Kyrgyz mark national hat day Dozens of Kyrgyz men celebrated the day of the national hat, the ak-kalpak (or kalpak); some of them also marched in support of a special bill that would criminalise "disrespect" shown towards the traditional headpiece. In the coming months, the parliament is expected to debate legislation which would also force officials, including the president, to wear the hat for diplomatic occasions. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES