The Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic has presented a draft resolution for public discussion on "Measures for the Organization of Family Celebrations and Memorial Rites."
The aim of this document is to improve the organization of family events and memorial rites, as well as to reduce financial costs, considering the current socio-economic situation of citizens.
According to representatives of the Ministry of Culture, family celebrations and memorial rites hold immense significance for Kyrgyz society as they strengthen spiritual values and support cohesion. At the same time, in recent years, there has been an increase in cases of excessive spending on weddings, anniversaries, and memorials, leading to debt obligations and a deterioration of families' financial conditions.
The agency is confident that the implementation of the new order will help reduce social tension, strengthen family values, and enhance the level of social protection while preserving national traditions.
The draft resolution covers the organization of weddings, bride send-offs, rites related to childbirth, as well as religious ceremonies and memorials, including thirty-day and anniversary events.
The initiative has been developed in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic dated February 24, 2022, No. 54, and aims to prevent ostentatious luxury and social pressure on participants of family events.
Regarding weddings, it is recommended to:
- eliminate the need for loans and credits, relying on the family's actual financial capabilities;
- limit the number of participants to 200 people;
- hold the event within one day;
- avoid large weddings of more than 350 people;
- limit the slaughter of livestock to one head of cattle or one horse;
- reduce the amount of food prepared.
The draft emphasizes the rejection of extravagant traditions, such as "kiyit kiygizüü" (gift-giving with clothing) and "sebet berüü" (gift-giving with baskets), promoting the idea of "A modest wedding is a blessed wedding."
Bride send-offs (kız uzatuu toyu) are recommended to be held in a more modest format, focusing on family and spiritual values.For funerals and memorial events, the following recommendations are proposed:
- do not conduct livestock slaughter on the day of the funeral;
- hold the anniversary of the memorial as a voluntary event;
- limit invitations to close relatives only;
- for subsequent memorials, allow the slaughter of small livestock or one head of cattle or horse;
- organize a modest table, adhering to sanitary norms;
- instead of lavish memorials, encourage charity and donations for public needs.
It is also emphasized that organizers, including banquet hall owners and hosts, must adhere to the specified requirements and not impose services that lead to excessive expenses.
Control over compliance with the order involves creating exemplary standards for conducting family celebrations, including for public servants. Individuals who violate these requirements will be held accountable in accordance with the Code of the Kyrgyz Republic on violations.
