Author: Maya Ivanova 
Maya Ivanova
Written articles:
Almira Saifullina: “The steppe is an archive of violence, memory and silence”
Documentary filmmaker and visual anthropologist Almira Saifullina explores how landscapes preserve traces of Soviet violence, forced displacement and family memory. In this interview with Novastan, she discusses her new… [...]
Bukhara Before the Border: Aini and the Politics of Tajik-Uzbek Memory
Some books are interesting because they tell a story. The Sands of Oxus: Boyhood Reminiscences of Sadriddin Aini is interesting because it captures an entire world at the moment… [...]
Manas and the Making of Kyrgyzstan
Few works of literature are as politically alive as the Kyrgyz epic Manas. It is not simply an old poem, nor only a heroic tale recited by specialists. In… [...]
“Disability is a Mirror for the Development of Societies” – A Conversation with Dilmurad Yusupov
Dilmurad Yusupov is an Uzbekistani researcher, civil society activist and international development consultant advocating for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. He co-founded NGO… [...]
Through roads, markets and silence: Tolomush Zhanybekov films Kyrgyzstan’s unseen lives
Kyrgyz director Tolomush Zhanybekov turns his camera toward the people and places often left outside the frame: cemetery guards, pensioners selling their belongings, children facing humiliation, brothers bound by… [...]
“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… [...]
Destination Kazakhstan – A report from Kostanay, where hundreds of Russians have been taken in
The border region of Kostanay has turned into a sanctuary for Russians wanting to flee mobilisation. The journalist Almas Qaısar traveled for Vlast to Kostanay to speak with… [...]
EBRD sets investment record in Uzbekistan
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested 690 million dollars in Uzbekistan in 2021. The two partners have cooperated exceptionally well in the sectors of green energy… [...]
How Russia is recruiting Central Asian soldiers for its war in Ukraine
Many Central Asian migrants have joined the Russian army since partial mobilisation was announced in Russia. They are being pulled into Russia’s war in Ukraine against the advice of… [...]
Turkmenistan launches national messaging services
The Turkmen authorities have announced the launch of an instant messaging and email platform developed by domestic companies. These new applications will provide the Turkmen people with alternatives to… [...]
Art without Borders: The Coffee Artist Nurlan Duishobekov from Bishkek
Nurlan Duishobekov is a graphic designer and video illustrator. He studied graphic design in the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. His work took place in Almaty, London, New… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: Handover of water reservoir to Uzbekistan leads to protests
The Kyrgyz parliament approved the outline for an agreement of a new border between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The outline includes handing over the Kempir-Abad water reservoir to their Uzbek… [...]
Translated articles:
From Uzbekistan to Strasbourg: Aziz Shokhakimov, a conductor between cultures and languages
Originally from Uzbekistan, conductor Aziz Shokhakimov has been leading the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra since 2021. At 38, this first Uzbekistani conductor in Strasbourg, passionate about French music, has followed… [...]
In Paris, an Uzbekistani NGO’s fight against human trafficking recognised with the French Republic Human Rights Prize
In 2025, the Uzbekistani NGO Istiqbolli Avlod received the Human Rights Prize of the French Republic. For its director, Nodira Karimova, this distinction is both an honour and a… [...]