Postcard from Bishkek

This year is still very young … but there are definite signs that there is change in the air … possibly “revolutionary” changes – albeit without the political and social upheaval usually associated with that word … but definitely serious and radical changes … and they are emanating from an unlikely source … The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Information.

The Tourism Department have not only provided us with a list of festivals that they expect to take this year – even if the list is limited to and seems to miss some of the established events like the Bishkek Jazz Festival and the two Fashion Weeks that are already well established events … but then, a week before the end of the old year, the Ministry also announced a list of commemorative events of national significance, in accordance with the Law” On the anniversary events in the Kyrgyz Republic “ – which contains 38 anniversaries which will be officially celebrated here in Kyrgyzstan this year.  Each will be the focus of special events: exhibitions, concerts, conferences and competitions … and so on.

 I don’t know if the list has yet been approved by the government, (it was released by the Press Department of the Ministry), but it doesn’t really matter because it can be added to or amended by the President, Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) or the Ministry, at any time, anyway.

I have postcards before about this annual list, it’s usually a wry comment about how it is published well after the year is already well under way and some of those anniversaries listed have already passed by.

Well, this year I have to take off my hat to the Men from the Ministry, (a reference to a British Radio Comedy programme from the 1960s and 70s), because by publishing the list before the start of the year’s end they have managed to do something I never thought I would see … Malodetz! – Well Done!

This year’s list includes an interesting mix of akyns, writers, painters, scientists, scholars … and political leaders of the former Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic:

