Research in Focus

We are delighted to share that, from 5 July to 31 July 2026, Olga Smolyak conducted archival research in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as part of the Traumatised Minds project.

During her research trip, Olga uncovered a remarkable collection of photographs documenting the history of sanatoria in Kyrgyzstan from the late imperial period through the Soviet era and into the post-Soviet decades. The images offer a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of adults and children who attended balneological and climatic sanatoria located in the mountainous regions of the republic. Together, they trace the changing cultures of rest, treatment, and recovery across the twentieth century. Another significant discovery was a collection of archival materials produced by the republican resort administration. These records shed light on the economic, medical, and ideological management of the sanatorium system. The documents reveal the growing pressure placed on sanatoria by Soviet authorities to become economically self-sufficient. They also illustrate increasing expectations that resorts should serve not only as sites of treatment and leisure, but also as centres of scientific research investigating the effects of climatic and natural factors on physical and mental health.

As part of the trip, Olga visited the Yssyk-Ata Sanatorium, the principal focus of her current research. Combining archival work with anthropological observation, she explored how the institution has evolved since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Her observations suggest that Yssyk-Ata has been transformed into a multifunctional space for leisure, recreation, and wellness retreats. While many Soviet therapeutic practices remain in place, parts of the site have been repurposed to meet contemporary demands. The thermal springs now function as a major tourist attraction, while several Soviet-era accommodation blocks have been replaced by smaller cabins equipped with modern amenities for individual visitors and families.

The findings from this research trip will contribute to several forthcoming project outputs, including a photographic exhibition, a research presentation at the Centre for the History of Medicine, Science and Technology, and a chapter for the project’s edited volume.