Culture Calendar: Bishkek is set for a busy arts week with the XI International Small Forms Theater Festival “IMPULSE” (Sept 14-18), the “UmutDoc” documentary festival (Sept 10-14), and screenings of Kyrgyz films at QARASH LAB (Sept 15 and 17), plus Igor Moiseyev Ballet performances (Sept 16-17). Independence Day Fallout: Talas akyn Aaly Tutkuchev says his Independence Day performance was canceled a day before the 35th anniversary event, with no official reason given—he still performed for locals. Heritage & Museums: The updated “Manas” museum exhibitions opened in Talas as part of the “Manas Ordo” complex, with new displays on the epic’s history and the manaschi tradition. New Talas Landmarks: President Sadyr Japarov opened a four-floor central mosque in Talas (capacity 4,500) and the presidential lyceum “Akyilman,” alongside further “Manas Ordo” reconstruction. Education & Youth: The National Chess Academy opened in Bishkek to train international-level players, while 126 projects were submitted to Kyrgyzstan’s Academic Innovation Fund competition. Gender in Energy: A Gender Council was launched at the Ministry of Energy, led by Elzada Sargashkaeva, aiming to boost girls into engineering and energy careers.