The Art of the Kyrgyz in the Soviet Union

During the years of Soviet power, the spiritual and physical culture of Kyrgyzstan reached unprecedented heights. It was during this period that a distinctive national professional written literature of the Kyrgyz people emerged, along with remarkable advancements in visual arts, cinema, theater, music, and sports.

Theatrical Art. Over the years of Soviet power, theatrical art underwent significant development, with its roots tracing back to the rich and unique Kyrgyz folklore, which exhibited pronounced theatrical characteristics. On November 2, 1926, the Kyrgyz Musical and Dramatic Studio began its work. This date is considered the founding day of the Kyrgyz professional theater, as the studio functioned both as an educational institution and a creative collective. The first Kyrgyz national plays and translated dramas were staged on the studio's stage. In 1930, the Kyrgyz State Theater was established based on the studio, which was later transformed into the Opera and Ballet Theater. In 1935, the Russian Drama Theater was organized in Frunze, followed by the Young Spectator Theater in 1936, the Puppet Theater in 1938, and the Kyrgyz Drama Theater in 1941. Leading theatrical universities such as the Leningrad Choreographic School named after A.Ya. Vaganova and the State Institute of Theatrical Art named after A.V. Lunacharsky (GITIS) in Moscow provided significant assistance in training national personnel.

On the stages of Kyrgyz theaters, opera singers S. Kiyizbaeva, K. Sartbaeva, B. Minzhilkiev, ballerinas B. Beyshenalieva, R. Chokoeva, A. Tokombaeva, actors M. Ryskulov, S. Kumushalieva, D. Kuyukova, B. Kydykeeva, T. Tursunbaeva, folk comedians — Sharsen, Asankul, and others shone with their talent.

Visual Arts. After the October Revolution, professional visual arts in Kyrgyzstan began to take shape. A significant role in this process was played by the Russian artist S.A. Chuykov, whose life and work are closely connected to the Kyrgyz land. He was the organizer of the first exhibitions and the first chairman of the Union of Artists of the Republic, founded in 1933. Under his guidance, many aspiring Kyrgyz artists learned the secrets of painting and later became renowned masters. In recognition of his contributions, the Bishkek Art College was named after the artist.



One of the first professional Kyrgyz artists was Gapar Aitiev. He entered history as a great master of landscape painting. Whatever the artist painted — collective farm fields, clouds in the sky, village workers, the agitated Issyk-Kul, evening sunsets, or sunrises — all were filled with admiration and love for his homeland. For 25 years, he led the Union of Artists of the Republic and had a significant impact on the formation and development of national visual arts. His name was given to the Kyrgyz State Museum of Fine Arts, and his house became a museum dedicated to the master's work.

Bishkek impresses with its abundance of sculptural monuments: the capital has many majestic ensembles and monuments that give the city a unique character. Many of them — “Friendship of Peoples,” “To the Fighters of the Revolution,” sculptural complexes “Manas,” “Strength of the People,” the monument to Toktogul, and others — belong to the outstanding sculptor Turgunbay Sydykov. The monument “To the Fighters of the Revolution,” harmoniously integrated into the center of the capital and beloved by the residents of the republic, is one of the sculptor's finest creations.

Kyrgyz Music. During the years of Soviet power, the folk musical creativity of the Kyrgyz transformed into one of the highly professional directions of national culture.

On May 18, 1936, the first concert of the Kyrgyz State Orchestra of Folk Instruments took place, which later became the basis for the establishment of the Kyrgyz State Philharmonic in the same year — a unique school for training professional singers and musicians.

In 1939, the first Kyrgyz opera “Aychurek” was staged, and in 1940, the first Kyrgyz ballet “Anar” was produced.

One of the pioneers of national professional music was the composer and outstanding singer Abdylas Maldybaev. The composer created about 400 songs, romances, and choirs, and arranged more than 200 folk melodies, which remain popular among the people to this day.

Among the figures who made an invaluable contribution to national musical culture, it is worth mentioning the well-known masters, unique folk musicians — Toktogul Satylganov, Karamoldo Orozov, Murataly Kurunkeeva, Atai Ogonbaev, Ibrai Tumanuv, composers Mukash Abdrayev, Nasyr Davlesov, Kalyi Moldobasanov, and others.

Prominent figures of Russian art played a significant role in the development of Kyrgyz musical art and the training of national personnel: composers V.A. Vlasov, V.G. Fere, P.F. Shubin, musicologist B.C. Vinogradov, and others.



Film Art. The first film studio in the republic was founded in 1941. In 1955, the first feature film “Saltanat” was shot in Kyrgyzstan in collaboration with the “Mosfilm” studio.

The 1960s to 1980s was a time of active creative search, development, and achievements in Kyrgyz cinema. Bright and deeply moving films created by Kyrgyz directors were released on screens: Melis Ubukeev (“Difficult Crossing,” 1964; “Provincial Novel,” 1981), Tolomush Okeeve (“The Sky of Our Childhood,” 1966; “Urkuya,” 1970; “Ulan,” 1977), Gennady Bazarov (“Mother's Field,” 1967; “Street,” 1972), Bolot Shamshiyev (“Shot at the Karash Pass,” 1968; “White Steamboat,” 1975; “Early Cranes,” 1979), and others. They testified to the high professionalism and unique mastery of their creators and allowed Kyrgyz cinema to make its mark on the world stage.