The Cultural Center "Rukh Ordo" named after Ch. Aitmatov is a complex located on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, in the city of Cholpon-Ata. The complex is named after one of the most famous Kyrgyz figures in the world — Chinghiz Aitmatov. It represents the main attraction of the city of Cholpon-Ata and the entire coastline, serving as a hallmark of Issyk-Kul.
“Rukh Ordo” is the only open-air museum of its kind on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in Cholpon-Ata.
The complex was founded in 2002. In 2008, it was purchased by a private company and named after Ch. Aitmatov. These changes positively impacted the popularity and significance of the place, transforming it into an interesting cultural and educational corner that combines the mysteries of religious and philosophical questions, intriguing creativity inspired by Ch. Aitmatov, and the surrounding natural beauty.
The complex includes 10 mini-museums, including: "Ch. Aitmatov House-Museum," "Hall of Kyrgyz Art and Culture," painting and photo galleries, "Sayakbay Karalaev's Gazebo," "Treasury of Knowledge," and five chapels, each representing one of the world’s religions: Islam, Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Buddhism, and Judaism, symbolizing that God is one for all.
In each chapel, there are relics for the followers of that religion. Near the Buddhist temple is the Bell of Wishes – according to guides, if you make a donation and ring the bell, your most cherished wish will undoubtedly come true. In the Catholic chapel, a huge painting is dedicated to Saint Matthew, who, according to legends, preached the teachings of Christ at Issyk-Kul and even founded a church here. A few years ago, Boris Yeltsin himself solemnly opened the Orthodox church in "Rukh Ordo," named after the wife of the first president of the Russian Federation, Naina. As a child, the ideological inspirer and organizer of the park, Tashkul Kereksizov, was raised in an orphanage, where he was surrounded by special warmth and care from a simple elderly Jewish woman who worked in the orphanage's cafeteria. In her memory, a large painting depicting a gray-haired woman with kind eyes is displayed on the walls of the synagogue. By tradition, there are no images of living beings in the Muslim mosque; instead, there are verses from the Quran and two handwoven carpets symbolizing the two branches of Islam: Sunni and Shia.
The complex also features exhibitions of dozens of sculptures and hundreds of paintings created in various techniques, as well as handcrafted items that have been carefully passed down through generations. The exhibition fund of "Rukh Ordo" is constantly being replenished with new and interesting exhibits.
The first exhibit of the park was the Tree of Life, reminiscent of a blooming Japanese cherry blossom, proudly towering over the endless surface of Issyk-Kul. Not far from the Tree of Life is the Gazebo of Science, where in the silent surroundings of images of great scientists such as Aristotle, Copernicus, Avicenna, and others, a granite sphere rotates powered by water, symbolizing the passage of time and the immutability of truth. Throughout the perimeter of the complex, there are statues and sculptures of various figures from both Kyrgyz and world history, mythology, science, and art.
The concert hall of the park boasts unique acoustics and has already become the ideal venue for various festivals, competitions, and concerts. The climax of each performance is the raising of the back curtain of the stage, behind which the amazed audience is presented with the beauty of Issyk-Kul framed by snow-capped mountains.
“Rukh Ordo” is famous not only for its unusual architectural monuments but also for the most beautiful pier on the shores of the lake. It features four elegant gazebos symbolizing the four cardinal directions, as well as the four seasons. Additionally, twenty-four species of fish are bred here, symbolizing the twenty-four hours of the day.
Guides will take you on an exciting tour filled with historical facts, legends, and traditions.
The tour includes visits to:
Five chapels of world religions (Catholicism, Islam, Orthodoxy, Buddhism, Judaism)
Treasury of Knowledge;
Sayakbay Karalaev's Gazebo;
Exhibition Hall;
Kyrgyz Village;
The most beautiful pier on the lake.
We operate daily without days off.
The entrance fee for the Cultural Center "Rukh Ordo" named after Ch. Aitmatov is 400 soms per person.
Note:
1. WWII participants – free (upon presentation of identification).
2. Pensioners of the Kyrgyz Republic – free (upon presentation of identification).
3. Children under 7 years – free.
Phone: +996 (3943) 7-20-70, 7-20-73
E-mail: ruhordo@mail.ru
Issyk-Kul region, city of Cholpon-Ata, Soviet Street, b/n