Outside of Bishkek there is what I affectionately think of as The Concrete Village. I think it is an all purpose space for celebrating Kyrgyz ethnic and national identity and everything built there symbolizes something relating to Manas (the hero of the 500,000 line Kygryz epic poem (The Epic of Manas)).
This scary tower (trust me on this) represents the Hat of Manas. And just because I know you’re wondering, The Hat of The Epic of Manas, and related concrete monuments, have nothing to do with Manos: the Hands of Fate; amusing and entertaining as that would be. (So amusing that I attempted to explain Mystery Science Theater 3,000 and Manos. Fool’s errand; but at least I was entertained and now you are as well!)
