— The Memorial Museum was established according to the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Kyrgyz SSR, adopted on May 28, 1984. The official opening took place in 1987. The artist V.S. Ulitin, together with researchers K.M. Omorova and A.K. Momakhanova, created the first exhibition. For 38 years, the museum has served as a cultural center, attracting people eager to broaden their horizons, gain aesthetic pleasure, and inspiration.
— What are the main tasks and concept of the museum today?
— The main task of the museum is to preserve, research, and popularize the work of S.A. Chuykov.
The main concept of the museum suggests that it is not just a repository of collections, but a place where visitors can connect with history, the present, and the future. We actively work with schools, universities, private art schools, and creative centers, offering tours, lectures, workshops, temporary exhibitions, and meetings with interesting personalities.
— Each piece in our collection is unique, whether it is sketches or paintings, and each has its own story. One such story concerns the painting "The Newlyweds from the Untouchable Caste." In 1952, S.A. Chuykov was invited to go to India as part of a Soviet delegation. At first, he hesitated, believing that this country would remain foreign to him. However, upon landing, he noticed similarities between India and Central Asia: there are mountains there, just as we have the Himalayas and Tien Shan. Chuykov always loved mountains, and if you look closely at his works, you can almost always see their silhouettes, such as in the paintings "Mountains," "Bathing Boys," and "Arasan."
In the painting "The Newlyweds from the Untouchable Caste," you can see a tear rolling from the bride's right eye. We are used to seeing tears of joy at weddings, but here the feelings are completely different. These newlyweds belong to the untouchable caste — people without homes or jobs, and if there is work, it is extremely hard. Their children will also remain in this caste, as transitioning to another caste is impossible. The word "untouchables" implies that these people cannot be touched, and this is hard to understand.
Chuykov was struck by the grace of Indian women, their gait, and traditional saris. Later, he published a book titled "Images of India," where he reflected his impressions. His exhibitions were held in cities such as Delhi, Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay.
— Since we did not have sculptors, S.A. Chuykov invited Hungarian sculptor Laszlo Mesaros to collaborate, who lived in this house and opened the first boarding studio for boys in Central Asia. They could live there and engage in drawing, sculpture, and painting.
Additionally, the exhibition features works by S.A. Chuykov's wife, Honored Artist of the RSFSR Evgenia Alexeyevna Maleina, including paintings and graphic works: still lifes, landscapes, ceramic plates, bowls, and jugs.
— What exhibitions or projects are planned at the museum?
— On November 7, an exhibition of graphic works by Leonid Gubsky titled "Stories in Faces" opened. Currently, there is a permanent exhibition of S.A. Chuykov. In February 2026, an exhibition of V.M. Kuznetsov is planned. The museum also has an Instagram profile where announcements of exhibitions and events are published.
