HOLIDAYS

In 2001 the Jogorku Knesh, the Kyrgyz parliament, decided to add two new holidays to the list of official Public Holidays, Feb 22nd — Army Day (a male equivalent of International Women's  Day) and November 7th — the Anniversary of the October Revolution. Official holidays are:

Jan 1st — New Years Day

Jan 7th — Orthodox Christmas

Feb 23nd — Army Day — Although the inclusion of this former Soviet Holiday was announced — it hasn't yet been implemented.

Mar 8th — International Women's Day

Mar 21st — Nooruz

May 1st — Labour Day

May 5th — Constitution Day

May 9th — Victory Day

Aug 31st — Independence Day

Nov 7th — Anniversary of the October Revolution

In addition there are two moveable feasts — Orozo Ait and Kurman Ait which mark the beginning and end of Ramadan.

If a holiday falls on a weekend then parliament often decides to make the Friday or the Monday a non-working day instead.

The Kyrgyz like a celebration and there are a number of unofficial «holidays» or feast days — such as: Jan13th — Old New Year — new years's  day according to the old Julian Calendar; Jun 1st — International Children's Day; Dec 1st — International AIDS Day; Dec 10th — Human Rights Day and a host of professional days such as Teacher's  day, Policeman's Day, Day of workers in the Television industry … and so on. These are all normal working days — but you may see special events, concerts etc., organized to commemorate the day.

This list is important for those wanting to cross Torugart because the pass is closed at weekends and on holidays.