“Once, the holiday had many supporters, including representatives of the authorities”
In Kyrgyzstan, the Day of the October Revolution is no longer celebrated. Starting in 2025, November 7 and 8 will be considered Days of History and Memory of Ancestors, designating them as commemorative dates rather than festive ones.
How did this important state holiday lose its significance and get replaced?
The idea of replacing the Day of the October Revolution with the Day of History and Memory of Ancestors was proposed by President Almazbek Atambayev in 2017.
The presidential decree stated that this decision was made for a more objective view of the events of the national liberation uprising and the tragic events of 1916, as well as the February and October revolutions of 1917 and the consequences of political repression in the 20th century — to perpetuate the memory of ancestors.
In November of the same year, the changes were approved by the Jogorku Kenesh, where 87 deputies voted "for" and 4 "against".
Until 2024, November 7-8 remained public holidays. However, starting in 2025, by the decision of the Ministry of Labor, they lost their status as festive days.
Zainidin Kurmanov, former speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh and Doctor of Historical Sciences, believes that the disappearance of the October Revolution holiday was inevitable.
“The issue of November 7 is relevant in the context of democratization and de-Sovietization occurring in the post-Soviet space. This holiday was long preserved as a 'red day of the calendar', although it had enough supporters in the government and parliament. As a result of the decision made during Atambayev's presidency, the holiday was replaced with the Day of History and Memory of Ancestors, which allowed for a smooth departure from the political burden of this date,” he noted in an interview with Vesti.kg.
Kurmanov believes that this decision was justified, considering the already abundant number of holidays in the calendar.
“Those who want to celebrate November 7 can do so. Some remember their ancestors or other national heroes. Now we have pluralism. The political process is ongoing, and everything is falling into place. This is a consequence of gaining independence and transitioning to democracy and a market economy. It was difficult to celebrate the day when private property was abolished and mass repressions began. We are witnessing a normal political process, a change of generations. New people are entering politics who did not see October and do not know what it is. Pioneers and Komsomol members have disappeared, as has the cult of Lenin. This is no longer relevant,” he added.
Photo www
