people, although many shops and cafes, etc.,  are still open for business, and the previous working day is one hour shorter.

As the holiday is seen as “Men’s Day”, it is usual to congratulate men on the holiday.   Here in the office, for example, all the female staff gathered together and held a little celebration, cake, fruit juice and a small present of toiletries, to “congratulate” their male colleagues on the holiday.

(Eid is an Arabic word derived from the Arabic word, “aada” that means a recurring event – one that returns. In Islam it it is used to denote a festival.)

It takes place on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja, and concludes the Pilgrimage to Mecca which every Muslim is expected to make during their lifetime – the Hajj (which literally translates as: “to set out for a place”). Because the Islamic calendar is a based on lunar cycles … and is shorter than the Solar year, in some years, (such as in 2006), there are two festivals in one (Gregorian) calendar year.

Also, in the Muslim calendar, the date is fixed depending on the sighting of the new moon at Mecca. In 2005, the Saudi authorities had originally confirmed that Eid ul-Adha would begin on Friday, January 21, but then it was announced that the date had been changed – by one day, to January 20. There was, apparently some speculation that this might have been to provide for better crowd control by avoiding Hajj during the weekend, but the official reason was that the new moon was sighted earlier than expected, starting the month of Dhul Hijja one day early.

Technically, the Kurman Ait festival lasts for three days and commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. (Muslims believe the son to be Ishmael – the forefather of the Arabs – rather than Isaac as told in the Old Testament.) The feast re-enacts Ibrahim’s obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram. The family eats about a third of the meal and donates the rest to the poor.

Traditionally, Muslims wear their nicest clothing and attend Salatul-Eid (Eid Prayer) in the morning. This is followed by a short sermon, after which everyone socializes. Later, they visit each other’s homes and partake in festive meals with special dishes, beverages, and desserts. Children receive gifts and sweets.

In Kyrgyzstan:

As a religious holiday, prayer meetings may be held in the main square of the larger towns, especially in the main Ala Too square in Bishkek.  The year the Namaz, (prayers), are timetabled to last for three hours from eight o’clock in the morning.

The President usually issues a message “congratulating” the people with the holiday, which is reported (and sometimes printed/shown) in the local media.  This year, Roza Otunbaeva, message was also broadcast on the internet on her vlog on the official Presidential website.

Although official parades are no more, the Communist Party in particular marks the day  – but for most people it is just a welcome “non-working day”.  This year, because the 7th fell on a Sunday, which is normally a non-working day, the holiday was marked on the day itself, but the Monday became a holiday – a non-working day.

Actually, the uprising initiated by Lenin and his Bolshevik Party began on October 25th 1917, but this was according to the Julian calendar which still in use in Russia at the time, but in the rest of the world which used the Gregorian calendar the date was November 7th.  When the USSR also adopted the Gregorian calendar – they continued to celebrate the anniversary … in November.

After Kyrgyzstan declared its independence from the Soviet Union, the anniversary was removed from the list of official holidays.  In 2003, however, it was decided to reinstate it.

Imperial Russian was in a state of crisis in 1917.  The war in the West with Germany and the Austrian Hungarian Empire was not going well – soldiers were refusing to obey orders and many had deserted.  There was political, social and economic unrest at home with food shortages, strikes and land seizures.  During 191

7, Russia experienced a revolution which can be characterized in two phases:

• The February Revolution of 1917, which displaced the autocracy of Tsar Nicholas II, the last of the Russian Tsars, and sought to establish in its place a liberal republic and
• The October Revolution, in which the Soviets, inspired and increasingly controlled by Vladimir Lenin’s Bolshevik party, seized power from the    socialist coalition (that had replaced the liberal one), which formed the Provisional Government.

The impetus for the February Revolution was food shortages in Petrograd, the capital.  In fact there was a growing disquiet about the conduct of the war and the autocratic nature of the Tsarist rule.   It began with a strike in one of the major factories of the capital – which quickly spread to others – then to a series of meetings and rallies. A large battalion was sent to the city to quell the uprising, but many shot their officers or deserted and the soldiers joined the revolt instead.  The result was the abdication of the Tsar and the installation of an alliance between liberals and socialists who wanted to instigate political reform, creating a democratically elected executive and constituent assembly.  After a few months the Prime Minister, Lvov, resigned and was replaced by Kerensky, who faced pressure from both sides, right and left.

