Kyrgyzstan Officially Renames Jalal‑Abad City to Manas

Kyrgyzstan has officially renamed the city of Jalal-Abad to Manas. The country’s parliament passed the law on September 10, 2025, and President Sadyr Japarov signed it a week later. 

According to the legislation, the name change is intended to strengthen national identity by honoring Manas, the legendary folk hero who defended the Kyrgyz people.  The law will come into force ten days after it is officially published. 

The initiative reportedly came from local residents and city leadership, and the estimated cost is around 15 million Kyrgyz soms, which will be covered by the city’s own budget. Some lawmakers have suggested building a new monument to Manas, portraying him not just as a warrior on horseback but as a just ruler. Source