Kyrgyz parliamentarian proposes rewriting state anthem

BISHKEK. Oct 25 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz Parliamentary Speaker Nurlanbek Shakiyev voiced the idea of rewriting the country's national anthem, but the press secretary for the Kyrgyz president called for refraining from disturbing the public.

"We will rewrite the anthem so it is easier to sing, we need such anthem that the entire nation could sing," Shakiyev said at an event dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Kyrgyz statesman Imanaly Aidarbekov's birthday on Friday.

Kyrgyz presidential press secretary Askat Alagozov, for his part, advised to consider Shakiyev's words only as his personal opinion.

"There is no reason to disturb the public over a possible change of the state anthem," Alagozov said on his social network page.

"If the initiative to change the national anthem is put forward, an open contest for the text and music of the anthem with the participation of poets, writers, composers, philosophers, and everyone who is confident in their talent and wants to create an anthem capable of receiving wide support of the population must certainly be announced," he said.

"And if the majority of the people do not support the change, then it is not needed at all," Alagozov said.

Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Council approved its national anthem on December 18, 1992.