• 190th Anniversary of the birth of the bard and komuzist Arstanbek Buylash uluu (1824-1878) – in Kyrgyz, “uluu” is like Mac, Mc, O’, and Ben meaning “son of” so his names reads “Arstanbek, son of Buylash”.   Astanbek is regarded as a major Kyrgyz poet, and is known as “the nightingale”, although few of his works survive.  His music was widely played but his poems were proscribed during the Soviet period because of his independent standing and his stand for the protection of the traditions of his people many of which were under threat of disappearing.  He was concerned about the influence of the Russian colonists of his day upon his native people and their culture.  He composed poems about the “dark times” that were coming and the need for the Kyrgyz to preserve their traditions and their lifestyle. What remains were published for the first time in 1994 – to mark his 170th anniversary.
• 175th anniversary of the statesman and public figure Shabdan Jantaev uluu (1839-1912 or, to be more precise, 29/10/1839 – 06/04/1912) – otherwise known as Shabdan Baatyr.  A tribal leader, (of the Sary Bagush tribe), from the Chui region of Kyrgyzstan who followed a pro-Russian policy and is known as “The Peacemaker”.  He rose to be a local chieftain and ruled the Chon Kemin valley as his local fiefdom. The locals still hold him in great regard and a large statue of him on horseback has been erected in Kemin (on the left hand side of the road as you travel from Bishkek to Lake Issyk Kul).
• 150th anniversary of the birth of the akyn (bard) and improviser Toktogul Satylganov (1864-1933 or, to be more precise, 24/10/1864 – 17/02/1933).  He was an akyn and poet who was exiled to Siberia under the Tsarist Empire and escaped back to Kyrgyzstan where he embraced the Bolshevik cause.   His portrait appears on the one hundred som banknote.
• 130th anniversary of the birth of the statesman and public figure Aidarbekov Imanaliev, (1884-1938 – to be more precise although we don’t know his birthday, he died on 05/11/1938).  “One of the most outstanding statesmen of Kyrgyzstan, who contributed to the formation of the state”. He led the city Pishpek, (as Bishkek was then called), and became the first leader of Kyrgyzstan, as Kyrgyz chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Kara-Kirghiz Autonomous Region. Unfortunately he fell foul of Stalin’s purges and was executed in Tashkent in 1938.
• 130th anniversary of the bard improviser Barpy Alykulov (1884-1949 – to be more precise although we don’t know his birthday, he died on 09/11/1949).    With the advent of Soviet power in Kyrgyzstan, he was actively involved in building the new state and the struggle against the Basmachis. For 20 years he served as chairman of the Committee of Poor Peasants, as a Deputy, and chairman of his local village council, playing a major role in the organization of collective farm in his native ail (village).
• 120th anniversary of the birth of the manaschi Sayakbai Karalaev (1894-1971 to be more precise although we don’t know his birthday, he died on 07/05/1971).  Considered to be one of the great Manashi of the twentieth century – sometimes referred to as the “Homer of the 20th Century”. Born into a poor family in a small village on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul and according to his own account, he grew up as an ordinary “village lad”, without showing any interest in Manas – and he showed only modest talents as a composer. When he eventually became a manaschi, he had to master half a million lines of epic poetry. His versatile performances veered between tragedy, to lyricism, to dramatic; at times crying, at others laughing, and at yet others sighing. At first he was greatly influenced by Chouke Omur, a well-known manaschi from Issyk Kul, but about 1925 started to develop his own style. Between 1932 and 1947 he wrote down the entire Manas epos – ‘Manas’, ‘Semetey’ and Seitek’ – totalling over half a million lines of poetry. He performed in Finland and in Moscow as well as in Kyrgyzstan, and received several awards.
• 120th anniversary of the birth of bard improviser Alymkul Usenbaev (1894-1963 or, to be more precise, 16/05/1894 – although that was according to the Julian Calendar, it was the 28th elsewhere in the world which operated on the on the Gregorian Calendar, and he died on 02/08/1949).  Born in the Talas region, he studied with both Toktogul and Satylganov. Before the October Revolution of 1917, he composed the songs about the heavy share of the common people. In later works he extolled the creative work of the people. He became a member of the communist party in 1944 but was already a member of the Supreme Soviet – having been elected in 1938 and serving until his death/ He was awarded the title People’s Artist of the Kirghiz SSR in 1939 as well the Order of Lenin, two other orders, and various medals.
• 120th anniversary of the birth of conductor and composer Peter Shubin (1894-1948,  to be more precise is difficult … most sources put his date of birth as 10/07/1894, although at least one source says it was 10/06/1894 … and, so far, I have not been able to find the date when he died).  Although he wasn’t Kyrgyz – having been born in the Orenburg region of Russia, he played a major in the development of music in the country as a teacher, conductor and composer. For example, he organized the first orchestra of traditional Kyrgyz instruments and wrote arrangements for many traditional songs. As a teacher he taught many of the notable musicians and composers of the age.
• 110th anniversary of the birth of the writer, academician Aaly Tokombaev (1904-1988 – to be more precise 07/11/1904-19/06/1988).  Tokombaev was a poet and one of the pioneers of Kyrgyz literature – indeed, he is sometimes called The First Kyrgyz Writer.  During the time when he lived, Kyrgyzstan was struggling first with Tsarism and then Soviet rule and in his books he gave his opinions on the unfair rule and treatment of the Kyrgyz people.