In July Kornilov, a right wing General – dissatisfied with the conduct of the war, marched his troops on the capital.  At Kerensky’s request an army of an estimated 25000 came to the defence of the city – organized in part by the Bolsheviks under Lenin.

The October Revolution, which is also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was led by Bolsheviks under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, who had been forced into hiding, and was the first officially Communist revolution of the twentieth century, based upon the ideas of Karl Marx.

On October 25, 1917 Lenin and the “Red Guards” took over major government facilities with little opposition before finally launching an assault on the Winter Palace on the night from November 6th/7th.  The assault was launched at 9:45pm by a  blank shot from the cruiser Aurora. The Palace was guarded by Cossacks, a Women’s Battalion, and a cadet corps.  It was finally taken at about 2am. Although many later accounts fierce fighting took place, in reality the revolutionaries faced little or no opposition, the defenders surrendering en masse, and were practically able to just walk into the building and take it over, seizing most of the cabinet – although Kerensky has escaped and was later to flee the country.

Whereas the February Revolution was largely a bloodless transfer of power from the Tsar to a democratically elected government, the October Revolution was different.  Although in the capital it was swift and bloodless, the attempt to assert power in the rest of the country was met by strong resistance.

At first this was political.  It had been planned to hand power from the Provisional Government to the “Second All-Russian congress of Soviets of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies” which was due to begin the next day.  Many of the delegates, (notably the Mensheviks), however, considered thought that Lenin had usurped power and walked out of the meeting.

An attempt to take over Moscow a month later was met with much more violent resistance, and the Bolsheviks did not seize full control of the city until March 1918.

A coalition of anti-Bolshevik groups attempted to unseat the new government in the Civil War that ensued from 1918 to 1920.

On New Year’s Day, 1918, Ivanitsyn led a party of Bolsheviks in a coup.  Following a New Year’s party in Oak Park, they “arrested” the whole of the regimental command, and released the prisoners from the town jail.  They then elected their own chairman of the Pishpek Soviet and proclaimed Soviet power throughout the district.  Ivanitsyn was elected chief of the city’s executive committee – and for two years he ran the administration from his office, in a one story building on the then Tashkent Road which still stands today (at 409 Jibek Jolu).

Over the next few months, they established control over the region, but in December they faced a counter-revolution.  In the village of Belovodsk, about 30km west of Bishkek, the post office was seized by a curious group of anti-Bolsheviks  who managed to take control of large parts of both Pishkek and Djambul regions.  Within a week they were marching on Pishkek itself.  The battle for the city lasted eight days, but the defenders (commanded by Logvinenko – who hurried to Pishpek with reinforcements from Almaty) – managed to overcome the attackers and the counter-revolution was defeated. The soldiers who died in the fight defending the revolution were buried and a memorial erected in Oak Park, near where the Russian Drama Theatre now stands.  Logvinenko became a hero and had a street named after him.  (When he died in, 1930, he joined the “Martyrs” in their communal grave).  This ended the counter revolution in the North of the country, but during the civil war the Bolsheviks were threatened by the Basmachi movement which even “liberated”, for a time, the Pamir district in the South.

One man’s experience of the counter revolution:

In 1932, a new book hit the bookshops in Britain telling a remarkable story of one man’s escape from the clutches of the Cheka, (Lenin’s secret police) as they hunted him throughout Central Asia for two years.  It was a great success and led to a sequel – telling of his escape from Kashgar to British India.  The author, Paul Nazaroff, had been born into a rich family in Odenburg in the Urals where his father was a mine owner and the mayor of the town.  Nazaroff studied Zoology in Moscow and later qualified as a mining engineer. He travelled extensively, eventually ending up in Tashkent where his father owned a cotton mill. Here he practiced his profession and opened several important mines.  He was a man of many talents, and explored the region around Tashkent – making contributions to various branches of science – especially geology and horticulture. He was a keen hunter and a firearms expert, (he was sometimes called upon to act as an expert witness on matters relating to firearms).  Then came the Bolshevik Revolution.  Much of the Russia that he knew and valued changed dramatically.  An ardent anti-Bolshevik, he was involved in organizing an abortive uprising in Tashkent in 1918.  The role that he played is hinted in official British papers from the time … but in his book he plays down his role – concentrating on his experiences “on the run”.  Escaping from Tashkent, he finds refuge with a wide range of people. From the foothills to the East of Tashkent, he travels to Pishpek, (modern day Bishkek), and then, sometimes only hours ahead of the pursuing Cheka, over the mountains to Naryn, and eventually to Torugart and Kashgar.

