Akhmat Kadyrov's jubilee celebrations emphasize his person's cult in Chechnya

In Chechnya, the opening of a school, the construction start of a power plant, a bicycle and motor rallies and other events have been timed to the 70th birthday of Akhmat Kadyrov. Teachers were ordered to bring their pupils together and oblige them to perform poetry in honour of the first president of Chechnya, local residents have informed.

The cult of Akhmat Kadyrov's person was launched in Chechnya immediately after his death in 2004. This year, by his 70th birthday, on August 23, many events are planned. Thus, a large school was opened in Grozny, and a bike rally was held, the "Chechnya Segodnya" has reported.

On August 21, a monument in honour of Akhmat Kadyrov was opened in Grozny, the "Grozny Inform" reports. Also, on August 17 and 18, conferences dedicated to the life and work of Akhmat Kadyrov were held.

To celebrate the 70th Akhmat Kadyrov's birthday, officials have also attracted children. According to Malika, a schoolteacher in Grozny, teachers were instructed to gather their pupils and distribute poems dedicated to Akhmat Kadyrov among them.

Zulai, a teacher from the Achkhoi-Martan District, has noted that some residents refused to let their children to the event.

Events in honour of Akhmat Kadyrov's 70th birthday were also held outside Chechnya – for example, on August 14, a hockey match was held in Moscow at the CSKA Arena.

The "akhmatization" of Chechnya is similar to the Soviet time cults of Lenin and Stalin; however, there was no tradition of perpetuating rulers names in Northern Caucasus, Orientalists have pointed out.

Ramzan Kadyrov's entourage views his father's person as the best Chechen leader ever, said Zaurbek Sadakhanov, a lawyer.