"From a shabby building to a 'candy': Which theaters of the Ministry of Culture underwent major renovations in 2025?"

In an interview with AKIpress, the Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy, Mirbek Mambetaliev, shared information about the major renovations of theaters carried out in 2025, as well as the modernization of their equipment. 

Transformation of the Young Spectator Theater

The minister noted that approximately 80 million soms were allocated for the capital renovation of the Young Spectator Theater named after Baken Kydykeeva. 

“Such a transformation has taken place that I dare say — the theater has become unrecognizable. We completely restored the building, from the walls to the ceiling. It transformed from its previous shabby state into a real ‘candy’. All technical installations were replaced, and new lighting and sound equipment were installed,” commented Mambetaliev.

Russian Drama Theater: Long-Awaited Update

The capital renovation of the Russian Theater named after Chyngyz Aitmatov was completed in 2025. 

According to the minister, over 300 million soms were spent on this work. “We completely updated the stage equipment and replaced all the seats. For the next 10-15 years, we can forget about repairs in this theater,” he added.

Old Equipment of the Kyrgyz Drama Theater

In the Kyrgyz Drama Theater named after Toktobolot Abdumomunov, repairs were carried out, but the outdated stage equipment remained. 

“Some installations are older than me. I am already 45 years old, and this equipment is still in use. Sometimes, when we hold international theater festivals, I feel embarrassed,” admitted Mambetaliev.

In 2025, the ministry allocated 30 million soms for the upgrade of equipment in the drama theater, including a complete replacement of sound and lighting systems.

Updates in the Opera and Ballet Theater

The Opera and Ballet Theater named after Abdylas Maldybaev also received 60 million soms in 2025 for the replacement of sound and lighting equipment. 

“The theater is a cultural temple where sound and light play a key role. This year we purchased a Steinway piano for 25 million soms. Many famous pianists want to perform here but set the condition of having a Steinway. We bought it, and now it is already in the theater. We hope that starting next year, renowned pianists will come to us,” the minister concluded.