The success of the Soviet Revolution is still seen by many Kyrgyz as a forward step – bringing support to the nationalities in the face of the autocratic Tsarist rule, social and economic reform.  Many of the Kyrgyz who fled over he border to China following the events of 1916 returned.

Despite declaring independence from the USSR the decision to reinstate the holiday is seen as a commemoration of an important event that helped to shape the future of Kyrgyzstan – even if it had occurred in a foreign land, a long way away – and a long time ago.

Picture from Wikipedia

In the Soviet Union, the War is referred to as The Great Patriotic War – it provided a great shock to the history, development and psychology of the peoples of the Soviet Union.

Kyrgyz contingents played a part in defending the motherland – of a population of just over one and a half million, some 363,000 went to fight – and 160,000 were killed. That’s 45% of those who went to war and 11% of the total population. The population of the Khirghiz SSR was literally decimated.

Kyrgyz soldiers served in a number of combat theatres – including the battle for Kursk, the road from Stalingrad to Latvia and the final push for Berlin in 1945.

It is sometimes said that these contingents served as “canon fodder” – but there is no doubt of the bravery exhibited by some of their number. Some 73 of the combatants were honoured as “Heroes of the Soviet Union” and many more received other honours. Some of them have museums and memorials dedicated to them and schools, roads, and even villages named in their honour.

The day is both a joyful celebration – and one of sadness … when those killed in the war are remembered – similar to Armistice Day in the UK, ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand and Memorial Day in the US.

In Kyrgyzstan:

Picture from Wikipedia

The day is usually marked by a parade in the centre of Bishkek.  The President issues a proclamation congratulating veterans on the holiday and announcing special awards or bonuses for pensioners. In the days surrounding the holiday a number of events, such as concerts and festivals, (gatherings of veterans) are arranged.

For those who watch local television, all the channels tend to show war films.

The period from May 1st to May 9th includes three public holidays and at least one weekend – hence, at least some of the intervening days are declared as “non-working days” which means that many businesses and offices will be closed, although shops and restaurants will be open, however, banks will not.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the declaration of Independence – Kyrgyzstan continued to operate under the auspices of the existing Soviet document.  It was on May 5^th, 1993, that a new constitution was finally adopted, thus formalizing the sovereignty of the new nation, and the day was declared as a holiday to commemorate the fact, which “marked an important development in the national identity and psyche”.

However, although it commemorates an important day in the history of the statehood of Kyrgyzstan, the holiday is normally a low-key affair, with few special events held to commemorate the holiday.  The main “event” is that the President usually issues an address to the nation.  This year, of course, there is no President.

For the record:

The Constitution laid down some basic principles which it was thought would help to define the nature of the young country …

• A “sovereign” state, – the Kyrgyz Republic had already declared its sovereignty, even before Independence.
• Unitary – a single state, united – which was to present problems given the “tribalism” and “regionalism” which is inherent in Kyrgyz society … and the ever present ethnic tensions in a society with over 80 nationalities represented,
• Democratic – for many years the country was seen as a Island of Democracy in Central Asia … although in the latter part of his term of Office, President Akaev was often seen as overbearing and autocratic … however, unlike many of the other regional leaders he did allow the opposition to operate.  The concept of the Kyrgyz Nation has played an important role in the years since independence.
• a Republic – which is one of the reasons (apart from corruption) why the emergence of an unofficial de-facto “Royal Family” proved such an unpopular development and may have helped to contribute to the Tulip Revolution and the events of March 24^th, 2005.
• Legal – the Kyrgyz place a very high regard on questions of legalities … following the Tulip Revolution there were many debates about how the interim government should proceed – which parliament was legitimate, and so forth …  The constitution enshrined the principle of the supremacy of the “rule of law”
• Secular – although the majority of the Kyrgyz are nominally Muslim and religion sometimes emerges as an issue, there were a number of other religions represented in the country, (most notably Russian Orthodox – and later the emergence of other evangelical Christian churches also emerged).  Although Religious political parties were banned, discrimination on grounds of religion was prohibited.

