ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤMONO is a blog platform and a dynamic initiative aimed at connecting scholars, communities, and the public with the rich history of mono-industrial towns in Central Asia. Our mission is to gather and preserve objects, narratives, and memories that reflect the legacy of mono-industrialism, a crucial chapter in the history of Central Asia. This project is an extension of the postdoctoral research "Dealing with Uncertainty:
Socio-Economic Survival Strategies of Local Populations in Former Mono-Industrial Towns," funded by the Volkswagen Foundation (2021-2024) and coordinated through a collaboration between Bielefeld University (Germany) and the American University of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan).

About

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThe aggressive dustrialization and urbanization of Central Asia during the Soviet era gave rise to monogorods, or mono-industrial towns, which became dependent on single industries, primarily in the mining, metallurgical, chemical, coal and other sectors. These towns, established in the 1950s and 1960s, played a key role in the Soviet Union’s industrial strategy, providing jobs, housing, and community infrastructure. Supported by Moscow’s direct provisioning, these towns offered residents privileged access to resources and services.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHowever, the socio-political upheavals of the 1990s transformed the fate of these towns. With the collapse of their industries, many mono-towns became marginalized and isolated, facing challenges such as high unemployment, depopulation, and decaying infrastructure. MONO seeks to document this whole transformation and bring these different stories into a broader dialogue.

Why MONO?

A Community-Centered Approach

At the heart of MONO is collaboration. We aim to create a digital space where the memories and experiences of current and former residents of mono -industrial towns are valued. We actively seek to collaborate with people from these communities across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. In addition, we invite curators, museums, libraries, archives, and cultural activists to join us in preserving, documenting and interpreting the industrial legacy of these towns to understand our present and future.

Unfortunately, not every mono-industrial town has a local museum, and many historical artifacts and narratives were lost in the turbulent 1990s. MONO aims to bridge that gap by providing a platform where communities can take charge of their own small-scale histories, free from top-down, single-read and grand narratives and state-sponsored heritage industry. By focusing on the lived experiences of residents, we hope to foster a dialogue that not only preserves the past but also helps these communities envision their present and  future.

What Will You Find at

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤIn an era where digital museums are becoming increasingly common, MONO aims to stand out by offering a participatory experience, where community members can contribute their own stories and materials. By doing so, we hope to create a collective memory of the industrial legacy that shaped so many lives across Central Asia, giving voice to small histories that have often been overlooked by large state-run national museums and cultural institutions.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThe digital museum will host collections that illustrate the history of these mono-towns, including the full spectrum of daily life from industrial work and mining to leisure activities. The exhibits will largely consist of videos, sound recordings, images, and personal stories, accompanied by reflections and memories of those who lived and worked in these towns. Visitors will also be able to comment on and engage with the materials, sparking conversations and interpretations around the objects and narratives shared.

Share your story

and help us preserve, understand and rethink the rich and complex history of Central Asia’s mono-industrial heritage for future generations.