Postcard from Bishkek

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 [...]

Christmas has come and finally come … and gone. It’s has always been a hectic time of the year and, especially in my time as a school teacher, I was all too familiar with the traditional build up to Christmas – and the round of special events to mark the occasion.