Kyrgyzstan marked 35 years of independence in grandiose fashion on August 31. More than 20 world leaders arrived in Bishkek throughout the day ahead of a landmark Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, before the curtain rose on the sixth World Nomad Games with a glamorous opening ceremony in the evening.
Considering the games’ moniker as the “Olympics of the nomadic world,” the spectacle more than befit the occasion. It took place at the city’s newly built 51,000-seater Bishkek Arena, the largest stadium in Central Asia, and featured an impressive array of dignitaries, such as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event was reminiscent of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London in its blend of national culture, history, and showmanship.
National Epic
Including a lengthy pre-show program, the ceremony lasted nearly seven hours. It began with a series of performances by some of the biggest names in Kyrgyz music, young and old. Then came the 18 heads of state, each personally welcomed by President Sadyr Japarov, with every greeting shown on screens around the stadium.
A 29,000-person crowd awaits the opening ceremony’s main event, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive at Bishkek Arena. Photo by Oliver Fisk.
