In the far east of Turkey, not far from Lake Van, lies a small town called Ulupamir. Here 4,000 ethnic Kyrgyz maintain their cultural traditions and strive to preserve their connection to the Kyrgyz language. This article is a translation of

At least 41 people have been killed and over 27,000 evacuated after a water dispute led to violent border clashes at the Tajik-Kyrgyz border. Novastan talked to a political scientist to understand the underlying reasons for border disputes in the

LIFE BY THE RIVER. More than four million people in Kazakhstan and Russia live in the Ural river basin. They are watching the river grow shallower as time goes by. The main reason for this is human activity, scientists say.

This Monday 26 April, Kazakhstan started rolling out its homegrown Covid-19 vaccine, QazVac. A symbol of Kazakhstan's scientific potential, QazVac should eventually lead to a significant increase in vaccinations in the country. Its production also marks new cooperation with Turkey. This

LIFE BY THE RIVER. Three million people in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan live by the Talas River, where there is less and less water every year. This article was originally published in Russian by the Kazakh media Vlast.kz as part of

ANALYSIS. The political landscape of Kyrgyzstan was tumultuous in 2020. Novastan Deutsch's founder and editorial manager Florian Coppenrath analyses Sadyr Japarov’s path to the top and ventures an outlook on its global implications. The following article appeared in the December

Tajikistan has submitted nine historical and cultural sites in the Zarafshan-Karakum corridor for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Currently, two places in Tajikistan have received the full status. This article was originally published on Novastan's French website on 19

The Kyrgyz Football Federation celebrated 100 years on 21 March 2021, but it’s as active as ever. Novastan looks back at the game's history in the Central Asian nation. This article was originally published on Novastan's French website on 21 March

The Uzbek party Erk intends to field a candidate at the presidential election this October. The opposition party was banned in the 1990s and its leader fled the country. A version of this article was first published on Novastan's French

On 8 March, hundreds of protesters walked the 5km length of Shevchenko Street, a major street in Almaty, Kazahstan’s largest city, and the police looked on. This celebration of International Women’s Day is a first in Kazakhstan but the reaction

A new Kyrgyz constitution, proposed by referendum, was approved by 79.3% of voters according to preliminary results. Turnout, however, was low: just over 35%. Voters in Kyrgyzstan have approved a new constitution. According to preliminary results of the 11 April constitutional

The European Union has officially added Uzbekistan to the list of countries benefiting from the GSP +. 6,200 Uzbek products will be able to access the European market without customs duties. This article was originally published on Novastan's French website on

In Kyrgyzstan, thousands of young girls and women are abducted every year for forced marriage. Although the practice was outlawed in 2013, bride kidnapping persists, with devastating consequences for society. The tragic case of Aizada Kanatbekova, who was found strangled

The railway line connecting the Uzbek cities of Bekobod and Qo’qon (Kokand) via Tajikistan will be electrified by the end of 2021. A version of this article was published on Novastan's French website on 1 April 2021. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan plan to

The LGBTQ community in Uzbekistan is facing increased repression in the wake of an attack on an independent blogger outside of his home in Tashkent. Miraziz Bazarov, who has actively called for improved LGBTQ rights within Uzbekistan, was attacked by

Uzbekistan’s Covid-19 vaccination programme has started in Tashkent, Nukus and 12 regions across the country. In the first stage, vaccines are free and prioritised for clinically vulnerable groups and medical professionals. Uzbekistan started the mass distribution of coronavirus vaccines on 1

Regular direct flights from Russia to several countries including Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have officially resumed. Passengers will have to follow strict measures to minimise transmission of Covid-19. A version of this article was originally published on Novastan's French website on 31

A team of international researchers discovered a brontosaurus-like Sauropod fossil in Uzbekistan this February. Dubbed Dzharatitanis kingi, this fossil is the first of its kind found in Central Asia. This article was originally published on Novastan's French website on 19 March