3000th Anniversary of the City of Osh
The book presented to readers by Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Toktogonov Sultan Amankulovich is dedicated to the 3000th anniversary of the city of Osh. The author, being an honorary citizen of Osh, having worked at the Osh Pedagogical Institute and then at the university for a quarter of a century, with full knowledge of the subject, relying on a wealth of factual material, highlights the main stages of the formation and development of this remarkable southern city of Kyrgyzstan, steeped in legend and glory. Readers will find interesting information about the origin of the city, the legends regarding the origin of its name, the thorny path the city traversed in ancient times, during the struggle against the Basmachis, and the titanic work of restoring and developing industry, transport, science, culture, education, literature, and art during the Soviet era. The backward, oppressed, provincial Osh of the past has given way to a flourishing, beautiful modern city with a highly developed industry, new technology, a wide network of higher and specialized secondary educational institutions, schools, medical facilities, libraries, theaters, museums, and parks for culture and recreation.
By reading this book, everyone can rightly say: "No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten." The author aimed to name not only the leaders of all ranks, who, by the will of fate, participated in the development and formation of the city at different times and contributed to the rapid growth of its economy and culture, but also paid attention to ordinary workers: laborers, employees, teachers, doctors, engineers, figures of literature and art, the true masters of the city, who made an invaluable contribution to the common cause of the development and prosperity of their beloved city through their personal labor.
Jubilee dates of cities were celebrated as early as the 13th century. Pilgrims visiting Rome were traditionally granted absolution of their sins during jubilee years. There is no doubt that all those who visit Osh in the jubilee year will receive the warmest, selfless Kyrgyz hospitality.
The 3000th anniversary of the city of Osh has undoubtedly become a nationwide celebration not only for the residents of this city but for all the multi-ethnic Kyrgyzstan.
While working on the book, the author had the opportunity to converse with more than 60 former city leaders, figures of science, culture, literature, and art, many of whom shared their memories, which are included in the book.
The overall sentiment of all these warm memories could be expressed as follows: "Dear, beloved city of Osh, we loved you, cherished you, protected you, defended you, and built you. Allow us to humbly bow before your name and wish you future success and prosperity in the coming century!"
There are every reason to hope that this book will be read with great benefit by everyone interested in the history of the glorious city of Osh — the heart of Southern Kyrgyzstan.
The editor of the book and the author of the preface is Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic A.E. Izmailov,
Editor — teacher at the "Dastan" Technical University E.E. Satkaeva
Osh