The legitimation of Askar Akaev through cultural performance in Kyrgyzstan (1991–2005)

Abstract

In contrast to existing nationalism studies on Central Asia, I argue that state-sponsored celebrations in Kyrgyzstan were multi-functional and were used to maintain political legitimation based on the politics of Kyrgyz mega-celebrations held during the presidency of Askar Akaev (1991–2005). I propose that in weak democracies like Kyrgyzstan, with widespread electoral malpractice, political legitimacy is shaky and that therefore the political leadership seeks to maintain its legitimacy using various means. Rule by coercion is not a practical option for such regimes because it does not provide them with long-term legitimacy. As I demonstrate in the paper, Akaev’s regime relied on the cultural performance mode of self-legitimization because it lacked other options for legitimation. Specifically, the mega-celebrations for the 1,000-year anniversary of The Epic of Manas in 1995, for the 3,000-year anniversary of the city of Osh in 2000, and for the 2,200-year anniversary of Kyrgyz statehood in 2003 – each of them led and promoted by Akaev – secured his reelection and ensured the political stability and legitimacy of his regime. I conclude that in Central Asia nation-building and legitimacy do not exist as separate processes and that state-sponsored celebrations should therefore be treated as both nation-building and legitimation projects.