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Ala-Too Square is the central square in
Webcam of Ala-Too Square
Squares in Bishkek {{Kyrgyzstan-stub
Ala-Too Square is the central square in Bishkek
Bishkek, formerly known as Pishpek (until 1926), and then Frunze (1926–1991), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is also the administrative centre of the Chüy Region. Bishkek is situated near the Kazakhstan ...
, Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir Mountains, Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Kyrgyzstan, largest city. Kyrgyz ...
.
History
The square was built in 1984 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of theKirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
The Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic (Kirghiz SSR), also known as the Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic (Kyrgyz SSR), KySSR or Kirgiz Soviet Socialist Republic (Kirgiz SSR), was one of the constituent republics of the Soviet Union (USSR) from 1 ...
, at which time a massive statue of Lenin was placed in the square's center. The square was known as Lenin Square until Kyrgyzstan gained its Independence from the USSR
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...
in 1991. 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.
Protests
On March 24, 2005, the square was the site of the largest antigovernmental protest of Kyrgyzstan'sTulip Revolution
The Tulip Revolution, also known as the First Kyrgyz Revolution, led to Kyrgyzstan's then-President of Kyrgyzstan, President Askar Akayev's fall from power. The revolution began after Kyrgyz parliamentary elections, 2005, parliamentary elections ...
. 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. However, the protesters soon took control of the square, and stormed the White House
The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest (Washington, D.C.), NW in Washington, D.C., it has served as the residence of every U.S. president ...
, forcing Askar Akayev
Askar Akayevich Akayev (, ; born 10 November 1944) is a Kyrgyz former politician who served as President of Kyrgyzstan from 1990 until being overthrown in the March 2005 Tulip Revolution.
Education and early career
Akayev was born in Kyzyl-B ...
, Kyrgyzstan's first president, to flee the country and later resign from office.
Events
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 writerChinghiz Aitmatov
Chinghiz Torekulovich Aitmatov (12 December 1928 – 10 June 2008) 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.
Life
He was born to a Kyrgyz father and Ta ...
.
On the 70th anniversary of the Second World War
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
in 2015, the first Victory Day military parade
A military parade is a formation of military personnels whose movement is restricted by close-order manoeuvering known as Drill team, drilling or marching. Large military parades are today held on major holidays and military events around the ...
on Ala-Too Square took place in the presence of Prime Minister Temir Sariyev
Temir Agrembaevich Sariyev (, ) (born 17 June 1963) is a Kyrgyz politician who was Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan from 2015 to 2016. He was a presidential candidate for the 2009 elections, receiving 157,005 (6.74%) votes. Sariyev was a candidate ...
and Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff Asanbek Alymkozhoev
Asanbek Tunguchpaevich Alymkozhoev ( Kyrgyz: Асанбек Тунгучпаевич Алымкожоев; born 11 April 1956) is the former Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic. He was also the commander of the National ...
.
In September 2020, ''manaschi'' Doolot Sydykov recited the Epic of Manas
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 8th century, though Kyrgyz tradition holds it to be ...
continuously for a record 14 hours and 27 minutes.
Layout
The square is crossed by Chuy Prospekt. Buildings and monuments around the square include theKyrgyz State Historical Museum
The Kyrgyz State History Museum (; ) is a museum located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The museum contains literally thousands of exhibits about the cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people, whose sculptures and objects date from antiquity to the end of ...
.
Notes
References
External links
Webcam of Ala-Too Square
Squares in Bishkek {{Kyrgyzstan-stub