Kyrgyzstan to Rename All Russian-Named Villages by 2027

Kyrgyzstan is taking a decisive step towards solidifying its national identity by renaming all villages bearing Russian names to Kyrgyz equivalents. President Sadyr Japarov announced this initiative, targeting the completion of the process by the end of 2027. This move is part of a broader effort to de-Russify place names, a process that has been ongoing since the country's independence but remains incomplete, especially in regions like the Chuy Oblast. The president's directive came during a meeting with residents of the Alay district, where he addressed a local resident's suggestion to name a village after the historical figure Alympek Datka. Japarov explained that the decision was made not to name settlements after individuals to avoid potential disputes and divisions among communities. He emphasized that historical figures like Alympek Datka are already recognized for their contributions and that naming a village after them would not necessarily accelerate its development. This policy reflects a national aspiration to assert cultural sovereignty and ensure that place names authentically represent the Kyrgyz heritage. The initiative follows previous public discussions and reactions, including those from Russia, regarding the renaming of districts in Bishkek, indicating the sensitive nature of such cultural and political shifts.

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You start dividing into groups and arguing why the name of one, not another, because my ancestors are also worthy. We have been through this many times. So don't be offended, the name of Alympek Datka is already written in history and will not disappear. Because his name is given to the village, it will not develop faster.