Constitution Day
It is not far from KIMEP to the “Republic Square” where on August 30 kazak citizens celebrated their constitution, which was adopted 11 years ago. I was at the square at 10 a.m. to look at all the preparations over there to put the stages for performances. Actually banners and other big sized decorations were hung all arround the place and the stages for performances were fixed on. I caught up the girls and boys from perhaps ballet schools trained themselves for their dance presentaions later on.
It was hard to miss the signs and slogans written on the yellow colored big canvases that said about right of freedom that kazakstan citizens deserve to practice. The people were not much thick ly packed at the square and I easily noticed a kazak old man clad in national dress that holding a long stick shouted: “Op, Op, Kazakstan.” He seemd to encorage people for some exciting celebration but the people around seemed far from expressing their feelings. And I thought at that moment, ‘are we loosing the capability to stir up our emotions.’
Some minutes later I could see that it is not so much bad with emotions. A litttle girl was singing Kazak national anthem. I asked a woman standing next to her, she probably was her grandmother, how old was the girl. She said six. I was quick to ask then whether she can read and write. She said no with smile and said she has learned from his brother who sings the anthem at home loudly.
As I stood at the statue of ” Golden Sakovia,” the people came up on and put their hands on the hand shape engraved on the piece of the monument to ask what they desired. The sign next to the engravemnet read: “Choose and be in Bliss.” The offer was intriguing and I couldn’t miss a chance to repeat them.
on August 31st, 2006 at 7:34 am
Well, speaking of emotions, there’s too little public recognition of new holidays - partially because the independence was not won by us, but simply given to us (most of the Kazakhstanis were highly sympathetic with preservation of the Soviet Union). On the other hand, there is too much understanding of incredibly low level of observation of the Constitution…
By the way, what the “golden sakovia” possibly means?
on August 31st, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Well, on the statue panel there were reminding words that in 1990 and 1991 the contry gaind fully formal independance. So, I guess one should talk more on the role of the statue, then.
on August 31st, 2006 at 3:32 pm
Ok, I just missed what “sakovia” means. You know, it is the president’s handprint, so you’ve sent your wish directly to the administration. On a cosmic level, certainly…
on September 4th, 2006 at 11:38 am
I will say that since it’s the President’s handprint, it’s a bit odd to think that touching the place where the President touched can somehow bring you your dreams. Interesting to celebrate the Constitution by endowing the President with magic powers!
Was there any reading of the Constitution? Do Kazakhstani know the Constitution well? Is the text readily available?
on September 4th, 2006 at 4:07 pm
There were long slogans hung all around but I fail to make it clear on whether they came from the Constitution statutes. I think the questions are quite interesting for talking about.