Kyrgyzstan

Brick by Brick, Isolated Min Kush Crumbles Away

David Trilling Sep 21, 2009
Min Kush rests at 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level in a beautiful, remote valley. Min Kush rests at 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level in a beautiful, remote valley.
The few remaining residents complain of unemployment and lack of social services. The mayor says 70 percent do not have jobs. The few remaining residents complain of unemployment and lack of social services. The mayor says 70 percent do not have jobs.
Many buildings in Min Kush look as if they were hit with missiles. Many buildings in Min Kush look as if they were hit with missiles.
One of the sons of cardiologist Oleg Nekritov collects honey at their apiary. One of the sons of cardiologist Oleg Nekritov collects honey at their apiary.
This building was formerly a movie theater. Building materials have looted from most public buildings in Min Kush. This building was formerly a movie theater. Building materials have looted from most public buildings in Min Kush.
Ziha-eje (left) with her son and daughter-in-law says, "We have not had hot water and heat since the collapse of the USSR." Ziha-eje (left) with her son and daughter-in-law says, "We have not had hot water and heat since the collapse of the USSR."
"We're Kyrgyz. We destroy. We don't build," says Iris, who has lived in Min Kush for 25 years. "We're Kyrgyz. We destroy. We don't build," says Iris, who has lived in Min Kush for 25 years.
Many private homes are empty or abandoned, as up to 80 percent of the population has left Min Kush. Many private homes are empty or abandoned, as up to 80 percent of the population has left Min Kush.
Nuradil, 13, pulls apart factories for scrap metal. In two hours he can recover one meter of rebar, earning about 75 cents. Nuradil, 13, pulls apart factories for scrap metal. In two hours he can recover one meter of rebar, earning about 75 cents.
Min Kush was built in a valley with high levels of seismic activity and minerals, such as uranium. Min Kush was built in a valley with high levels of seismic activity and minerals, such as uranium.
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Meaning "1,000 Birds" in Kyrgyz, the industrial town of Min Kush was known throughout Kyrgyzstan as "little Moscow." Despite being a closed zone in Soviet times -- not appearing on maps and requiring special permission to enter -- people from all over heard about its stores stocked with imported fruits, a wide selection of shoes and jewelry, and plentiful, lucrative jobs. Salaries were 50 to 100 percent higher than elsewhere. Min Kush's reputation was such that there was a waiting list to work in its factories.

Today, Min Kush's skeletal remains are withering away; its buildings looted for scrap metal and construction materials.

David Trilling is the Central Asia news editor for EurasiaNet.

David Trilling is Eurasianet’s managing editor.

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