The three-story building, intended to become the underground shopping complex Old Bishkek, was originally planned as a two-story structure. However, after the addition of a third floor, dissatisfaction arose from the authorities, including the head of the State National Security Committee Kamchybek Tashiev, who demanded the dismantling of the extra floor to comply with the approved project. Currently, work is being carried out to demolish the third floor.
The mosaic "Ayalzat" is located in the "Aiperi" building, at the intersection of Chuy Avenue and Isanova Street. It was created by the artist Theodor Herzen, who is also known for his illustrations for the epic "Manas."
According to Marat Tagaev, the building was purchased by a foreign investor who carried out major renovations, including some restoration work.
"The foreign company could easily have hidden this mosaic by installing an LED screen in front of it, as is done in several of our facilities. But they showed respect and reverence for our culture. They understand that this is an outstanding work of art and left the mosaic in its original form. I want to emphasize that they could have destroyed it, and no one would have been able to say anything to them, as some of our mosaics have already been destroyed," noted the deputy minister.
Tagaev also added that the exterior of the building has been completely restored. "Although they could have demolished it and built something entirely different. Some old people (көпкөн чалдар) set up their 'boxes' on the sidewalks, but they did not do that," he added.
The Deputy Minister of Culture urged Kyrgyzstani businessmen, entrepreneurs, and civil servants to preserve historical and cultural buildings, using this example of the mosaic as inspiration for restoration and improvement.
"Yesterday, passing by the Central Department Store, I was very upset. The road is fine, but building a three-story building in the picturesque place of our childhood is lawlessness and chaos. This is a sad situation. In the future, this building should disappear, and flowers should grow in its place again, and people should walk," Tagaev stated.
This is what the green zone at the intersection of Chuy-Abdrahmanova looked like earlier (2015):
November 2025:
