Postcard from Bishkek

Friday, (18th May), is International Museum Day, (IMD), and all over the world museums will holding special events based on the theme “Museums in a Changing World - New Challenges, New Inspirations“. International Museums Day  (Actually, although Friday is designated as International Museums Day, not all events around the globe take place on the day itself, […]

On Saturday evening I ventured forth to the Fortuna Cafe, (which used to be known as the Alabama Cafe). Although I have been there several times before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  I know that they have done some renovations and have been holding a number of special events, but this was the […]

Victor Rehemaye is a computer engineer who works for us as a contractor.  He is also an avid photographer. A few years ago I was called into the office by one of our managers who wanted me to see some of Victor’s photographs.  They weren’t just ordinary photographs, they were some examples of his 3D […]

The other day, one of my staff walked into my office and asked me a question which drew me up short: Could I name some famous British composers?  He went on to explain that he knew lots of French and German composers … and, of course, Russian composers but he had realized that he couldn’t […]

Igor Savitsky was a painter, archeologist and art collector who is remembered for the collection which bears his name and is housed in a museum in Nukus in Karakalpakstan. Karakalpakstan ?! … Land of the black kalpak? It is a region in Uzbekistan – the largest region occupying a third of the country.  In the […]

I remember going for a walk through the city centre back  on my first visit to Kyrgyzstan, (back in 1994 – when I came here for a two week holiday), and walking past the Opera and Ballet Theatre hearing one of the singers practising her scales.  My friend, Tony, who was with me and had […]

The other day I was walking back to the office from a meeting in the Hyatt, and happened to walk past the Russian Drama Theatre. Outside there were some large posters advertising forthcoming attractions and one caught my eye. It wasn’t difficult to do so.  It was hug – about 3 meters tall and 10 meters long. […]

We have a new web based project: Kyrgyz Diary. At the moment it is only in a test format … because we are trying to work out the logistics of how it will work … and we have a question for you: What would you like to see on the site?

During the last few days I have been somewhat spoiled with lots of people fussing over me.  Everyone has been very kind and attentive and one my neighbours has been preparing jars of compot, (boiled fruit juice), and saucepans of Chicken Soup for me. That’s one of the advantages of being ill, I suppose, but, […]

A few years ago, we had an enquiry from a tourist who wanted to come to Kyrgyzstan “to see the apples”. This caught me by surprise. Although I was  aware that we grow a lot of apples here in Kyrgyzstan, I was intrigued as to why someone would want to travel all this way to […]