Spending Kyrgyzstan Independence Day in Bishkek
What To See On Kyrgyzstan Independence Day
Kyrgyzstan declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 31st, 1991. As far as Bishkek is concerned, this is one of their biggest holidays. Other than the festivals and activities, this is also an opportunity to instill a sense of nationalism into its people who for the longest time were under Soviet influence.
As a tourist traveling through Bishkek around this time, be sure to stay in town to catch the many events happening throughout the city. The first difficulty for travelers is that there is little information online and people seem to be generally unsure about where the actual festivals and performances take place. As a rule, most of the events will take place around Ala-too Square and the surrounding parks. As long as you base yourself around there you will be sure to catch most of the excitement.
The only other festival outside of the main square which is worth seeing is at the Youth Park (Mahatma Gandhi Park) will you get a more intimate glimpse at Kyrgyz culture. Regardless of how much you see, Independence Day in Kyrgyzstan is a holiday you don’t want to miss.
A complete timetable of the 2018 Independence Day events can be found here and a few more details about them here.
Dance Practice At Ala-Too Square
The days leading up to Independence Day you can still get a preview of the morning performances in Ala-too Square. In the evening soldiers and hoards of school children can be seen massed in the square, waiting for directions from the group of women organizing the event. Two days before the performance the children and army men are all dressed in casual clothing, but the day before Independence day is the full dress rehearsal.
This is the best chance for tourists to get up close to enjoy the dancing and take some pictures. The day of the event, spectators will be pushed far back to the other side of the square, making it difficult to appreciate the dancing from so far away.
Traveling to Kyrgyzstan from China? Read about crossing the Irkeshtam Pass here!
Arriving at Ala-Too Square
The main performance at Ala-too Square does not start until 10:00 am, but it is a good idea to get there several hours in advance to secure yourself a good spot.
The first thing you will notice when approaching the square is the heightened security. Due to there being many high profile guests at the event, there is a police officer stationed every meter along the fence closing off the square. Even when trying to enter the area, security will check your bag and ask you to pull out all electronic equipment.
Several hours before the performance there are few tourists and spectators hanging around to claim a part of the security fence. In fact, the only locals other than the police were the parents bringing their children to dance in the performance.
No trip to Kyrgyzstan would be complete without seeing Kok-boru. Read about Kok-boru during the World Nomad Games here!
VIP Guests
After securing a spot facing the right end of the stage, slews of politicians, veterans, and guests of honor began arriving to take their places front and center in the square. Elderly men and woman all wore their best clothes with various medals displayed in rows on the breast of their jackets.
Ambassadors of various countries from the Middle East to the Far East all came to watch the Independence Day ceremony. Even the Kyrgyz President himself was due to make an appearance. After every one of importance arrived, the event kicked off with a speech from President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and the audience standing for the national anthem. Afterward, pop music began to play and the children took to the square.
Looking for a great day-trip from Bishkek? Why not travel to the Burana Minaret!
Lip-synching and Dancing
All of the singers who took the stage lip-synched throughout the entire performance. Even the musicians were merely props as they blasted recordings through the loudspeakers. The theatric speeches given by various members of the community were also mimed, the actors bobbing their head as if addressing the audience along with the recording. The children were all colorfully dressed in traditional clothing, dancing for about 45 minutes.
As cute as they were and engaging as the performance was, one couldn’t help but feel that they are at nothing more than an elementary school production. It is recommended to arrive the day before to see the same dance and music up close and with no crowds. From a distance, it is only the parents who can truly enjoy seeing their kids perform.
Traveling to Osh? Check out seeing Kok-boru up in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan here!
Dancing in the Park
Other than the festivities held in Ala-too Square, there are many events in the parks throughout the city. Unfortunately, many of the events are of little interest. The sporting contest held in Oak Park, for example, is nothing more than groups of children dribbling some basketballs and playing games.
Other than the performances at Ala-too Square, the cultural events at the Youth Park are a must-see. Compared to the other performances, the set-up in the Youth Park is much more intimate with the tables for the performers set up as if they were inside of a yurt. Throughout the program, the singers and dancers would pass a cup of goat milk back and forth indicating whose turn it was next to perform.
For a closer look at traditional Kyrgyz culture click here!
Kyrgyz Culture Up Close
The festival held in the Youth Park (Mahatma Gandhi Park) truly was the highlight of spending Independence Day in Bishkek. With fewer crowds and a more of a welcoming atmosphere, it is much easier to feel at one with Kyrgyz culture. Ala-too Square’s performances were nothing more than the appearance of having a good show. They made sure there were no mistakes by relying heavily on lip-synching and backtracks.
The festival at the Youth Park was more natural, mainly due to the fact that they did not have to worry about being in front of the Kyrgyz elite and being broadcasted on national television. The dances, music, and games is truly an event you don’t want to miss out on.
Be sure not to miss all the culture during the World Nomad Games. You can explore all the beauty of Kyrchyn Gorge here!
Kyrgyz Pop Concert and Fireworks
As the sun sets, Ala-too Square lights up and begins to blast Kyrgyz pop and dance music. Unlike the morning, at night the square is jammed packed with people, mainly families. Although it is Independence Day, the crowd always remained civil with no signs of drunken behavior. Parents and children can be seen taking pictures around the square with cutouts reading: “I heart Kyrgyzstan” and other cliche designs.
Kids were sitting on the shoulders of their fathers to get a better look at the lights and concert on the main stage. It is a fun time for locals, but for tourists, there is little to see. Be prepared for many of the events on Independence Day to be delayed or even canceled. The fireworks were due to be set off at 10:00 but were not fired until nearly 11.
Want to read about the American horseback archery team in Kyrgyzstan? You can find the full article here!
Happy Independence Day
If you are traveling through Kyrgyzstan during late August, be sure to plan on being in Bishkek during Independence Day. With all the festivals, crafts, games, music, and traditional dancing, it is sure to be the highlight of your trip to Bishkek. On normal days, Bishkek is known for being a one-horse town. The city having just a few tourists attractions to entertain tourists. Most travelers just end up stopping by the capital on the way to somewhere else in the country. Visiting during Independence Day is a great way to see true Bishkek culture and enjoy your time in the capital city.
Be sure not to miss the Kok-boru matches which lead up to Independence Day on the 31st. You can read more about it here!
