Postcard from Bishkek

August 31st is Independence Day here in Kyrgyzstan.  It’s also, as it happens the Independence Day for Malaysia and Trinidad and Tobago, (commemorating their independence from the United Kingdom in both cases – the first being granted in 1957, and the second in 1962).

This year it was supposed to be a double holiday because Orozo Ait, (the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan.  This is a moveable feast as it is determined by the Islamic calendar which is based on lunar cycles) was going to fall on Wednesday, but as the date cannot be fixed in advance because it is determined by the phases of the moon.  This year, however, the muftiat only decided very late at night that the appropriate day was, in fact, yesterday.  It was so late at night, in  fact, that it only made it onto the news wires in the early hours of the morning … much to the chagrin of some of the faithful who had not made the necessary arrangements for their celebrations.

There is, of course, another reason why this year it’s a special occasion; it’s the twentieth anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s declaration of Independence from the former Soviet Union.  Now, the people here love to celebrate and there have been many plans afoot for the various festivities that have been arranged to commemorate the jubilee – the inauguration of two new statues in the main Ala Too Square, concerts, a military parade and firework display to name just a few of them.

At the end of last year, it was decided to commemorate another anniversary this year: the 210th anniversary of the birth of Kurmandjan Datka, the Queen of the Alai, who is held in high regard by all Kyrgyz.  She was a remarkable character in many respects: one of the few female leaders of a Muslim people; a strong character in her own right who was prepared to stand up and flout traditional custom and practice where necessary and for what she believed was right, but a practical level headed woman who was also prepared to make sacrifices; awarded the title of Datka, or General, twice; and a poet.

Indeed the year has been declared the Year of Kurmandjan Datka.

As is often the case here, however, it seems that some things were left until the last minute. Whereas, in the UK, one of the first things that would have been done if we had decided dedicate a year in order to commemorate some historical figure, then a committee would have been formed and a variety of preparatory actions would have been undertaken.  One of those would have been to design a logo.

Even before the decision was made by the IOC, (International Olympic Committee), to award the 2012 Olympic Games to London, there was already a logo.  Well, we now have official logos to mark the 20th anniversary of Kyrgyz independence and the Year of Kurmandjan Datka … but they only received official approval at the beginning of the month – when the year was already more than half over … and into its eighth month.

In fact, the 210th anniversary of the birth of Kurmandjan Datka is just one of the 31 jubilees this year to get official backing.  Indeed, when I was in Issyk Kul I saw a number of billboards advertising this or that anniversary: for example,  the 110th anniversaries of the birth of Kasim Tynystanov and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bokonbaev.

I say, to get “official backing”, as they were listed in an order of the Kyrgyz Government, in accordance with the law “About anniversary actions in the Kyrgyz Republic”, and different government ministries, departments and agencies being charged with organizing events to commemorate the events along with the instruction to find the necessary finances from within their own budgets or sponsorship.

Others anniversaries in the list, (and to be honest, I have never heard of some – most – of them before), include:

• The 110th anniversary of the birth, in 1901, of politician and statesman, Yusup Abdrachmanov.
• The 110th anniversary of the birth, in 1901, of the musician, S. Bekmuratov.
• The 110th anniversary of the birth, in 1901, of the writer, linguistic scholar and statesman, Kasym Tynystanov, (whose portrait appears on the 10 som note).

• The 100th anniversary of the birth, in 1911, of scholar and university professor, E. Bektenov.
• The 100th anniversary of the birth, in 1910, of the poet, dramatist, editor and translator, Joormat Bokonbaev.
• The 100th anniversary of the birth, in 1911, of the poet and winner of the Toktogul prize, K. Malikov.

• The 90th anniversary of the birth, in 1921, of the poet, winner of the Toktogul and other prizes, S. Araliev.
• The 90th anniversary of the birth, in 1921, of the poet and children’s write, M. Djangaziev.
• The 90th anniversary of the birth, in 1921, of the famous painter, D. Kojachmetov.

• The 80th anniversary of the birth, in 1931, of the author T. Kasymbekov.
• The 80th anniversary of the birth, in 1931, of the improviser and akyn, E. Turcunaliev.

• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the musician, composer and singer, R. Abdykkadrov.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1951, of the author and winner of the Toktogul Prize, K. Akmatov.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the musician, Ch. Asabaev.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the artist and sculptor, S. Bakashev .
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the artist A. Beishenov.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the poet and dramatist, A. Degenbaeva.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the opera singer, D.Jalgasynova.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the composer, conductor and artist, E. Jumabaev.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the composer and conductor, S. Jumaliev.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941 of the Kazakh musician, E. Kasymov.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1951, of the artists and state prizewinner, B. Minjilkiev.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the opera singer E. Moldokulova.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the actor I. Ryskulov.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the actress on stage and screen, J. Seidakmatova.
• The 70th anniversary of the birth, in 1941, of the musician and President of the “Ruchaniyat” Association, A. Toktosartov.

• The 60th anniversary of the birth, in 1951, of the singer, A. Ibraev.
• The 60th anniversary of the birth, in 1951, of composer, singer and member of civil society, T. Kazakov.
• The 60th anniversary of the birth, in 1951, of the director, A. Salykbekov.
• The 60th anniversary of the birth, in 1951, of the improviser and akyn, M. Usenbaev.

Even though the list was entitled: “Anniversary actions for 2011” it was only approved on June 1st, 2011.  I feel sorry for anyone on the list whose anniversary actually fell in the first five months of the year – and in particular, for Djoormat Bokonbaev, who was born in 1910 and not 1911 … but there are particular reasons why the celebrations of that particular jubilee are late; (it’s NOT because the anniversary was overlooked last year!).

On the other hand, it has to be admitted that this laid back approach of “Don’t worry, it’ll be all right on the night” is one of the charms of Kyrgyzstan and helps to explain the appeal and allure of life in the country.

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Incidentally, I have written postcards about both Independence Day and Orozo Ait before, and also about Kurmandjan Datka and Dj0ormat Bokonbaev.

Tags: Calendar, For_the_Record, Kyrgyzstan, People