Interview: Erlan Idrissov Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom AlthoughKazakhstan’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, H.E. Erlan Idrissov, came from a creative and academic
According to The Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the non-oil sector in Azerbaijan accounted for 36.84 % of GDP in 2019. The traditional
This year marks 30 years since the establishment of twinning relations between the cities of Shymkent and Stevenage. As part of the strengthening of educational
A young artist working in partnership with the publishing-house, Hertfordshire Press (UK), has published the “Elish and the Wicker Tale” comic book, intended to support
The fact that numerous erected buildings in Ashgabat city have become award-winning architectural competitions held at the international level, serves as clear evidence of the
War. How do you feel about it? The Second World War is still one of the darkest pages of human history. There remain a lot
After studying Russian at university during the Cold War, John Mark Pommersheim grabbed the chance to go to Moscow as an exchange student when Mikhail
The catastrophic breach of the dam earlier this year provides the perfect opportunity for the Uzbek government to learn from and improve its energy policy
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Yespolov Tlektes is the Vice President and Academic at the National Academy of Sciences in the Republic of Kazakhstan. He is also the Chairman of
Dear Reader, It seems as through Eurasia is taking a fair share of airtime in a world that has plenty of things to talk about.
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your work/creativity Khalida Abdulkhakovna: My life was such that literature was my teacher. Our class teacher, Lidia Afanasyevna
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your creative activity Gulzhan Kaldybaeva : After graduating from the Alma Art College, I have worked almost all
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your activity / work Ilona Reeves: I am a musician, social activist, teacher and writer. Since my early
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your activity/work Caroline Walton: A Londoner born and bred, I am a Russian to English translator and editor.
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your creative activity Zaure Torekhan: My name is Zaure Torekhan, I am a writer and screenwriter, author of
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your activity / work Yelena Aslanyan: Born in 1961, father was an engineer, mother is a doctor, by
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your activity / work? Xandra Silantyeis : I’m a writer, composer, journalist, screenwriter, director, author of psi-projects: “Pregnant
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your activity / work? Timur Akhmedjanov : My name is Timur Akhmedjanov and I’ve recently finished high-school at
OCA Magazine: Tell me about yourself and your creative work. How did your journey start? Talgad Zhanibekov : I was born in Semipalatinsk and was
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your activity / work Natalia Loskutova: Natalia Corshun was born in the Moscow region. She has graduated from
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your activity / work Natalie Bays: I am a cultural project manager based in the outskirts of East
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your creative work Nadia Olefir: My main profession is graphic designer. I live in the environment of fonts,
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your activity / work Alisa Alta: I started writing a book to recover from a hard day’s work.
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your work. Elena Smirnova: I am a writer and an editor. My first book was titled Over a
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your creative activity Elena Lobova : My creative work started with drawings. I started drawing when I was
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your creative activity Laura Hamilton: As director of the prestigious Collins Gallery at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow,
We often notice big differences between our own country and the country we travel or move to. We may see differences in everything that surrounds
OCA Magazine: Tell us about yourself and your creative work. Mikhail Ananov: I’m a poet, a poetry translator, prose writer, playwright, literary critic, journalist, publicist,
OCA Magazine: What is “Eurasianism” for you? Gumer Karimov: This is everything for me: the philosophy of life, its meaning, my whole worldview. I am
Tell us about yourself and your activity / work I am a writer and blogger from Saint-Petersburg and my credo is to create beauty and
Don’t be afraid of mistakes Alia Shekhmametieva was born in St. Petersburg. She graduated from the university with a degree in Environment Designer. Before
Alexey was born in Ukraine. He started drawing at school. He loves to draw nature, sky, water … He studied at the Kharkov cultural and
Interview Alexander is a sculptor, artist, and teacher. He has been working as an artist-sculptor. He gives preference to the social genre in sculpture.
INTERVIEW Zulkhumar Khamdamovna from 1994 till 2015 she worked as a teacher, from 2015 she began writing poetry and essays. The theme of her
At the age of 27, Vladimir began writing poetry and articles, many of which were published in newspapers and magazines. He graduated from two universities,and
COVER STORY Victoria is a writer, poet born in the Chita region. Graduated from Moscow State Technical University. Bauman. Author of two novels and
INTERVIEW Sultan Akimovich is a writer, playwright. People’s Writer of the Kyrgyz Republic (2011). Laureate of the CIS Interstate Prize. He’s known as an acclaimed
Shahsanem is a writer, film critic, translator, international business, tourism,. In 2001 she moved to Scotland, married. I work in Edinburgh. Writer and translator. I
Sariya Aga Mamad kyzy, graduated with honors from the institute, full-time postgraduate study. Since 1976, candidate of chemical sciences. Editor of the magazine “Society and
Sagynbubu was born in Kyrgyzstan. She has been a Member of the Union of Writers of Kyrgyzstan since 2014. She’s very interested in opera classical
Nina Belomestnova is a freelance journalist, historian (anthropologist), writer. Engaged in scientific and ethnic journalism. In journalism, holder of the titles “Journalist of Siberia”, 2016,
Marina Podlesnaya was born in Moldova. She’s a poet, writer, museographer of the House-Museum of A.S. Pushkin in Chisinau, member of the Administrative Council of
International media forum dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan and the election of our country as Vice-Chairman of the 75th
Lenar (Lenar Shaekhov), a Tatar poet, children’s writer, translator, publicist. Born on 4 October 1982 in the village of Taktalachuk of the Aktanyshsky District of
Larissa was born in Uzbekistan, her childhood and youth were spent in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. She graduated from university in Kazakhstan. After receiving
John is an author, playwright, songwriter and poet, and chairman of the Eurasian Creative Guild. He is the author of over thousand books on many
Hamid Larbi is a journalist and poet, born in Algiers, currently lives at Montpellier. He is the author of various essays and poetry collections translated
Gareth is originally from the UK, with Welsh routes and heritage. He originally trained as a designer and then, over thirty years ago, he found
Elvira Svetlova was born in Russia. She graduated from Pedagogical University. After moving to Almaty, Elvira’s articles were published in many media sources. She also
Elena graduated from Ryazan State Pedagogical University, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography. Elena took part in research expeditions, scientific conferences, won several competitions of
Elena is a founder and director of a ‘Premium Group’ company in Kyrgyzstan, a member of the Eurasian Creative Guild, a recent chairman of the
Michael Daniel is a British independent researcher, composer and filmmaker with Baltic & Slavic roots. He created an intergenerational memory project “Józefa’s Letters” that’s been
Born in Russia, Margarita began her studies as a pianist and choral conductor in St Petersburg Academy of Art. Since 2002 she has worked in
Gulnara is a stage movement researcher, professional ballerina – leading soloist of the Kazakhstan Opera House, master of arts (choreography), certified specialist in functional anatomy.
