Show Must Not Go On!
Dusti square in the center of Dushanbe was really crowded on the eve of New Year. This square is famous for the monument of Ismaili Somoni depicted on the photo shot by Babasteve. There was organized a concert of local singers and dancers who entertained the crowd. Law and order was maintained by hundreds of policemen. However it seemed to me that people had no eager to riot and there was no need in police. I was surprised to see very few people drunk and even though there were mostly men I saw no scuffle. The firework at about 11 p.m. put the finishing touch of the celebration.
Most probably it was this last firework on the square. Today the mayor of Dushanbe announced (rus) that this kind of show is never going to be organized.
According to the source, the mayor of the Dushanbe said that the traditional shows in occasion of Independence Day and New Year will be banned in accordance with the Law of RT “On regulation of traditions, festivities and customs”.
This is a continuation of the cultural reform which is going to take us to “I don’t know where”.
on January 4th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Dear Vadim,
It’s all about control. But I expect you already know that.
Real democracies welcome the free expression of their citizens.
on January 5th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I understand if the authorities will stop their usual show for the New Year. Traditionally Navruz is the New Year for us Tajiks. But I don’t understand why should they stop the big cellebration of the Independence Day. That is very weard. What does it mean? It doesn’t make any sence. Does the mayor try to safe some money for his poket… The Independence Day is something that unifies the nation, make us feel as a Tajik nation. Can anyone write the real reason behind this decision?
on January 6th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Well, I don’t understand that New Year is not our holiday. What calendar do the contemporary Tajiks use? Isn’t that the one that is used in Europe and America? Isn’t that the one that is used in all other Central Asia states?
on January 15th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Vadim, that is absolutely right, but if they categorise it as something foreign under “new law”… What surprises me is “why the ban of the Independence Day celebration”. Can you write what is behind that?
on January 23rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Another piece of weird news from Absurdistan! They are looking for savings in the wrong place. I knew that the government in TJ was not that smart, but I could hardly imagine them being this bad.
Someone needs a crash course in logic…