What are the holidays like in Kyrgyzstan?
Firstly, while the new year is celebrated here, Christmas/ Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa are not really celebrated. 86% of the population in Kyrgyzstan is Muslim so Christmas is mostly commercial which means that shopping malls are decorated with Santa Clauses and holiday trees. I have to admit that I had a big craving for latkas this holiday but couldn't find them anywhere.
I participated in two very fun things that happened in Bishkek for the holidays.
1. German Christmas Market
2. Bishkek International Women’s Club (BIWC) Christmas Market
I joined the Bishkek International Choir led by Heidemarie. We sang holiday carols in Kyrgyz, Russian, German and English at the German Christmas Market and BIWC Christmas Market. The German Christmas Market is supported by the German Embassy and held at Steinbrau which is a local German beer hall.
The BIWC Market was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in multiple conference rooms - think One of a Kind Show, only on a smaller scale and admission is free. There was food and a silent auction in addition to our carolling performance. People sold local handmade items like silk scarves, mountain honey and felt ornaments.
In December, the government announces when the holiday will be. (This makes vacation planning quite difficult!) This year, the government holiday was on January 7, 2019.
In the city centre, Ala-Too Square, there was a large Christmas tree and decorations set up. In various malls there are the same with gingerbread houses and other decorations. Coffee shops are painted with snowflakes but there's no pumpkin spiced latte or holiday themed cups. For January 1st, I’m told there were fireworks and a concert. The New Year is the much larger celebration here (as opposed to Dec 25th), children receive presents as well. Many local Kyrgyz will spend time with their families, maybe go skiing or hiking in the mountains. The Nutcracker is also quite popular during the holidays and is performed frequently at the Kyrgyz Ballet and Opera Theatre pictured below.
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with love wherever in the world you may be.
Happy New Year! с новым годом! (s'novim go-dim)