• 110th anniversary of the birth of writer Kasymaly Zhantosheva (1904-1968 – to be more precise although we don’t know his birthday, he died on 13/08/1949).  He was born into the family of a farm labourer in the Issyk Kul region and went on to become a writer across several genres; a novelist, playwright and screenwriter for Kyrgyz Film – also acting and directing.
• 100th anniversary of the birth of the state and public figure Kazi Dikambaev, (1913-2010 or, to be more precise, 25/10/1913 – although that was according to the Julian Calendar, it was the 07/11/1913 elsewhere in the world which operated on the on the Gregorian Calendar, and he died on 16/02/2010).  He was one of the leaders of the Soviet party and the Kyrgyz SSR, being Chairman of the Council of Ministers betwen 1958 and 1961.  Born into a peasant family he studied at Ashgabat University before participating in the struggle against the Basmachi and then rising through the ranks to the top post in the republic.
• 100th anniversary of the birth of Academician Karakeev Kurman-Ghali (1913-2012 or, to be more precise, 07/11/1913 – 13/11/2012).  Karakeev was a – Soviet and Kyrgyz historian , an Academician and the president of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz SSR presiding over its expansion into many diverse fields of study, serving on the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
• 100th anniversary of the birth of the artist-painter Sabyrbek Akylbekov (1914-1968 or, to be more precise, he was born on 15/05/1914 – although one source says 15/02/1914 – to 15/04/1964).  He was one of the first Kyrgyz painters, (along with Gapar Aitiev).  Graduating from the Djalal Abad Teachers’ Training College, he taught for a time in Frunze, (as Bishkek was then called), before going to studyat the Moscow Fine Arts Technicum.  He is renowned for his lyrical and emotional landscapes.  There are several examples in the Fine Arts Museum and his painting The Haystacks is in Moscow’s Tretiakov Gallery.
• 100th anniversary of the birth of artist, painter, Fyodor Stukoshina (1914-1974 or, to be more precise, born on 18/02/1914 but, at the moment, I can’t find the date of his death).  He was born into a peasant family in the Smolensk region of Russia and graduated from Omsk Pedagogical College of Art.  In 1940 he moved to Frunze and apart from serving during the Great Patriotic War, (World War II), he lived and worked, teaching in the Frunze Art School until his death.  There are almost 60 examples of his work in the Museum of Fine Arts in Bishkek.
• 100th anniversary of the birth of the artist-painter, graphic artist David Flekman (1914-2003 … I can’t be more precise because, at the moment, I can’t find his exact dates of birth or death).  Flekman was a painter, graphic artist and teacher who was born in Ananev, in the Odessa region. He graduated from the Odessa Art School in 1940 and entered the Kiev Art Institute, but his studies were interrupted by the war. Until the end of his life he taught at the Kyrgyz State Art School. Renowned for his portraits, portrayals of customs and social events. He participated in many exhibitions and many of his paintings are held in the Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts.
• 90th anniversary of the publication of official government newspaper “Kyrgyz Tuusu” and 90 years of  Kyrgyz journalism, (1924 – to be more precise, the first issue of the newspaper appeared on 07/11/1924).  Kyrgyz tuusu is the oldest Kyrgyz language newspaper in the Republic. It was first published as Erkin Too in Tashkent. From August 1927 it was known as Kyzyl Kyrgyzstan (Red Kyrgyzsan), and from 1956 – Sovettik Kyrgyzstan (Soviet Kyrgyzstan). The newspaper received its current name in 1991.
• 90th anniversary of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast of the RSFSR (1924 – or to be more precise, the oblast was created on 14/10/1924).  It was established as part of the seeming continuous process of reorganization from the predominantly Kyrgyz part of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.  On 15th May, 1925, it was renamed into the Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast.  (Then, on 11th February, 1926, it was reorganized into the Kyrgyz ASSR  … not to be confused with the Kyrgyz ASSR, which was first name of Kazak ASSR.  On 5th December, 1936, it became the Kirghiz SSR, one of the constituent republics of the Soviet Union – which it remained until Independence in 1991).
• 90th anniversary of Kyrgyz police (1924 – it’s difficult to be precise but the “birthday” of the police force is usually considered to be 1st November, 1924).  That’s not say that there were no law officers in the territory before this date – but on 1st November, 1924, the Revolutionary Committee of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast was founded which included the management of a local police force that went on to become the police force in the Republic today.
• 90th anniversary of the birth of opera singer Asec Dzhumabaev (1924-2005 or, to be more precise, 09/05/1924-29/08/2005). Djumabaev was a Tenor born in the Naryn oblast who performed as a soloist for many years in the National Opera Company where his repertoire included both traditional roles as well as many in new Kyrgyz operas.  He was also a songwriter in his right.
