FELT FROM THE HEART
“BALAJAN”
The Republic Centre of Aesthetic Education For Children
BISHKEK
KYRGYZSTAN
Contact:-
Gulnura Abdylaeva
‘Shirdak’ –traditional felt carpet hand made by Gulnura’s Grandmother
“The Republican Training and Methodical Center of Aesthetic Education (RTMCAE) has existed since April 1986. More than one and a half thousand children from 3 to 16 years of age attend it. The main aim of RTMCAE is to provide aesthetic education and harmonious development of children, because nowadays school program cannot provide necessary knowledge to children due to the reduction of hours given for aesthetic subjects. There are many studios in the center like fine arts, decorative and applied arts, musical and stage arts, where children draw, sculpture, embroider, dance and sing as well. The Kyrgyz crafts revival is in our focus. The traditional craft studios make children get familiarized with the Kyrgyz traditional ornament, embroidery, carpets and ornamented felt household articles. The studio children are far from being bound to become well-known artists, dancers or musicians. But we hope the acquired knowledge will help them in their future life to make it rich and interesting.”
Ala-Archa National Park
I arrived into Bishkek in the dark so only got my first glimpse of the country the following day. Gulnura, my hostess, translator and friend, told me about the ‘Mountains Summit’ that was to be held in Bishkek and pointed to the high snow covered peaks that loomed over the city so remarkably close. At the weekend we were able to get into ‘Ala-Archa’ the closest National Park to the city. Within half an hour we were surrounded by wilderness and beautiful scenery of birch, aspen and pine trees crowding by a clear stony river. Craggy mountains led the way to the higher alpine snow and glacier covered peaks.
"Generally i like the nature of Kyrgyzstan. Nature is unusual and different from other countries. Kyrgyzstan is a small country but has a lot of beauty, it is a mountain country, I like mountains they are most beautiful and proud." [Raihan 14 yrs]
Gulnura – Ala-Archa
"I drew mountains, this is big dignity of Kyrgyzstan. To live in Kyrgyzstan means to participate in Kyrgyz history. I like to speak and learn Kyrgyz language and like nature, I like to be at Issyk-Kul lake, I love my Kyrgyzstan." [Zoya 15 yrs]
Alana – Ala-Archa!
"For me to live in Kyrgyzstan is very good. Our country is very small but there are a lot of lakes and coTton grass, cities, villages and animals. Sheep, horses, chickens and cows, from sheep you can get a lot of use, it gives you wool and meat. Horse gives milk and cow too, hen gives feathers for pillows, so that they are soft." [Aydan - 10yrs]
“On August 31st 1991 the sovereign state of Kyrgyz Republic was declared. Kyrgyzstan is located in the NE part of Central Asia, in the heart of the Eurasian continent. It stretches 900 kms from East to West and 425 kms from North to South. The country is bordered by China, Tadjikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Kyrgyzstan is a country of sunshine and high snow covered mountains, deep, narrow gorges cut by swift flowing rivers and beautiful mountain lakes. Long mountain ranges stretch from East to West in 88 mighty ridges of the great Tien-Shan or ‘Tenir-Too’ (in Kyrgyz).
The largest lake is Lake Issyk-Kul, the Kyrgyz ‘hot lake’, which is situated at an altitude of over 1600m above sea level. It is the second largest lake in the world. The lake remains ice-free all the year round because during the summer the water gets so warm!" [Taken from 'Kyrgyzstan' 1994 - Glavnaah Redaktseeah Gizskoy Ehntseeklopehdee]
Autumn - Ala-Archa!
"Here is there very good mountains. Kygyzstan is rich of gold and forests. We have in our Republic that grows only here in the world, hazel forests, and these forests are called. Relikt." [Denys 12 yrs]
After the project I took an 8 hour bus ride with Gulnura to visit her family who live in the famous 'Issyk-Kul' region. I think my mouth remained open for most of the journey as I was greeted with such fantastic views. Mountains really are everywhere in the country! As we left behind one huge range another soon came into view. As well as the stunning snow mountains there were strange rock and clay formations in reds, white and even yellow streaks showing through the bare mountain side. The landscape was constantly changing and always beautiful. As we approached the lake there was a deep blue haze on the horizon that hinted at what lay ahead. The day was cold and the lake looked even colder in its dark shades that I later saw change to turquoise and then blend so perfectly with the sky that it was difficult to know where they met!
