Kyrgyz Lawmakers Consider Draft Law on National Hat's Status

AKIPRESS.COM - The parliament members considered a draft law on assigning the status of a cultural symbol to the traditional Kyrgyz hat called ak kalpak.

The initiators of the draft law are MP Ekmat Baibakpayev and MP Bakirdin Subanbekov. The bill makes the ak kalpak an official symbol and makes it compulsory for the president, the prime minister, and members of the cabinet and parliament to wear the hat during foreign visits and official events.

The bill also recommends that athletes and others representing Kyrgyzstan in sports or cultural affairs at home and abroad wore the kalpak during official ceremonies.MP Ekmat Baibakpayev said disrespecting the kalpak would be illegal and offenders could face 1,000 soms fine (for individuals) and 5,000 soms (for legal entities).

MP Torobai Zulpukarov proposed the initiators of the draft law to include in the document the female hat - elechek, too. Female hat needs a status, too, he believes.

"I consider it wrong to wear the kalpak in the bath, it's disrespectful. If the...