Amongst the principles enshrined in the formal document were the supremacy of the rule of law, guarantees of human rights and freedoms (e.g. outlawing discrimination on religious, racial or ethnic grounds) and the distribution of powers between the various organs of the state – with the President as the Head of State – whose powers were to be balanced and held in check by the legislature and the judiciary.

All members of the population over the age of 18 were granted a vote… a residence requirement of five years was imposed on candidates for the Jogorku Kenesh, (the Kyrgyz Parliament).

Since 1993, however, there have been several significant amendments to the constitution – and the current constitution is the eight version.  In 2006, alone, there were two attempts to introduce new versions – which were later struck down by the Constitutional Court.  Constitutional Reform will result in a ninth version of the document … in seventeen years.

Some of the members of the Interim Government made statements about what they think should be in the new version, stating a preference for a Parliamentary system of government as opposed to the Executive Presidency that has developed in the country since Independence.  There was a general feeling that the existing constitution, the eighth in seventeen years, was too heavily weighted in favour of the personage and office of the President, and that it was necessary to redistribute at least some of his powers in checks and balances … and so a working group was established to draft the necessary amendments.

In the meantime, the Constitutional Court, the highest court in the land which dealt primarily with constitutional law and interpretation of the constitution, was disbanded.  The court had the authority to rule on whether or not laws that were challenged were, in fact, unconstitutional, (i.e. whether or not they conflicted with constitutionally established rights and freedoms.)   The decisions of Kyrgyzstan’s constitutional court have not been without controversy, such as the decision that President Akaev’s first term as President of the Khirghiz SSR and under a different constitution did not disqualify him from standing in the 2000 presidential election despite the fact that the constitution limited a President to holding two terms of office.  Indeed it was considered that the court had merely been an instrument used by the President to “get his own way” and give a veneer of legality and respectability to measure which were not exactly popular.

A Referendum will be held in the summer to approve the new version of the constitution – the ninth version in seventeen years.  Although, as I understand it, the bulk of the document will be based on the existing version, with only certain specific sections being amended or completely rewritten and replaced.  The referendum will, by all accounts, be a “take it or leave it”, “all or nothing” decision.  “Yes” or “No”.  I don’t suppose there will any prizes for predicting the eventual outcome.  We’ll see … I may yet be surprised.

Despite its association with the Labour movement, May 1^st has long been a special date.  It was a festival which celebrated the first planting of Spring in pagan Europe with festivities (which would begin on the previous evening) including games, feasting and a procession to the summit of a nearby hill.  In England a Maypole was erected and single men and women would dance around it.  Generally, it marked a cheerful and “merry” moment in the year.  There were links with ancient (Roman) mythology – with Diana and Herne, who became the Queen of May and Robin Goodfellow, – the “Green Man”, a medieval forerunner of Robin Hood.  Although the Church tried to outlaw the festival, they persisted in Europe well into the eighteenth century.

The modern association of May Day as a working class holiday originates from events in Chicago in 1886.  The “Knights of Labour” had issued a declaration calling for a maximum working day of 8 hours.  In support of their demands strikes were called throughout the United States and Canada. In Chicago, the police attacked striking workers killing six.

A demonstration was held to “protest the police brutality” and by all accounts was passing uneventfully until the last speakers were about to address the crowd.  A large force of police moved into the square and told the crowd to disperse.  In the melee that ensued, a bomb exploded in the middle of the police, killing eight of them. The police arrested eight anarchist trade unionists claiming they threw the bombs. To this day the subject is still one of controversy – with claim and counterclaim that the bomb was the work of trade unionists or police agents.

In Paris in 1889 the International Working Men’s Association (the First International) declared May 1st an international working class holiday in commemoration of the Haymarket Martyrs. The red flag became the symbol of the blood of working class martyrs in their battle for workers rights.

May 1st, is now designated as “International Workers’ Day”, and is meant to commemorate the struggles of working people throughout the world.  It is recognized as a holiday.  It is officially recognized in almost every country – but not in the United States, (which is ironic in that the origins of the holiday were based in events which unfolded in the US), Canada, and South Africa.

