Postcard from Bishkek

Of the six basic questions in life, (Kipling’s “six honest serving men”: Who?, Where?, When?, What?, How? and Why?), five are basically descriptive and the last one – Why? – is analytical, giving an explanatory justification.  Also, it can often involve speculation.  It’s a very powerful question – perhaps the most powerful of them all.

There’s a story – probably apocryphal, but it makes for a good story – of a question in a Philosophy examination – a single word: “Why?”.  According to the story one students apparently wrote, “Why not?” … and got full marks.

For the record: There are several such stories about philosophy students gaining marks for such unconventional answers – my favourites include

• in answer to the question, “How can you prove that the chair at the front of the room doesn’t exist?” one student answered: “What chair?”
• in answer to the question, “What is courage?”, one student answered, “This is!”
• in answer to the question, “Is this a question?”, one student wrote, “If this is an answer.”

In some ways, “Why not?” is a more powerful question than “Why?” … they can both be challenging.

When, for example, Edward Kennedy gave the eulogy at his brother’s funeral, (Robert – Bobby -Kennedy, that is), he chose to pay tribute to the assassinated senator in his own words … closing the speech with:

As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: “Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.”

The phrase can be used in several ways:

• … please explain your negative answer …
• … there’s no reason not to … do something
• … I can’t think of a reason not to … do something – so Yes!

In just the same way as Barack Obama used the slogan “Yes we can!”, as an inspiring election slogan … “Why not?” can be an inspiring slogan.

In fact, quite a few businesses have been named “Why not”: Cafés and Bars, Nightclubs and cabaret, theaters, bands and a record company, Hotels and Inns, Massage and Beauty parlours, a Sheep Station, an Alpaca farm and a ranch, a church, a marketing firm and several firms of consultants, a real estate firm, a Stamp shop and a hire shop, a training firm, a model agency and a tattoo parlour, a metal firm and a chemical engineering firm, wholesalers and boutiques, a pottery and a couple of breweries, shoe shops and clothes manufactures, … and a travel company: Why not Travel

There’s even  a Why Not Street in Brisbane, and a town in Mississippi …  and another in North Carolina

In a recent discussion on Twitter, someone posed a question about what had inspired people to visit a particular location, (“What is the weirdest reason why you travelled?“), and one of the replies was was “Because an advert said, “Why not add Vienna to your trip.” So I did” .

It strikes me that that’s a fairly good slogan …  Why not …?

I’ve written several postcards about slogans before … for example about Kyrgyzstan’s search for an identity … and then it struck me …why not:  ”Why Not Kyrgyzstan?” … It seems more interesting than the new slogan for Kyrgyzstan than some of the others … a pity it’s already been used (and not just by Vienna – it’s also been used by New Zealand) and if we did try to use it it might lead to claims of plagiarism … but then, it’s going to be difficult to think of something truly original.

Over the last 20 or so years, these are the slogans that Kyrgyzstan has used:

• The Land of the Tien Shan
• Oasis on the Silk Road
• Hospitable Kyrgyzstan
• Somewhere new, Somewhere Different
• Land of Tourism
• The Home of Santa Clause
• The Living Fairytale
• So Much to Discover
• The Heart of Asia
• Unique Kyrgyzstan

 

Here’s a list of some other Tourism slogans from around the world, some simple, some amusing, some clever, some classic:

