Tonight we're gonna party like its 1991.
It was great to be here at the end of August right on time for the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of Independent Kyrgyzstan.
A great evening, Ala-too square packed to the rafters with people of all sorts enjoying the warm summer evening and the carnival atmosphere.
The square itself was built in 1984 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Soviet Republic of Kirghiz
The Tulip revolution in 2005, saw several weeks of unrest throughout the country, on 24th March over 15,000 people gathered on the square to protest the results of the 2005 parliamentary elections.
During clashes with Police and the army two people were killed and over 100 wounded, but the protestors were successful took control of the square and stormed the White House, causing the country's first president Askar Akayev to shit himself and flee the country into the welcome arms of putin.
Tonight was peaceful.
There were plenty of Police in the area, I guess whenever large crowds gather anywhere in the world they are a necessary part of the scenery. I felt comfortable throughout, Bishkek, to me, was not an unsafe city.
The city has a population of over one million and is the most populous city in Kyrgyzstan, it draws people from rural areas in search of employment and opportunities.
Babushka, what stories this face could tell us.
Entertainment takes many different forms, there were many young bloods hanging around engaging in arm wrestling.
The intensity on the faces of the onlookers and the competitors show me that they take this seriously, very seriously
Or if you are inclined live music, Kyrgyz style.
You would probably attract more custom if ya put a smile on your face
Young hearts run free.
But for some folk it was ever so tiring sitting and watching
All the ladies in headscarves, a very old Soviet tradition and a saying that goes something like "a self-respecting woman should not go bareheaded in public"
Patriotic
Darkness has fallen across the land and yes the midnight hour is close at hand. It was time to try and find my way back to the hotel, but as you can see I made it.
Bishkek, right place right time.
Thanks for visiting my page, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. this is Stephen aka, @grindle, happily retired, travelling the world snapping away. My weapon of choice is currently a Nikon Z6(2).
Unless stated all images are shot by me, all text is mine based on various info sources. NOT AI generated.
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Wonderful. Great captures. 😊
thank you x
You are welcome x
Great timing to be in the city for the celebrations
Looks like it's mainly people hanging around in the square, probably reminiscing the journey to freedom
yes an unexpected bonus!
I think well i guess, they are so steeped in the past they don't know how to let their hair down!
Then some strangle bloke an and Australian girl who I had met an hour or so earlier in a bar turn up and start shoving lenses in their faces LOL,
Hiya, @lauramica here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2330.
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cheers @lauramica @worldmappin , big hugs, feeling the love !!
You are very welcome @grindle! Big hugs back from the team 😘
👍
cheers Dimas, much appreciate it my friend
Arm wrestling... 😃 hahaha (I bet you won) Yeah, because that picture is really cool. The look on the kid's face, with the frown... wow! 😍
There's a pattern to a lot of the looks you captured, maybe depth.
nah i m a lover not a fighter LOL
depth of field as in good or bad? I hoped I got it right to show the intensity
Maybe no. Depth. I was referring to the depth of the looks. I think you were attracted to that.
This is a great photographic work.
awww thank you xx, that means a hell of a lot coming from a photo journalist
Babushka portrait is superb, faces do tell a story!
Eastern countries somewhere I would enjoy travel to see, you most definitely picked the right time for visit.
!BEER
Thank you @joanstewart
Countries falling under Warsaw Pact during our 1978 travel was not allowed. Perhaps more of the 'Old World feel' still to explore.
Looking back on history nothing really ever makes sense!
I had wanted to wander the silk route since I was about 10, when I watched a series of documentaries about it with my dad, I was captivated, then I fell in love with the history of the USSR from my teens. When I did this trip I was enthralled and it became my number one journey of all times...now lol it has slipped to number two best ever.
Setting off with a planned journey, exciting to say the least.
I followed Bald and Bankrupt on his travels, still watch Eli from Russia, always enjoy the historical history or cultural history. We never had documentaries about USSR, more taboo than anything else here at the time when we did travel.
Never heard of the two series you mentioned, will have to watch them on youtube
Enjoy both interesting from different perspectives.
👍
View or trade
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Do you now live in Kyrgyzstan? I see you've been there long enough.
LOL no I just travel , where are you heading to now?
Hello grindle!
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