Uzbek Crafts at Newport Show

On the 10th July 2010 URU International Ltd joined other business women, members of the WiRE (Women in Rural Enterprise) network to exhibit at Newport Show held at Chetwynd Park. Working with women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan we had an opportunity to present examples of their produce: silk scarves, handmade embroidered purses and bags, ceramics and other items of Uzbek crafts. We also presented our latest publication “Silk Road to Development – An account of two women on their journey to collaboration” describing a story of two women leaders based in United Kingdom and Uzbekistan.

It was a hot day in Newport. People were coming to our stall in good numbers attracted by the bright colors of Uzbek crafts. We were exited that our international display generated so much interest at such a typically British event. URU will be contacting those who expressed an interest in learning more about Uzbek culture and traditions.

In May 2012 an extraordinary trip is planned to see and experience firsthand the cultural and diverse richness of Uzbekistan. Participants will have the opportunity to meet local people and participate in what can only be described as the Uzbek equivalent of the Welsh Eisteddfod, music song dance an unforgettable experience. Please contact us on info@uru.org.uk if you want to be part of this small select group of intrepid travelers.

Sincerely,

The Haven Wolverhampton

The President awarded Irmatov and Ilyasov

FIFA referee Ravshan Irmatov and his assistant, Rafael Ilyasov, who successfully served matches of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, received top awards of the country. Decrees of the President Islam Karimov awarded Ravshan Irmatov the honorary title of “Uzbekiston Iftihori” (”The pride of Uzbekistan”), and “Do’stlik” (”Friendship”) for Rafael Ilyasov.

International category judge of the Football Federation of Uzbekistan, FIFA referee Ravshan Irmatov, according to the decree of the President, was awarded “for his contribution to the glorification of national football in the world, an outstanding personal contribution to the enhancement of its prestige in the international arena and development of the school of refereeing in the country.” FIFA referee Rafael Ilyasov was awarded for “significant contribution to the glorification of the national football in the world, enhancing its credibility in the international arena and the development of the school of refereeing in thecountry.”

XIX FIFA World Cup has brought lots of happiness for the fans of football in Uzbekistan. The reason was perfectreferee teams of Ravshan Irmatov, notes the press service of the Football Federation.

In all five games, trusted to Ravshan Irmatov (including the opening match), he, along with Rafael Ilyasov andBahadir Kuchkarov (Kyrgyzstan) made minimum amount of mistakes, so that won praise from experts, journalistsand fans around the world. Before Ravshan Irmatov, five matches of the World Cup were served byonly Horacio Elizondo (Argentina) and Benito Archundia (Mexico).

LECTURE: “The Application of Anthropology and the Anthropologist’s Role”

Speakers: Dr. David Gullette, UK, Kyrgyzstan

Time: 16.00, September 08, 2010

Venue: 310, AUCA (Main Building)

Language: English

In this public lecture, Dr. Gullette discusses the application of
anthropology in development contexts and the role of the
anthropologist. Drawing on his experience working within international
organizations, he highlights some of the challenges that
anthropologists are confronted with, but also the areas where
anthropology can provide detailed insight into the problems faced by
programme activities. Recent development activities conducted in the
Kyrgyz Republic will be examined to illustrate specific opportunities
for anthropology to make a greater impact in ongoing activities in the
country. In addition, Dr. Gullette offers advice to anthropologists
interested in development work and the key areas where their skills
can be the most effective.

Bio: Dr. Gullette has conducted research and worked in Kyrgyzstan for
the past ten years. He completed his doctorate at the University of
Cambridge (UK) in 2006. For the past three years, he has been working
with various international agencies, including the United Nations. His
current research focuses on social and political instability, on
conception of genealogy in the Kyrgyz Republic. Future research plans
include a study of kinds of relationships created through local-level
energy projects. At present, he works t at the University of Central
Asia (Bishkek) as a Planning and Reporting Analyst and is a Associated
Researcher at the Mongolian and Inner Asia Studies Unit (University of
Cambridge, UK).

He is the author of the numerous publications related to politics,
state, tribalism, anthropology and the book The Genealogical
Construction of the Kyrgyz Republic: Kinship, State and ‘Tribalism’,
2010 (Folkestone: Global Oriental).

Instructor of the Anthropology Department Zemfira Inogamova will
introduce and discuss the book.