(Interestingly, in the US the First Monday in September is designated as “Labor Day” – the national equivalent of May Day … and this predates the association of May Day with the Labour movement as it was first commemorated in 1881 … becoming a national holiday in 1894).

In Kyrgyzstan:

Although in the Soviet period, May 1st was a major festival with official parades and celebrations, with many people taking the opportunity to stroll through the parks and city centers in the Spring sunshine, Independence Day (August 31^st) has now replaced it in importance and only small gatherings assemble in the main square of the larger towns and cities.

The period from May 1st to May 9 includes three public holidays and at least one weekend – hence, at least some of the intervening days are declared as “non-working days” which means that many businesses and offices will be closed, although shops and restaurants will be open, however, banks will not.

Although the Constitution declares that the Kyrgyz Republic is a secular state, it may be surprising that a number of religious holidays are commemorated.

As the majority of the Kyrgyz, themselves, are nominally Muslim, it is understandable that amongst the national holidays are Muslim festivals such as Orozo Ait and Kurman Ait.  What might be surprising is the fact that non-Muslim festivals of Noruz and Christmas are also national holidays.

• Noruz is a Zoroastrian festival – celebrated on the vernal equinox – March 21^st and is celebrated throughout Central Asia … .
• Christmas is the time when Christians mark the birth of Jesus.

During the Soviet period many religious practices were suppressed – but they never completely disappeared.  Nowadays there is a revival in interest in religious matters – perhaps as part of a search for national roots and culture.  The various Orthodox Churches around the country hold special services – and in Bishkek these are well attended.

To be honest, I am not sure why it was decided to include Christmas into the list of National Holidays, but each year, the President issues a proclamation, congratulating Christians on their Holiday.

In the West, Christmas falls on December 25^th – in the Orthodox Church it is celebrated on January 7^th.  The reason for the difference is that the Western Churches celebrate according to the Gregorian calendar, whereas the Orthodox Church still reckon according to the Julian Calendar – which was in use in Russia until after the Bolshevik Revolution.

In Kyrgyzstan:

The holiday is normally a low-key affair – although the period between New Year and Orthodox Christmas is normally declared as “non-working days” which means that many businesses and offices will be closed, although shops and restaurants will be open, however, banks will not.

The President usually issues a proclamation congratulating the Orthodox community on the occasion of Christmas.

The Orthodox Churches, (for example in Bishkek and Karakol), tend to hold services throughout the day, often starting with midnight mass.

The history of the Calendar which we use is a long and complex affair.  At present we tend to mark the beginning of the New Year on 1^st January.  It has not always been so … and the existence of different calendars mean that several “New Years’ Day” can be celebrated in Kyrgyzstan during a twelve month period … although only January 1^st is an official holiday.

Others include:

• “Starry Noviy God” or “Old New Year” – celebrated on January 13^th … and marks the New Year according to the old Julian calendar.
• Chinese New Year – which falls on different days each year… although, in general usage, the year of the Pig, Horse, Ram, etc. tends to marked as commencing from January 1^st …  .
• Noruz – sometimes (mistakenly) referred to as Muslim New Year – is a Zoroastrian festival held on the Vernal Equinox, March 21^st.
• Muslim New Year – which is based on a Lunar calendar – it is sometimes marked by the more religious members of the community – but is a muted affair

(Incidentally … the ancient world the New Year was deemed to start on March 21^st – or April 1^st … In Imperial Russia, the New Year was deemed to start on September 1^st, until Peter the Great decreed that the year should start on January 1^st).

New Year – January 1st

During the Soviet period … New Year became the great winter festival.  Christmas Trees were banned – but New Year’s trees were permitted.  St. Nicholas’ Day (December 6^th) was duly ignored … but he was replaced by Dydya Moroz – Grandfather Frost – and his granddaughter/assistant, Snegorochka, the Snow Maiden.

