Lost in the Mountains: Exploring Kyrgyzstan's Soviet Exclaves

Kyrgyzstan's southern region is dotted with numerous Soviet exclaves belonging to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The arbitrary drawing of borders by Joseph Stalin resulted in people residing in republics they had no connection to.

After Stalin's death, people began voicing their grievances about the borders and requested redistribution.

Exclaves were created to address these grievances, forming pockets of Tajik, Uzbek, and Kyrgyz villages.

The collapse of the USSR led to a change in border regulations, isolating these exclaves.

What are Soviet exclaves?

—Soviet exclaves are regions that were separated from their respective republics due to the arbitrary border drawing during the Soviet era.

How did these exclaves come into existence?

—After Stalin's death, people's grievances about the borders led to the creation of exclaves, allowing diverse regions to have their own pockets of villages within different republics.

Why did the collapse of the USSR isolate these exclaves?

—With the collapse of the USSR, border regulations were implemented, making it necessary for people in these exclaves to pass through borders to leave or re-enter their villages.

How has this isolation affected the people living in these exclaves?

—Isolation has resulted in challenges for the people living in these exclaves, as they need to navigate through borders and regulations to access their homelands or visit relatives in nearby republics.

What makes these exclaves unique?

—The presence of these exclaves within Kyrgyzstan makes them unique, as they highlight the complex ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity within the region.

00:00We embark on an adventure through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan to explore the little-known Soviet exclaves.

02:00Joseph Stalin's arbitrary border drawing resulted in people residing in republics they had no connection to.

05:00After Stalin's death, people began voicing their grievances about the borders and requested redistribution.

09:48We visit a sanatorium where Yuri Gagarin stayed after his space flight, showcasing the Soviet influence in the region.

13:38We encounter a house with a hammer and sickle symbol, highlighting the lasting presence of Soviet symbolism.

16:06We stumble upon a communist-themed house, showcasing the similarities in architecture across former Soviet regions.

16:46Pride Gym catches our attention, demonstrating the fascination with physical strength and masculinity in the region.

18:26We face the challenge of navigating through deep snow, risking getting stuck in the unforgiving terrain.