Category: Kyrgyzstan
“Ayban Ferma”: translating George Orwell into Kyrgyz
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” is one of the most famous mottos in world literature. The novel it comes from, George Orwell’s Animal… [...]
From the high Pamirs to the shores of Lake Van: The tale of Turkey’s Kyrgyz community
In the far east of Turkey, not far from Lake Van, lies a small town called Ulupamir. Here 4,000 ethnic Kyrgyz maintain their cultural traditions and strive to preserve their… [...]
Life by the river: the Naryn in Kyrgyzstan
LIFE BY THE RIVER. As a source of water and energy, the Naryn is one of the most important rivers in Central Asia. The effects of climate change are evident,… [...]
What are the underlying reasons for the deadly Kyrgyz-Tajik border clashes?
At least 41 people have been killed and over 27,000 evacuated after a water dispute led to violent border clashes at the Tajik-Kyrgyz border. Novastan talked to a political scientist… [...]
Talas and its people: life by a Central Asian river affected by climate change
LIFE BY THE RIVER. Three million people in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan live by the Talas River, where there is less and less water every year. This article was originally… [...]
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Between nationalist populism and neoliberalism: Kyrgyzstan and global political trends
ANALYSIS. The political landscape of Kyrgyzstan was tumultuous in 2020. Novastan Deutsch’s founder and editorial manager Florian Coppenrath analyses Sadyr Japarov’s path to the top and ventures an outlook on… [...]
A hundred years of Kyrgyz football
The Kyrgyz Football Federation celebrated 100 years on 21 March 2021, but it’s as active as ever. Novastan looks back at the game’s history in the Central Asian nation. This… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: voters approve new constitution in referendum
A new Kyrgyz constitution, proposed by referendum, was approved by 79.3% of voters according to preliminary results. Turnout, however, was low: just over 35%. Voters in Kyrgyzstan have approved a… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: murder of a young woman sparks public anger
In Kyrgyzstan, thousands of young girls and women are abducted every year for forced marriage. Although the practice was outlawed in 2013, bride kidnapping persists, with devastating consequences for society. [...]
Kyrgyzstan: why Bishkek’s air quality is so poor
Out in the foothills near Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, one can observe a dark cloud hanging over the city throughout the year. ЛИВЕНЬ Living Asia looked into how polluted… [...]
Kyrgyzstan to hold constitutional referendum in April
It’s official: Kyrgyzstan will choose whether or not to modify its constitution on 11 April. Parliament approved the bill making provisions for a referendum last week and the president, Sadyr… [...]
More Russian passports, fewer labour migrants: Central Asian migration to Russia in 2020
In 2020, Tajikistan overtook Kazakhstan on the list of countries whose citizens received Russian passports in 2020, coming second behind only Ukraine. Last year, a record number of Tajiks—more… [...]