• Abu Dhabi -
  • And you think you’ve done it all
  • Travellers welcome
• Albania - A new Mediterranean Love
• Andorra - The Pyrenean Country
• Anguilla - Feeling is Believing
• Antigua and Barbuda - The beach is just the beginning …
• Argentina - Argentina beats to your rhythm
• Aruba - One happy island
• Austria -
  • You’ve arrived
  • Arrive and revive
  • Austria. at last!
  • Vienna - Now or never
• Australia -
  • There’s nothing like Australia
  • Where the bloody hell are you?
  • A different light
  • We can’t wait to say G’day
  • Beautiful one day, perfect the next
  • New South Wales - There’s no place like it
  • Queensland - Where else but Queensland
  • Manly, Sydney - Manly. Seven miles from Sydney, a thousand miles from Care …
• Azerbaijan - From A to Z
• Bangladesh -
  • Beautiful Bangladesh
  • Visit Bangladesh before tourists come
• Belarus - Hospitality without Borders
• Belgium
  • Brussels and Wallonia - Latin Europe in a nutshell
• Belize - Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret
• Bermuda - So much more
• Bolivia - Bolivia awaits you
• Brazil - Sensational!
• Brunei - Kingdom of Unexpected Treasures
• Bulgaria - Unique in its diversity
• Cambodia - Kingdom of wonder
• Cameroon - Cameroon is Back
• Canada
  • Keep Exploring
  • British Columbia -
    • Super Natural British Columbia
    • The best place on earth!
  • Ontario
    • Discover Ontario
    • Yours to discover
• Chile - All Ways Surprising
• China - China Tourism
• Colombia - The only risk is wanting to stay
• Costa Rica - No Artificial Ingredients
• Croatia - The Mediterranean as it once was
• Cuba -
  • Viva Cuba
  • Authentic Cuba
• Cyprus -
  • In your heart
  • The island for all seasons
  • A whole world in a single island
• Czech Republic - 
  • Stunningly Different
  • Czech Republike
• Dominica - the Naturte Island
• Dominican Republic - Has it all
• Dubai - Definitely Dubai
• Fiji - Fiji Me
• Ecuador -
  • Love Life
  • Life at its purest
• Egypt - Where it all begins
• El Salvador - Impressive!
• Estonia - Positively Transforming
• Ethiopia - The cradle of humankind
• Finland -
  • Visit Finland
  • Visit Finland Breathe
  • I wish I was in Finland
• France -
  • Rendez-vous en France
  • Normandy - Love the land, live the life
• Gambia - The Smiling Coast of Africa
• Georgia -
  • For the best moments in your life
  • Europe Starts here
  • The Winner is Georgia
• Germany -
  • The travel destination
  • Affordable Hospitality
  • Berlin - Be Berlin
  • Stuttgart - Stuttgart offers more
• Gibraltar - Visit Gibraltar
• Gozo - Truly Mediterranean
• Greece -
  • You in Greece
  • Beyond Words
  • Live your Myth
  • Athens - A new point of view
• Grenada - Live the Rhythms of Spice
• Guatemala - Soul of the Earth
• Guyana - Experience, explore and enjoy
• Holland - Add some Orange
• Honduras - todo esta aqui
• Hong Kong -
  • Hong Kong Will Take Your Breath Away
  • There’s no place like Hong Kong
  • Best Place Best taste
  • Live it. Love it
  • Asia’s World City
• Hungary -
  • A love for life
  • Go to Hungary
• Iceland -
  • Visit Iceland
  • Pure. Natural. Unspoiled. Iceland, The way life should be.
• India -
  • Eternally yours
  • Incredible India
  • Goa - Go Goa – a perfect holiday destination
  • Karnatka - One state, many worlds
  • Kerala - God’s own country
  • Rajasthan - The incredible state of India
• Indonesia -
  • Unity in Diversity
  • Just a Smile Away
  • Admit It You Love It
  • Wonderful Indonesia
• Ireland -
  • The island of memories
  • Awaken to a different world
  • Jump into Ireland
• Israel - Size doesn’t matter
• Italy -
  • Much More
  • Italy leaves its mark
  • Sicily - Sicilia.  Everything else is in the shade
  • Valencia - Gives you everything
• Jamaica -
  • Once you go, you know
  • Get All Right
• Japan -
  • Endless Discovery
  • Cool Japan
• Kazakhstan - the Land of Wonders
• Kenya - Magical Kenya
• Korea -
  • Be Inspired
  • Seoul - Hi! Seoul – Soul of Asia
• Laos - Simply Beautiful
• Latvia -
  • Best enjoyed slowly
  • The land that sings
  • The heartland of the Baltic
• Lithuania – See It! Feel It! Love It!
• Luxembourg - Discover the unexpected
• Malawi - The warm heart of Africa
• Malaysia -
  • Malaysia, truly Asia
  • 1 Malaysia
• Maldives -
  • Always natural
  • The sunny side of life
