Bishkek, March 5, 2026 /Kabar/. Today, March 5, Kyrgyzstan celebrates Ak Kalpak Day, a holiday dedicated to one of the main symbols of the Kyrgyz people. It aims to preserve national traditions, strengthen cultural identity, and foster respect for historical heritage.
Ak Kalpak Day was unofficially celebrated in 2011. The initiative was initiated by Kyrgyz director Rysbek Zhabirov, who proposed dedicating a separate day to the national headdress as a symbol of national unity and identity.
In 2016, the holiday was officially recognized. The decision was made to support national traditions and foster a sense of pride in Kyrgyz culture.
In February 2019, members of the Kyrgyz Parliament adopted a law on the national headdress, the ak kalpak. The document stipulates that it must be used for its intended purpose. For example, wearing it as a bathhouse headdress or treating it disrespectfully is prohibited.
The same year, the ak kalpak was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under the title "Traditional Methods of Making and Wearing Kyrgyz Men's Headdresses." This marked international recognition of its cultural value.
The ak kalpak is a traditional men's headdress made of white felt. Its shape resembles the snow-capped peaks of the Kyrgyz mountains. The color white symbolizes purity of intentions and nobility. The Epic of Manas describes the Kyrgyz as a people who wear a white kalpak, the top of which is white like the peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains, and the base as dark as their foothills.
Therefore, the ak kalpak has always had a special attitude. It must be kept clean and must not be thrown or twisted. It is customary to remove the headdress with both hands and place it in a special place or next to you.
Also, every year on March 5, cultural events, exhibitions, and flash mobs are held throughout the country, and men and boys proudly wear the white kalpak as a sign of respect for their roots.
Ak Kalpak Day is not just a date on the calendar, but a reminder of the rich spiritual heritage of the Kyrgyz people and the responsibility to preserve it for future generations.