The Kyrgyz are mentioned in historical written sources earlier than the neighboring peoples currently living in Central Asia. The first information about the Kyrgyz dates back to the 3rd century BC. Today, the culture of Kyrgyzstan represents a system of nomadic and agricultural culture. The country is characterized by a civilizational synthesis and cultural pluralism. The culture of Kyrgyzstan is presented as a symbiosis of traditions, customs, worldviews, stereotypes, and the mentality of a nomadic people, as well as the lifestyle of agricultural peoples in synthesis with Islamic traditions.
A cultural elite has formed in the country, distinguished by passionate activity, relentless creative search, and socially significant initiatives. The cultural elite of Kyrgyzstan serves as an indicator of cultural authenticity and exercises creative freedom.
From 1991 to 2005, several nationwide targeted programs were implemented in Kyrgyzstan as part of state programs: "Araket," "Ayal-zat," "Zhashtyk," "Manas-1000," "Osh-ZOOO," "2200 years of Kyrgyz statehood," "Sustainable human development." Each year was declared the year of a particular social group: "year of youth," "year of women," "year of the elderly," "year of health."
The concept of "Kyrgyzstan is our common home" (2000-2002) became an indicator of the creation of a system of national cultural centers within the Assembly of Peoples of Kyrgyzstan. National cultural centers for Slavic peoples, Uzbeks, Dungans, Turks, Chechens, Uighurs, and other peoples were established. The Assembly of Peoples of Kyrgyzstan became a mechanism for dialogue between the state and national minorities.
Currently, the cultural life of Kyrgyzstan can be characterized by the following aspects.
Clubs. In 2001, there were 656 club institutions operating in Kyrgyzstan, of which 618 were in rural areas. A total of 1,766 club formations exist in the republic, of which 1,594 are in rural areas. The total number of participants in these institutions is 26,154, of which 13,355 are women. Among amateur associations, children's groups are particularly popular: "Zhas kyial," "Shattyk," "Taberik," "Rahat," "Ak Shoola," "Aiperi."
Parks of Culture and Recreation. The oldest parks of culture and recreation in Kyrgyzstan are: the Karagach Grove in Bishkek (1881), the A. S. Pushkin Park in Karakol (1895), and the T. Satylganov Park in Osh (1919). The first park established was the "Zvezdochka" (now named after I. V. Panfilov). Parks have been created not only in the capital and in regional and district centers but also in many villages and settlements. Today, there are 26 state parks in the republic, the largest of which are in Bishkek. These include the central park named after I. V. Panfilov, the park named after Yu. Fuchik, and the children's park named after K. Zhakypov. In Osh, there are the parks named after T. Satylganov, A. Navoi, as well as the parks "Alamedin," "Dubovy," "Druzhba," and the Karagach Grove. Various attractions, gaming machines, and summer theaters operate in these parks.
Museums. The museum network of Kyrgyzstan includes the following profiles: historical — 5; ethnographic — 2; historical-ethnographic — 3; historical-architectural — 2; historical-local history — 5; nature reserves — 2; memorial — 11; art — 2; literary — 3.
In addition to state museums, there are also about 30 departmental museums widely represented in Kyrgyzstan. The republic has a fairly extensive network of school museums. These museums vary in profile: memorial museums, museums of military and labor glory, history of schools, villages, historical and ethnographic museums. Among the ethnographic museums, the one in the village of Aleksandrovka in the Chui Valley (museum of the Dungan people) is particularly interesting; among the historical ones is the museum in secondary school No. 1 in Talas.
In Bishkek, there are two private museums: the Museum of the History of Technology and Inventions and the Museum of the History of Cosmonautics.
