Victory Day in 2018 in Kyrgyzstan: The History of the "Immortal Regiment"

“I came out of Osh to walk across the republic”

Osh coordinator of the “Immortal Regiment” movement, Alena SMIRNOVA:
— The first march of the “Immortal Regiment” in our republic took place in the Southern capital. Students of the Orthodox school “Light” took to the streets of the city with portraits of their veteran grandfathers.

It is important to emphasize that the residents of Osh participated in the Victory Parade with portraits of their veterans back in 2012, under the slogan “Forever Alive, Forever in Line.” The idea to organize this march belonged to Kurmanbai Tashibaev — an employee of the social department of the local mayor's office. And it was thanks to his support that in 2013, the Osh mayor's office agreed to hold the first “Immortal Regiment — Osh” march.

Kurmanbai Tashibaevich was able to convey to his colleagues the true meaning of the “Immortal Regiment.” The march was successful, and all our media covered it. In the following year, the public headquarters joined forces with the authorities of the southern capital, and the people's memorial action was held at a very high level, becoming an annual event.