The opening of a new tactile space took place at the Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts named after Gapar Aitiev. This space includes 14 exhibits, among which are paintings, sculptures, and applied art objects.
The tactile corner provides a unique opportunity not only to see but also to feel works of art through tactile sensations. This project aims to integrate people with visual impairments into cultural and social life.
The initiative "Creating an Inclusive Museum Space for the Visually Impaired and Blind through Tactile Sculptures" was launched in 2023 and initially covered six tactile copies of famous sculptures. In 2025, new tactile sculptures were added to the existing exhibits, including works by Olga Manuilova titled "Help to the Front" and "Collective Farm Girl".
"The developing world does not always consider the needs of all people, and our main goal is to ensure accessibility. The project started with the creation of sculptures, and then we expanded the collection by adding felt exhibits, ala kiyiz, and shyrdaks. For example, a tactile copy of Gapar Aitiev's painting "Cotton Harvest" was made by artist Zalkar Esenkanov," said museum director Aigul Mambetkazieva.
Museum staff conducted a tour of the tactile space for all interested, and those who wanted to immerse themselves deeper into the world of art were provided with masks to cover their eyes.
Zemfira Nurbaeva, a visitor with visual impairments, noted that now paintings and other exhibits have become more accessible for people with her issues.
"I was able to feel the painting and understand its content," she shares. "The Braille text placed next to the works turned out to be very helpful. What I couldn't touch, I was able to read," added Zemfira.
A representative of the charity fund "Zhanyrtyu," Anastasia Kolodyazhnaya, emphasized the importance of the tactile corner, noting that the ability to feel patterns that were previously accessible only to sighted people is very important for people with various forms of disabilities.
Aigul Mambetkazieva spoke about three aspects of accessibility that the museum strives for: physical, informational, and psychological. "We want everyone to be able to go up to any floor and visit any museum location. Information about the museum should be accessible to all, and most importantly, we strive to create an atmosphere of tolerance and humanity towards people with disabilities, children, and the elderly. Today, through tactile exhibits, people with visual impairments can gain cultural emotions," she explained.
The museum director added that in traditional museum spaces, rules are often established that do not allow touching exhibits. This can create fear among visitors, especially those with special needs. The tactile corner was created to provide freedom for obtaining information and emotions.
She also acknowledged that both the country and the museum are at the initial stages of inclusion. Currently, museum staff are undergoing training on communication with various visitors. Aigul Mambetkazieva noted that at the moment, a person in a wheelchair can only access the first floor of the museum, for which a new ramp has been installed. However, the second floor can only be accessed with the help of companions.
"We have a freight elevator that is already 50 years old, but we cannot use it to transport people as it is unsafe. Its reconstruction is planned for next year," she added.