"Issyk-Kul lake appeared like this: Some big king had wife but no children and then they gave birth to a daughter. But when she was 16 they met misfortune. Somebody brought a poisened meal and their daughter tastd it and suddenly died. Her parents were crying for a long time. Below them was a fissure and their tears overflowed this and became Issyk-Kul lake." [Sultan 8 yrs]
Horses and sheep and cattle were being herded and watched by horsemen, sitting at ease in the saddle. On the road we met few cars and more horse and carts travelling the roads on their daily business, petrol is expensive! The fields were harvested but it was obvious that they are fertile providers for animals and people. All work is done by hand as tractors are incredibly scarce. Issyk-Kul is famous for its huge fruit and of course for the fish from the lake itself.
"I drew sheep because sheep is Kyrgyz national animal. I like Kyrgyzstan because i was born here and my relatives, friends and acquaintances live here, Kyrgyzstan is my native land. It is a mountainsous country and the nature is very beautiful." [Meerim 11 yrs]
I was greeted by Gulnura's family first by the delicious smells escaping the confines of an outdoor kitchen and wafting down the lane to entice us! Traditional fried bread, 'Smetana' (clotted, sour cream) and blackcurrants were only a few of the delicacies that were cluttered on the table for our welcome feast. Felted carpets in both traditional styles, 'Shirdak' and 'Alakijiz' covered the floors and the 'Boz Uy' (Yurt) was tucked away down stairs!
"I drew 'Boz Uy'. Boz Uy was the main home of our ancestors, and horse was their transport, or wings! Deer is also the main animal of our country. I like deer and horse." [Raihan]
"I drew beautiful 'Boz Uy'. I drew it because ancient Kyrgyz lived in Boz Uy. Kyrgyzstan is brilliant mountain country and the most treasure is Issyk-Kul lake. In Kyrgyzstan there are white and brown bears, foxes, hares, wolves, panthers, squirrels and bulls." [Saadat 10 yrs]
Jety Oguz - Seven Bulls
"I drew 2 eagles because this is treasure of Kyrgyzstan. I want all world to know that there are beautiful mountains, JETY OGUZ, and beautiful animals like deer, eagles, mountain goats, snow leopards and martens. I like to live in Kyrgyzstan because I was born here and I will say it without break until my heart stops. I am proud that I participated in this project and I hope that I will participate in another international project, but it is still my dream." [Jyldyz 16 yrs]
After answering many questions and showing pictures and falling in love with the beautiful farm I was also shown some of the additional wonders of the area. 'Jety Oguz' are famous all over Kyrgyzstan and previously the Soviet Union, as being the best place to go for a rest. The natural beauty of the red rock and the surrounding National Park is fantastic. The area also has natural springs of mineral waters that are known for their health giving properties. Where once it was a popular resort it is now not so much in use as people have little extra money to spend on rest.
I was glad to be able to give something back to Gulnura's generous family by showing them some of my felting techniques. I have also been given an open invitation to come and share and learn more felting in the future, so long as I learn Russian first!
Kyrgyzstan is my native land, where I was born. I like animals, mountains, lakes but the main thing i like is the nature of Kyrgyzstan." [Tatyna 10 yrs]
"I love very much my native land. To live here means for me to admire all our beautiful nature and to breathe fresh air and to live under a clear sky. The most remarkable sight is Issyk-Kul lake, there is nowhere in the world such a blue lake." [Elena 11yrs]
KYRGYZ FELT
"In my childhood I thought that carpet from felt was sewn together, but it turns out that carpet is stuck together with soap and hot water." [Adilet 11 yrs]
"The working life of the village was permeated with art: men were occupied with 'male' handicrafts - they forged iron, made stamped leather ccases and women made clothes for home needs, embroidered, made thick felt. Thick felt is one of the most ancient materials which had various applications in daily life. National thick felt carpets - colourful alakijizes and shirdaks - were most popular.
The process of manufacturing the thick felt was fascinating for child's impressionable nature in itself. Dumabuy remembers how his family used to gather to make alakijiz. How the wool after washing and carding was dried and spread by even layer on the mat made of 'chij' (light-weight, tough reeds) and the ornament from many coloured wool was layed out on it according to the design the chief expert had in her mind. The boy saw several men to pour boiling water on the wool and roll up the mat immediately. It was tied with rope and rolled about on the ground until the desired hardness of the material was reached. Such methods of making alakijiz still remain without any changes in our days.
