Ala-Too Square

Ala-Too Square (Kyrgyz: Ала-тоо аянты, Ala-Too ayanty, [ɑlɑˈtoː ɑjɑnˈtɯ́]; Russian: Площадь Ала-Тоо, Ploshchad' Ala-Too, [ˈploɕːətʲ ɐlɐˈto]) is the central square in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Ala-Too Square
Площадь Ала-Тоо
Native nameАла-Тоо аянтындагы
Former name(s)Lenin Square
TypeSquare
LocationBishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Coordinates42°52′35″N 74°36′14″E
Construction
Completion1984
Other
Known forThe Central Square in Bishkek
Ala-Too Square

History

The square was built in 1984 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, at which time a massive statue of Lenin was placed in the square's center.[1] The square was known as Lenin Square until Kyrgyzstan gained its Independence from the USSR in 1991.[2] 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.[3]

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 writer Chinghiz Aitmatov.[4][5]

On March 24, 2005, the square was the site of the largest anti-government protest of Kyrgyzstan's Tulip Revolution. 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.[6] However, the protesters soon took control of the square, and stormed the White House, forcing Askar Akayev, Kyrgyzstan's first president, to flee the country and later resign from office.

On the 70th anniversary of the Second World War in 2015, the first Victory Day military parade on Ala-Too Square took place in the presence of Prime Minister Temir Sariyev and Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff Asanbek Alymkozhoev.[7]

Layout

The square is crossed by Chuy Prospekt. Buildings and monuments around the square include the State History Museum (north).

References
  1. Aslanbekova, Aisha (September 10, 2003). "Replacement of Lenin Statue Heats Up New Political Season in Kyrgyzstan". Central Asia Caucasus Institute Analyst. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  2. "The heart of the city, such as it is, is centred upon Ala-Too Square, which was previously known as Lenin Square up until independence in 1991".
  3. "На площади Ала-Тоо открыт памятник Манасу Великодушному" (in Russian). K-News: Новости Кыргызстана. Archived from the original on 24 September 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  4. "Central Asia: Mourners In Kyrgyz Capital Bid Farewell To Literary 'Giant' Aitmatov". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. June 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  5. "Гостиницы Бишкека: Интернет бронирование гостиниц в Бишкеке". www.bishkekhotels.ru. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  6. "Akayev Administration Collapses in Kyrgyzstan, Sending Tremors Across Central Asia". Eurasianet. March 24, 2005. Archived from the original on 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  7. https://regnum.ru/news/polit/1922892.html
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