Postcard from Bishkek

Back in 2005, Kyrgyzstan experienced the first of its recent revolutions.  On March 24th, several weeks of protests culminated in a demonstration outside the Government House, (the White House), and President Askar Akaev feld, driving out of the back entrance of the compound as the masses gathered in front of the building.  The crowds were then to storm the building, which was followed by a night of rioting and looting.  In the absence of the President, the government fell and a new one took its place, headed by Kurmanbek Bakaev, who was to be evicted from power in his turn some five years later.

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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Tags: Calendar, Easter_Revolution, Expat, History, Kyrgyzstan, Life_in_Kyrgyzstan, Public_Holidays, Tulip_Revolution