Independence Day - The Times Of Central Asia

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Independence Day

Turkmenistan Marks 35 Years of Independence Amid Reports of Shortages

Turkmenistan marked 35 years of independence on September 27 with a military parade and mass celebrations in Ashgabat. The festivities followed independent reports of food shortages and disrupted public transport in the capital. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended the parade at the State Tribune complex, where military units and armored vehicles passed before the country’s leaders. The official account described mounted formations and a simultaneous naval display on the Caspian Sea. A civilian procession followed, with decorated floats representing the country’s regions and economic sectors. Performers in traditional dress joined the celebrations, while the government presented Berdimuhamedov with an Akhal-Teke horse named Vatan. The anniversary program had begun before the holiday itself. On September 26, Berdimuhamedov attended a concert at Ashgabat’s Congress Center. According to state media, the performance included patriotic songs celebrating the president and his father, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who chairs the Halk Maslahaty. Official coverage presented the anniversary as a demonstration of national unity and economic progress. The celebrations also provided an occasion for state awards, while the president signed a decree pardoning 1,054 convicted Turkmen citizens ahead of the anniversary, according to a September 26 government report. He instructed the defense minister and law enforcement officials to arrange for their release and return to their families. The report did not provide a breakdown of their convictions. A separate decree declared September 28 a non-working day and moved the day off falling on Sunday, September 27, to September 29, extending the holiday break through Tuesday. However, independent reporting from Ashgabat described pressures on everyday life during preparations for the anniversary. On September 22, Chronicles of Turkmenistan reported reduced supplies of meat and rising food prices in the capital. Its correspondents said chicken legs usually sold for 16 manats per kilogram ($4.57 at the official rate) had become difficult to find. Chicken previously priced at 35 manats per kilogram was available only intermittently at the Paýtagt shopping center, where it now cost 39 manats. Vegetables and potatoes had also become more expensive. Chronicles of Turkmenistan attributed this partly to reduced supplies from neighboring Iran. The reports reflect a longer-running pattern. The Times of Central Asia previously documented shortages and rationing in state food stores, where subsidized staples remained scarce despite rising prices. In a separate September 21 report, Chronicles of Turkmenistan said many of Ashgabat’s buses had been diverted to preparations for Independence Day and the September 23 Halk Maslahaty meeting. Vehicles were carrying performers and other participants to rehearsals, while ordinary passengers faced long waits. The report described overcrowded services during rush hour, and said some taxi drivers had doubled short-distance fares from 10 to 20 manats per passenger. Turkmenistan declared independence from the Soviet Union on October 27, 1991. The authorities moved the annual holiday to September 27 in 2018, so this year’s official celebrations preceded the historical anniversary by one month.

World Nomad Games

Independence Day, SCO Summit and World Nomad Games Converge in Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan is preparing for one of its busiest days in years. August 31 marks the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence, a day which will also see the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games. Meanwhile, leaders from the SCO’s ten member states, including Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, are also expected in Bishkek for a summit. The overlap is partly by design. Organizers say the World Nomad Games opening ceremony will be staged at Bishkek Arena on August 31, alongside the SCO summit program, ahead of the stadium’s formal opening later in September. The new stadium is designed for 51,000 spectators. The formal SCO Council of Heads of State meeting is scheduled for September 1. A detailed public timetable for the summit has not yet been issued. Presidential spokesman Askat Alagozov has said 21 heads of state are expected in Kyrgyzstan during this period, with several also making state visits. The World Nomad Games ceremony will include a parade of participating teams and a short concert program in front of the visiting leaders. Independence Day itself remains set for August 31. President Sadyr Japarov has instructed organizers to hold concerts and entertainment across the regions that day. The main state celebration of the 35th anniversary, however, will take place in Talas on September 11 and 12, which had already been selected to host the program before the August schedule took shape. [caption id="attachment_53765" align="aligncenter" width="1774"] Dancers perform during a previous Independence Day celebration in Bishkek. Photo: Stephen M. Bland/TCA.[/caption] Bishkek is preparing for the movement restrictions that come with diplomatic gatherings. Alagozov asked residents, where possible, to spend August 30, August 31, and September 1 at Issyk-Kul or elsewhere. “Otherwise, the inconvenience will affect you first of all, because roads in the city will be frequently closed for three days,” he said. September 1 will be a paid day off for employees of state and municipal institutions in the capital, with private employers advised to make similar arrangements. City Hall began planning well in advance. In October 2025, Mayor Aibek Dzhunushaliev called for a single operational protocol covering public transport, restrictions, fan zones, and other logistics. “Our main goal is to create comprehensive infrastructure and ensure a high international standard for these events,” he said. The city has since been preparing fan zones so residents and visitors can follow the main programs away from secured venues. Health and emergency planning has followed the same approach. Kyrgyzstan has already held public-health exercises ahead of the Games. The Ministry of Health said on August 10 that more than 600 medical workers are expected to support the SCO and World Nomad Games. Medical posts, strengthened ambulance teams, and a mobile hospital are planned at event sites. The World Nomad Games are familiar territory for Kyrgyzstan. The country staged the first three editions in 2014, 2016, and 2018, before the event moved to Turkey in 2022 and Kazakhstan in 2024. Its return to Kyrgyzstan has grown into a much larger operation....