In fact – if you happen to visit Kyrgyzstan over New Year you may be surprised to see Grandfather Frost and Snegorochka … but don’t mistake him for Santa Claus.  In Russian tradition there is a different story associated with him … Grandfather Frost is a tall old man with a long white beard in a red fur coat, special mittens, felt boots, with a magic staff and bag of gifts for children. His sledge is not drawn by reindeer, but by 3 horses and with little bell under an arch. His usual place of stay is winter snow wood, where he organizes blizzards and snowstorms.  Snegorochka is a particularly Russian variation on the tradition … and is ot found in other European countries.  She is dressed in light-blue fur coat with white ermine fur, white boots. From under a round fur hat, her fair-hair is braided and reaches down to below her belt.  She is a mistress for birds and animals of a winter wood: hares, squirrels, and bullfinches.  Other Russian variations include malicious Baba Yaga and the Forest Man who steal the Grandfather Frost’s bag with gifts and presents for the children. The malicious wolf and artful fox help them.  The Snowman is seen as a comic person.  Snegorchka says to the children: “Let’s help Grandfather Frost find his bag with presents!”, and a search ensues … and when the bag is found the contents are distributed to the children.  Grandfather Frost then lights fires on fir tree with his magic stuff and there is dancing around the trees.

In Kyrgyzstan:

There are all the usual trappings associated with New Year – which you might experience at home … although you may think of them as associated with Christmas rather than New Year … trees, presents and parties and general merriment, especially if there is snow, which seems to emphasize and accentuate the holiday mood.

For those who like to watch local television, then at least one channel is likely to show the famous traditional Soviet comedy “Twist of Fate, or with easy steam”, (“Ironiya Sudby, ili C Lyekim Parom” – generally known by just the last phrase – “C lyegkim parom”).

New Years’ Eve, a group of friends go to a sauna where they drink vodka – and they all end up drunk, including Genia who does not normally drink very much.  At the end of the evening his friends put him in a taxi and take him to the airport to catch a flight back home to Leningrad, but unfortunately, he mistakenly boards the wrong flight and ends up in a different city.  Oblivious to his mistake he hails a taxi and gives his address and, arriving at the typical anonymous, generic, soviet apartment block manages to open the door of “his” apartment and goes to sleep.  Shortly afterwards the owner of the apartment, a young woman arrives home expecting to see her fiancée.  And so unfolds a comedy of errors.

Many restaurants and discotheques hold special events to mark the occasion.

At midnight, everyone goes into the street to set off rockets into the night sky …

The period between New Year and Orthodox Christmas is normally declared as “non-working days” which means that many businesses and offices will be closed, although shops and restaurants will be open, however, banks will not.

Old New Year – January 13th

The Old New Year, (or the Orthodox New Year – in Russian it is called Stariy Noviy God), is marked on January 13th.

When Soviet Russia officially adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918, the Russian Orthodox Church continued to use the old Julian calendar.  The New Year (January 1st) according to the Julian calendar fell on the 13th according to the new reckoning and Stariy Noviy God – the “Old” New Year - continued to be marked as a special day and observed informally.  Thus the tradition of celebrating the coming of the New Year twice was established and is now widely enjoyed.

In the West there was a tradition that Christmas decorations were erected before Christmas, (for example on Christmas Eve) and left until “Twelfth Night” – January 6th, which marked the Epiphany of the infant Jesus to Simeon in the Temple, when he was circumcised.  In the local tradition, New Year decorations, which bear a remarkable resemblance to Christmas decorations in the West) are erected before New Year and removed on Stariy Noviy God … which marks the end of the, now, traditional New Year festivities.

In Kyrgyzstan:

Usually not as festive as the “New New Year”, for many this is a nostalgic family holiday ending the New Year holiday cycle with the traditional large meals, singing and celebratory drinking.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese calendar is “lunisolar”.  That is, it incorporates elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar.

It is not exclusive to China, but is followed by many other Asian cultures and, although it is not recognized as a holiday in Kyrgyzstan, many people commemorate the occasion with the exchange of cards and/or small gifts.  Officially it is no longer in use as China  adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1912, however, it is is still used for marking traditional East Asian holidays such as the Chinese New Year, (also known as the Spring Festival), other traditional festivals and in astrology, such as choosing the most auspicious date for a wedding or the opening of a building.

It is often referred to in the West as the Chinese calendar because it was first perfected by the Chinese around 500 BC.

