100 years since the arrival of the first transport of Czechoslovaks to Soviet Kyrgyzstan
April 05, 2025 | Buried Hopes - documentary (2025) | Expedition Kyrgyzstan
In the spring of 1925, hundreds of our compatriots traveled thousands of miles in harsh conditions to the remote steppes in the foothills of the Shan Mountains. Among them was the then three-year-old Alexander Dubček. Hoping for a better tomorrow in a backward corner of the Soviet empire, today's Kyrgyzstan, they built a prosperous commune "Interhelpo". Their success, however, was cruelly redeemed by illness, death and the growing Stalinist terror. And it is on the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Czechoslovaks in present-day Bishkek - April 24, 2025 - that we will premiere our new documentary film from the expedition in their footsteps, Buried Hopes.
We have managed to trace the names of more than 50 Czechs and Slovaks who were victims of Soviet repression. This is more than double the number previously reported. Over two dozen of them were executed under Stalin. We met with their descendants, filmed a number of interviews, and documented the buildings still in use today that our ancestors skillfully built in Kyrgyzstan. But we also discovered a mass execution site and a uranium gulag...
All this and much more will be presented to the public for the first time at the premiere of our new film Buried Hopes.
Presale has already started and tickets are disappearing fast. Get your tickets early for the premiere!
April 24 | 18:00 | Kino Aero - tickets HERE
28 April | 18:00 | DK Poklad - tickets HERE
All the findings from the expedition will be gradually revealed to those interested through our social networks and website. People will be able to learn about the unknown stories of the victims of repression, see unique photo galleries, film bonuses and a look behind the scenes of the expeditions.
Interested in a film screening or a screening with discussion at your location? Contact us at [email protected]. The film is also suitable for schools.
