Tag: Turkmenistan
“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… [...]
Novastan Photo Contest 2026 #8 The invisible side of success
In Turkmenistan, during the fertile fall, this image reflects the unseen side of success. It shows how success is built gradually, as abundance is harvested. [...]
Novastan photo contest 2026
Novastan launches its 2026 photo competition on the theme ‘Yesterday and today in Central Asia, between tradition and modernity, the new faces of Central Asia’. [...]
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Door to Hell
In the heart of the Karakum Desert, the Darvaza gas crater glows red as a brilliant sunset pierces the clouds – a fitting tribute to the ethereal… [...]
By the Caspian Sea
Three local children stand on the pier of the Salkyn kenar amusement park in Türkmenbaşy by the Caspian Sea. Soviet-era amusement parks feel like time capsules. In this… [...]
The disappeared ocean
Hours of driving through the Karakum Desert lead to Yangykala Canyon. Millions of years ago, this mesmerizing natural wonder was the seabed of the ancient Tethys… [...]
Family outing
A local family visits the site of Merv’s first fortress, walking along its ancient walls. The ancient city of Merv dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. This… [...]
The Tolkuchka market
The Tolkuchka market in Ashgabat is located in a vast modern area and is organised in the style of the large Central Asian bazaars. It sells just about… [...]
Burning Fortresses
These fiery fortresses, or Yangi-Kala, are canyons in the mountains of Turkmenistan. At sunset, the intense colours of white, yellow, ochre, violet and red enliven the cliffs sculpted by… [...]