Chinese New Year, often called the Lunar New Year, is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays.  The New Year festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar, (which falls on the first full moon following the Winter Solstice), ending on the 15th, (which is called the Lantern Festival). Being based on a lunar calendar and phases of the moon, Chinese New Year falls on different dates, in the Gregorian calendar, each year between January 21 and February 20 – and hence is a moveable feast.

According to Chinese Astrology, each year is associated with, and named after, an animal in a twelve cycle: Rat; Ox; Tiger; Rabbit; Dragon; Snake; Horse; Ram; Monkey; Rooster; Dog and Pig.  The cycle began again in 2008 with the year of the Rat, and 2009 is the year of the Ox.  The small gifts and cards which people may give each other at New Year usually reflect the animal that denote the year.

Rat		1900	1912	1924	1936	1948	1960	1972	1984	1996	2008
Ox		1901	1913	1925	1937	1949	1961	1973	1985	1997	2009
Tiger		1902	1914	1926	1938	1950	1962	1974	1986	1998	2010
Rabbit		1903	1915	1927	1939	1951	1963	1975	1987	1999	2011
Dragon		1904	1916	1928	1940	1952	1964	1976	1988	2000	2012
Snake		1905	1917	1929	1941	1953	1965	1977	1989	2001	2013
Horse		1906	1918	1930	1942	1954	1966	1978	1990	2002	2014
Goat		1907	1919	1931	1943	1955	1967	1979	1991	2003	2015
Monkey		1908	1920	1932	1944	1956	1968	1980	1992	2004	2016
Rooster		1909	1921	1933	1945	1957	1969	1981	1993	2005	2017
Dog		1910	1922	1934	1946	1958	1970	1982	1994	2006	2018
Pig		1911	1923	1935	1947	1959	1971	1983	1995	2007	2019

In Kyrgyzstan:

The event is not marked in any special way although many people may give each other cards and small presents and restaurants and discotheques may organize events to mark the occasion.

At the moment I am in the middle of a new project … putting together information for a website and publications (leaflet, brochure, booklet …) about the year in Kyrgyzstan.

The idea for the project comes from the fact that Kyrgyzstan is not exactly well known for its festivals – in fact one website used to claim that “Kyrgyzstan isn’t exactly full of festivals” … which is not exactly fair, (people here enjoy a celebration as much as any other nationality), and in fact the people of Kyrgyzstan enjoy a festival … however …it is true to say that it can be difficult to find information about events.

There are a couple of possible reasons for this … it can be difficult to find any information about Kyrgyzstan.  There is actually a wealth of information around … and the internet is a wonderful tool … I often wonder how I managed without it.  However, it’s often a case of knowing how to find the information that is relevant and in the right format.

We are often visited by the authors of the popular guidebooks which are appearing about the country and the region.  They are always looking for information which could be useful and on one occasion, one of them asked how we had amassed such a mass of information about Kyrgyzstan to include in our website, our CD and our “information pack”.  I looked at the bookcase which, although quite small by the standards of a library shelf, was weighed down with books, magazines and newspaper cuttings and simply said, “I have an advantage – I’m based here and an immersed in the country … I come across things in books or newspaper articles, in news reports on television, on internet pages and so on, and I file them … I’ve been here for almost fifteen years – and so I have been able to accumulate information almost by osmosis”.  True, some of the information available locally is in Russian – which cases me a few problems, or in Kyrgyz – which means I have to get it translated – but I have greater exposure to information than someone sitting down to write a book, back in the UK.

Although surfing the internet can be fun, and you can discover some fascinating and very interesting facts, (did you know, for example, that the Portuguese were fishing the waters off Newfoundland years before Columbus “discovered” the Americas?), however, finding specific information can be difficult and sometimes it is simply easier to find someone you can ask and we often get asked by tourists about the weather and what sort of things they can see and do when they visit.

Secondly, events in Kyrgyzstan, even the grand national celebrations, can seem to have a “low key” or impromptu nature.  This is possibly because they are the result of a rush of last minute preparations … even those major events which have been long in the planning.  For example, in his novel, “This is not civilization”, Robert Rosenberg describes how an American Peace Corps volunteer is bewildered at the apparent inactivity in the build up to the Manas 1000 celebrations in the summer of 1995.  (The Manas 1000 festival was a special festival which was held to commemorate the Millennium of the Kyrgyz epic telling of the life and exploits of a legendary hero, which is the worlds longest epic poem – longer than Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, combined.)  Signs were erected announcing the great event during the  previous winter – although there seemed to be a lack of any visible preparations being made.  When he commented on the diminishing timescale available for such work he was assured that: “It is the Kyrgyz way … Relax, relax, relax, and at the last minute work, work, work.”

