The Czechoslovak Century in Kyrgyzstan

The Masaryk International Cultural and Educational Centre presents the unique travelling exhibition „Czechoslovak century in Kyrgyzstan“, which explores the history of the Czechoslovak industrial cooperative Interhelpo and its significant contribution to the economic, industrial and social development of present-day Kyrgyzstan. The exhibition focuses not only on well-known historical events but also on lesser-known and entirely new topics, offering fresh insights even to visitors already familiar with the history of Interhelpo.

The exhibition was prepared to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Czechoslovak settlers in Bishkek, who reached the city on 24 April 1925. It was created by Erik Lukas in cooperation with historians Vlastimil Krištán and Štěpán Černoušek. The project was implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic and the ČEZ Foundation.

The exhibition is bilingual (Czech–Russian) and is complemented by an English version accessible via QR codes. It offers a unique perspective on the shared history of the Czech Republic and Kyrgyzstan, revealing historical connections that have endured despite the considerable geographical distance between the two countries, while presenting many previously unknown or surprising historical findings.

Across 14 exhibition panels, visitors can explore unique archival photographs, historical documents and other authentic materials. Through six thematic sections, the exhibition tells the story of the Czechoslovak settlers and their lasting legacy.