Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan. A wander in daylight.

Enough of Western Europe, lets take you on one of my top 3 trips ever. It was over a three week period in September last year through 3 of the 5 Stans. (taking snaps is easy everything else is time consuming and I am doing my best to catch up here).

Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is not an ancient city but one founded as recently as 1825, it was named Pishpek and built as a fortress to protect the caravan routes along the Silk Road from China to Europe. It was also a centre for tax collection.

In 1926, the city became the capital of the newly established Kirghiz Oblast of the USSR and was renamed Frunze.

The city was named Bishkek in February 1991, and then the country of Kyrgyzstan achieved independence from the USSR later that year.

Bishkek's population before 1991 were mainly ethnic Russians. It has steadily decreased. However since the illegal invasion of Ukraine numbers have risen mainly young men to escape putin's conscription legislation.

But my oh my the architecture is something to behold, everywhere you look you cannot escape the gorgeous brutalist structures, nor the wonderful Cyrillic script. Kyrgyz and Russian are the dual recognised languages .

There is an ever increasing Russian influence in the country, military, economic, financial and social.

Built in 1972, still a venue in use

Exhibits outside the National museum of fine arts.

Clarity

On the edge of Oak Park, the building now abandoned, this was the first souvenir shop in Bishkek

Constructed between 1978-1985, the seven storey presidential building, known as the White House, due to it being cladded entirely in white marble is home to Kyrgyzstan's supreme council.

The 33 ft statue of the national hero, Manas, and the independence monument which holds a huge Kyrgyz flag, permanently guarded by soldiers. Was fortunate to be there during the changing the guard ceremony.

The uniform very reminiscent of Soviet uiniforms with the leather calf boots and oversized hat brim

Conscription continues in the Kyrgyz Armed Forces, 12 months in length reduced for university graduates to 9 months.

Kyrgyzstan has an agreement with the Russian Federation, Kyrgyz soldiers undergo training in military academies in Russia.

Fountains in Oak Park, a quiet green haven in the city and a great place to snap the locals.

There were many many many more out in the evening and if you stay tuned, all will follow as we celebrate amongst them

Monuments

Monument to Those Who Died for Freedom: erected to immortalise those that died in the uprisings of of 2002 and 2010. Two stones standing over 20ft tall, a group of people pushing the darkness from the light

On the white stone of the monument there are two inscriptions in gold, one on each side.

"We cherish the memory of those who had fallen in 2002 in Aksy and in April of 2010 for the sake of freedom of Kyrgyz people".

"To those who died, who immortalised themselves with their deeds, and who died for the future of own country“

The Friendship Monument: an example of monumental Soviet art from a bygone era. The monument stands from 1974 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan's voluntary accession to Russia, a testament to the bond of friendship between the Russian and Kyrgyz people.

Victory Square: In the plaza stands a large yurt shaped memorial of red granite with an eternal flame at the feet of a woman waiting for her husband to return home from the war.

Dedicated to the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. It was created in 1984, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Liberation of the USSR.

Soviet machine gunners returning home after their victory

Some wonderful streetart

90% of the population of Kyrgyzstan are muslim, which surprised me. Although Kyrgyzstan is a secular country, there is growing lobbying in some political quarters to follow islamic traditions and social life. World domination by the back door, be aware people be very aware.

Bishkek Central Mosque is the largest mosque in Central Asia. Built in 2017, a Turkish-style mosque constructed largely with money,- "well knock me down with a feather",- from a Turkish foundation.

Funded by Diyanet ( A Turkish State owned religious foundation) construction of the the $25-million Mosque began in 2012, and took 5 years to complete.

It is now time for a quick shower, shit and shave as tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1991.

May your god go with you