hot topic
The issue of preservation and development of the Russian language has recently gained special importance in Kyrgyzstan within the framework of certain legislative initiatives. Conference attendees could not stay away from the discussion on such an important and burning topic.
- It is necessary to develop the state language in any country, and there is no doubt about it, – said ex-deputy of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic Evgenia Strokova. The former legislator, in her own words, is very surprised at the reduction in the use of the Russian language in the educational system and, in general, the reduction in its use in the work of state bodies under the pretext that it hinders the development of the Kyrgyz language. “Why, if you follow this logic, in this case, the number of hours devoted to learning English increases in the programs?” asks Evgenia Strokova. – That is to say that English will not interfere?
“Unfortunately, in a number of post-Soviet republics, they do not cultivate the national pride and self-awareness of the people, but, distorting our common history, they stir up nationalism and hatred both for the USSR and Russia,” she said. – For me, Kyrgyzstan is the homeland. Therefore, we have no right to stand out. Apart from me, none of the compatriots was present at the hearings on the draft law on the state language. But we, as Kyrgyz citizens, have the right to participate in everything that happens in our country.
age-old ties
The speech of the ex-deputy provoked a reaction from those present. Chairman of the Republican Council of Veterans of War, Labour, Armed Forces, Law Enforcement and Home Front Workers of the Kyrgyz Republic Toktogul Kakchekeyev also spoke.
- The Russian language is necessary, and not only for Kyrgyz people, but also for representatives of other CIS countries, – he stressed. – Russian is an international language and still serves as an instrument of interethnic communication between citizens of different countries and representatives of different nationalities.
Toktogul Kakchekeyev recalled that Kyrgyzstan has come a long way with Russia. The peoples of the two countries, he said, have been linked for several centuries. To prove his words, he presented to the public a copy of an important historical document of the 19th century – the oath of the Russian Empire to the Bugu tribe.
According to Toktogul Kakchekeyev, modern Russia remains the successor to both the USSR and the Russian Empire. And if so, the document he showed a copy of is still valid.
We protect the rights
Alarming data was expressed by the head of the Our Right center, Svetlana Bortsova. The organization she heads provides legal advice and similar assistance to fellow Russians in Kyrgyzstan. According to his estimates, over the past year the number of complaints of discrimination based on ethnic origin has increased significantly. Very often, citizens who do not speak the Kyrgyz language, when applying to government agencies, have to independently find an interpreter and hire him at their own expense, although the current law allows the use of the language Russian in such cases.
The offices of the center so far operate only in two major cities of the republic – Bishkek and Osh. In 2022, its employees carried out 872 consultations, drafted 41 briefs, 81 claims and complaints, 201 requests for a lawyer with various authorities. In total, over the eleven years of operation of the center, assistance has been provided to 8,510 compatriots.
According to Svetlana Bortsova, consultations are offered to absolutely all compatriots and on all issues of the legislation of Kyrgyzstan.
with authority
Albert Zulkharneev, head of the representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Kyrgyz Republic:
- The population of the republic is growing and today 57% of its inhabitants are citizens under the age of 30. They did not understand the time when Kyrgyzstan and Russia were part of the USSR. The linguistic environment is also changing. Thus, according to sociological surveys, 61% of the population of the republic communicate in Kyrgyz at home, 14% in Kyrgyz and Russian and 12% in Russian. At the same time, 65% of the inhabitants of the Kyrgyz Republic believe that the study of the Russian language in schools should be deepened and developed. Only 2% are in favor of reducing the study of the Russian language.
Direct speech
Nikolai Udovichenko, Russian Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic:
- We pay great attention to the activities of compatriots abroad. Recently, two studies have been published. The first was conducted by a Russian institute, the second by a British publication. In both cases, Kyrgyzstan is named in the group of countries most friends with Russia. I would like to highlight the efforts of the Kyrgyz authorities aimed at maintaining inter-ethnic peace and harmony among the inhabitants of the country. Recently, a new law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On combating extremist activities” was published, where incitement to ethnic, national and religious hatred is considered an extremist activity with all the ensuing consequences.
Russia, in turn, despite the difficult international situation, finds the opportunity to provide the necessary support to Kyrgyzstan in the implementation of all the commitments described above. Funding for projects under the auspices of the World Food Program continues, including the provision of hot meals to Kyrgyz school children. Funding for economic projects through the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund, the Eurasian Development Bank and the Eurasian Development Stabilization Fund has been significantly increased.
Thanks to the interaction of the Coordinating Council of Organizations of Russian Compatriots and the Embassy of the Russian Federation, more than 60 major cultural events took place in 2022. 175 children from low-income families were able to relax in summer camps in Issyk-Kul, 20 veterans received full treatment in sanatoria, 147 low-income families received material assistance.
Russia also provides great support in the field of education. Thus, the Kyrgyz side increased the quotas for free education of students from the Kyrgyz Republic in Russian universities. An agreement was signed on the construction of nine schools with Russian language teaching and a mixed teaching staff. Graduates of these educational institutions will receive two certificates at once – Kyrgyz and Russian.
Currently, 117 volunteer teachers from Russia are involved in southern Kyrgyzstan. In the near future, a new group of teachers will visit the northern regions of the republic.
Many people in Kyrgyzstan today are worried about the situation around the draft law on the state language. It is very important that Russian compatriots took part in the discussion of this document. Many fully understand what role the Russian language had and still has in the republic. I am convinced that the decision that legislators will make on this issue will be based on the opinion of society.
Besides
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to the Kyrgyz Republic Nikolai Udovichenko presented a letter of thanks from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Anastasia Shevchenko, coordinator of the Victory Volunteers movement, for her contribution to the organization of dedicated events to the 77th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
