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In Bishkek, at Chuy Avenue, 108, disputes have erupted regarding the "House of the Artist." The city administration has notified of its intention to annul the land use rights, which has provoked a serious reaction among representatives of the artistic community.
As reported by Jakshybek Junushev, chairman of the Union of Artists of Kyrgyzstan, the city administration's decree No. 52, adopted on February 23, 2026, deprives the Union of its rights to lease the land that has been used since 1995. Currently, the possibility of transferring this plot from municipal to state ownership is being considered. The building in question was handed over to artists back in the 1950s.
According to Junushev, there is a real threat of losing this cultural object, which has significant historical value.
“We are ready to provide all necessary documents that will refute the arguments of the city administration and clarify the position of the creative community,”
Jakshybek Junushev
This building, commissioned in the 1950s, has become an important cultural center associated with the names of such prominent figures as Semyon Chuykov, Gapar Aitiev, and Suimenkul Chokmorov. It regularly hosts exhibitions and also houses artists' studios.
Photo provided by the Union of Artists
Junushev also noted that the Union leases this plot for a period of 49 years, and the organization itself is over 90 years old.
“We learned about the city administration's intentions to transfer the plot under the management of the president's office through social media. This prompted an immediate reaction from us,” he added.
He also reported that in November 2025, representatives of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan visited the artists, inquiring about documents and rights to the building.
Some artists were called in for separate discussions.
“We provided all the documents. Later, representatives of the president's office came to us and offered to replace our premises with three rooms. We refused, as this is not just a building — it is an architectural monument, a space for exhibitions,” emphasized Jakshybek Junushev.
The area of the plot, including the building and studios, is about 11 hundredths of a hectare.
The Union of Artists expresses concerns that transferring the land without reliable guarantees may lead to the demolition or repurposing of the object. Community representatives demand the annulment of the city administration's decision, exclusion of the issue from the agenda of the city council, and the conduct of open public hearings.
Photo provided by the Union of Artists
Artists have also appealed to the country's top leadership with a request to preserve the "House of the Artist" as an important cultural object and a space for creativity.
