Month: 
Matraimov’s millions: the story of a Kyrgyz corruption scandal
The Matraimov corruption scandal has had a significant resonance across Kyrgyz society and has been a driver of ongoing protests in Kyrgyzstan. But the question of whether Raimbek Matraimov, a… [...]
Equestrian sport in snow
A game of Kok Boru in Dodomol, in the district of Toguz-Toro, Jalal-Abad Region, Kyrgyzstan. Credit: Victoria Molina Find all of our photos of the day here. [...]
Blackout in a Tajik village
Power outage in a small Tajik village. It’s apparently not a problem for these young people, who still manage to watch videos. Photo: Cyril Caldero (France) Find all of our… [...]
[Newsletter] A fistful of som
This is a copy of our newsletter dated 15 February 2021. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox every Monday. This newsletter is dedicated to post-Soviet… [...]
Turkmenistan’s president appoints his son deputy prime minister
As part of a government reshuffle, Turkmenistan’s president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow has named his son Serdar deputy prime minister. The appointment comes after several months of speculation about the political rise… [...]
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!
After the Storm
The previous night’s snow storm won’t keep Janat from his daily tasks. Through the window, he is looking for a patch of grass for his cows to graze on. [...]
On the road with Maksat
“On the road with Maksat” is an ongoing project by Irina Unruh. During her travels in Kyrgyzstan, she spent many hours in a car with the driver Maksat. Credit: Irina… [...]
The Wife: the short film highlighting domestic violence in Kazakhstan
Directed by Kana Beisekeyev and produced by Kairat Nurmugambetov in association with Qazaq TV, the short documentary The Wife is a powerful and harrowing account of four women’s experience of… [...]
Shepherd and camel
Shepherd on his horse and a camel in Boirok-Bulak, Kyrgyzstan. Credit: Théo Saffroy (France) This photo is part of the series “Camel shepherd”, shot in 2020. Find more… [...]
The green room
What the sun does with the plants on the window sill, wallpaper and decoration create for this living room in southern kyrgyzstan. Credit: Irina Unruh (Germany) This photo is part of… [...]
Herbs for the fire
The product of a day’s work in Rangkul, Tajikistan: Go to Lake Rangkul from the village (10 km from the village) to mow some herbs used to light the… [...]