Independence Day

The Contested Legacy of Kazakhstan’s Independence Day: From Sovereignty to Unrest and Reinvention

On December 16, 2025, Kazakhstan marks the 34th anniversary of its independence. The story of this national holiday mirrors the nation’s own complex path toward sovereignty and statehood. A Difficult Legacy On December 16, 1991, Kazakhstan adopted the Law “On State Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” officially becoming the last Soviet republic to leave the USSR. The date came at the tail end of the so-called “parade of sovereignties,” when other republics had already declared independence. This delay led to a popular saying: “Kazakhstan turned off the lights in the USSR.” In the early years of independence, the holiday was celebrated widely, often with several days off. Yet the date also evokes painful memories. Just five years earlier, in December 1986, the capital city of Alma-Ata (now Almaty) witnessed what are now known as Jeltoqsan köterılısı - the December Events. On December 16, 1986, the Communist Party of Kazakhstan abruptly dismissed First Secretary Dinmukhamed Konaev and replaced him with Gennady Kolbin, a party official from the Russian city of Ulyanovsk with no ties to the republic. This Moscow-imposed decision sparked protests by students and young people that turned violent. While the full causes and consequences remain partially unexplored, the uprising is widely seen as an early expression of resistance to Soviet central control and the imposition of non-Kazakh leadership. The protests were brutally suppressed. For several days, unrest continued in the city, with some incidents fueled by ethnic tensions. In the years since, the December Events have become symbolic of both state repression and the early stirrings of Kazakh nationalism. Because of the proximity of dates, many citizens continue to conflate the date of independence with the December Events. For years, the national holiday was therefore overshadowed by grief and division. Unrest in the Oil Region Independence Day was further marred in 2011 by violent unrest in the oil-rich Mangistau region after months of unresolved labor disputes. On December 16 of that year, striking workers from the OzenMunaiGas company in the town of Zhanaozen clashed with police after demanding higher wages. The protests escalated into riots, with government buildings, hotels, and vehicles set ablaze. ATMs were looted, and a state of emergency was declared. Official figures state that about 20 people were killed and over 100 were injured. The Zhanaozen tragedy underscored deep socioeconomic disparities, particularly in regions rich in resources but lacking infrastructure and basic services. From Old to New Kazakhstan Over time, Independence Day became closely associated with unrest and national trauma. Analysts suggest that full investigations into the December 1986 and 2011 events were hindered by the political legacy of Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s first president. Nazarbayev held senior posts during the Soviet period and later presided over the country during the Zhanaozen crackdown. In June 2019, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev succeeded Nazarbayev as president and launched a platform of gradual political reform. However, his efforts were reportedly obstructed by entrenched elites aligned with the Nazarbayev era, often referred to as “Old Kazakhstan.” Public discontent boiled over again in January...