• Malta - Truly Mediterranean
• Mongolia -
  • Go Nomadic, Experience Mongolia
  • Discover Mongolia
• Montenegro - Wild Beauty
• Morocco - The country that travels within you
• Namibia - Land of Contrasts
• Nepal - Naturally Nepal - Once is not enough
• New Zealand -
  • Nothing like Australia – 100% Betterer
  • 100% Pure
  • New Zealand – Why not?
  • New Zealand – ewe should come
  • Come and visit us down underer
  • New Zealand … Rocks
  • Hutt Valley - Right Up My Hutt Valley
• Nicaragua -
  • Unique
  • Unica – Original!
• Nigeria - Tourism is life
• North Cyprus -
  • Timeless Beauty
  • Better than Words
• Norway - Visit Norway
• Oman - Beauty has an address
• Panama -
  • It stays in you
  • It will never leave you
• Paraguay - You have to feel it
• Peurto Rico -
  • Island of enchantment
  • Does it better
• Peru -
  • Empire of Hidden Treasures
  • Discover Peru
• Philippines -
  • WOW Phillippines
  • More Fun in the Philippines
  • More than the usual
• Poland - Move your imagination - Come and find your story
• Portugal - Europe’s West Coast
• Romania -
  • Land of choice
  • Explore the Carpathian Garden
• Qatar - Where dreams come to life
• Russia -
  • Pure Russia
  • My Russia – Reveal your own Russia
• Serbia - Life in the Rhythm of the Heartbeat
• Seychelles - Another World
• Sierra Leone - the freedom to explore
• Singapore -
  • Uniquely Singapore
  • Live it up in Singapore
  • Surprising Singapore
• Slovakia - Little big country
• Slovenia - I feel love     (I feel SLOVEnia)
• Spain -
  • Smile! You are in Spain!
  • Spain Marks
  • Everything under the sun
  • Espana – I need Spain
  • Andalucia - There’s only one
• South Africa -
  • It’s possible
  • Inspiring new ways
  • Experience South Africa
• Sri Lanka - Refreshingly Sri Lanka – Wonder of Asia
• Swaziland - A Royal Experience
• Sweden - Visit Sweden
• Switzerland -
  • Get natural
  • Luzern - Swiss made
• Taiwan -
  • The heart of Asia
  • Taiwan Touch your Heart
• Tanzania - Land of Kilimanjaro Zanzibar and the Serengeti
• Thailand -
  • Happiness on Earth
  • Amazing Thailand – Experience Variety
  • Amazing Thailand – Dreams for all seasons
  • Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value
  • Amazing Thailand – always amazes you
• Trinidad and Tobago - the true Caribbean
• Tunisia
  • There’s more to celebrate
  • They say that in Tunisia, the Party scene’s on fire
  • They say that in Tuniosia, everything is a stone’s throw away
  • They say that in Tunisia, some people receive heavy handed treatment
  • They say Tunisia is nothing but ruins
• Turkey - Turkey Unlimited
• Uganda - Pearl of Africa
• Ukraine - Yours to discover
• United Kingdom -
  • England -
    • Croydon - Britain’s most interesting town
    • Hull - It’s Never Dull in Hull
    • Lancashire - It’s a real pleasure
    • Leeds - Live it. Love it.
    • London - See the World. Visit London
    • Norfolk Broads - Britain’s magical waterland
    • Suffolk - The Curious County
    • Sussex, West Chiltington - A village with a past and a future
    • Torquay - The English Riviera
  • Scotland -
    • Scotland Welcomes the World
    • Live it. Visit Scotland
    • Dumfries and Galloway - A touch of the exotic
    • Edinburgh - Incredinburgh
    • Glasgow - Glasgow’s miles better
  • Wales - The big country
• Uruguay - Uruguay natural
• USA -
  • Alabama -
    • Share the wonder
    • Alabama the beautiful
    • Sweet home Alabama
  • Alaska -
    • North to the Future
    • Big Wild Life
    • B4UDIE      (“See Alaska before you die”)
  • Arizona - The Grand Canyon State
  • Arkansas -
    • The Wonder State
    • Land of Opportunity
    • The Natural State
  • California -
    • The Golden State
    • Find yourself here
    • Palm Springs - A suspended state of relaxation
  • Colorado -
    • Colourful Colorado
    • Pike’s Peak or Bust
    • Rocky Mountain High
    • Where the Columbines Grow
    • Enter a higher state
    • Fruita - WTF – Welcome to Fruita
  • Connecticut -
    • CONNECTicut
    • You belong in ConneCTicut
    • Better yet, Connecticut
    • Classic Connecticut
    • Constitution State
    • Still Revolutionary
    • Nutmeg State
    • Full of Surprises
  • Delaware -
    • The first state
    • It’s good being First
    • Small Wonder
    • Smaller, Faster, Smarter
