Mirbek and Gulzat met in 1999 while studying at the I. Arabaev Kyrgyz State University and got married two years later. Their wedding was modest; over 24 years of marriage, they have built a strong family and raised three sons and a daughter. Despite their historical education, both work in different fields.
The couple always supports each other, quickly reconciles after quarrels, and believes that the foundation of a happy marriage is mutual understanding, respect, and joint decisions. Mirbek advises young people to marry only after they truly know and understand each other.
A Turmush correspondent spoke with the couple.
Mirbek Maniyasov shared that they met in 1999 while studying together in the history department at the university. “From the middle of the first year, we felt drawn to each other and started dating. Two years later, we got married. Gulzat was born in 1983 in the city of Kara-Kul in the Toktogul district. I was the group leader, and she helped me prepare for sessions and exams. That’s how I won her over. She was attracted to my cheerfulness and energy. I have always treated girls with respect, and perhaps that was the decisive factor. After classes, we often went to the library and walked in the park. When I walked her home, I would deliberately choose a longer route to spend more time together,” says Mirbek.
The wedding in 2001 was modest, as times were tough. “Back then, there weren’t such lavish celebrations as there are now. Times were difficult, so we just had the wedding at home, surrounded by close relatives. I came for the bride in my brother's old 'Moskvich' and took her home like that. The main thing is not how the wedding went, but how our life has turned out. We are happy in our marriage, and we have raised three sons and one daughter. Our eldest son, born in 2003, works in the Sokuluk district police department. Our middle son, born in 2005, became an auto electrician; he has always been interested in technology and chose this profession, and he currently works abroad. Our daughter, born in 2009, is studying at the college affiliated with the I. Arabaev Kyrgyz State University, pursuing a profession as a primary school teacher. Our youngest son, born in 2016, is now in the third grade. Although we are both historians by education, we work in completely different fields,” shared Mirbek.
Once, when Mirbek introduced Gulzat to his family, a funny incident occurred that they still remember with a smile. “Since my wife is from Toktogul, I thought she must sing well. When we first visited my parents, they were celebrating the 30th anniversary of my elder brother's wife [‘jene’]. Someone from the family said, ‘You’re from Toktogul, sing us something!’ And then Gulzat started singing ‘18 жаш’ (a popular song). But... without a voice, without a melody! Everyone was holding back laughter but supported her by clapping. And at that moment, I was burning with shame. When we went outside, I asked her, ‘Why did you choose that song?’ and she replied, ‘I don’t know, I got flustered and sang the first thing that came to my mind.’ Now our relatives laugh every time they remember that day,” said Mirbek.
According to Mirbek, a happy family is the responsibility of both spouses. “A husband should be decisive, and a wife should be wise and understanding. We always discuss important decisions together. Of course, there are misunderstandings, but we never stay silent with each other for long – at most three or four hours, then we make up. If one of us is upset, they still continue to fulfill their household duties. We understand each other and always support one another. We never get discouraged, even when faced with difficulties.
To the youth, I want to say: before getting married, get to know each other well, understand if you can be a support for one another. If there is respect and genuine love in the relationship, the family will definitely be happy,” said Mirbek.
