City of Bishkek (Kirgh). Bishkek) — The capital of the Kyrgyz Republic — is located in the north of the country, in the Chui Valley near the foothills of the Tien Shan, at an altitude of 700–900 meters above sea level, 25 kilometers from the border with Kazakhstan.
Previously, the city was called Pishpek; during the years of Soviet power it was renamed Frunze (in honor of the Soviet party, statesman and military figure Mikhail Frunze).
The official founding date of the city is April 29, 1878. On this day, the military governor of the Semirechensk region located in those places, Gerasim Kolpakovsky, gave the command to transfer the center of Tokmak district to the city of Pishpek. Today this date is considered City Day, which is timed to coincide with many cultural, sports and entertainment events.
The Day of the City of Bishkek (Bishkek Shaarynin Kunu) was established by the Resolution of the Bishkek City Kenesh of Deputies dated November 28, 2006 № 266, in order to continue the development of urban traditions, on the basis of historical materials presented by the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, the State Archival Agency under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Kyrgyz State Historical Museum, which objectively, on the basis of reliable historical documents, indicate the founding date of the city of Bishkek.
Parliament House (Photo: Nikita Maykov, licensed from Shutterstock.com)
The very first settlements on the site of Bishkek appeared at the end of the 18th century. A Kyrgyz warrior named Bishkek founded a small fortification here, on the left bank of the Alamedin River at its intersection with the current Zhibek Zholu Avenue. In 1825, Kokand residents (natives of the Kokand Khanate located in the Fergana Valley) built the Pishpek fortress on this site, near the walls of which artisans and traders began to settle. In 1860 and 1862, Russian troops, with the support of Kyrgyz detachments, stormed the fortress twice and destroyed it, blowing up the walls, but sedentary life here did not stop. Since 1864, a Cossack picket settled in this place, and a well-known bazaar appeared nearby, near the Tashkent road.
Today's name of the city – Bishkek – translates as « stirrer for whipping kumis». The Kyrgyz themselves call the capital of their republic «Green city» — due to the large number of centuries-old oaks and poplars, and also – thanks to the young spirit of the city and the life seething in it.
Central Ala-Too Square (Photo: Ravshan Mirzaitov, licensed from Shutterstock.com)
Among the attractions of Bishkek – is the central square of Ala-Too. Interesting are the parliament building and the State Flagpole, near which there is a change of guard of honor every hour from 7 am to 6 pm. The tourist will also be interested in seeing the «Manas» sculptural complex, depicting the legendary Kyrgyz hero on a horse, next to whom stands his wife and adviser, as well as the Victory Monument.
It is worth visiting the Historical Museum, where amazing exhibits are kept: numerous ancient artifacts – rock paintings of the Saimaluu-Tash settlement, runic inscriptions of Talas, everyday objects of the Bronze Age and jewelry of nomadic tribes of the early AD, ancient coins found during excavations. Elements of national life are also presented here: embroidery, costumes, ornate horse harness, felt and wool carpets, clay and straw products.
Central Mosque of Bishkek (Photo: Nikita Maykov, licensed from Shutterstock.com)
Another exhibition complex – Museum of Fine Arts, where, along with paintings by Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Russian artists, patterned national carpets – «shirdaki» – and felt products are exhibited. By the way, tourists take local carpets and felt crafts from Bishkek as souvenirs.
There is a lot of entertainment for tourists here –, from traditional bars and discos to colorful teahouses, which are an important part of the national culture. By the way, elements of national culture in Bishkek are found at every step. So, even now, in the 21st century, centenarians walk the streets in «kalpaks» and colorful robes, and the kumiss beloved by the Kyrgyz is served in almost any catering establishment. Another national drink – «shoro» is also popular. This is a soda based on wheat flour, which is sold in glasses from street trays.