Author: Novastan 
Novastan
Written articles:
Equestrian sport
Kok-boru carries on an ancient equestrian tradition dating back to the time of Zoroastrianism. The principle of this game, which is very popular in Central Asia and… [...]
Kutlug Timur Minaret
The Kutlug Timur minaret, named after a khan of the Golden Horde, towers over the site of Konye-Urgench at a height of 60 metres. Konye-Urgench, or… [...]
Shepherdesses
High in the mountains of Tajikistan, two young girls lead their small herd of cows to pasture. Photo credit: Cyril Caldero (France) Find… [...]
Uzbek summer
In Tashkent, Uzbekistan, temperatures usually exceed thirty degrees in summer. A refreshing break is particularly welcome. The summery colours of the young girl’s outfit in the photograph complement… [...]
View from the tower
In Khiva, one of Uzbekistan’s most popular tourist destinations, visitors flock to enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city. Photo credits : Salomé… [...]
Heroines of the Second World War
In Almaty, Kazakhstan, stands this monument dedicated to two heroines of the Soviet Union, Aliya Moldagulova and Manchouk Mametova. These two female fighters distinguished themselves through… [...]
“I only needed a passport” : In Ukraine, Central Asian prisoners of wars caught between loyalty and regret
Citizens from Central Asia now represent the largest group of foreign nationals fighting in the Russian army. Novastan spoke with several of them after their capture by Ukrainian forces. [...]
Western Turkmen
Four immaculate pickup trucks race at full speed toward the Derweze crater. Known as the “Door to Hell,” this site in Turkmenistan draws the handful… [...]
Bibi-Khanym Mosque
The Bibi-Khanym Mosque in the city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. It is named after one of the wives of… [...]
Traffic on the road to Gharm
Wherever you are, when a herd is on the road, cars have to wait. Gharm, Tajikistan. Credits: Etienne de Vaumas (France) Find… [...]
Pillars of salt
Turkmenistan stands as the most extreme case of authoritarianism in Central Asia. From 1991 to 2006, the Saparmyrat Niyyazov state established a near-total grip on… [...]