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Clarinetist Sayyod Mirzomurodov and pianist Mariya Akhadjanova, performers of Contemporary Uzbek Music for Clarinet and Piano. Credit: Ryan Nguyen.

When the clarinet speaks Uzbek: bringing an overlooked classical repertoire to the world

Support Novastan, the European Central Asia magazine By supporting Novastan, you are supporting the only English, French and German-language media specialising in Central Asia. We’re independent and we need your help to stay that way! Support Novastan Clarinetist Sayyod Mirzomurodov… Read More

Dr. Mendee Jargalsaikhan - Global Nomads of Mongolia

“Mongolia cannot be understood through one lens”: Dr. Mendee Jargalsaikhan on democracy, China and Central Asia

Support Novastan, the European Central Asia magazine By supporting Novastan, you are supporting the only English, French and German-language media specialising in Central Asia. We’re independent and we need your help to stay that way! Support Novastan Mongolia occupies an… Read More

Gulnoza Ismailova, Executive Director of Uzbekistan’s El-Yurt Umidi Foundation. Photo courtesy of El-Yurt Umidi Foundation.

“This is the right time to engage with Uzbekistan”: Gulnoza Ismailova on education, talent and the country’s future

A depleted irrigation canal in rural Uzbekistan. Water scarcity and unequal distribution can leave smallholder and household farmers without sufficient water for their crops. Photo: Google Images.

When irrigation becomes a nightly struggle for Uzbekistan’s women farmers

Latest news

Marius Dragomir.

“Follow the invoices”: Marius Dragomir on how money shapes independent journalism

CKU construction in Suzak district, Jalal-Abad region, 29 April 2025.

China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway: Who wins from Central Asia’s new trade route?

Pistachio trees in Tajikistan. Source: Asia-Plus.

Central Asia’s Forests Under Pressure

Linguist and translator Mahabat Sadyrbek with her English-language textbook, Comprehensive Grammar of the Kyrgyz Language. Photo courtesy of Mahabat Sadyrbek.

A Language in Motion: Mahabat Sadyrbek on Teaching Kyrgyz to the English-Speaking World

The remaining waters of the Aral Sea in Karakalpakstan. Photo: Mathieu Lemoine.

From the Pamirs to the Aral Sea: Following the Amu Darya Through Central Asia

Aldaspan with electric dombras. Photo courtesy of Aldaspan.

From Küi to Metallica: How Aldaspan Electrified the Kazakh Dombra

Photo of the day

dusk mountains

Dusk

27 July 2026 - Élyne Dragée

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Prisoners of war walk towards their cells, April 15, 2026. Credit : Driss Rejichi

“I only needed a passport” : In Ukraine, Central Asian prisoners of wars caught between loyalty and regret

Random article

Members of the organisation Istiqbolli Avlod in Uzbekistan, Photo: Istiqbolli Avlod.

In Paris, an Uzbekistani NGO’s fight against human trafficking recognised with the French Republic Human Rights Prize

Politics and Geopolitics

2023 Dialogue of Women Leaders of Central Asia. Credits: Gazeta.uz.

More Women in Central Asian Politics – But Where Is the Power?

Minsk’s Eastern Bet: Why Central Asia Matters More Than Ever The Vocabulary of Reform: Why Central Asia Is Reimagining Its Political Traditions Kazakhstan’s Next Elections: Between Reform and Managed Competition Manas and the Making of Kyrgyzstan In Kyrgyzstan, after the dismissal of the GKNB chief, the political-security apparatus is reshuffled Kyrgyzstan in the EU’s sights for the twentieth sanctions package against Russia

Society

Hana Sexton at an event organized by the Federation of Korean Associations in the United States. Photo courtesy of Hana Sexton.

From Central Asia to America: The Koryo-Saram Diaspora Finds a New Voice

How Central Asia became home for the Koryo-Saram Money, boxes and absent men: the hidden economy reshaping Central Asia The Hidden Weight of Divorce in Kyrgyzstan: Why Its Social Consequences Remain Gendered Between Extended Family and Personal Boundaries: How Parenting is Changing in Kazakhstan In Tajikistan, daughters-in-law face a hidden system of control From Uzbekistan to Strasbourg: Aziz Shokhakimov, a conductor between cultures and languages

Culture and Sports

Linguist and translator Mahabat Sadyrbek with her English-language textbook, Comprehensive Grammar of the Kyrgyz Language. Photo courtesy of Mahabat Sadyrbek.

A Language in Motion: Mahabat Sadyrbek on Teaching Kyrgyz to the English-Speaking World

From Küi to Metallica: How Aldaspan Electrified the Kazakh Dombra From Bukhara to Queens: The Global Journey of the Bukharan Jews How Central Asia became home for the Koryo-Saram Beyond the big clubs: the football map behind Uzbekistan’s World Cup dream Bunyodkor Tashkent: the prestige project that tried to put Uzbek football on the world map Neftchi Fergana: the oil-workers’ club that dominated early Uzbek football