The Genealogical Construction of the Kyrgyz Republic: Kinship, State
and ‘Tribalism’, examines themes in academic literature concerning
‘tribalism’ and the role of genealogy, both as a way of understanding
the importance of relationships and as a methodological tool to
investigate the various social meanings invested in these
relationships. For more than two years,

This book explores the conceptions of genealogy, kinship and
‘tribalism’ in the intertwined construction of personhood and national
identity in the Kyrgyz Republic. It makes an important contribution to
several theoretical and regional debates. First, it engages with
broader anthropological literature. Genealogy, a central theme of the
work, is explored not only as an analysis of relationships, but also
as a methodological tool through which to examine society. Second, the
book contributes to theories of kinship and the state. Research
provides detailed accounts of Soviet and post-Soviet transformations,
and their influence on people’s everyday lives. Third, the book fills
a gap in Central/Inner Asian literature by focusing on social
relations during a period of political upheaval.

Details of the book can be found at:
http://www.globaloriental.co.uk/book.asp?Title_ID=169

To register: Please send e-mail to anthropology@mail.auca.kg

Hosted by Howard Lyn of Rapid Solutions and Alexander Burnett of Jigsaw Energy on behalf of The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS), an exhibition of prints by the renowned Azerbaijani artist Alakbar Rzaguliyev (1903–74) was held from 23–28 August in the Lang Byre Gallery, Woodend Barn, Burn o’Bennie, Banchory, Scotland. Born in Baku, Rzaguliyev demonstrated artistic talent at an early age. He studied at Moscow Technical Art College from 1925–28, after which he returned to Baku.

Rzaguliyev was amongst the first to be arrested during Stalin’s Repression in 1936, when 70,000 Azerbaijanis were executed or exiled, having been accused by the Soviet authorities of advocating ‘pan-Turkish ideas’. Altogether, he spent 23 years in exile or jail, and his evocative work depicts many elements of life in early twentieth century Baku and scenes of the locations in which he was exiled.

On 27 August, the barn resonated to the sounds of the Sabina Rakcheyeva Ensemble. Sabina is the first Azerbaijani graduate from the Juilliard School of Music in New York, and specialises in a cross-cultural mix of traditional and improvised music. Sabina captivated the invited audience of around 100 people with her versions of Azerbaijani mugham pieces and classical works. Audience members included Lord Fraser, Chairman, Anglo-Azeri Society; other Peers; and members of the Azerbaijani diaspora living around Aberdeen, many of whom are employed in the North Sea hydrocarbon extraction industry.

For more information on TEAS’ cultural and other activities, go to www.teas.eu, and to learn more about Sabina Rakcheyeva’s career and work, please visit www.sabinarakcheyeva.com.

August 2010: Banchory, Scotland played host to Azerbaijani cultural event and concert sponsored by The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS).

The event took place between 23-28 August at the Lang Byre Gallery, Woodend Barn, Burn o’ Bennie, Banchory, Scotland.

If you would like further information, high-resolution press quality images or any other additional content, please do not hesitate to contact:

Neil Watson,

Editor & Press Officer,

The European Azerbaijan Society,

11-12, St. James’s Square,

London, SW1Y 4LB,

UK

Tel: +44 (0)207 104 2226

Mobile/cellphone: +44 (0)779 299 7216

E-mail: neil.watson@teas.eu

Website: www.teas.eu

The Eurasian Regional Language Program provides graduate students, advanced undergraduates, scholars, and working professionals intensive individualized instruction in the languages of Eurasia. Participants may enroll in semester, academic year, or summer programs. Courses are designed to strengthen speaking, listening, reading, and writing proficiency in the language of study.  Program features include: core language courses focusing on grammar and lexical studies, phonetics, vocabulary development, and conversational skills; area studies, literature, and culture classes for advanced students; classes conducted in small groups of three to six students or in private tutorials; native-speaking faculty with extensive
experience teaching foreign students; homestays with local families;
undergraduate or graduate credit from Bryn Mawr College; pre-departure
orientation in Washington, D.C.; and logistical support provided by local
American Councils offices. Students with at least two years of college-level
instruction in the target language, Russian, or a language related to the
target language are eligible to apply to the program.

Languages offered:
* Armenian in Yerevan, Armenia
* Azeri in Baku, Azerbaijan
* Chechen or Georgian in Tbilisi, Georgia
* Kazakh in Almaty, Kazakhstan
* Romanian in Chisinau, Moldova
* Persian (Dari, Farsi, Tajiki) or Uzbek in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
* Turkmen in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
* Ukrainian in Kyiv, Ukraine

Fellowships are available through American Councils from U.S. Department of State (Title VIII) and U.S. Department of Education (Fulbright-Hays) grant
support. Recent program participants have also received substantial
fellowship support from the National Security Education Program
(http://www.borenawards.org/), the Benjamin A. Gilman International
Scholarship (http://www.iie.org/gilman), and the U.S. Department of
Education Title VI (FLAS).

