DECEMBER
1 – World AIDS Day
– 100 years since the birth of the statesman of Kyrgyzstan K. Dikambaev (1913–2010)
3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
5 – 90 years since the birth of U. Jumabaev (1923–1976), a famous poet
– 210 years since the birth of F. I. Tyutchev (1803–1873), a Russian poet
6 – 200 years since the birth of N. P. Ogarev (1813–1877), a Russian poet, publicist, revolutionary
– 100 years since the birth of Russian writer S. P. Zalygin (1913–2000)
– 235 years since the birth of Joseph Gay-Lussac (1778–1850), a French chemist and physicist
7 – 135 years since the birth of K. I. Skryabin (1878–1972), a scientist-helminthologist
– 80 years since the birth of the People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR A. Umuraliev (1933–2003)
– International Civil Aviation Day
8 – Day of Television and Radio Workers of the Kyrgyz Republic
10 – International Human Rights Day. 65 years ago, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Day of Protection of Human Rights in the Kyrgyz Republic
11 – International Mountain Day
– 210 years since the birth of Hector Berlioz (1803–1869), a French conductor, composer, musicologist
– 95 years since the birth of A. I. Solzhenitsyn (1918), a Russian writer
12 – 85 years since the birth of Ch. Aitmatov (1928–2008), the People's Writer of Kyrgyzstan
– Day of National Literature of the Kyrgyz Republic
13 – 60 years since the birth of M. Aamatov (1953), a poet, translator, Honored Worker of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic
– 110 years since the birth of E. P. Petrov (1903–1942), a satirical writer
– 140 years since the birth of V. Ya. Bryusov (1873–1924), a Russian poet
14 – 510 years since the birth of Nostradamus (1503–1566), a French astrologer and predictor
19 – 95 years since the birth of A. Aldashev (1918–2003), Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, pharmacologist
20 – Day of National Security Workers of the Kyrgyz Republic
22 – Day of Energy Workers of Kyrgyzstan
– 155 years since the birth of Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924), an Italian composer
23 – 130 years since the birth of Friedrich Wolf (1883–1953), a German writer and playwright
– 155 years since the birth of V. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko (1858–1943), a director, playwright, theater figure
24 – 195 years since the birth of James Prescott Joule (1818–1889), an English physicist
27 – Day of Passport and Visa Control Employees of Kyrgyzstan
29 – International Day for Biological Diversity
31 – Day of Customs Service Workers of the Kyrgyz Republic
– 55 years since the commissioning (1958) of the Frunze Television Center
– 165 years since the birth of Y. I. Korolkov (1843–1933), the founder of the meteorological service of Kyrgyzstan
In 2013, the following anniversaries are celebrated:
– 220 years since the birth of the manaschi Kumar uulu Balik (Bekmurat) (1793–1873)
– 100 years since the birth of the famous actor, director, playwright A. Kobegenov (1913–1988)
– 65 years since the opening of the Central Library of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic
December is a challenging month. It concludes the year, begins winter, adds light, and brings cold. The shortest daylight and the longest night occur on the 22nd or 23rd – on the day of the winter solstice. From this time, the day begins to gradually increase, taking time from the night.
For the ancient Romans, December was the tenth month of the year and was called December (from the Latin word "decem" – ten). The ancient Russian names were studen, khmuren; the Kyrgyz named it beshtin ayi.
DECEMBER 1
WORLD AIDS DAY
AIDS/HIV infection is a serious problem for humanity. In Kyrgyzstan, the highest rates of its spread have been noted recently. As of November 1, 2001, there were 168 cases of severe disease registered in the republic. One hundred of all HIV-infected individuals (60%) are young people under 30 years old.
Considering the significant surge in AIDS morbidity, this disease has become the leading cause of mortality in human history, surpassing the epidemic of plague that claimed 40 million lives in the 14th century. Currently, the total number of AIDS patients and HIV-infected individuals has exceeded 40 million people. Since there are no effective drugs for AIDS, all these people are doomed to die in the not-so-distant future.
