Kyrgyzstan Launches Public Contest for New National Anthem

Kyrgyzstan is seeking to replace its Soviet-era national anthem through a public competition aimed at capturing the essence of national identity. Concerns over the current anthem’s representation of independence and the nation’s history have led to this unprecedented engagement from the public. President Sadyr Japarov supports this move as part of broader efforts to reshape state symbols and encourage national pride.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – In a bold move, Kyrgyzstan has initiated a public competition to replace its old national anthem, which many believe is too rooted in its Soviet past. Adopted shortly after gaining independence in 1992, the current anthem is merely a reworked version of its Soviet predecessor, and officials argue that it fails to capture the essence of the country’s rich nomadic heritage.

The Kyrgyz people, after being part of both the Tsarist and Soviet empires, have long sought to establish their own identity, and the government asserts that a new anthem could better embody this aspiration. Balasaguyn Musayev, a 36-year-old composer, sees winning this competition as a significant achievement. He has spent a month seeking inspiration, completing the music in just two days, with a poet friend providing the lyrics. Musayev emphasized, “The new anthem must be better than the previous one in every way. Otherwise, people will wonder why we changed it.”

Originally, the winner was expected to be announced in April, but changes to the contest rules have left the timeline uncertain. This competition reflects a rare instance of public engagement in Central Asia, where Kyrgyzstan’s more democratic political climate stands in stark contrast to its more authoritarian neighbors.

Global trends show that an overhaul of a national anthem without a significant political shift is unusual, yet countries like Australia and Canada have updated their anthems in recent years to embrace inclusivity. Kyrgyzstan’s decision aligns with a broader effort by President Sadyr Japarov to reshape the nation’s symbols since taking office in 2021. Notably, Japarov recently altered the national flag’s design to enhance national pride.

Japarov voiced discontent with the current anthem’s message about the Kyrgyz people’s journey to freedom, stating that it no longer accurately reflects the nation’s reality post-independence. “Are we going to sing for another hundred years that we have just become independent? We have a state in our own right now, and we need to write an anthem that will inspire young people and future generations,” he remarked last year.

Further criticism came from parliamentary speaker Nurlanbek Shakiyev, who described the current anthem as so off-putting that “birds fly away” from its sound. He called for a new anthem that would be easy to sing and encourage development. On the other hand, Nurzhyguit Moldoyar, a 25-year-old composer, expressed a differing opinion, proclaiming the current anthem to be “a masterpiece.” He expressed concern over changing the anthem and hopes the winner will evoke genuine emotion and sincerity through their music.

Kyrgyzstan’s search for a new national anthem marks a significant leap away from its Soviet roots, aiming to inspire future generations with a fresh representation of national identity. As various composers strive to meet high expectations, the public’s engagement in the selection process demonstrates a shift towards a more participatory political approach in the region. Ultimately, this initiative could reshape how Kyrgyz people view their heritage and pride in their nation.

Original Source: www.france24.com