Ata Beyit memorial

Not far from the village of Chong-Tash, about 30 kilometers south of Bishkek, lies the «Ata-Beyit» memorial complex, a solemn tribute to the victims of the repressions of the 1930s. The name «Ata-Beyit,» meaning «Grave of the Fathers» in Kyrgyz, echoes a poignant reminder of this dark chapter in history. Although constructed relatively recently, in the year 2000, the site holds deep historical significance. Spanning an area of two hectares, more than 130 people of various nationalities who once lived in Kyrgyzstan and fell victim to Stalin’s brutal repressions were buried here. Excavations revealed that these individuals were horrifically burned alive in a stone furnace. Today, their remains have been respectfully transferred to a cemetery located nearby.

One of the notable figures laid to rest here is the esteemed Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, whose father, Torokul Aitmatov, was among those executed in 1938. Additionally, the complex serves as the resting place for the sixteen victims of the April Revolution of 2010.

The Ata-Beyit memorial itself is an evocative and symbolic structure. It features a large, gravel-covered circle elevated above the ground and bordered by flower beds. As visitors make their way toward the memorial, they ascend several flights of stairs, gradually approaching a striking golden-hued stone sculpture. This powerful group of three men, their bodies twisted and emaciated, their faces etched with pain and suffering, serves as a profound representation of the anguish experienced during those tragic times.

At the heart of the memorial stands an imposing tunduk, composed of thick red pipes set atop a smooth black stone platform, encircled by slanted granite slabs. The tunduk, an integral part of the yurt’s framework where the two main sections intersect, holds significant meaning in Kyrgyz culture. Stylized renditions of the tunduk appear across various public spaces in Kyrgyzstan, including the national flag, underscoring its status as a symbol of Kyrgyz statehood and identity. Beneath this powerful emblem rest the remains of those mercilessly slaughtered in 1938, with their names meticulously engraved on red stone around the perimeter, forever immortalizing their memory.

Toward the far end of the memorial complex, a small museum resides within a circular concrete building, echoing the same red tones used in the tunduk. The museum’s exhibit was thoughtfully curated by staff from the State Historical Museum in Bishkek, including A. Izrailova, O. Ilyinskaya, and K. Kimalayev. The exhibition provides an in-depth and informative account of the search and discovery of the mass grave while also incorporating poignant quotes from the works of Chingiz Aitmatov. Personal belongings of the executed, such as boots, caps, and cigarette cases, are displayed, alongside materials from Soviet archives that document the process of declaring the accused as “enemies of the people” and the verdicts issued by the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz SSR.

Photographs of the executed individuals and their families, accompanied by brief biographical sketches, emphasize the senselessness of their demise. This impression is further intensified by the knowledge that almost all those executed in Chong-Tash were posthumously exonerated by the Supreme Court in 1957. Twenty years after their expulsion, their party membership was restored, their names were cleared, and their innocence was publicly acknowledged.

The museum’s exhibition is both deeply moving and profoundly tragic, offering a stark insight into the harsh realities of the repressive era. We strongly encourage you to visit this memorial, to bear witness to this painful truth, and to understand the weight of this dark chapter in history.