Translator’s Note: On 7 April, Kyrgyzstan commemorated the one-year-anniversary of the April revolution. In Bishkek, the commemoration ceremony was held in the central Ala-Too square, which a year earlier had been a scene for large anti-government demonstrations that led to the overthrow of then-president Kurmanbek Bakiev. A moment of silence scheduled for 16:00 local time was held in remembrance of 87 people who had been shot during the demonstrations. Originally written by neweurasia’s Kelly Klein (RUS).

Our correspondent reported on the event:

People gathered to honor the memory of the victims and to commemorate the last year’s April events. Since early morning all the entrances to the square area had been blocked for transport. The law enforcement workers, from militia to customs officers, arrived in a park in front of the square by the Presidential palace (White House). Apparently the authorities were still cautious about new possible unrest, yet it didn’t seem so from quite relaxed and smiling faces of the officers themselves.

People were grouping in and around the square by the yurts that represented Kyrgyzstan’s different regions.

By afternoon the preparations for a commemoration concert were already in full swing. As the chairs were put in order, people started to take seats.

The television was set ready too.

Visitors could go inside the yurt set by the Presidential Palace, and pray for people, who had sacrificed their lives.

Only kids were taking it easy. The only wish now is not to let the last year’s tragic events happen again, so that kids know about them only from stories by older generation.

Photo (c) author