Application deadlines:

Summer Program: March 1
Fall Semester/Academic Year Program: April 1
Spring Semester: October 1

For more information, please contact:
Russian and Eurasian Outbound Programs
American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS
1828 L St., NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 833-7522
Email: outbound@americancouncils.org
Website: http://www.aceurasiaabroad.org/

The Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA) is pleased to announce its
Third Annual PhD Workshop.  The PhD Workshop is part of ADA’s PhD
Development and Support Program and will take place on December 19-21,
2010, in Baku, Azerbaijan.  The Workshop will bring together PhDs and
PhD candidates in all disciplines of social science, with special
emphasis on political science, economics, environmental studies and
international law.  The workshop agenda includes a PhD Education Fair,
a plenary session, thematic panels, and a special symposium featuring
presentations by the ADA PhD Development and Support Program fellows.

The PhD workshop is intended to:
- promote knowledge about Azerbaijan in the international scholarly
community and establish a permanent forum of academic discourse at ADA;
- stimulate interaction and promote cooperative practices between and
among Azerbaijani PhDs and PhD candidates, as well as between the
latter and distinguished scholars from around the globe.
- encourage and promote PhD study abroad.

Who May Apply
Applicants should be Azerbaijani or foreign citizens who are recent
PhD graduates or advanced PhD candidates in the fields of
international relations, political science, economics, environmental
studies or international law.  All candidates must be fluent in English.

Individual Papers & Thematic Panels
Applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to apply with a
topic relevant to their academic agenda, as well as to the broader
region of which Azerbaijan is a part.  In addition to individual
proposals, applicants are welcome to propose a thematic panel composed
of three or four presentations.

Deadline for Submission of Abstracts & Panel Proposals
Individual Abstracts
Individual applicants must submit an abstract of their paper in an MS
Word file attachment.  The abstract must be in English and should not
exceed 500 words.  It should be emailed to PhDworkshop@ada.edu.az
along with a short CV (no longer than two pages including the
information on the applicant’s institutional affiliation).

Panel Proposals
Proposals for a thematic panel should include a brief conceptual
outline of the proposed panel, the title and abstracts of all papers
to be presented in the panel, as well as the names and contact
information for all presenters. The proposal should be emailed to
PhDworkshop@ada.edu.az along with a short CV (no longer than two
pages) of each panel presenter (with the information on the
presenters’ institutional affiliation).

The deadline for submission of abstracts and proposals is September 15, 2010.
Paper Requirements
Selected applicants will be required to submit a full paper by
December 1, 2010.

PhD Education Fair
The first day of the workshop will feature a PhD Education Fair. The
event is designed to motivate Azerbaijani graduate students to enroll
in PhD programs abroad, especially in the field of social and
political science. The PhD Fair will include general information
sessions about PhD programs and PhD training sessions on various
topics relevant to postgraduate studies.  PhDs/PhD candidates
attending the Annual ADA PhD Workshop will provide information to
prospective Azerbaijani students on PhD admissions, enrollment and PhD
research at their respective universities. All PhD Workshop applicants
are encouraged to take part in this event and share their experiences
and insights with prospective Azerbaijani students.

Travel and Accommodation
ADA will offer limited grants to cover travel expenses of the accepted
applicants to and from Azerbaijan, as well as accommodation expenses
for non-Azerbaijani citizens.

Additional Information
For questions and additional information, please feel free to contact
Ms. Shams Mustafayeva at shmustafayeva@ada.edu.az

15-26 September, The Shakespeare Theatre at the Harman, Washington

29 September - 17 October, The Guthrie Theater at the McGuire Proscenium, Minneapolis

22 October - 7 November, Berkeley Repertory Theatre at the Roda Theatre, Berkeley

1-19 December, The Public Theater at the Skirball, Washington Square, New York

More info at www.tricycle.co.uk

Christie’s, 8 King Street, St James’s, SW1Y 6QT from 1st to 8th September 2010. Open from 9am to 4.30pm Mon-Fri and 10 a.m to 7 p.m Saturday & Sunday. Free admission.

The theme of the 2010 Afghan Fashion Show is ‘Made in Afghanistan’ showcasing the designs of Zolaykha Sherzad, an Afghan designer who is becoming known internationally. She has recently shown in Dubai, Delhi, New York and Paris where her designs are on sale in Agnes B. All Zolaykha’s clothes are made in workshops in Afghanistan and she says ‘I want to show people that Afghanistan is not all about war, orphanages and Burqas. It is also about textiles and history and culture. It’s about beauty’. A like mind! All proceeds from the evening will be shared between AfghanAid and ABF (The Soldiers’ Charity).

Afghan Fashion Show 2010, 7 October, Porchester Hall, London, W2

Tickets: £75 payable online

Colors of the Oasis: Central Asian Ikats, The Textile Museum, 2320 S Street, NW, Washington DC, 20008 from 16 October 2010 to 13 March 2011

Colors of the Oasis: Central Asian Ikats at the Textile Museum in Washington