The fight against the global epidemic of the century in Kyrgyzstan began at a special session of the UN General Assembly in 2001, dedicated to AIDS issues. As reported by the UNDP program coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic Nariste Chynybayeva, this was the first such high-level meeting where it was recognized that AIDS is a global crisis requiring global action. At that time, leaders of 189 countries committed to implementing comprehensive targeted tasks for the prevention, treatment, care, and support of people with HIV within agreed timelines to stop the epidemic and begin to reduce its scale by 2015. This required addressing HIV/AIDS issues in all countries.
Since February 28, 2003, the UN project "Development of AIDS Prevention Programs to Prevent Socio-Economic Consequences of Its Spread" has been implemented in Kyrgyzstan.
In early 2004, a project implementation department of the GFATM was established, which provides technical and financial support to the Republican Organization "AIDS" and independently carries out a number of activities. It is enough to say that Kyrgyzstan, thanks to a grant from the Global Fund, has gained the opportunity for free treatment of HIV-infected individuals. In turn, the Republican Association "AIDS" is actively working and has several structural divisions (regional AIDS centers).
The AIDS prevention service in the Kyrgyz Republic was established according to the order of the Ministry of Health of the USSR in all union republics. In April 1989, this initiative was prompted by the emergence of cases of mass infection of children in children's hospitals in several cities of Russia. Initially, the service in Kyrgyzstan was formed with difficulty. At first, there was one employee. Then three. Gradually, the Republican AIDS Center was formed. And today, on the world stage of the fight against HIV/AIDS, Kyrgyzstan occupies a worthy place, and the prevention of HIV/AIDS has become one of the priorities of state policy.
DECEMBER 1
KAZY DIKAMBAEV – 100 years since the birth
In the history of Kyrgyz statehood, a prominent place belongs to Kazy Dikambaev (1913–2010), a distinguished economist of the Kyrgyz SSR, a prominent statesman and political figure of Kyrgyzstan. His contribution to the development of his native Kyrgyzstan is invaluable.
Kazy Dikambaev was born on December 1, 1913, in the village of Taldy-Suu, now part of the Tyup district. He graduated from the Tashkent Institute of National Economy (1937). In 1940, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the Kyrgyz SSR. From 1941 to 1944, he was the People's Commissar of State Control of the Kyrgyz SSR. From 1944 to 1948, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz SSR. From 1949, he was the Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan, from 1951 to 1958 – the First Secretary of the Frunze Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan, and from 1958 to 1961 – the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Kyrgyz SSR. From 1961, he was the Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Committee of the Kyrgyz SSR. He was repeatedly elected as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR.
While holding such high positions, K. Dikambaev did much for his people and his republic, its economy, science, and culture. The speeches, addresses, and articles of K. Dikambaev demonstrate the high human qualities of this extraordinary personality, his talent as a leader and a prominent economist. K. Dikambaev was a versatile personality of great scale, a wise, far-sighted figure with extensive experience in managing the national economy.
His life and work for the benefit of Kyrgyzstan serve as an example for future generations.
DECEMBER 7
KONSTANTIN IVANOVICH SKRYABIN – 135 years since the birth
“I believe I have lived a very happy life... Behind me is a long, more than half a century of work in the field of new science – helminthology. My path was not easy. I devoted much effort to the tireless struggle I had to wage for my science. I was deeply convinced of its acute necessity for humanity. Helminthology became my life's goal, a joy of creativity.” K. I. Skryabin
Academician Konstantin Ivanovich Skryabin (1878–1972) entered the history of science as the founder of the Soviet school of helminthology, one of the founders of this science in the world. Everything that has been done since the beginning of the 20th century and continues to this day to improve the planet's health from helminths is connected with the largest studies, discoveries, and measures that were initiated and led by K. I. Skryabin.
