Lenin Street in Osh Renamed After 19th-Century Kyrgyz Leader

Authorities in Osh have renamed Lenin Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, in a move described by the city council as a “historic step,” Orda.kz reports.

The street will now bear the name of Alymbek Datka, a prominent 19th-century statesman and military leader. The renaming was approved by a majority of the city council deputies.

According to the mayor’s office, the decision reflects a broader effort to honor national heritage and strengthen Kyrgyz identity. The chair of the city council emphasized the symbolic importance of the move, calling it a step toward reclaiming historical memory.

Alymbek Datka (1804–1862), a member of the Bargy tribe and a hereditary nobleman, played a central role in unifying southern Kyrgyz territories and governed the Fergana Valley. He was the first to receive the title of “datka” from the Kokand khans — a title later granted to Kurmanjan Datka.

He was killed in a court conspiracy in Kokand.

The renaming follows the dismantling of a 23-meter statue of Lenin in June, which had stood in front of the Osh administration building for nearly 50 years. A 95-meter flagpole featuring the national flag will be installed in its place. The Lenin monument is set to be relocated to a city park.

A similar initiative is under discussion in Bishkek, where Vice Speaker of Parliament Nurbek Sydygaliev has proposed replacing the Lenin monument there with one honoring Turdakun Usubaliev.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov