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A scene from Mergen, a Kyrgyz psychological thriller directed by Chingiz Narynov. Courtesy of Citylab Films.

“A Person of Conscience Is Almost a Fairytale Character”: Chingiz Narynov on His Kyrgyz Thriller Mergen

Blending Kyrgyz mythology with crime drama and psychological suspense, Mergen explores corruption, environmental exploitation and the struggle for justice. Director Chingiz Narynov speaks to Novastan about the legends that inspired his film, its morally complex characters and the contrasting reactions of Kyrgyz and international audiences. [...]

Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), and Joseph Grima, Programme Director of the Aral School. Photo courtesy of ACDF.

Can design help reimagine the future of the Aral Sea? Joseph Grima on a different kind of school

Can design help address the Aral Sea region’s environmental challenges? Aral School director Joseph Grima discusses climate change, local knowledge and a new approach to design education in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan. [...]

Afghan President Hamid Karzai greets a delegation upon his arrival in Madrid to attend the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security, held from 8 to 10 March 2005. His visit preceded the establishment of resident embassies in Madrid and Kabul. Photo: Courtesy of Hamed Wahdat Ahmadzada.

From Madrid to Kabul: An Afghan Diplomat on Spain, the Taliban and the Republic’s Collapse

Christian Hirschmann of Azurite Logistics. Photo: Courtesy of Azurite Logistics.

The Middle Corridor is growing, but can it deliver? A logistics operator’s perspective

A scene from Mergen, a Kyrgyz psychological thriller directed by Chingiz Narynov. Courtesy of Citylab Films.

“A Person of Conscience Is Almost a Fairytale Character”: Chingiz Narynov on His Kyrgyz Thriller Mergen

Blending Kyrgyz mythology with crime drama and psychological suspense, Mergen explores corruption, environmental exploitation and the struggle for justice. Director Chingiz Narynov speaks to Novastan about the legends that inspired his film, its morally complex characters and the contrasting reactions of Kyrgyz and international audiences. Read More

Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), and Joseph Grima, Programme Director of the Aral School. Photo courtesy of ACDF.

Can design help reimagine the future of the Aral Sea? Joseph Grima on a different kind of school

Can design help address the Aral Sea region’s environmental challenges? Aral School director Joseph Grima discusses climate change, local knowledge and a new approach to design education in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan. Read More

Afghan President Hamid Karzai greets a delegation upon his arrival in Madrid to attend the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security, held from 8 to 10 March 2005. His visit preceded the establishment of resident embassies in Madrid and Kabul. Photo: Courtesy of Hamed Wahdat Ahmadzada.

From Madrid to Kabul: An Afghan Diplomat on Spain, the Taliban and the Republic’s Collapse

Christian Hirschmann of Azurite Logistics. Photo: Courtesy of Azurite Logistics.

The Middle Corridor is growing, but can it deliver? A logistics operator’s perspective

Latest news

ZARAYA. Photograph by Kristina Mocu.

ZARAYA: The Tajik electronic artist turning sound into stories

Attabad Lake in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, where tourism is reshaping the local economy. Credits: Nadia Ali.

Gilgit-Baltistan: Who Benefits from Development in Pakistan’s Mountain North?

Merey, played by Inzhu Abeu, in Olga Korotko's Crickets, It's Your Turn (2024).

Olga Korotko: “The film is a comedy in its construction and a tragedy in its outcome”

Najy Benhassine, World Bank Division Director for Central Asia, at a regional meeting with representatives of Central Asian countries. Courtesy of the World Bank.

World Bank’s Najy Benhassine on Economic Growth and Transformation in Central Asia

A model wearing a creation from QASHANG, Shahina Olimzade's collection combining traditional Tajik textiles with punk and grunge influences. Photo: Shahzoda Bakhriddinova.

Tajik tradition meets punk: Shahina Olimzade is rewriting the rules of fashion

A scene from Zero Point Action (2025), directed by Mongolian filmmaker Aldar Enkhbayar. Courtesy of the film's production team.

Trapped in a time loop: How Zero Point Action is pushing Mongolian cinema into science fiction

ZARAYA. Photograph by Kristina Mocu.

ZARAYA: The Tajik electronic artist turning sound into stories

Attabad Lake in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, where tourism is reshaping the local economy. Credits: Nadia Ali.

