Month: 
Beyond fun and games – the politics of Nowruz
In Central Asia, the beginning of spring is traditionally marked by Nowruz, also known as ‘Persian New Year.’ Typical holiday celebrations include horse games, family visits, and large feasts. But… [...]
Women’s Day in Kazakhstan: hundreds gather for rally in Almaty
On International Women’s Day in Almaty, feminist organisations rallied “for bodily autonomy and against sexual violence”. According to estimates, 700 to 1000 participants joined the rally to express their demands. [...]
“Hymns of Blood” – Tajik short stories from Perestroika
In August 2022, the French historian and writer Stéphane Dudoignon published “Hymnes de sang” (or “Hymns of Blood”) – a collection of short stories by Tajik writers from the Perestroika… [...]
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“An escalating manifestation of Russophobia” – Kazakhstan at the epicentre of an information war
Since the invasion, Kazakhstan has taken a position of neutrality towards Russia’s war in Ukraine. Yet, Astana has not hindered volunteers from organising humanitarian aid to send to Ukraine. Furious… [...]
In Tajikistan repression continues
For nearly a year and a half, the Pamiri minority in Tajikistan, who live mainly in the Gorno-Badakhshan region in the east of the country, have been suffering harsh repressive… [...]
Not the best moment for a bike ride yet
The winter in Shymkent is slowly coming to an end, but the rental bikes in the big city in southern Kazakhstan still have to… [...]