Martyrs of the Revolution Monument in the Revolution Militants Square commemorates the Kyrgyz who sacrificed their lives fighting for equality and social change. In the heart of the square stands on a high pedestal the statue of Urkuya Salieva, a social and women’s rights activist who was murdered at the age of 24 for her beliefs and actions. Turgunbai Sadykov designed the statue depicting Salieva wearing a headscarf and holding a banner in her left hand. In her teenage years, Urkuya Salieva (1910-1934) joined the local Soviet communist youth organization and, at 18, became a village council leader in her hometown, Murkut. At 21, Salieva joined the Communist Party, serving on the committee of a collective farm. Soon, she became part of the Central Executive Committee of the Kirghiz Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic. Three years later, she and her husband were killed by anti-Soviet partisan forces (Basmachi movement) who objected to Salieva’s ideologies like forced collectivization and equal rights for women. Since the plaza’s dedication in 1978, it has served as a gathering place for demonstrations and marches connected with women’s rights topics, including protests against violence against women and the International Women’s Day in march. Read more...