The Kyrgyz Republican Puppet Theater is the oldest and only children's theater, celebrating its 85th anniversary!
Kyrgyz puppetry has its own unique history, rooted deeply in centuries past. While preserving the best traditions of folk art and embracing new creative forms in global art, it has forged its own path and identity. For almost a century now, expanding its repertoire year by year and multiplying its audience, it regularly presents performances for young spectators aged 1 to 15.
The theater’s repertoire includes various traditional puppet fairy tales, ranging from works of world classics, foreign and local, to contemporary playwrights, such as: “The Teremok” (S. Marshak), “The Merry Traffic Light” (A. Bogacheva), “The Grateful Crane” (D. Kinosito), “Don’t Fly Away” (A. Boldinov), “Puss in Boots” (N. Shuvalov), “My Friend Sun” (V. Maslov), “Tomogo” (“Mother Eagle” by Ch. Aitmatov), “Alice in Wonderland” (L. Carroll), “The Tale of Tsar Saltan” (A. Pushkin), and others.
Every year, the theater actively tours the regions and remote corners of the republic. It participates in international festivals and theatrical creative competitions. In 2023, the theater took part in the International Puppet Theater Festival in Karaganda (Kazakhstan) and Omsk (Russia), as well as in the International Theater Competition “Ergu” and “Aitmatov and Theater”. It won the nomination for “Best Play of the Year” among children’s plays with “The Forest Guardian – The Ant” (“Kumurska – Tokoi Sakchysy”, A. Temirova) and the “Jury’s Sympathy Prize” with “The Little Soldier” (“Atadan Kalgan Tuyak”, Ch. Aitmatov).
The artistic director of the theater is People’s Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, Nurlan Askarov Asanbekov, and the theater director is Bolot Chalbaevich Kulanbaev.
The theater’s unique bilingual troupe consists of artists from different generations: People’s Artists of the Kyrgyz Republic – Valentina Annikova, Zholdosh Erkimbaev; Honored Artists – Rabiga Kachkynova, Nurbubu Musaeva, Erkin Shikmatova, Ilyich Kasymbekov.
Artists (Kyrgyz group): Aman Mambetakunov, Azat Baibekov, Nurgul Toychikieva, Nurgul Kulmanbetova, Ernis Adylbekov, Taalai Mukambet uulu, Munarbek Altynbek uulu, Guliza Musabaeva, Burulsun Dubanbek kyzy, Eldar Checheibaev.
Artists (Russian group): Gulzana Erkimbaeva, Sharapat Kadyralieva, Aizharkyn Duyshembiyeva, Elmira Kerimkulova, Dastan Eshimbekov, Yryskeldi Zhakypbekov, Lyudmila Gorokhova, Sanzhar Kachkynbekov, Eleman Abakirov, Mayram Momuntaeva, Azim Almasbekov, Anastasia Kareliina, Karina Sarkosyan, Igor Dmitrienko.
Nurlan Askarov Asanbekov is the Artistic Director of the Kyrgyz State Puppet Theater named after M. Zhyangaziev (since 2018), a participant and multiple laureate of prestigious international festivals. He received the award for Best Musical Performance for Giacomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” (1993) at the Republican Theater Festival “Nooruz-93”. At the Republican Theater Festival “Nooruz-97”, he was awarded the Jalil Abdikadyrov Prize for Best and Original Productions of Jean-Baptiste Moliere’s “The Miser” and Federico Garcia Lorca’s “Blood Wedding”.
He participated with the play “Kereez” at the III World Theater Olympiad in Moscow. At the Republican Theater Festival “Nooruz-2001” dedicated to the People’s Artist of the USSR Muratbek Ryskulov, he received an award for Best and Original Productions of Fernando Arrabal’s “Piano in the Grass”. At the International Theater Festival “Chingiz Aitmatov and Theater”, he was honored with the prize for Best Directorial Production based on the story “Red Apple” (1999).
He received the “Theater of the 21st Century” award at the international theater festival for children dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Natalia Satz (2003). He won the Grand Prix at the first international theater festival “Art-Ordo” with the play “Kereez” by the theater “Sakhna” (2003).
He received an award for Best and Original Production of the epic “Kurmanbek” at the second international theater festival “Art-Ordo” (2006). He was awarded the “Honorary Diploma of the Kyrgyz Republic” for outstanding contributions to the development of culture and art (2007). He was awarded the title “Honored Worker of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic” (2016) and the title “People’s Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic” (2023).
He has attended internships and seminars such as “Theater as a School of Dramatic Art” under the leadership of A. Vasilyev in Moscow (2002). He was a participant in the IREX program “Public Relations” in Art Management, Chicago (USA, 2003). He attended a seminar on human resources at the Swiss Cooperation Office in Kyrgyzstan (2005).
Today, he has directed about ten opera performances and musicals, over thirty dramatic productions, and several plays for children’s puppet theater. Almost every year since the 1990s, he has served as the chief director for various socially important shows and state events. Besides these, he is the author and director of more than ten short films and documentaries.
Under Nurlan Askarov Asanbekov’s attentive guidance, the creative process at the Kyrgyz State Puppet Theater named after M. Zhyangaziev progresses steadily and dynamically. Diverse, interesting, and educational new productions for children are staged.
Address: 230a Yusup Abdrakhmanov Street, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Mobile Phones: +996 772 170 232, +996 702 152 126
Landline Phones: +996 312 670 617, +996 312 670 641
Email: teatrkukol1939@mail.ru