Tag: Central Asia
Money, boxes and absent men: the hidden economy reshaping Central Asia
At Central Asian airports, remittances do not always look like money. They can look like taped cardboard boxes arriving from Istanbul, oversized suitcases from Moscow, bags of clothes bought… [...]
“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… [...]
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… [...]
A land devoid of men
In Konorchek Canyon, about two hours from Bishkek, the mineral landscape unfolds in shades of ochre. Credits : Salomé Aldeguer-Roure (France) Find… [...]
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Birds and creatures
In Uzbekistan, the historic Timurid squares welcome back familiar silhouettes in the spring sky. Pushing their carts, to which a multitude of kites… [...]
Adrift in the Wind
In the surroundings of Lake Kel-Suu, in the remote countryside of Kyrgyzstan, the landscapes unfold lunar panoramas. Alternating between wide plains and vertiginous mountains, human presence rarely… [...]
Twilight over Khan Chatyr
The late afternoon sun passes behind the Khan Chatyr shopping center in Astana, illuminating the framework of this original building. An immense 150-meter-high tent, it… [...]
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… [...]
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… [...]
Kaleidoscope
Tashkent‘s Chorsu Bazaar, where fabric patterns frame the entrances and fill the stalls. Credits: Salomé Aldeguer-Roure (France) Find… [...]
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… [...]