September 23 1989· Historical event
State Language Day
On 23 September 1989 the Law on the State Language made Kyrgyz the state language.
On 23 September 1989 the Supreme Soviet of Kyrgyzstan adopted the law granting Kyrgyz the status of state language — an important step in preserving the nation's identity. The date has since been celebrated as State Language Day.
Kyrgyz belongs to the Kipchak branch of the Turkic languages. Its greatest monument is the Manas epic, one of the longest epics in the world with more than half a million lines. In the 20th century the works of Chingiz Aitmatov made the Kyrgyz word known worldwide.
How it is marked
Schools and universities hold poetry and public-speaking contests, performances by manaschi reciters and book exhibitions, and teachers and journalists who excel in the state language receive awards.
Video
Photos
The National Library in Bishkek · Aelfthrytha / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 
A Kyrgyz manaschy in Karakol · No machine-readable author provided. SiGarb assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain 
An edition of the Manas epic · Mirzoulugʻbek / Wikimedia Commons · CC0 
A stamp dedicated to the Manas epic · USSR Post / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain 
Kyrgyz students playing the komuz · Nichelle Anderson, U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain 
Jamila (Chinghiz Aitmatov) · Post of Kyrgyzstan / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Kyrgyzstan: other days
- January 1New Year's Day
- January 7Orthodox Christmas
- February 23Defender of the Fatherland Day
- March 5Ak-kalpak Day
- March 8International Women's Day
- March 21Nooruz
- April 7Day of the People's April Revolution
- May 1Labour Day
- May 5Constitution Day
- May 9Victory Day
- May 29Armed Forces Day
- August 31Independence Day
- October 3Founding of the Organization of Turkic States
- November 7Days of History and Commemoration of Ancestors
- 10 Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar — the feast of the Hajj pilgrimage; moves about 11 days earlier each yearEid al-Adha
- 1 Shawwal in the Islamic calendar — the end of the Ramadan fast; moves about 11 days earlier each yearEid al-Fitr