THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

Like any new nation — the Kyrgyz can be very patriotic. This is reflected in the proud traditions surrounding the Manas epic and the prevelance of the symbols of the young nation — the flag, the gerp (State seal), the tunduk (the traditional opening in the roof of a yurt) and it is also seen in the National Anthem.

There are official versions of the anthem in Kyrgyz and Russian — but not as far as we are aware, in English.

Poetry is very difficult to translate — but to give you a taste of their love for the mountains, the friendliness of the people and their optimism in the future, we offer this (unofficial) version:

High mountains, valleys, fields -
Our nation's treasured homeland.
Our fathers, lived in the Ala-Too,
Always holding sacred their motherland

Refrain
Forward the Kyrgyz nation,
Along the path of the freedom.
Grow people, develop!
Create your own fate!

Our nation is always open to friendship,
With unity and amity preserved in it's heart.
This land of Kyrgyzstan, our native land,
Radiates in harmony

Refrain
Forward the Kyrgyz nation,
Along the path of the freedom.
Grow people, develop!
Create your own fate!

The dreams and hopes of our fathers have come true
And the banner of freedom is raised high in the air
We shall pass on the heritage of our fathers,
The welfare of our nation, to our descendants.

A CD featuring the State Symphonic Orchestra, the choir of the Kyrgyz State Boradcasting Company and the Choir of the State Opera and Ballet Theatre, is available containing three versions of the anthem - a full choral version and two instrumental versions.