Bishkek Breathes Fresh Ideas at the “Dem Al” Festival

In 2025, the world marked the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (September 7) for the sixth time. The theme — “Racing for Air” — highlighted the urgency of speeding up decision-making and collective action to ensure clean air for all. On this day, governments, corporations, civil society, and individuals alike were called to join the search for solutions.

The open-air “Dem Al” Festival, dedicated to this date, became a public space for Bishkek residents and guests to reflect on the importance of air quality and its impact on health and daily life. In a relaxed setting, participants were able to unwind, consider the importance of clean air, and reflect on their own role in addressing the problem.

The festival gathered project participants, representatives of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament), Bishkek City Hall, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the UN Environment Programme.

In 2025, the central theme of the festival was sport — as a symbol of an active and healthy lifestyle, impossible without clean air. In line with the international motto “Racing for Air,” the sporting focus reminded everyone that every breath matters, and that clean air is essential for movement, endurance, and equal opportunity.

Inside the Festival

The festival opened with speeches from organizers and key project participants. The program featured a presentation of environmental achievements in schools, an award ceremony for the winners of the creative contest, and the official opening of an exhibition of their works. Guests also joined interactive eco-quizzes, and the day closed with lively performances by singers and dancers.

At the heart of “Dem Al” were four interactive zones — Sport, Science, Art, and Marketplace — each highlighting the importance of clean air in its own way. Throughout the day, visitors received health consultations on protection from air pollution, joined workshops on assembling air purifiers, watched an environmental documentary, explored eco-friendly businesses, purchased sustainable products, and much more.

The “Dem Al” Spaces:
Sport Space reminded everyone that strength and vitality are impossible without fresh air. At the “Biyle!” (“Dance!”) station, participants learned social dances; at “Zhashyl Dem” (“Green Breath”) they practiced yoga and breathing exercises; and at “Zhigerduu Adam” (“Active Person”) they took part in relay races and sports games. The Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan invited visitors to join volunteer initiatives and receive first aid training. Guests also tried their hand at the traditional game Ordo, played with sheep bones made of recycled plastic. Every sports session began with a reminder: clean air is the foundation of endurance and life energy.

Science Space (“Ilim”) offered hands-on experiments. At “Taza Aba” (“Clean Air”) visitors assembled simple air purifiers and compared air quality inside and outside the tent. At “Öpkö Süyloyt” (“The Lungs Speak”) a pulmonologist checked participants’ breathing and explained the health impacts of pollution. At “Toluk Dem” (“Full Breath”) guests measured lung capacity, while “Zhashyldan” (“Go Green”) showcased green school facades, algae-based air cleaning, and a crowdfunding initiative — “1000 Green Walls.” At “Eco Muun” participants examined PM particles under a microscope, comparing their size to a human hair.

Art Space (“Önör”) engaged emotions and creativity. At the “Color Lab” station, participants painted old clothes, giving them a second life. The board game “Jashoy: Save the Planet,” developed by MoveGreen, taught eco-thinking through play. At the “Eco Workshop,” guests crafted boxes from recycled materials.

Marketplace Space (“Zharmanqe”) showcased eco-businesses and sustainable products. At the Doscredobank station featured items made from recycled materials and MoveGreen-branded products. Proceeds went to the “1000 Green Walls” project, allowing guests to support environmental initiatives through their purchases.

As the sun set, participants gathered to watch the documentary “Bishkek Smog.”

A Shared Breath for the Future

The festival became a unique platform uniting citizens, government, business, and civil society. Support from local and international partners — from resources to media outreach — reflected society’s growing readiness to invest in awareness, innovation, and a healthier future.

Participants left not only with bright impressions, but also with a renewed sense of responsibility. “Dem Al” reminded Bishkek that the fight for clean air is not only about science and politics, but also about creativity and community. And that means progress is possible.

The event is implemented by PA “MoveGreen” with the support of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) within the framework of the project “Nature-based solutions for enhanced resilience to COVID-19 and urban air pollution in the Western Balkans and Central Asia.”