BAKU,TurkicWorld: Abdulhamid Hamid Al-Kba / Writer and researcher specializing in Central Asia and Azerbaijan affairs
On the day of the spring equinox, March 21, 2026, the city of Naryn transformed into the heart of the national Nowruz celebrations in Kyrgyzstan, where President Sadyr Japarov, accompanied by First Lady Aigul Japarova, participated in the official festivities at the central square.
The event began with a visit to a traditional yurt reflecting the rich Kyrgyz heritage, before the couple together tasted the symbolic sumolok dish, which embodies sprouted wheat and the cycle of renewed life. The rich theatrical program, filled with artistic imagery—from the cycle of night and day to the revival of the earth and the legend of Umai Ene—added a profound spiritual dimension embodying the philosophy of purification, abundance, and intergenerational unity.
In his congratulatory speech, President Japarov emphasized that Nowruz has become a true national holiday uniting all citizens regardless of their nationalities, stressing that it is a symbol of renewal, hard work, and harmony. He said: "Dear Kyrgyz people! With the arrival of the spring equinox, nature returns to life, and we continue to celebrate this great legacy of our ancestors in peace and prosperity."
He proudly reviewed the achievements of the past five years, noting that the national gross domestic product achieved 11% growth, the consolidated budget reached 1.1 trillion soms, and construction of 100 new factories began this year. The President focused on the strategically important Naryn region, adding that it will become a transit hub on the Great Silk Road. He revealed that the region's gross regional product stood at 18 billion soms in 2020 and is expected to reach 40 billion soms in 2025, representing an increase of 224% (roughly more than double).
He added that industrial production rose 5.7 times over the past five years; while 30 industrial facilities were opened in 2021, 134 facilities will be commissioned in 2025, leading to the creation of hundreds of new jobs. He pointed out the paving of 259 kilometers of roads in the region, with a plan to pave an additional 135 kilometers by 2025, including a complete renovation of Naryn’s central street, and the implementation of infrastructure projects worth a total of 21 billion soms, covering construction, irrigation, and clean water supply.
In the construction sector alone, 143 projects are currently underway. Additionally, 51 social facilities—schools, kindergartens, and hospitals—were opened during the period. The region attracted foreign investments totaling 6 billion 800 million soms. He highlighted the role of the Tiner-Too Development Fund, which has collected nearly 2 billion soms since 2022 (from 0.6% of profits from the Kumtor gold mine), and the allocation of 2 billion 382 million soms from the regional stabilization fund for the construction of a unique modern cultural center in Naryn.
In the energy sector, the Kolanack hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 100 megawatts is under construction, and work has begun on the Kara-Kechin thermal power station with a capacity of 1200 megawatts. Japarov affirmed that completing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway by 2030 will turn Kyrgyzstan into a transit country, opening new markets and opportunities for mountain tourism and environmentally friendly agriculture.
In the context of irrigation, he announced the completion of works worth nearly 3 billion soms over the past five years, with the commissioning this year of the Togol-Say reservoir in Jumgal and the Shamshy reservoir in Kochkor, which will improve irrigation on 4294 hectares and add 3306 new hectares of irrigated land. Japarov concluded his speech with a call for unity and hard work: "Our greatest strength in building a new Kyrgyzstan lies in the cohesion of our hardworking and loyal people to their homeland", expressing his pride that the annual celebration in different regions has become a tradition that strengthens national ties.
In parallel, Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev participated in the main celebration at the central square in Bishkek, where he congratulated the people on behalf of the government. In his speech, he highlighted national achievements, pointing to the full delimitation and demarcation of borders as evidence of independence and stability, and predicted that the gross domestic product would reach two trillion soms by the end of 2025.
He announced the allocation of 38.5 billion soms for agricultural development in 2026 to support 500 thousand farmers, the launch of mortgage loans without a down payment for up to 25 years for 20 thousand families, in addition to salary increases for teachers and doctors starting from April 2026, and the monthly Bala Risi allowance for children under three years old. Kasymaliev stressed that unity is the foundation of prosperity, and dialogue is the basis of a modern society, noting that Nowruz transcends national borders and embodies the values of peace and mutual respect.
In Batken, a distinctive celebration was held at the city’s central stadium, beginning with a traditional sumolok preparation ceremony attended by regional and city leaders. The program included theatrical performances by the A. Zainakov Theater, exhibitions of food and handicrafts, and sports competitions such as wrestling and tug-of-war.
Secretary of the Security Council Adelit Orozbekov, Plenipotentiary Representative Mamirjan Rahimov, and Governor Danier Imanaliev congratulated the residents on success and a bright future, emphasizing the importance of national unity and peace. National pop artists performed a concert that added a dazzling festive atmosphere, while guests from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan participated to strengthen regional ties.
Thus, the Nowruz 2026 celebrations in Kyrgyzstan embody the spirit of tolerance and change that the ancestors have always called for, where the snow melts, the earth blooms, and people purify themselves of grudges to start a new page full of hope. In Naryn, Batken, Bishkek, and every corner of the country, the pledge to work and creativity is renewed, supported by tangible achievements that pave the way for a brighter future. Long live Nowruz! And long live a united and prosperous Kyrgyzstan.
(Main sources: Official presidential speech via Kabar.kg and president.kg, and reports from Kaktus.media, 24.kg, Sputnik.kg dated March 21, 2026.)
