| Russian: Площадь Ала-Тоо Kyrgyz: Ала-Тоо аянтындагы | |
 The State Historical Museum and Manas statue | |
| Former name(s) | Lenin Square |
|---|---|
| Type | Square |
| Location | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
| Coordinates | 42°52′35″N74°36′14″E / 42.87639°N 74.60389°E |
| Construction | |
| Completion | 1984 |
| Other | |
| Known for | The Central Square in Bishkek |
Ala-Too Square [lower-alpha 1] is the central square in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The square was built in 1984 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, at which time a massive statue of Lenin was placed in the square's center. [1] The square was known as Lenin Square until Kyrgyzstan gained its Independence from the USSR in 1991. [2] The statue of Lenin was moved in 2003 to a smaller square in the city, and a new statue called Erkindik (Freedom) was installed in its place. Later in 2011 it was replaced by a statue of Manas, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan's independence. [3]
On March 24, 2005, the square was the site of the largest antigovernmental protest of Kyrgyzstan's Tulip Revolution. After several weeks of unrest throughout the country, over 15,000 people gathered early in the afternoon to protest the results of the 2005 parliamentary elections. Two people were killed and over 100 wounded when the protesters clashed with government officials. [4] However, the protesters soon took control of the square, and stormed the White House, forcing Askar Akayev, Kyrgyzstan's first president, to flee the country and later resign from office.
The square serves as a place for state events and celebrations. In 2008, it was the site of a memorial ceremony for world-renowned Kyrgyz writer Chinghiz Aitmatov. [5] [6]
On the 70th anniversary of the Second World War in 2015, the first Victory Day military parade on Ala-Too Square took place in the presence of Prime Minister Temir Sariyev and Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff Asanbek Alymkozhoev. [7]
In September 2020, manaschi Doolot Sydykov recited the Epic of Manas continuously for a record 14 hours and 27 minutes. [8]
The square is crossed by Chuy Prospekt. Buildings and monuments around the square include the Kyrgyz State Historical Museum.
Bishkek, formerly known as Frunze, and before that Pishpek, is the capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is also the administrative centre of the Chüy Region. Bishkek is situated near the border with Kazakhstan and has a population of 1,074,075, as of 2021.
The history of the Kyrgyz people and the land now called Kyrgyzstan goes back more than 3,000 years. Although geographically isolated by its mountainous location, it had an important role as part of the historical Silk Road trade route. Turkic nomads, who trace their ancestry to many Turkic states such as the First and Second Turkic Khaganates, have inhabited the country throughout its history. In the 13th century, Kyrgyzstan was conquered by the Mongols; subsequently it regained independence but was invaded by Kalmyks, Manchus, and Uzbeks. In 1876, it became part of the Russian Empire, remaining in the USSR as the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic after the Russian Revolution. Following Mikhael Gorbachev's democratic reforms in the USSR, in 1990 pro-independence candidate Askar Akayev was elected president of the SSR. On 31 August 1991, Kyrgyzstan declared independence from Moscow, and a democratic government was subsequently established.
Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in eastern Central Asia, lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the capital and largest city. Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south, and China to the east and southeast. Ethnic Kyrgyz make up the majority of the country's over 7 million people, followed by significant minorities of Uzbeks and Russians.
Kyrgyz music is nomadic and rural, and is closely related to Turkmen and Kazakh folk forms. Kyrgyz folk music is characterized by the use of long, sustained pitches, with Russian elements also prominent.
The Epic of Manas is a lengthy and traditional epic poem of the Kyrgyz people of East and Central Asia. Versions of the poem which date to the 19th century contain historical events of the 18th century, though Kyrgyz tradition holds it to be much older. Manas is said to be based on Bars Bek, the first khagan of the Kyrgyz Khaganate. The plot of Manas revolves around a series of events that coincide with the history of the region, primarily the interaction of the Kyrgyz people with other Turkic, Mongolic and Chinese peoples.
Chinghiz Torekulovich Aitmatov was a Kyrgyz author who wrote mainly in Russian, but also in Kyrgyz. He is one of the best known figures in Kyrgyzstan's literature.
The president of Kyrgyzstan, officially the president of the Kyrgyz Republic, is the head of state and head of government of the Kyrgyz Republic. The president directs the executive branch of the national government, is the commander-in-chief of the Kyrgyz military and also heads the National Security Council.
The White House is the presidential office building in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The White House was the site of riots during both the 2005 Tulip Revolution and the 2010 Kyrgyzstani riots. During the 2010 riots a fire broke out and damaged portions of the building and destroyed the hard copies of many government records.
The culture of Kyrgyzstan has a wide mix of ethnic groups and cultures, with the Kyrgyz being the majority group. It is generally considered that there are 40 Kyrgyz clans, symbolized by the 40-rayed yellow sun in the center of the flag. The red lines inside the sun visualise the crown of a yurt, the traditional dwelling of nomadic farmers, once the main population of the Central Asian area. The dominant religion of Kyrgyzstan is Sunni Islam (91%). The Russian population is Russian Orthodox.
The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan, also known as the Jogorku Kengesh, is the unicameral parliament of Kyrgyzstan. Before Kyrgyzstan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, it was known as the Supreme Soviet of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic.
The Ala-Too International University, formerly known as the International Atatürk-Alatoo University, is a private university located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan that was established in 1996. The university offers graduate, masters, and doctoral programs.
Rysbek Jumabayev is a revered manaschi. He has performed around the world, including in New York and London, and parts of his recitation of Manas have been recorded by the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia.
The Kungey Alatau, also spelled Kungoy Ala-Too, and Kungey Alataw, is a mountain range, which forms the northern Tien Shan with Zailiyskiy Alatau. The word "Alatau" or "Ala-too" means "variegated mountains", a designation indicating a pronounced high-altitude zone of mountains, partly white due to snow, partly dark on snowless areas. The word "Kungey" or "Kyungei" means "the side facing to the South".
The 2015 Kyrgyzstan League was the 24th season of Kyrgyzstan League, the Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic's top division of association football. Dordoi are the defending champions, having won the previous season.
The Independence Day of Kyrgyzstan is the main state holiday in Kyrgyzstan. It is celebrated in Kyrgyzstan annually on August 31, the anniversary of its declaration of independence in 1991.
Talantaaly Bakchiev is a manaschi, representative of the 'middle generation', and academic. He was president of the “Manas” and Chingiz Aitmatov National Academy.
Doolot Sydykov, is a manaschi.
Akylbek Üsönbek uulu Japarov is a Kyrgyz politician serving as Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan since 12 October 2021. He replaced Ulukbek Maripov, who had been appointed to the new role by President Sadyr Japarov on 5 May 2021. Aqılbek is also concurrently the Head of the Presidential Administration under President Japarov.
The Rukh Ordo is a cultural complex and open-air museum in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. The name of the complex means in Kyrgyz, "The Spirits' Center". The cultural complex is located near the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake and occupies 4.5 hectares.
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