His brilliant talent and tireless work allowed the scientist to make an invaluable contribution to biological, agricultural, and medical sciences. K. I. Skryabin revealed the patterns of development of parasitic organisms, helminths, discovering more than 200 new species for the first time, and developed a number of new provisions in helminthology that determine its further development. He is credited with establishing and developing the problem of completely curing humans and animals from helminths. In total, Academician K. I. Skryabin authored over 700 scientific works. The scientific school he created, which includes more than 800 candidates and doctors of sciences, including academicians, is engaged in significant work to further develop the ideas of its teacher.
K. I. Skryabin began his scientific journey with us in Central Asia at the beginning of the century, in 1905. Initially in Chimkent, and then in Dzhambul, he began his independent work as a regular veterinary doctor.
He conducted extensive therapeutic, preventive, and sanitary work in livestock areas of Turkestan and managed to gather a wealth of factual material that served as the basis for his fundamental scientific research. Several more years of life and scientific activity of Konstantin Ivanovich were connected with Kyrgyzstan. From 1943 to 1952, he was the Chairman of the Presidium of the Kyrgyz Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. At his initiative, a special helminthological laboratory was created, and significant work was carried out to improve the activities of scientific institutions and prepare personnel for the republic.
Konstantin Ivanovich was an extraordinary person. He was the only academician in the country in three academies: medical, agricultural, and the USSR Academy of Sciences, as well as an honorary member of the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz and Uzbek republics. The scientific achievements of K. I. Skryabin received wide international recognition. He was elected a full and honorary member of the academies of Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, the GDR, Yugoslavia, and scientific societies in the USA, UK, Belgium, Germany, India, and was awarded the Lenin Prize (1957) and twice the State Prize (1941, 1950), he was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor, and received five Orders of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of the Red Star, and medals. The name of K. I. Skryabin has been given to the All-Union Institute of Helminthology, the Moscow Veterinary Academy, and the Kyrgyz Agricultural Institute. In 1973, the Golden Medal named after K. I. Skryabin was established, awarded by VASHNIL for outstanding scientific discoveries in the field of veterinary medicine.
DECEMBER 7
ARSEN UMURALIEV – 80 years since the birth
The People's Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic Asanbek (Arsen) Umuraliev (1933–2003) has forever entered the history of Kyrgyz theatrical art both as a great artist and as a talented director.
The first step in understanding the world of art was his studies at the M. Kureneev Musical College in the choral conducting department. Then, after graduating from GITIS in 1957, Umuraliev began his labor activity at the Kyrgyz State Academic Drama Theater in Bishkek, where he worked for many years with the great M. Ryskulov and a whole galaxy of outstanding actors such as B. Kydykeeva, D. Kuyukova, S. Kumushalieva, and others. They helped A. Umuraliev master the best traditions of Kyrgyz national stage art.
Over 40 years of creative activity, A. Umuraliev played more than 100 roles on the theater stage, creating many bright, memorable images in performances of world classical and national dramaturgy, such as Kurmanbek in the eponymous drama by K. Zhantošev, Chatsky in "Woe from Wit" by A. Griboedov, Edmund and Lear in "King Lear" by W. Shakespeare, Salieri in "Mozart and Salieri" by A. Pushkin, Gaev in "The Cherry Orchard" by A. Chekhov, Alexei in "Optimistic Tragedy" by V. Vishnevsky, and a whole gallery of heroes from Ch. Aitmatov (Daniyar in "Jamilya," Isabek in "And Longer Than a Century Lasts a Day," Kasym in "Mother's Field," Boston in "The Plank," etc.).
The celebrated actor always wanted to have his own theater, to show the world his performances and through them his vision of life. Being already a recognized master of the stage, in 1993 A. Umuraliev, together with his wife, theater critic A. Umuralieva, created their experimental youth chamber theater, which they had dreamed of, with a unique repertoire. The Bishkek City Drama Theater (later named after Arsen Umuraliev) is focused on reviving the folklore heritage of the Kyrgyz people, seeking new ideas and forms. The theater began its first theatrical season with a performance based on the ancient Japanese legend "Crane Feathers" by D. Kinoshita. Then the theater turned to the works of Ch. Aitmatov, P. Merimee, Pushkin, and others. The theater's performances enjoy consistent success with audiences. His performances have repeatedly won awards at international festivals.