  • Florida -
    • The Sunshine State
    • The land of Good LivingVisit Florida
    • When you need it bad, we’ve got it good
    • Florida, coast to coast
    • FLA USA
    • Florida Keys - Come as you are
  • Georgia - Georgia on my mind
  • Hawaii - The island of Aloha
  • Idaho - Great Potatoes. Tasty Destinations
  • Illinois -
    • Mile after Magnificent mile
    • Right here, right now
    • The land of Lincoln
  • Indiana -
    • Enjoy Indiana
    • Crossroads of America
    • Restart your engines
  • Iowa -
    • You make me smile
    • Field of opportunities
    • Is this heaven?
    • Life changing
  • Kansas -
    • There’s no place like home
    • Kansas, As big as you think
    • Simply wonderful
    • Land of Ahhs
  • Kentucky -
    • Oh! Kentucky – you’ll come to love it
    • The uncommonwealth of Kentucky
    • It’s that friendly
    • Unbridled Spirit
  • Louisiana -
    • Come as you are, leave Different
    • Fall in love with Louisiana – all over again
    • Sportsman’s paradise
  • Maine -
    • There’s more to Maine
    • Worth a visit, worth a lifetime
    • The way life should be
    • Where America’s day begins
    • Vacationland
    • It must be Maine
  • Maryland -
    • Maryland of opportunity
    • More than you can imagine
    • America in Minature
    • Seize the day off
    • Annapolis - Come sail away
  • Massachusetts -
    • The Spirit of America
    • Take a Real Vacation
    • Make it yours
    • It’s all here
  • Michigan -
    • Winter wonderland
    • Great Lakes, Great times, More to see
    • Say Yes to Michigan
    • Pure Michigan
  • Mississippi -
    • Feels like coming home
    • The South’s warmest welcome
    • Find your true South
  • Missouri -
    • Enjoy the show
    • The Cave state
    • Where rivers run
  • Montana
    • The last best place
    • Big sky country
    • Get lost in Montana
  • Nebraska -
    • The Good life
    • America’s Frontier
    • Genuine Nebraska
    • Possibilities … endless
  • Nevada -
    • Wide Open
    • Battle Born
    • Home means Nevada
    • The Silver State
  • New Hampshire - You’re going to love it here
  • New Jersey -
    • New Jersey and You : Perfect Together
    • What a difference a state makes
    • The Garden State
    • Come See for yourself
  • New Mexico
    • Santa Fe - The City Different
  • New York  -
    • I love New York
    • The Empire State
    • NYC - I♥NY
  • Nevada -
    • Las Vegas - What happens here, stays here
  • North Carolina - A better place to be
  • North Dakota -
    • Legendary
    • Fargo - Always Warm
  • Oklahoma -
    • Native America
    • Oklahoma is OK
  • Oregon -
    • Pacific Wonderland
    • Things look different here
    • We love dreamers
  • Pennsylvania -
    • America starts here
    • You’ve got a friend in Pennsylvania
    • Philadelphia – With love, Philadelphia
  • Rhode Island -
    • Hope
    • Unwind the Ocean State
  • South Carolina -
    • Smiling faces, beautiful places
    • Just right
  • South Dakota - Great Faces, great places
  • Tennessee -
    • Follow me to Tennessee
    • Sounds good to me
    • America at its best
  • Texas -
    • Deep in the heart of Texas
    • It’s like a whole other country
    • The Lone Star State
    • Everything is bigger in Texas
  • Utah -
    • More vacation per gallon
    • This is still the tight place
    • Life elevated
    • Greatest snow on earth
    • Where ideas connect
    • Utah!
  • Vermont -
    • Vermont, naturally!
    • The Green Mountain State
    • I LoVeremont     (I LOVErmont)
  • Virginia -
    • Virginia is for Lovers
    • Live Passionately
  • Washington - SayWA
  • Washington DC -
    • The American Experience
    • Celebrate and Discover
  • West Virginia -
    • Almost Heaven
    • Open for business
    • Wild and wonderful
  • Wisconsin -
    • Escape to Wisconsin
    • Life’s so good
    • America’s Disneyland
    • Live like you mean it
    • You’re among friends
    • Stay just a bit longer
    • Live like you mean it
  • Wyoming -
    • Like non place on Earth
    • Forever West
• Venezuela - Venezuela is your destination
• Vietnam -
  • Timeless charm
  • A destination for the new millennium
• Zambia - Let’s explore
• Zimbabwe - A world of wonders

 

 

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