Preparation for the Celebration of the 3000th Anniversary of the City of Osh

“Osh-3000”

In order to implement the Decree of President Askar Akayev, a National Organizational Committee for the celebration of the 3000th anniversary of the city of Osh was established, headed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan J. Ibraimov, with A. Muraliyev as the deputy chairman of the committee, who is also the chairman of the regional commission. A “General Directorate” was created in Bishkek, led by General Director S. Mamytov, and in Osh by K. Azimov. A public fund “Sulaiman-Too — Osh-3000” was established. The Organizational Committee developed a detailed plan of activities for the implementation of the President's Decree. The relevant ministries, agencies, enterprises, agricultural and public organizations began to work on the implementation of the President's Decree and the plan of activities for the 3000th anniversary of the city of Osh.

The preparation for the anniversary was constantly under the control and attention of President Askar Akayev himself.

Speaking at the meetings of the National and Regional Organizational Committees for the celebration, he emphasized that this anniversary is the largest event for our state since the 1000th anniversary of “Manas.” The anniversary should be celebrated solemnly at a high ideological level and turn into a true national holiday for the entire Kyrgyz people. The history of the city of Osh and its fate is the history of the heroic achievements of the Kyrgyz people and all Kyrgyzstani citizens. The glory of the city of Osh is largely associated with the majestic Sulaiman-Too. To cherish this corner like the apple of our eye and to beautify this sacred place is a common task for all Kyrgyzstani people. Osh should become, as in the Middle Ages, the second Mecca. In conclusion, Askar Akayev noted that the celebration of the 3000th anniversary of the city of Osh will make a worthy contribution to the treasury of the spiritual wealth of the people and will open a bright path for us at the threshold of the 21st century towards future achievements.
In order to familiarize himself with the preparations for the anniversary, President Askar Akayev again spoke at the meeting of the National Organizational Committee on February 6, 1998. Speaking about the tasks set by the committee, Askar Akayev noted with satisfaction:
first, - the planned activities are being successfully implemented;
second, there are every reason to hope that the city of Osh will again, as in ancient times and the Middle Ages, become a trading center on the Silk Road. Currently, an agreement has been reached between China, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan on the reconstruction of the highway, and plans are in place for the construction of a railway and the organization of air communication;
third, the task of improving the economic life of the working people of the city of Osh is primarily related to further addressing issues of social infrastructure: uninterrupted operation of public transport, beautification of the city, for which necessary funds are allocated;
fourth, Osh Technological University and Osh State University must take all measures to ensure that the city of Osh becomes a center of science, culture, and education. In this regard, it is necessary to widely utilize private investments;
fifth, the people of Osh are proud of their Sulaiman Mountain, which can and should stand alongside Israel's Mount Zion and the Arabian Mountain of Arafat. Making Sulaiman Mountain a center for tourists and pilgrims is a special role that the Sulaiman Mountain Museum should play;
sixth, an important issue regarding the improvement of the ecology of the city, Sulaiman Mountain, and the Ak-Buura River is being successfully addressed;
seventh, fundamental research on the historical past of the city has emerged, and a scientific conference dedicated to the 3000th anniversary of the city of Osh has taken place. The task of the National Academy of Sciences of the republic is to continue further research on the history, culture, and art dedicated to this city. One of the important tasks during the anniversary is the organization of an exhibition reflecting the history, economic development, and culture.

President Askar Akayev also noted that the program for the 3000th anniversary of the city of Osh is supported by numerous international organizations and scholars who have decided to provide us with practical assistance. For example, the international organization UNESCO, led by Federico Mayor, decided to organize an exhibition on the theme: “Culture and Art of Kyrgyzstan,” and they promised to support our efforts, as was done during the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of “Manas.” Among the scholars, we will be supported by Professor Yuri Alexandrovich Zadneprovsky, Academician Vladimir Mikhailovich Mosson, and others. A joint scientific conference is planned with the participation of scholars and figures of literature and art from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.

In order to conduct the 3000th anniversary of the city of Osh, the budget for 2000 plans to allocate expenses amounting to 813 million soms, which includes foreign investments. We are also supported by the UN. The total amount of expenses for the celebration of the anniversary will be one billion soms. The organizational measures for the preparation for the anniversary include a whole range of activities.

To implement the Decree of President Askar Akayev, the Osh and Bishkek committees developed specific plans of activities for 1997-2000. The General Director of “Osh-3000” K. A. Azimov, together with the scholars of the region, developed and published a concept of “Osh-3000” in a print run of 2000 copies, titled “Osh-3000 — The Great Silk Road,” “Osh-3000 — Sulaiman-Too,” “Osh-3000 — Ak-Buura,” “Osh-Bazaars,” and the public fund “Sulaiman-Too, Osh-3000.” The “Osh-3000” project includes citywide activities for beautification, construction, reconstruction, and finishing of the facades of buildings and structures in the city. The working groups “Osh-3000 — Sulaiman-Too” and “Osh-3000 — Ak-Buura” included architects and designers, artists, and historians. The first project plans to reconstruct the cave museum, build a road, create “Kyrgyzayly,” beautify Babur's House, carry out major repairs of the Central Stadium and sports facilities, reconstruct parks of culture and recreation, and beautify the right bank embankment and floodplain of the Ak-Buura River.

City of Osh — the heart of Southern Kyrgyzstan