New Year, Old Problems

Kyrgyzstan is getting ready for New Year’s celebrations. New Year trees and fairy lights on the streets and in-show windows remind 2010 is drawing nearer. People empty their wallets at city markets buying up food, accessories and pyrotechnics. Mothers hunt through tailoring shops and clothing markets in search of costumes for their children. On the whole, country is preparing to welcome in 2010.

There is a general opinion: as you see the year in, so you will spend it. That is why people try their best to organize luxurious celebration of the holiday. May be, New Year is a holiday but for rural residents it is most likely associated with unwanted troubles. The news agency 24.kg decided to ask villagers how they will celebrate the New Year.

Darika Djumanalieva, a resident of Kyzyl-Tuu village, Sokuluk district:

Years ago the New Year was a special holiday for me. Everything has changed now. I do not know may be it is because of the hardships. I do not have enough money not only for the holiday celebration but for living. I will surely rustle up some money to lay the New Year table. I will get my pension and buy flour, sugar, may be sweets for grandchildren and make two salads. It will be an nth New Year without champaign.

Gulnara, a resident of the Jal village:

We will surely try our best to organize good celebration of the New Year, but we have hard times now, like many others. My husband, a constructor, have not even got wage for his work done in summer. Only I am employed in our family earning only four thousand soms. I think we will spend the money on food. But we will hardly afford presents for our children.

Azamat Saparov, a taxi driver, Kyzyl-Tuu village, Sokuluk district:

We will celebrate the New Year as it turns out to be. I am a taxi driver and earn about 200-300 soms daily, which we spend on food at once. I have a large family, old parents, small children, my wife does not work. We would better save up the money, but our children are looking forward to New Year presents.

Nargiza Andasheva, a housewife and a resident of Kun-Tuu village:

When I used to wake up on January 1 in my childhood, I looked under my pillow at first and always found sweets and tangerines. I was sure the Father Frost has left it for me. Nowadays there are plenty of products in shops but no money. I wish my children also find presents under their pillows. We will try to lay a table, buy a New Year tree and decorate our house but it hits us in the pocket.

Ainagul Jeenbekova, a villager:

May be the New Year is a holiday for those with stable work and good salary but not for me. I am a widow, retiree with small pension which hardly suffice for energy payment and bag of flour. We need to buy coal. New Year is just an occasion for gorging. You will spend all the money on food and strive the next month? No, we decided not to celebrate a New Year.