Author: Novastan 
Novastan
Written articles:
Kite festival
With the arrival of spring, the square of the Hast Imam architectural ensemble in Tashkent transforms into a true kite festival. The wind lifts the vibrant… [...]
Ot o’yin, a horseplay
These photos were taken during a ‘sunnat to’y’, a traditional celebration held after a boy’s circumcision. Such events are becoming increasingly rare, as many families now choose to have… [...]
Red horizon
Travelers interested in Kyrgyzstan are familiar with Jeti Oguz, famous for its “Seven Red Rocks.” But the entire area between the city of Karakol and the… [...]
Festive table
In the Chinese province of Xinjiang, this festive table adheres to all the traditions of Kazakh hospitality. Indeed, the host belongs to the region’s Kazakh minority. Despite Chinese repression aimed… [...]
Kaleidoscope
Tashkent‘s Chorsu Bazaar, where fabric patterns frame the entrances and fill the stalls. Credits: Salomé Aldeguer-Roure (France) Find all of our… [...]
Sudden snow
A gentle swell laps against the snow-covered shores of Lake Burabay, running alongside the grove of ‘dancing birches’. Credits: Isabelle Vincent (France) Find all… [...]
Novastan Photo Contest 2026: the results
“Yesterday and today in Central Asia”: In this 2026 edition, the Novastan team explored Central Asia through portraits, street scenes, playful moments, and fleeting coincidences ; each revealing a glimpse of time. Jury Prize The jury was impressed by the quality of all submissions, making the final decision especially challenging. After careful deliberation, the jury awarded Jan Hildner the Jury Prize. Bravo to him ! The walls and domes of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, restored many times… [...]
Novastan photo contest #10
Bukhara : a precious, powerful and protected testimony of a prestigious past serving a project for the future. Credits : Jan Ritter (Austria, @janritter10) Find… [...]
Novastan Photo contest #9 – Pile-up
The walls and domes of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, restored many times over, emerge like a dream from the metal structures of the great Siab market in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. [...]
Novastan Photo Contest 2026 #8 The invisible side of success
In Turkmenistan, during the fertile fall, this image reflects the unseen side of success. It shows how success is built gradually, as abundance is harvested. [...]
Novastan Photo Contest #7
‘I have always been moved by things that once were but are no longer. This image is a photograph of the main bazaar in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, being demolished in… [...]
Novastan photo contest #6 Potemkin Dushanbe
The government continues to construct new, modern, and elegant buildings to house all branches of government. A huge flagpole with a flag clearly remains a major priority. However, little has… [...]