Arsen Umuraliev was not only a talented dramatic actor but also a gifted film actor. He starred with prominent directors such as G. Chukhrai, E. Shengelaya, A. Konchalovsky, A. Tarkovsky, T. Okeev, and others.
The images created by the actor in films such as "The Legend of the Ice Heart," "Far in the Mountains," "The Pass," "The Fortieth," "Behind Us, Moscow," and others are forever remembered by viewers. The roles played by the master of stage and screen A. Umuraliev have been awarded prizes and diplomas at All-Union and International film and theater festivals and reviews: "For Best Male Role in the film 'Behind Us, Moscow' (Moscow), for the role of Maksarzhaf in the film 'The Wandering Front' (Mongolia), in the nomination "For Best Male Role" – Aydarov in the play "They" ("Nooruz" – Almaty) by K. Akmatov.
The actor was also awarded the International Prize of Chingiz Aitmatov (2002) and the award of the International Foundation "Silk Road Art" in the nomination "Lifetime Recognition" (2002).
DECEMBER 8
TELEVISION OF KYRGYZSTAN – 60 YEARS
Television in the republic began its work in December 1958 with the commissioning of the radio-television transmitting center. The first broadcasts were trial; after 5 years, the daily broadcasting of Kyrgyz television amounted to 6 hours. By 1979, it became available to almost all settlements in Kyrgyzstan. Reception and transmission of television programs are carried out using various radio relay and satellite communication facilities. These include radio relay stations in Bishkek and on Kyrgyz Ala-Too (some of which are located at an altitude of over 4,000 m above sea level), a 180-meter television tower, and workshops of the radio-television transmitting center. Viewers are interested in watching programs prepared by the Kyrgyz television studio: the program "Ala-Too," "Muras," "Didarlashuu," and other television studios of the republic.
DECEMBER 10
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
On December 10, the international community annually celebrates Human Rights Day. It was on this day in 1948 in Paris that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, which was also endorsed by the Kyrgyz Republic.
Kyrgyzstan is a participant in more than 30 conventions on human rights, including the conventions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, on the rights of the child, against torture, and others. At the international level, the country actively participates in human rights procedures within the framework of the United Nations system.
Kyrgyzstan fully supports and actively participates in the activities of international human rights and fundamental freedoms, supporting and implementing various resolutions on human rights.
DECEMBER 12
CHINGIZ AITMATOV – 85 years since the birth
The name of the great citizen of the world, the People's Writer of Kyrgyzstan, laureate of state awards, Hero of Kyrgyzstan Chingiz Aitmatov (1928–2008) evokes national pride and sacred reverence in the hearts of all Kyrgyzstani people, as his great talent contributed to the recognition of Kyrgyzstan worldwide, revealing the originality and rich history of the Kyrgyz people. The writer, with his words, intellect, astonishing talent, and celebrated life path, is a spiritual phenomenon of the century, a great harmony of humanity, and the pinnacle of human intellect.
The humanism of the writer and his civic spirit, love for humanity and faith in people, bright talent combined with the highest demands on himself, and hard work made the works of Ch. Aitmatov known worldwide, placing them alongside the best examples of world literature.
The literary world of Aitmatov's prose is a world of immortal, truly national characters and images, tragic life situations, and broad, stunningly vivid pictures of life. Oral folk creativity and folklore serve as one of the vital sources of nationality in Aitmatov's literature. Artists and poets, directors and art historians draw inspiration from the works of Ch. Aitmatov; people of different generations and ages, raised on his works, find wise precepts within them.
More than fifteen works of Ch. Aitmatov reflect the era: "Face to Face," "The First Teacher," "Jamilya," "Mother's Field," "Farewell, Gulsary," "The White Steamboat," "Early Cranes," "My Little Poplar in a Red Scarf," "The Spotted Dog Running Along the Edge of the Sea," "And Longer Than a Century Lasts a Day," "The Plank," "The Mark of Cassandra," "When Mountains Fall."
