Paper long abstract:

The Southern part of Bishkek has two very unique architectural objects located just next to each other: Hotel Issyk-Kul and Manas Village. The first represents a modernist style Soviet architecture, while the second one – post-Soviet experimentations with new national Kyrgyz approach to architectural form. Both were very progressive and advanced at the times when they were built. However, today, both are in a very ruinated condition: the hotel is completely abandoned, while the Manas village was almost completely taken over by trees and grass. In my paper, I am exploring the phenomenon of urban ruination and abandonment existing just next to the new flashy developments and constructions. It is the story of global capitalism taking over both soviet and national ideologies.