Tag: Kazakhstan
In the Karaganda Gulag
In this office at the Karlag labour camp in Karaganda, the only decoration is a portrait of Lenin hanging on the wall. Some historians believe that Stalin’s… [...]
The Karaganda Gulag
In the administrative centre of the former KarLag gulag in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, stands a brightly coloured flag, typical of the Stalinist era, bearing a slogan glorifying work. This… [...]
Alone in the canyon
Ominous clouds rise over the empty canyon during a late afternoon hike. In the Almaty region, close to the famous Charyn canyon,… [...]
Sandstorm over Shetpe
A strong gust of wind sweeps across the arid landscape around the village of Shetpe in western Kazakhstan, obscuring the view of the road and the landscape. Climate change… [...]
The mist fountain
During hot summer days, the people of Almaty gather at the mist fountain facing Kazakhstan Hotel to enjoy some freshness. Almaty has a… [...]
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Grey Breath over Astana
Not far from the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, smoke from domestic fires fills a modest street. In the background, Astana’s modern towers struggle to rise above the haze, a stark… [...]
Crossing the mighty river Irtysh
For a long time, the ferry across the Irtysh River near the village of Kaznakovka was the only connection between the towns on the western and eastern shores of… [...]
Cultural Issues
In the Almaty region, the Soviet-era House of Culture stands as a fading gem. Erdar and Akmaral, its devoted caretakers guard its garden and history. They shared stories… [...]
Struck by the wind
Portrait of a camel struck by the wind in the Aral Sea Desert, near Aral, in south-western Kazakhstan. The… [...]
Italian dessert out of clay
Two tourists take a selfie in the Kyzylkup valley, in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Oblys. This striking rock formation is popularly known as the Tiramisu Gorge. This is… [...]
Buddhist temple or mosque?
The colorful Zharkent Mosque is a curiosity. Constructed entirely of wood, the sacred building resembles a Buddhist pagoda, but it is actually a mosque built for the Muslim Uyghurs… [...]
Pause in the Heart of the Steppes
A herd of horses crosses a remote road in the vast Kazakh steppes. A typical rural scene where animals roam freely. Credits: Tommaso Aguzzi (@tomaguzzi, Italy) Find… [...]