Category: Kyrgyzstan
Spotify expands to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Spotify is coming to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Local music distributors see the arrival of the Swedish streaming service not as a game changer but rather as another sign of… [...]
Matraimov’s millions: the story of a Kyrgyz corruption scandal
The Matraimov corruption scandal has had a significant resonance across Kyrgyz society and has been a driver of ongoing protests in Kyrgyzstan. But the question of whether Raimbek Matraimov,… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: Ulukbek Maripov heads pared-down government
Kyrgyzstan’s new prime minister and his government officially took office last week. Ulukbek Maripov could go down in history as the last prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, as President Sadyr… [...]
Rise and fall… and rise: the career of Kyrgyzstan’s Sadyr Japarov
Sadyr Japarov took office as president of Kyrgyzstan this Thursday. He is the country’s sixth president and the third to come to power following political uprisings. His political career… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: threat of censorship looms after controversial comedy show
After a controversial comedy show on YouTube, Kyrgyzstan’s culture minister discussed stronger state control of musicians. Artists and parts of civil society reacted with indignation and criticised the lack… [...]
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Central Asia in 2020: the year in review
Coronavirus, border clashes, a political crisis in Kyrgyzstan… Central Asia had a turbulent 2020. Here is Novastan’s overview. In Central Asia as in the rest of the… [...]
Kyrgyzstan elects Sadyr Japarov and opts for presidential government
Kyrgyzstan’s snap presidential election resulted in a landslide victory for Sadyr Japarov. The vote came at the same time as a referendum on the population’s preferred form of government,… [...]
Kyrgyzstan struggling to meet electricity demand this winter
With low water levels in its main reservoir, Kyrgyzstan is struggling to keep up with the increasing demand for electricity this winter. Deputy Prime Minister Ravshan Sabirov warned this… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: voters face choice of 18 candidates in January election
Kyrgyzstan is holding a snap presidential election on 10 January. Candidates include well-known politicians, businessmen and even a self-proclaimed god. The country will also be voting on a constitutional… [...]
Central Asian rap in 10 tracks
Hip hop, which appeared in America in the 1970s, has long since become a worldwide phenomenon adapting and evolving in each new environment. Central Asia is no exception, as… [...]
Can Sadyr Japarov fulfil his promises?
Sadyr Japarov went from prisoner to prime minister and interim president of Kyrgyzstan. It’s still too early to say whether he will be able to fulfil his many promises. [...]
Russia tries new diplomatic approach with “Central Asia + Russia” format
Russia wants to intensify cooperation with Central Asia. During a video conference on 15 October, the foreign ministers of Russia and the Central Asian states adopted a declaration on… [...]