How a private foundation is bringing forgotten symbols back to Kyrgyzstan: the story of Kalybay Heritage

The story of Kalybay Heritage began with an idea — to restore what had been lost and breathe life into forgotten symbols. Today, the foundation is restoring the historic Ak-Suu gasworks and the legendary planetarium, transforming them into cultural centres for a new generation. All of this is being done with private funds, without donations or politics.

‘We are not involved in politics and we are not looking for profit. We just want our children to be proud of their country and know its history. There are things that are more important than material values,’ says Mukhtar Sartmanov, founder of the Kalybay Heritage Foundation.

The first step is to bring the legendary Ak-Suu back to life

The foundation's first project was the historic Ak-Suu site, an old gas plant at kilometre zero in Bishkek. A company belonging to the foundation won it at auction with a starting rent of 70,000 KGS, offering 266,000 KGS per month. In this way, the foundation not only saved the building from oblivion, but also provided additional income for the city council.

Now Ak-Suu is being transformed into a new cultural centre: it will house the first Kyrgyz coffee shop, a children's café and a spot selling the legendary gazvod and ice cream ‘with the taste of childhood’. This project is expected to become a tourist magnet and a new city landmark.

Planetarium: a step towards the future

Another symbolic project of the foundation is the restoration of the country's oldest planetarium. The renovated facility will become the only modern planetarium in Kyrgyzstan, where schoolchildren will be able to study astronomy and observe the stars.

The foundation is implementing this project entirely with private funds, without attracting state subsidies. At the same time, the municipality is paid 600,000 KGS per month in rent, which shows that the foundation's initiatives are not only socially but also economically beneficial for the city.

A systematic approach: in line with international standards

Kalybay Heritage builds its work on the principles of leading international foundations:

• restoration and conservation of monuments with the involvement of experts;
• search and identification of forgotten objects of cultural value;
• monitoring of condition and expert opinions;
• educational activities — lectures, exhibitions, publications;
• volunteer programmes to involve residents.

‘Preserving monuments is not about the past. It's about the future. Restored sites shape identity, create jobs, and inspire businesses to take responsibility for cities,’ notes the foundation's team.

From cultural heritage to economic potential

The restoration of monuments often drives tourism, small business and the local economy. Projects such as Ak-Suu and the planetarium create new attractions where history, creativity and entrepreneurial energy come together.