It is no coincidence that he became the most translated writer. According to UNESCO, the works of Chingiz Aitmatov have been translated into 176 languages of the world, and it is not surprising that it is now hard to name a country where the name of this writer is not known.
Aitmatov was not only a genius creator of poetic words but also, above all, a person of global scale. He was a talented publicist, diplomat, humanist, philosopher, prominent state and public figure, and simply a Citizen of the World.
Although the Great Artist of Words and Man of the World is no longer with us, humanity will carry through generations his eternal seeds of wisdom, tolerance, spirituality, and magnanimity. Chingiz Aitmatov will forever remain in our memory as a great writer, intellectual, and humanist.
DECEMBER 19
ABDULKHAY ALDASHEV – 95 years since the birth
Abdulkhay Aldashev (1918–2003), Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Professor, Honorary Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, Honored Worker of Science of Kyrgyzstan, Honored Veterinarian of the Republic, pharmacologist, belongs to a remarkable cohort of Kyrgyz scientists whose creative work has glorified domestic science. A. Aldashev was born in the village of Jeti-Oguz in the Issyk-Kul region. He graduated from the Kyrgyz Agricultural Institute (1939). He worked as the head of the department, vice-rector for science at KSAI, and director of the IB of the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz SSR. The scientist is a major specialist in the field of veterinary medicine, pharmacology, and toxicology. He authored more than 5000 scientific works, including 20 monographs, 11 inventions, 2 textbooks, and teaching aids. His works "Kyrgyz-Russian Dictionary of Biological Terms," "Anthelmintics," "Stages of Development of Veterinary Medicine in Kyrgyzstan," and others are widely known.
The scientist made a significant contribution to the training of scientific personnel in the republic. He raised a whole school of students working in the field of veterinary medicine. Under his guidance, 10 doctoral and 20 candidate dissertations were defended.
DECEMBER 22
DAY OF ENERGY WORKERS OF KYRGYZSTAN
Kyrgyzstan is the only country that has not reduced electricity consumption compared to the Soviet period; on the contrary, its growth has been noted. This is explained by the fact that in conditions of organic fuel shortages, the population of sovereign Kyrgyzstan sharply increased electricity consumption for heating and cooking purposes, and this became the state policy of Kyrgyzstan.
It should be noted that the Kyrgyz energy system, which is an integral part of the Central Asian Unified Energy System, has done tremendous work over the past 10 years to develop the high-voltage network, which allows solving the problem of increasing the stability of the energy system and reliable energy supply to consumers.
This is interesting
The inventors of the radio and telegraph are known to everyone from school. But do you know about those who were at the origins of television?
The first initiator of the development of an electronic television system was Boris Pavlovich Grabovsky, who, together with his colleagues N. G. Piskunov, V. I. Popov, and I. F. Belyansky, built and tested the world's first electronic television system in 1928. They called it "telephot." The term was invented by B. P. Grabovsky. His contributions to the creation of the electronic television system are recognized worldwide.
Interestingly, the idea of creating a foresight system matured in the soldier-chonovets Boris Grabovsky right here, in the former Pishpek.
Here he invented the cathode switch, which became the key to the practical implementation of the idea. He lived in Kyrgyzstan for more than thirty years. To this day, a small house where the scientist lived remains in Bishkek. By a twist of fate, it is located not far from the television tower.
This person has more than 50 application certificates for inventions, 12 patents, and copyright certificates issued by the State Committee for Inventions and Discoveries. But the telephot is the most significant result of his multifaceted activity.
DECEMBER 31
Y. I. KOROLKOV – 165 years since the birth
Even after 165 years, the works of the founder of the meteorological service of Kyrgyzstan Yaroslav Korolkov (1843–1933) have not lost their significance.
On February 1, 1881, in the village of Ak-Suu (White Water) near the city of Karakol, he began observing weather phenomena in the Pre-Issyk-Kul region, created the first meteorological station in Central Asia, and organized a series of expeditions to the glaciers of Teskey-Alatoo, from where many rivers of Kyrgyzstan originate.
