Bishkek – The exhibition "Looking for in Bishkek..." opened on 15 February in the Oak Park gallery.

The show is a result of a series of art workshops, which happened during the Migration Week on 29 January – 2 February celebrated all over the world. The main theme of the workshops was the place where we all currently happen to live – Bishkek, that used to be a transient waypoint of the Silk Road and is now a vibrant city where different cultures meet.

The workshops brought together youth from different countries and different regions of Kyrgyzstan. While working together on the beautiful artwork, which we all can’t wait to see more closely, students experimented with various materials, techniques, and styles, shared their vision of Bishkek, had an opportunity to work with renown Kyrgyz contemporary artists, and, most importantly, made new friends.

Art is a universal language that brings people together. Art brings people together physically: at workshops and gallery exhibitions like today. Art also brings people together culturally by sharing stories, inspiring reflection and dialogue and forming connections that transcend differences.

United Nations in Kyrgyzstan seeks to ensure that every young person in Kyrgyzstan is empowered to achieve his or her full potential and that young people’s capacities, resilience, and positive contributions as agents of change are fulfilled in line with United Nations Youth Strategy 2030.

The opening ceremony was attended by Antje Grave, UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic, Bermet Moldobaeva, Head of the International Organisation for Migration office in the Kyrgyz Republic, Gulmira Aitmurzaeva, Director of the Association for Health Promotion, artists, students and other guests.

The exhibition "Looking for in Bishkek..." has become a platform for creative learning and strengthening cultural ties between students of Kyrgyzstan, India, Pakistan and other countries. It presents works by students of the Kyrgyz State Isa  Akhunbaev Medical Academy, the Akmatkan Moldogaziev Bishkek Medical College and the International Higher School of Medicine.

The works were made in different techniques and styles. Art workshops were curated by renown Bishkek-based contemporary artists, Aizuura Bakalova, Meder Akhmetov, Munara Abdukakharova and Rakhat Asangulova, and independent art platform, Stage 705. They were organised by the Association for Health Promotion together with the Republican Centre for Health Promotion and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic with financial support from the IOM Development Fund.

The exhibition "Looking for in Bishkek..." will last from 16 to 24 February. This is a unique opportunity for all citizens and guests of the capital to see the works of young creators and to discover the theme of intercultural exchange among students from different countries.