Kazakhstan
The steppe train
A traveller tries to break the monotony of a three-day train journey by looking at the sober horizon of the steppes of Kazakhstan. Credit: Antoine Béguier (France) Find all of our… [...]
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 world, 2020… [...]
Waiting for the next train
A platform manager watches the next train arriving at Almaty station in Kazakhstan. This night train will take several days to reach the Caspian Sea.Credit: Antoine Béguier (France)… [...]
Nur-Sultan’s suburb
When you move away from the strange and extravagant hypercentre of Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, the architecture becomes particularly banal. Credit: Antoine Béguier (France) Find… [...]
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 a… [...]
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By supporting Novastan, you are supporting the only English, French and German-language media specialising in Central Asia. We're independent and we need your help to stay that way!Glory of the 1970s
Hotel Kazakhstan, in the former capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty, was built in 1978. The interior design, with its chic chandeliers and natural stone wall panelling, is reminiscent of… [...]
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 cooperation. [...]