Libraries. Currently, the Kyrgyz Republic has a well-developed network of libraries of various types and profiles. The total number of libraries exceeds 2,500. The leading role in library services for the adult and child population of the republic belongs to state mass (public) libraries functioning within the Department of Culture. The National Library has a hall with a collection of candidate and doctoral dissertations on microcarriers and microfilms, which contains over 97,000 dissertations. Its collection of periodicals exceeds 900,000 copies, including 400,000 newspapers, more than 500,000 magazines, and scientific works. Since 1991, all domestic materials have been entered into the electronic catalog "Kyrgyzstan." The Republican Library for Children and Youth serves as a methodological center for children's and school libraries. In addition to mass (public) libraries, the republic has 1,749 school libraries, 76 libraries of higher and secondary educational institutions, 38 medical libraries, 32 technical libraries, 10 agricultural libraries, and 11 libraries belonging to the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic.
National Book Chamber of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Book Chamber stores accurate addresses of scientific and technical information and historical references necessary for creating a central catalog of printed publications, state bibliography, statistics, publishing, printing industry, and book trade. Each year, the chamber receives more than 16,000 copies of books, brochures, periodicals, various publications, posters, postcards, sheet music, and more.
Archives. In April 1998, based on a decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, the state structure of government bodies was improved. According to this decree, the State Archive Agency under the Government of the Republic was transformed into the Department of Archival Affairs under the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Currently, the archives of the republic represent a unified State Archive Service. There are 3 central state archives, a documentation center, and a scientific-methodological center, 7 regional state archives and 3 of their branches, 54 district and city archives, and 7 archive and documentation management offices under regional state administrations. All these archival institutions are managed by the Department of Archival Affairs under the Ministry of Education and Culture of the republic.
As of January 1, 2001, the archives of the republic hold 12,427 archival funds with a total volume of over 2,237,000 files. The Central State Archive of Film, Photo, and Sound Documents holds 135,313 documents, including 16,100 film documents, 112,962 photo documents, and 6,521 sound documents. A significant event in the life of archivists was the law "On the National Archival Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic," which was adopted by the Jogorku Kenesh on January 11, 1994. In December 1999, the Legislative Assembly of the Jogorku Kenesh adopted a new amended law "On the National Archival Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic."
Theater. Currently, there are nine dramatic theaters, six musical-dramatic theaters, two puppet theaters, three philharmonic societies, and a circus in the Kyrgyz Republic. In Bishkek, the following theaters operate: the Kyrgyz National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after A. Maldybaev, the State National Academic Dramatic Theater named after T. Abdumomunov, the State Academic Russian Dramatic Theater named after N. Krupskaya, the State Theater for Young Spectators, the Kyrgyz State Philharmonic named after T. Satylganov, the Kyrgyz State Circus, the Bishkek City Dramatic Theater, the private theater "Tunguch," the Youth Theater, and the Republican Puppet Theater. In the regions of the republic, the following theaters operate: the Osh Regional Kyrgyz Dramatic Theater named after S. Ibraimov, the Osh Regional Uzbek Musical Dramatic Theater named after Babur, the Osh Regional Puppet Theater, the Osh Regional Philharmonic named after R. Abdykadyrov, the Jalal-Abad Regional Kyrgyz Dramatic Theater named after Barpy, the Jalal-Abad Regional Philharmonic, the Naryn Regional Musical-Dramatic Theater named after M. Ryskulov, the Issyk-Kul Regional Musical-Dramatic Theater named after K. Zhantoshev, the Chui Regional Theater of National Comedy named after Sh. Termechikov, the Jumgal Musical-Dramatic Youth Theater, and the Alai Musical-Dramatic Theater.
Feature Films. At the beginning of 1994, there were 16 small private film enterprises in the republic — "Khan-Tengri," "Kelechek," "Meikin," "Salam-Alyk," "Manas-Ata," "Sedep," and others. Among their productions, notable feature films include: "Where is Your Home, Snail?" (film center "Kelechek," producer T. Okeev, director A. Abdykalikov), "Tenant" (studio "Meikin," producer and director B. Aitkuluev), "Train of Fools" (studio "Sedep," producer and director M. Baidzhiev), "The Seal of Satan" (studio "Manas-Ata," producer Yu. Toychubekov, director Z. Eraliyev). By the beginning of the 21st century, the shooting of feature films ceased, as their production turned out to be unprofitable. Producers who did not transition to other fields redirected their focus to producing documentary educational, advertising, and commissioned films on videotape for television.
