Tajikistan
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… [...]
Traditional painting
The ceilings of the Arbob Palace in Khujand, hand-painted with natural pigments, contribute to the permanent existence of traditional Tajik ceiling paintings. Credit: Simon Massicotte Find all of our… [...]
Tajikistan: Nine new sites on tentative World Heritage list
Tajikistan has submitted nine historical and cultural sites in the Zarafshan-Karakum corridor for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Currently, two places in Tajikistan have received the full status. [...]
Railway between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to be electrified
The railway line connecting the Uzbek cities of Bekobod and Qo’qon (Kokand) via Tajikistan will be electrified by the end of 2021. A version of this article was published on… [...]
Russia resumes flights to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
Regular direct flights from Russia to several countries including Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have officially resumed. Passengers will have to follow strict measures to minimise transmission of Covid-19. A version of… [...]
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The crystal blue water of the Zeravshan river, fed by the glaciers in the mountains, brings live into the austere scenery on the way from Ayni to Dushanbe,… [...]
“I want our theatre to be the new face of Tajik theatre”: Khurshed Mustafoev on the future of Dushanbe’s Russian theatre
In early 2021, Khurshed Mustafoev became artistic director of the Mayakovsky Theatre in Dushanbe. The actor, director and set designer has been working with the theatre company – the only… [...]
Father of poetry
This statue in a park in the centre of the Tajik capital Dushanbe is dedicated to the Persian poet Rudaki. He is considered the father of Tajik poetry. Credit: Mareike… [...]
Who is Manizha, the Tajik-born singer representing Russia at the Eurovision?
Russian television viewers have chosen Manizha, a Russian singer born in Tajikistan, to represent Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest. A version of this article was originally published on Novastan’s… [...]
Tajikistan’s tourism industry collapses in the wake of COVID
According to official statistics the number of tourists visiting Tajikistan fell by 72 per cent from 2019 to 2020. A version of this article was published on Novastan’s French… [...]
Inside a mosque
Interior of a beautiful 16th century mosque in northern Tajikistan. Credit: Simon Massicotte Find all of our photos of the day here. [...]
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… [...]