BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan is set to change its national anthem to make it more accessible for its citizens, according to Nurlanbek Shakiev, the speaker of the country’s parliament, Jogorku Kenesh. The announcement was made at an event commemorating the 140th anniversary of Imanaly Aydarbekov, the first leader of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Region.

According to Trend News Agency, Shakiev stated that the current anthem, adopted when Kyrgyzstan gained independence from the Soviet Union, is difficult for many Kyrgyz to sing. He noted that the anthem is structured as a march, which has posed challenges for performance and accessibility. Shakiev emphasized that it is both the right and duty of the Jogorku Kenesh to initiate this change.

Shakiev further elaborated on the vision for the new anthem, expressing the importance of creating a piece that every Kyrgyz, regardless of age, can sing. He underscored the need for the anthem to serve as a unifying hymn for the Kyrgyz people, reflecting the nation’s stability and progr
ess. The revision of the anthem follows a recent decree by President Sadyr Zhaparov, who in December 2023, partially changed the national flag by altering the design of its sun rays.