As a result, we often get information about events at very short notice – often we only hear about events a few days before they happen – sometimes on the day, (and sometimes even after they have happened), which makes planning difficult.

Last year, (2008), we received a notice in the last week of September about a festival which was being planned for the middle of October, with the suggestion that we send some tourists to it.  My response was not very complimentary: “It’s not that simple … If we had heard about it earlier than we could have advertised the event and it might have been easier to find people to visit the festival …  however, as it is, I am doubtful if we can send anyone.”  Apart from the fact that there aren’t that many tourists in Kyrgyzstan during October, (which is a pity, because the weather is usually quite nice at that time of the year – although it can be cool and the nights distinctly chilly – and there is much of the country that is still easily accessible).  In addition, any tourists that are in the country probably already have their itinerary settled and they might well be in a totally different part of the country at that time.  As it happens, however, we managed to find a few clients for the event and they enjoyed it immensely.

It helps if we know that when event is going to happen later in the year … we can advertise it or suggest to potential clients that they might want to visit, and plan the itinerary accordingly.  Unfortunately, it is often not clear so far in advance.  Whenever we hear about a festival for the first time, I tend to ask about it’s history – and the plans of the organizers for the future.  Is it planned to repeat the event every year, or is it a simple “one -off” event.  I once saw a poster for the “First Annual Festival … “, and I complained that it was a bit early to claim that it was an “annual” event … and said that it would be better to wait until the third or fourth event before making such a claim.

Having said all that, we are sometimes asked by people who have learned about a festival, to create a tour itinerary around attending it … something we are very happy to do.

So, in order to prepare our materials I started looking through the archives for some photos I could use to illustrate some of the events that take place here in Kyrgyzstan.  Although I have attended a wide number of events over the years, I didn’t always have my camera with me, (and to make matters worse, I lost a lot of photos a couple of years ago when my hard disc crashed … I know, I know, I should have had a backup … !!!).  Anyway, this year I decided to see if I get some photos of the celebrations for some of the holidays.

I sent one of our staff, armed with a camera, off to the Annual May Day celebrations.  Now, it is some years since I last attended a May Day celebration.  Being British, we have an image of grand parades – true, they were based on photographs of the parades that marched before the Politburo in Red Square, but the photo-albums of the Kyrgyz SSR that I have include photos of the mass gatherings – everyone in their “Sunday Best”, young boys and girls spick and span in brilliant white shirts and sporting bright red “pioneer” neckerchiefs, and many of them clutching bunches of spring flowers in their hands.

The city authorities have been making a real effort to tidy up the town … squares and parks are being reconstructed, and the streets are being cleaned more frequently and thoroughly.   Despite the fact that we’ve had a lot of rainy days over the last few weeks, the sun shone brightly and it was quite warm – it should have been a good day for taking photos.  You can imagine my surprise, therefore, when he returned with just half a dozen photos.  This year there were only about 60 people in the main square, none of the masses that there would have been just a decade or two ago, a few of them carrying flags or banners.  No parade.  No stalls selling snacks or souvenirs.  The press were there – but I didn’t see any reports of the event in the local media, so they didn’t think there was anything worth reporting … which is quite an indictment on the proceedings.  Not only was the whole event “low key” and impromptu, it was almost a non-event … what a comedown!

I am so, so glad that the one visitor that I had offered to take to the celebrations had decided to decline the invitation, saying that he was too tired and needed to “rest up”.

I suppose it is only to be expected … May Day is basically seen as a Socialistic holiday – even in the UK this used to be the case … the Labour movement is not as important in society as it used to be,  the Trade Unions, although still important, have lost much of the status that they used to possess … nowadays there are other things to do with a “day off” … other holidays, such as Independence Day, have assumed more importance … and so, May Day has descended into the status of just another “non-working day”.

May Day is indeed in need of a distress call – a “mayday” call – to ensure that it does not disappear completely into oblivion.