Gilgit-Baltistan: Who Benefits from Development in Pakistan’s Mountain North?

Merey, played by Inzhu Abeu, in Olga Korotko's Crickets, It's Your Turn (2024).

Olga Korotko: “The film is a comedy in its construction and a tragedy in its outcome”

Najy Benhassine, World Bank Division Director for Central Asia, at a regional meeting with representatives of Central Asian countries. Courtesy of the World Bank.

World Bank’s Najy Benhassine on Economic Growth and Transformation in Central Asia

A model wearing a creation from QASHANG, Shahina Olimzade's collection combining traditional Tajik textiles with punk and grunge influences. Photo: Shahzoda Bakhriddinova.

Tajik tradition meets punk: Shahina Olimzade is rewriting the rules of fashion

A scene from Zero Point Action (2025), directed by Mongolian filmmaker Aldar Enkhbayar. Courtesy of the film's production team.

Trapped in a time loop: How Zero Point Action is pushing Mongolian cinema into science fiction

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Mosaics – 1 – Allegory of Spring

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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

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In Uzbekistan, one family wants to support the revival of wine production

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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

Kamila Akhunova in the vineyard of the family estate, located a few kilometres from Tashkent, Uzbekistan. © Louise Simondet

In Uzbekistan, one family wants to support the revival of wine production

Politics and Geopolitics

Afghan President Hamid Karzai greets a delegation upon his arrival in Madrid to attend the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security, held from 8 to 10 March 2005. His visit preceded the establishment of resident embassies in Madrid and Kabul. Photo: Courtesy of Hamed Wahdat Ahmadzada.

From Madrid to Kabul: An Afghan Diplomat on Spain, the Taliban and the Republic’s Collapse

Afghan President Hamid Karzai greets a delegation upon his arrival in Madrid to attend the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security, held from 8 to 10 March 2005. His visit preceded the establishment of resident embassies in Madrid and Kabul. Photo: Courtesy of Hamed Wahdat Ahmadzada.

From Madrid to Kabul: An Afghan Diplomat on Spain, the Taliban and the Republic’s Collapse

South Korea’s Central Asia strategy is regional in form, bilateral in practice “The idea of having choices was so new”: Oyungerel Tsedevdamba on Mongolia’s democracy 36 years later Beyond the ‘Graveyard of Empires’: Rethinking the Afghan State Can Afghanistan Become Central Asia’s Bridge to the South? “I survived things. But I also built things”: Nilofar Ayoubi on Afghan women, exile and resistance “A Fourth Political Reset?”: An Interview with Kyrgyz Political Scientist Emil Dzhuraev

Society

A Kazakh paramilitary during a military exercise in 2000 (illustrative image). Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

In Kazakhstan, Military Service Continues to Worry Young Men

A Kazakh paramilitary during a military exercise in 2000 (illustrative image). Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

In Kazakhstan, Military Service Continues to Worry Young Men

From Madrid to Kabul: An Afghan Diplomat on Spain, the Taliban and the Republic’s Collapse Uzbekistan’s Disability Rights Reforms: Progress on Paper, Barriers in Practice ‘I am a German from Kazakhstan’: Lena Wolf on deportation, memory and finding home Janina Arsenjeva: “Finding a problem doesn’t mean reform has failed” Far from home, behind the wheel: A Kyrgyz truck driver on Europe’s roads Share Happiness, build an industry: Lola Animation’s Uzbek animation story

Culture and Sports

Merey, played by Inzhu Abeu, in Olga Korotko's Crickets, It's Your Turn (2024).

Olga Korotko: “The film is a comedy in its construction and a tragedy in its outcome”

Merey, played by Inzhu Abeu, in Olga Korotko's Crickets, It's Your Turn (2024).

Olga Korotko: “The film is a comedy in its construction and a tragedy in its outcome”

Tajik tradition meets punk: Shahina Olimzade is rewriting the rules of fashion Trapped in a time loop: How Zero Point Action is pushing Mongolian cinema into science fiction “When Appearance Replaces Faith”: Sarvar Karimov on His Uzbek Film Farz Beyond Karakorum: How Italian and Mongolian archaeologists are uncovering the past Beyond the postcard: An exhibition in Kyrgyzstan puts everyday life in the frame “A Person of Conscience Is Almost a Fairytale Character”: Chingiz Narynov on His Kyrgyz Thriller Mergen