Architecture. In recent decades, the architecture of Kyrgyzstan has accumulated significant experience in designing new types of buildings and structures that reflect the diversity of socio-economic processes in the republic. To develop projects, architectural teams began to effectively use computer technology. One of the main directions for improving the existing urban development has been the use of small architectural forms and the possibilities of an environmental approach (design of the surrounding environment and landscape). A new typology of public and residential buildings is emerging.
Literature. The literature of the 1990s reflected the changes occurring in social and political consciousness. The poetry collections of S. Eraliyev "Letter to a Beloved," T. Baizakov "Fire of Love," O. Sultanov "We Will Give Our Soul to Love," A. Omurkanov "Spot on the Sun," S. Akmatbekova "Songs in Twilight," E. Ermatov "Song of Love," Sh. Duyshiev "Songs on the Cart," K. Kultigin "Gates Open to Roads" confirmed that Kyrgyz poetry is on the path of further creative exploration. The novel by S. Zhusuev "Kurmanjan-datka" demonstrates the broad possibilities of revealing historical themes in the epic genre. In 1998, this novel and the poetry collection by B. Sarnykoev "Report Given from the Pass" were awarded the State Prize of the Kyrgyz Republic named after Toktogul. In 1991, the youth prize was awarded to the books by A. Matisakova "Tale of Suimenku," S. Raev "The Boy Holding the Sun," Zh. Saalaev "Songs of Inevitability," B. Bugubaev "White Blizzard." The poetry collections of A. Omurkanov "Green Leaf" (1990), T. Samudynov "Let the Words Not Fade" (1992), K. Sabirov "Testament," N. Alymbekov (1995), K. Kultigin "Gates Open to Roads," F. Abdalova "In the Moonlight," A. Akbarov "Song of God" (2001) received awards from the Union of Writers of Kyrgyzstan named after Alykul Osmonov.
Innovative searches manifested in the novella "The White Cloud of Chinggis Khan" and the novel "The Mark of Cassandra" by Ch. Aitmatov. The revised and reworked novel by T. Kasymbekov "The Broken Sword," the works of O. Danikeev "Baskyn," S. Zhetimishov "Among People," A. Zhakypbekov "Tenir Manas," E. Tursunov "Homeland," K. Zhusupov "Manas" (based on the epic "Manas"), K. Zhusubaliev "Cold Walls," A. Stamov "Raid," K. Akmatov "Years Around the Sun," M. Abakirov "Cruel Age" indicate that the novel in Kyrgyz prose is transitioning from descriptive events to their dramatization, from the concept of narration to artistic synthesis.
Decorative and Applied Arts. Kyrgyz decorative and applied arts are enriched with new expressive means thanks to talented masters. The masters are united in the Union of Folk Masters and work in the capital and regional branches of the "Kyial" folk crafts association, in cooperatives, and in private production enterprises. The country also has many talented amateur artists, such as N. Atabaev (horse decorations), Zh. Bayastanova (making ala kiyiz), Ch. Erkinbaev (wood carving), K. Jumadylov (jewelry).
The variety of felt and woven products, including souvenirs, is determined by the fact that, in addition to folk masters (T. Suyunbaev, T. Amantaeva, K. Toktonalieva, A. Uzumaliev, T. Joldoshev, and others), professional artists (T. Kasymov, T. Toktomatova, N. Isabaeva, V. Nikulina, and others) also participate in their production. Talented young artists trained by renowned pedagogues-artists T. Chalanov, N. Sidneva, and V. Dudariev in various educational institutions not only preserve, continue, and develop the experience of previous generations of masters of Kyrgyz applied art but also bring a fresh perspective to traditions.