• 90th anniversary of the birth of the philologist, academician Byubyuyny Oruzbaev (1924-2013 or, to be more precise, 20/12/1924-28/10/2013).  Oruzbaeva was a Turkologist, a specialist in Kyrgyz language and literature who was born into a poor farming family in the Tyup region of Issyk Kul.  She graduated from the Gorky Teacher Training College in Karakol, eventually moving to the capital to continue her studies.  Later, she was to be responsible for several Kyrgyz dictionaries and served as Editor in Chief for the Kyrgyz Soviet Encyclopedia.
• 80th anniversary of the birth the manaschi Urkash Mambetaliev (1934-2011 or, to be more precise, 08/03/1934-18/06/2011).   Mambetaliev is probably one of the best known manaschi – having been the soloist manaschi at the Philharmonia for many years he gave many concert performances both here and abroad – having undertaken several foreign tours –  and was recorded several times.  He is also a poet in his own right having produced and published several volumes of collected works.
• 80th anniversary of the birth of the journalist, ethnographer Amantur Akmataliev (1934-2002 or, to be more precise, 12/12/1934-30/08/2002).  He was born in the Naryn region and graduated from university as a Philologist and seems to have been an expert on the analysis of the Manas epic … being involved in the organization of the Manas 1000 celebration s in 1995.  He was also a jopurnaist working on several papers and at one point was Director of the publication Soviet Kyrgyzstan.
• 80th anniversary of the birth of the poet Ramis Ryskulov (b. 1934 or to be more precise 09/09/1934).  He trainined as a teacher but has also worked in publishing, having been the editor of a number of journals. Although he writes predominantly in Kyrgyz, he has also published works in Russian and has translated a number of authors like Pushkin into Kyrgyz.
• 80th anniversary of the birth of the dancer and choreographer Uran Sarbagishev (1934-2012 or, to be more precise, 11/12/1934-19/02/2012).  Graduating from the Leningrad State Academic Choreography School, in 1955 he bacame the leading dancer at the Kyrgyz Opera and Ballet Theatre, played the main roles in ballets of both the classical repertoire and national productions. In 1966 he was appointed as chief choreographer of the Kyrgyz Opera and Ballet Theatre.
• 80th anniversary of the birth of the Academician Dushen Mamatkanov (b. 1934).  He began his professional career as a teacher of mathematics and physics but a year later he became a junior researcher in the laboratory at the Hydropower Institute of Energy and Water Resources of the Academy of Sciences… and ever since then his life associated with the use of the water potential of his native land. Since 1992, he has headed the Institute of Water Problems and Hydropower of the National Academy of Sciences.
• 80th anniversary of the birth of Academician Usen Assanov (1934 or, to be more precise 26/01/1934).  Asanov is a Doctor of Chemical Sciences, a Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences, a member of the Engineering Academy of the Kyrgyz Republic and the International Engineering Academy, as well as a member of the New York Academy, an honored inventor of the Kirghiz SSR, Honored Worker of Science and Technology of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the winner of the State Prize of the Kyrgyz Republic science and technology … among others awards. In 1956 he graduated from the Moscow Chemical Technology Institute. and served as the editor in chief of the Kyrgyz national encyclopedia. He has conducted extensive research and has published more than 300 scientific works, including 12 monographs, 3 encyclopedias, 13 textbooks and manuals as well as having 50 inventions to his credit.
• 80th anniversary of the birth of the artist-painter Kubanychbek Amankozhoev (1934-1987 or, to be more precise, he was born on 19/02/1934 – although another source says 10/02/1934 … but no-one seems to record the date of death).  Born in the village of Chaek in the Naryn oblast, he graduated in 1954 from the Frunze Art School before studying at the Faculty of Painting in the Moscow Art Institute. He worked mainly in genres of landscape and portrait painting. His works are in the Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts, as well as in other museums of the CIS.
• 80th anniversary of the birth of the artist-painter Sagynbek Ishenov (b. 1934 or to be more precise 05/04/1934).  Ishenov graduated from the Frunze Art School in 1955, and then in Cinematography in 1961. He has worked as a designer on games and animated films. Notably he directed the first Kyrgyz cartoons, (such as “The numbers argue” in 1977, Olokon in 1978, “The Old Man and Black Giant Meke” in 1979 … and others), and is known as the Father of Kyrgyz Animation.  He has also made a number of documentary films.
• 80th anniversary of the birth of the musician, composer Altinbek Zhanybekov (1934-2011 or, to be more precise 15/06/1934- no-one seems to record his date of death).  Born in the village of Ala-Archa, in Alamedinskiy district of the Kyrgyz SSR, he studied at the Kurenkeev music school, the Kurmangazy Kazakh State Conservatory and the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, before becoming the editor in chief of music at the State Committee of the Kyrgyz SSR TV and Radio, as well teaching music at the Kurenkeev school and the Beyshenalievoy Kyrgyz State Institute of Arts.
• 80th anniversary of the birth of the actor Satybaldy Dalbaev (b. 1934 – but I cannot find an exact date of birth).  He was born in the village of Oogan Talaa in the Achy district of Djala Abad oblast, and studied in Moscow – where he starred to great acclaim in the leading role in the graduation performance, before returning to Frunze and and taking up a post in State Theater … where he is still a member of the repertory company.  He has a fairly impressive list of credits taking the lead in several premieres.
