Xi Khan of Kyrgyzstan: Kurmanbek Bakiyev, family rule and heroization of the past Cover Image

Xi Chan Kirgistanu. Kurmanbek Bakijew, rządy rodzinne i heroizacja przeszłości
Xi Khan of Kyrgyzstan: Kurmanbek Bakiyev, family rule and heroization of the past

Author(s): Nartsiss Shukuralieva
Subject(s): Cultural Essay, Political Essay, Societal Essay
Published by: Instytut Slawistyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Central Asia; Kyrgyzstan; authoritarianism; nationalism; legitimization

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the article is to highlight mechanisms of the construction of the national past. The pre-communist and communist times, period of independence and the events of March 2005 were used to design the narration on the almost mythical heroism of current authorities and their predecessors. The paper also attempts to reveal strategies of legitimization through the commemoration of the Tulip revolution. Additionally, it tries to reconstruct and critically comment upon main arguments used in public speeches by the head of state, by his family and ideologues of the regime. The aim, however, is not to present the coherent structure of official thinking similar to ideology. Ambiguities, inconsistencies and ad hoc reactions constituted very important part of the regime’s official rhetoric. That is why the paper emphasizes strong tension between authoritarian and democratic strands of official discourse used accordingly to the ever-changing context in which Bakijev’s regime operated

  • Issue Year: 2012
  • Issue No: 41
  • Page Range: 183-195
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Polish