The main artistic means were the ornament and colour with the help of which the spiritual richness of the nation was reflected. Coils and trefoils are spread in national works of art, big rhombs and squares are drawn up which tell us about the world and its beauty by a conventional language of ornament. The ornament of a shirdak is formed by pieces of two coloured thick felt. Being put together they are cut according to the given pattern and then sewn together in such a way, that in the finished state details of one colour become the background details, of the other colour the ornaments. Any changes in the conceived composition are impossible, the technology of shirdak conditions accuracy and strictness. " [Taken from, Jumabuy Umetov, In the World of Ornaments, 1982]
"I drew ornament. I drew this because it is symbol of Kyrgyzstan, it is Kyrgyz ornament." [Aydan]
"I drew designs. I like designs, I have a lot of designs at home. Design symbolises own country. In Kyrgyzstan there is very clear air and a lot of domestic animals...Felt is a very strong material" [Lev 10 yrs]
Manas story teller
(Photo thanks to Shaarkan)
Kyrgyzstan is famous for many traditions. Another claim to fame is having the longest epic in the world, the story of Manas, their hero of old. It is said that children dream of the adventures of this man and on waking are able to tell the story without ever having learnt a word of it! Once the story teller begins it is hard for him to stop as he becomes so involved in the tale. It is also said that the first teller of Manas spoke for 3 days solid on the epic! I was given chance to hear some of its telling which was a special moment for me. Even though I could not understand the language the tale is told with such passion and action that I felt as if I was there with horses galloping all around me!
The World of Manas
"Eyelashes of fire and eyes of burning coals: among men there is no such marvel! The words he speaks are arrows shot forth; among men there is no such handsomeness. When he casts a severe look his form is as an angel of death; his gaze through narrows eyes is as a blade of finest steel. In his single person he has the power of a thousand champions! Forehead of a tiger, and a heart of stone; a massive spine and forearms of an elephant; nose like a mountain ridge and eyes of red; arching brows and a dreadful voice; stern-bearded, with jutting mustaches, there is not a single nation that can stand up to him when he is stirred to wrath!
In a world of heroic warriors, magic steeds and mysticism, the 500,oo verses of the Manas Epic capture the spirit of the Kyrgyz people. A natural leader, Manas rallied his people around him to defend their nomadic existence from attacks by infidels. Manas and his Muslim followers, defeated their enemies, eventually securing the territory that was to become Kyrgyzstan. The legendary Manas was a central figure for the Kyrgyz struggle for National identity. Under his leadership the people's of Central Asia were united, making Kyrgyzstan a powerful nation during the Middle Ages." [Taken from, Kyrgyzstan: a country in transition - The UN presence in the Kyrgyz Republic, Marielle Sander-Lindstrom UNDP 1997]
THE PROJECT
"I liked in the project that we were doing handicraft and I've learnt how to make felt. To make it wool needs to be wet and then make soapy and then lay under plastic and then rinse!" [Sultan]
My first 'shock' was to be working with wool that had not been carded. It is traditional in Kyrgyzstan to use only beaten wool that has been loosened not the usual fluffy carded stuff that I've been spoilt with over the years. However, the wool is very good for felting so it didn't prove to be as much of a problem as I first thought it would be!
The children were from Gulnura's English classes, this made it a double lesson for them as they had not made felt before and not spoken with anyone who was a native English speaker! Their ages ranged from 8 to 16 mostly, with one 21 year old to help with the artistic planning side! I was to work with 2 groups, morning and afternoon.
We began with the infamous 'balls' which became a symbol for their involvement at the presentation when the project was over. Smiley faces and stripes were popular decorations!
For the second project I took my inspiration from the shirdak carpet that I slept next to in Gulnura's house. Using card to make the ornament shapes we made small ornamented felts. The children learned about how to change a picture into felt.
"I have learnt a lot about felt; how people began to use felt, how they know that felt is very useful thing for mankind. I have learnt to make balls of wool, to make carpets and make beautiful pictures on carpet from felt. Felt is made from wool. If you want to make it first lay wool on other wool, then 3rd and 4th layers and then add water and rub until it becomes flat felt." [Raihan]
We then began to plan the panel using everyone's knowledge of the beautiful areas of the country and books from the library.