TCA Interviews

Kazakhstan’s Independence Day: Plenty to Cheer, More to Consider

As Kazakhstan prepares to celebrate its Independence Day on December 16th, The Times of Central Asia (TCA) sat down with its special correspondent, Javier M. Piedra, a banker, corporate executive, writer, and seasoned international development expert whose professional ties to Kazakhstan date back to 2000. Piedra lived in Kazakhstan for 16 years. Over that time, he headed KPMG’s M&A (2007 – 2012), set up a credit bureau - the only one in the region at the time - and was a senior advisor for a private equity fund. He also taught corporate finance at Narxoz University. Back in Washington, he later managed USAID’s multibillion-dollar Asia Bureau under Donald Trump. Drawing on decades of experience in financial consulting, international development, and regional policy, Piedra offers wide-ranging insights into the nation’s evolution since 1991. In this conversation, he reflects on the mindset of Kazakhstan’s leadership – especially in recent years – that has led to, despite challenges, to its achievements - from economic reforms and institutional development to social progress and an increasingly dynamic national outlook. He highlights milestones worth celebrating, offers guidance to the next generation, and provides nuanced commentary on religious freedom and the country’s ongoing development path. The views expressed in this interview are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Times of Central Asia. TCA: As Kazakhstan marks Independence Day on December 16, what core achievements of the country are most worth celebrating at this moment in its history? Piedra: On December 16th, I expect – and this is good news – President Tokayev to repeat what he said last year, i.e., “I am convinced that by maintaining our unity, tranquility and stability in society, we will overcome all challenges and reach new heights on the path of progress.” Put simply, Kazakhstan can stay unified and stable despite challenges if it commits to doing so. People need to hear this message because it is positive, and the record supports his optimism. It is worth celebrating the country’s positive attitude and confidence in the future. Kazakhstan’s greatest achievement since independence, despite forces pushing in the contrary direction, has been the ability of its multiethnic and multicultural society to flourish. Kazakhstan has preserved unity, strengthened friendships with neighbors, ensured economic freedoms, and inspired its youth with hope, despite trials, corruption, and human shortcomings. Kazakhstan’s dedication to unity is strengthened by its refusal to get pulled into unnecessary geopolitical ambitions or Great Power maneuverings that tend to rob countries of their sovereignty; this mindset is worth celebrating on Independence Day. TCA: You mention “confidence in the future.” What does that mean in the context of Independence Day? Piedra: The early days of Independence were rough, very rough, not only for Kazakhstan, but for the rest of the countries of Central Asia. Since independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has worked hard to build social and institutional structures that enable people to have greater “confidence in the future,” and there were many mistakes made, but Kazakhstan came...

Society

97% of Uzbeks Express Pride in Independence, Survey Finds

Ahead of Uzbekistan’s 34th Independence Day, a national survey conducted by the “Ijtimoiy Fikr” Public Opinion Research Center revealed widespread pride and optimism among citizens. According to the findings, 97% of respondents said they feel proud of their country on Independence Day, while 87.6% described the occasion as joyful and festive. Another 84.7% associated the holiday with national unity, and 95.5% expressed pride in being citizens of Uzbekistan. The survey also reflected how deeply independence is viewed as both a historic milestone and a catalyst for personal growth. Some 79.1% of respondents reported that, in recent years, they have had more opportunities to realize their potential and achieve personal goals. Nearly all participants shared a positive outlook for the country’s future. When asked about their vision for Uzbekistan, 97.8% imagined it as strong and prosperous, 88.9% as peaceful and stable, 85.3% as spiritually rich and cultured, and 81.9% as modern and innovative. Researchers concluded that Independence Day has become not just a commemorative date but a potent symbol of national pride and collective confidence in the country’s direction. The findings echo Uzbekistan’s rising profile in international well-being indices. According to the World Happiness Report, published by the World Population Review and based on Gallup poll data, Uzbekistan ranked 47th globally in 2024, making it the happiest country in Central Asia. The ranking considers six categories: income, social support, life expectancy, freedom of choice, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Kazakhstan followed at 49th, down from 44th the previous year.

Independence Day

Kyrgyzstan Independence Day Marked by Celebrations

Kyrgyzstan marked the 34th anniversary of its independence on August 31 with large-scale celebrations across the country. For the first time, the central venue for the national festivities was the southern city of Jalal-Abad, the country’s third largest urban center. The official program featured cultural, social, and sporting events, including a large-scale choreographic performance titled Future Kyrgyzstan, involving 600 dancers in the city’s main square. [caption id="attachment_35595" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] @president.kg[/caption] [caption id="attachment_35596" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] @president.kg[/caption] Celebrations Nationwide Events were held across all regions. In Bishkek, several thousand people gathered in Ala-Too Square for a garrison parade by the Internal Affairs Directorate. In the Issyk-Kul region, festivities included traditional equestrian competitions and other national games. Development and Investment During the festivities, President Sadyr Japarov inaugurated 100 new social facilities and more than 60 industrial facilities via online launch. He also encouraged domestic and foreign investors to take advantage of the country’s ready-made industrial zones: “We invite all business structures, from small to large enterprises. We have ready-made industrial zones, we can provide land, help with infrastructure and documentation,” he said. [caption id="attachment_35597" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] @president.kg[/caption] In Jalal-Abad, Japarov also opened a new art school and a 450-unit social housing complex. Concluding his address, Japarov offered a metaphor for the country's trajectory: “Kyrgyzstan is like a galloping horse,” he said. “Thirty-four years of independence is only the beginning of our long journey.”