• 80th anniversary of the National Library of the Kyrgyz Republic (1934 – to be more precise it was established on 28/05/1934).  The first public library in what is now Kyrgyzstan was established in Karakol, but by 1934 there were several such institutions around the country. In May, 1934, the People’s Commissars decided to create a Republican State Library, by merging two such libraries, the Frunze Central Library and the State Scientific Library. Donations of books were received from libraries all over the Soviet Union, (including some 16,000 from Belarus), and there were some 700 registered readers and 13 employees when the doors of the new institution opened in August.
• 70th anniversary of the birth of the statesman and public figure Jumabek Ibraimova (1944-1999 or, to be more precise 01/01/1944-04/04/1999).  Born in the village of Jany-Alysh in the Kemin region of the Chui oblast. In 1971 he graduated from the Frunze Polytechnic Institute and in 1976 was an intern at the Moscow Machine-Tool Institute. In 1993 he served for two years as the Mayor (head of the city administration) of Bishkek, before becoming Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan on December 25, 1998. He was prime minister until his death from stomach cancer in 1999.
• 70th birth anniversary of the birth of theater and movie actress Tattybyubyu Tursunbayeva (1944-1981 or, to be more precise 12/07/1944-21/12/1981).  Born in the village Chaek in the Jumgal district of the Naryn oblast, into a peasant family. She decided at an early age that she wanted to be an actress. When she was 17, she participated in a national amateur talent competition of amateur, where she sang folk songs – and as a result was recommended for admission to the vocal department of the Moscow Conservatory. She had almost resolved to go to Moscow, but changed her mind at the last moment and sent documents to the Tashkent Theatre Institute to become an actress instead. After graduation in 1966, she began her career on the stage of the Kyrgyz State Academic Drama Theatre. Simultaneously she started to appear in films. On the screen and the stage she played a wide variety of roles. In 1971, the famour Kyrgyz director Tolomush Okeev invited her to play the role of the Salieva, the first female chairman of a collective farm in the south of Kyrgyzstan who died at the hands of the enemies of Soviet power. Onstage at the Kyrgyz State Academic Theatre, she was busy in all the leading roles of the current repertoire.
• 70th anniversary of the birth of graphic artist Belek Koshoeva (1944-1979 or, to be more precise, 19/01/1944-but I can’t find an exact date of death).  Born in the village of Burana in the Chui oblast, in 1967 he graduated from the Frunze Art School and then, in 1972, from the Moscow Printing Institute. Between 1968 and 1972 he worked as art editor for the publishing house “Kyrgyzstan” and art editor of the publishing house “Mektep”. From 1977 he worked in the Art Fund of the Kyrgyz SSR. As an artist with a unique creative style, he embodied in graphics lyrical view of the life of the Kyrgyz people. His favoured technique was drawing with pen and pencil drawing on the work of medieval peoples of the Far East. He is noted for his humor, attention to detail and love of national life. He has illustrated many books, including a famous series of portraits of famous Kyrgyz characters from history and examples of his work are to be found in the Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts.
• 60th anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic (1954 – to be more precise it was established on 17/08/1954).  In Russian, the term “science” is used in its widest sense – that of “a system of objective knowledge” – rather than the more restricted usage which is common in the West “systemized knowledge derived through experimentation, observation, and study” – or empirical sciences. As such is understood to encompass all forms of scholarship – history, liguistics and so forth. In Kyrgyzstan, the main body responsible for research of all forms is the Academy of Sciences, which was formally established by the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union in August 1954. An inaugural ceremony was held in the Opera and Ballet theater in Bishkek later that year, in December.
• 60th anniversary of the Republican Library for Children and Youth named Bayalinova K. , (Kasym Bayalinov) – (1954).  To be honest, this one caught be by surprise, because the Ministry’s own website says that the library “was established in 1997” (!) … but, then it adds “by the merger of the two libraries: The Republican Youth Library and The National Children’s Library … but I am still trying to track down some details about these.  So, presumably it was one of these two that was established in 1954.  The current Library building, in Central Bishkek, is next to the Museum of Fine Arts and between the Russian Drama Theater and the Theater of Opera and Ballet.  It has recently been renovated and is used to host a number of events.
• 20th anniversary of the approval of the State Emblem of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Gerp or State Seal, (1994 – to be more precise it was adopted on 14/01/1994).  The current symbol is circular, with a blue background, and depicts the sun rising over the mountains, a falcon with wings spread (many people think it is meant to be an eagle – oriel – but apparently it is a falcon – sokol), symbolizing generosity, vigilance and the noble intentions of the people. In the foreground are the waters of a lake. It is highly symbolic of the natural beauty, lofty ideals and sources of bounty, life and energy that surround the Kyrgyz people in their mountain homeland.

 

 

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