I decided to try the planning of the picture differently and use the expertise of our art student. Together with another two girls they planned the background while the rest of the class prepared the images to go on the foreground. The morning's group was to work on the border design and the afternoon's, the main picture.
Everyone turned out to be very good artists, even though they were not necessarily involved with an art group.
Once the colours were chosen we then had to fit our colours of wool to the closest we had to the pictures. Making the semi-felts turned out to be fun!
With all our colours we could then carefully cut out the pictures from these sheets of semi felt!
'Petroglyphs' 'Komuz' - National instrument Letters for the border
"I drew national instrument, Komuz. It is a symbol of our country and some people take it to other countries and sell it and tell about Komuz and now everyone knows about it!" [Tatyna]
The picture really begins to take shape!
"There is some legend that Kyrgyzstan is called in honour of the lovely part of humanity. On our flag there are 40 sun rays - means 40 girls. In Kyrgyz language KYRK = 40 KYZ = girls. Felt is made from wool it is very interesting and engaging. I liked very much to work with this project because there were lovely people there." [Dina 11 yrs]
Unfortunately when we came to the day for laying out the main picture, out art student had badly damaged her foot and was unable to come to the class! This meant that I had to try and work from the sketches she had made. As usual, the border was easier to work on! When we came to the main picture there was no way I could split the group and work with 5 at a time, this made the work very difficult, as so many hands around the picture at once makes it hard to give guidance!
Laying out the border, upside down!!
Issyk-Kul lake Planning the waterfall Putting on the backing layers
(Photo thanks to Musina Darya)
Then comes the hard work of felting such a huge piece. I was lucky to have the help of a few interested adult felt makers who came to see what I was up to!! The day that I needed a lot of children, many didn't turn up!!
We tried techniques of walking the felt, these were more fun and gave our hands and backs a break!!
The afternoon's group got the job of rolling the felt up, using the triangular pieces to help make the felt roll as a rectangle.
Once again singing really helped to keep the rhythm and the interest of everyone during this hard work! Having the help of Ainura to finish the work the next day meant I had the chance to learn a little about how the Kyrgyz felters get their muscles!!
Hard work well done!
"In this project i like how we made 'panel'. Making it was interesting for me and I like this panel." [Aydan]
Ainura, from Balajan's second centre in Karakol city, Issyk-Kul region, also gave the whole class a demonstration of Kyrgyz feltmaking. This gave the students the chance to practice translation as Ainura speaks about the same amount of English as I do Russian!
The design is always face up, the water boiling hot, no soap and no rubbing, only rolling!
Felt is a very useful thing for Kyrgyz people. It is made of wool, I've learned to make felt from wool and I really like to make felt." [Meerim]
"We learnt to work with wool and make felt. First spread lumps of wool then lay it in one direction, then the other. Make it wet and soapy and then crumple it and you get felt. I liked very much this project because it is very interesting and it gave us joy!" [Elena]
The last few days were spent planning and making the piece that would stay in the centre. The Kyrgyz Republic has a medallion of eagle and mountains with sun rising over the background. We decided to make a similar one for the centre. The eagle is in relief with its feathers falling forwards as if it will fly out of the picture! In the centre of the sun is the 'Balajan' logo depicting the symbol of mother repeated 3 times in the colours of the colour spectrum!
"I like in this project that Alana invented project to make big Boz Uy from the different pieces which were made from different countries of the world. I'm very glad that Kyrgyzstan participated in this project." [Raihan]
THANK YOUS'
First of all a thank you goes out to Inessa from the Kyrgyz Embassy in UK and Stephanie Bunn who both helped put my mind at rest when all was quiet from Kyrgyzstan!!
To everyone at Balajan who helped to organise all I needed for the project and took such an interest.
To my friends at home in Ireland, Dynamic Computer Solutions and friends of Earth Wisdom Foundation who have sent moral support and now financial as well.
To the children who kept me smiling and worked happily and hard!
Finally to Gulnura, who was with me every step of the way, through good times and difficult times, a friend who taught me much about the country that it would have been difficult to learn on my own and one I definitely I hope to meet again.
To contact me:
To visit the main alanafelt site:
http://www.geocities.com/alanafelt