Weather maps, schemes of passes, and the state of glaciers helped Nikolai Przhevalsky's expedition in the Tian Shan. And 100 years later, Korolkov's observations of the glaciers were used by UNESCO in the "Atlas of Snow and Glacier Resources."
A commander of a mountain battery, a graduate of the Mikhail Artillery School, a holder of the Order of St. George for the defense of Shipka, he carried out this work at the request of the Russian explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky. His research was so serious that Korolkov was accepted into the Russian Geographical Society. Pyotr Semenov-Tyan-Shansky asked him to compile the first herbarium of plants and seeds in the Pre-Issyk-Kul region. The artillery officer acclimatized the famous blue spruces in Karakol. With his and his wife Varvara Griboedova's name – a grandniece of the writer, a former soloist of the Warsaw Opera – is associated with the creation of the first national school in Kyrgyzstan, a library, a brass band, a folk theater, and a lecture hall on art.
The retired major general passed on his scientific works, laboratories, and meteorological station to the Kyrgyz people. He died at the age of 90 in 1933. In the middle of the last century, the residents of Karakol named one of the streets in the regional center after him.
ABDYASHYM KOBEGENOV – 100 years since the birth
This year, the public of Kyrgyzstan celebrates 100 years since the birth of the famous actor, director, playwright, and luminary of Kyrgyz theatrical art Abdyashym Kobegenov (1913–1988).
A. Kobegenov's creative activity began while he was studying at the workers' faculty, where he organized a drama circle. Then, while working as a teacher in the school of the village of Chayek in the Jumgal district, Kobegenov organized a school drama circle. The young director staged A. S. Pushkin's drama "The Stone Guest" on the school theater stage. Then Kobegenov gathered talented youth and organized a folk theater in the district center. For the creative successes of the Jumgal People's Theater, led by Kobegenov, he was awarded the title of "Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR." Then the theater he led toured Moscow at the All-Union Festival.
Soon, the talented actor and director was invited to the Kyrgyz State Drama Theater in Frunze. A. Kobegenov is associated with the performance of leading roles in the dramas of T. Abdumomunov "The Daughter of Atabek," J. Abdykadyrov "Love and Hope," K. Zhantošev "Kurmanbek," A. Dyykanbaev "Living Water," Malikov and Kuttubaev "Zhanil-Myrza," B. Zhakiev "Fate of the Father," Ostrovsky "The Storm," Tolstoy "Anna Karenina," Gogol "The Marriage," and others. A. Kobegenov's performances were characterized by expressiveness, precision, and excellent diction.
KUMAR UULU BALYK (BEKMURAT) – 220 years since the birth
Among the great manaschi – the keepers and creators of the epic "Manas," the creativity of Kumar uulu Balik (Bekmurat) (1793–1873) is widely known among the people. Although his creative biography began in Talas, the maturity of his creativity falls during his life in the Chui Valley. The record of Balik's biographical data was made by I. Abdrakhmanov from the words of the famous storyteller Shapak Rysmendeev. Balik is a nickname for a manaschi, as he was nicknamed for his resemblance to a fish. His name is Bekmurat; he is the son of Kumara from the poor clan choncharyk, of the sarybagysh lineage. "He was strong, well-built; two people could easily sit on his shoulders. His head was like a kettle, his ears like shields. His mouth and eyes resembled a fish."
Balik's creative biography was formed in Talas. In his creativity, the traditions of two variants of storytelling – Talas and Chui – are intertwined. Unfortunately, we do not have recordings of Balik's storytelling, but this does not mean that the creative fire and storytelling of Balik are lost to us forever: they have merged into the tales of subsequent manaschi, primarily in the tales of Shapak and Sagymbay – heirs and continuators of the great tradition expressed in Balik's storytelling. Through Balik's son Naimanbay, some episodes from his version ("Praise to Talas" from the epic "Semetey"), descriptions of some military equipment of Manas, "The Mausoleum of Manas" have reached us. These excerpts were recorded in 1923 by K. Miftakhov in Talas.
Some improvisations of Balik from the widely known competition with the akyn Aitike have also been preserved in the people's memory.