“Clans Bishkek Kyrgyzstan”

How could such peaceful, contemplative people get involved in two recent revolutions (2005 and 2010) and ethnic riots (2010)? I began to understand the mechanism a little after I found out about the importance of clans. There is still a rich family structure with all its positive aspects of people taking care of each other. There are ‘public sitting rooms’ everywhere: men in particular, love to sit or squat together in public spaces to play games or just chat. But these positive aspects have a negative side as well. Familylife has its costly obligations such as the expensive parties people are forced to throw when their children get married. The government is talking about making a law that forbids these so-called ‘expensive traditions’ by limiting the number of people at a wedding.  I guess this will not work. When a clan has helped one of its family members to attain a high position, it will want to be paid back at a certain point, spawning corruption. This does not explain everything, but it helps us to understand.

Womena€™s trolleybus

Bishkek -  I carry with me all my things. The cabin of Women’s trolleybus is very cozy.…
Sapargul Turdubekov – Bishkek Lab

What are you taking the foto of?

Bishkek -  Lately the city resembles a big construction site.…
Tatyana Zelenskaja – Bishkek Lab

Taxi drivers chess room

Bishkek -  On almost every street corner you can see taxi drivers playing chess or backgammon. Sometimes on improvised furniture, like here. Sometimes just squatting in a circle on the side of…
Lino Hellings – Bishkek Lab

Girls toys

Bishkek -  These girls looking like little women just returned from school. One of them has rollerskates and now they all want to try. Education is in Kyrgyz nowadays and not any…
Lino Hellings – Bishkek Lab

Day light lamp

Bishkek -  Hydro Electro Stations produce enough volume of energy to cover all population necessity and sell vestige of it to other countries. But the way of consumption of energy in Kyrgyzstan…
Nargiz Chynalieva – Bishkek Lab

Boys toys

Bishkek -  His friends admire the plastic pistol the little boy has. His future job is clear. In the quarter where I live and work there are small houses where people live…
Lino Hellings – Bishkek Lab

Sad Mercedes

Bishkek -  More and more rich people around town. If you cannot afford a mercedes, you can steal the mark as a trophy.…
Tatyana Zelenskaja – Bishkek Lab

Extreme sports

Bishkek -  Many people engage in extreme sports. People experience it every day and everywhere. This way extreme sports are for free. Break the rules by crossing the street and you will…
Anastasia Slastnikova – Bishkek Lab

Carpet day

Bishkek -  Carpets, bedding and laundry covering all kind of objects in open air. All windows are open.  In my guesthouse I meet an ex militairy man from Oekraine…
Lino Hellings – Bishkek Lab

Attorney Generala€™s office

Bishkek -  Attorney General’s office that was burnt down and totally destroyed after 6 of April riots, 2010 in Bishkek.…
Nellya Dzhamanbaeva – Bishkek Lab

Joy

Bishkek -  Woman was staying behind the fence next to her house and looking at the street. Walking by neighbors could stop and talk to her for hours. It is kind of…
Meka Muratova – Bishkek Lab

expensive traditions

Bishkek -  Each year Kyrgyz people spend about 2 billion dollars for observance traditions: a wedding is very expensive event. Another expensive tradition concerned with commemoration. If men died his family should…
Nargiz Chynalieva – Bishkek Lab

Carpet country

Bishkek -  The carpets are beautiful. Made of natural materials and in bright colours. Like the people in Kyrgyzstan, who seem to be so soft and welcoming. But then again, it can…
Lino Hellings – Bishkek Lab

Hollywood smile

Bishkek -  Sheep are favorite food of Kirghiz and sheep’s head (it calls BASH) outstanding national delicatessen.…
Raisat Musaeva – Bishkek Lab

Difference

Bishkek -  Old almost destroyed house, where still somebody lives and new one on the back under the construction. Bishkek is the city of undone constructions and destroyed houses.…
Meka Muratova – Bishkek Lab

Bright future

Bishkek -  This is a poster of one of the political parties (Republic in Russian) in Kyrgyzstan. Behind it is a building that has been under construction already for a few years…
Nellya Dzhamanbaeva – Bishkek Lab