Nurym is a mathematician, business manager, ideologue of general prosperity (through natural market / ‘Islamic’ economic system), scholar of philosophy of religion, theologian, author of
Emil Guzairov was born in Russia. He’s engaged in graphics, painting, architecture, graphic design, and book engineering. He designs interiors and private houses. He also
Stephen M. Bland is a freelance journalist, award-winning author, researcher and editor specialising in post-Soviet territories. His book on Central Asia was released in 2016,
Laurent has been working in the banking industry. He worked in the accountancy of a private aviation company and I have worked for the TPG
Max Howard is a famous Disney producer, who has produced numerous bestsellers such as “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”, “Saving Santa’, “The Little Mermaid”, “Aladdin”, “Beauty
Business coach and owner of the “Elena Bezrukova Center” aimed at training and consulting,she is also practicing psychology. Her work experience over 26 years. More
Anatoly Skarghin was born in Kyrgyzstan, worked in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In 1995 went out on pension from the Ministry
Founder of CIC ” Communities Art of Life” Humanitarian, NLP Master practitioner certificate Coach, Public speaker, Well-being Mentor / Coach, Performed in NHS High-security
The two provinces in the south of Armenia, Vayots Dzor and Syunik, are a spectacular strip of land at the very bottom of the Caucasus.
In the modern world the idea of “how a wedding should look like” has changed and yet all we want for this day is for
Welcome to this edition of OCA magazine. OCA is one of the world’s few truly international magazines, focusing on a host of people and events
February 1992 saw the single worst atrocity committed during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Khojaly Massacre took the lives of 613 civilians. The death toll included
www.ocamagazine.com #35 summer 2020 text & photos by Mikhail Rybakov Vasily Koren, is still a little-known name in Belarus, but for the first time this
The Tariverdiev International Organ Competition is one of the world’s largest organ contests. For organists, it has the same significance in Russia as the Tchaikovsky
www.ocamagazine.com #35 summer 2020 text and photos by Pavel Podzorov pavelspne@tut.by The modern world is complex and diverse, it is full of opposing trends. Never
www.ocamagazine #35 summer 2020 text by Tara Pandeya Dance is an integral part of life in Central Asia; it can be seen both in rural
A project organised by the international team of the ‘ArtMedia’ online magazine, and the ‘Moskovskiy Komsomolets’ newspaper, held an event to promote Crimea abroad. The
Every time I have approached the Mountain: from our side, so majestic and eternally snowy, surrounded by fertile lands; from that alienated side, so desperately
Arrest, prison, GULag, suffering, and death – all are images that come to mind when we think of the Stalin era Great Purges of the
“The expansion and further development of international humanitarian cooperation is the key factor in an effective response to contemporary challenges and threats, and enables the
A creator of the Nutcracker. An adult fairy tale’s author. The development of the Romanticism in Russian literature (1800-1820) is inextricably linked with the disenchantment
WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM OCA#35 SUMMER 2020 Interview with Michael Schena recorded by Saniya Seilkhanova Growing up in Plymouth, Massachusetts and later studying at Louisiana State University (LSU)
In 2021 the L.N. Gumilyov ENU celebrates a quarter of a century since its birth. The young and promising university was founded on 23 May
Interview with Malika Sharipova Malika Sharipova is a founder and director of CARE CSR. She is a CSR and sustainability specialist holding two MSc
‘History is written by the victors’. So it is disappointing many commentators fail to follow this through and challenge the bias inherent in a ‘victorious’
I am from Afghanistan. I am Uzbek by ethnicity and Uzbeks are the least privileged and the most marginalised ethnic group in Afghanistan. Educational opportunities
Often overlooked by your classic holiday maker, Central Asia has always exercised a powerful fascination over a certain kind of traveler. Home to some of
www.ocamagazine.com oca#35 summer 2020 Since 1999, Utah Valley University (UVU) has partnered with the International University of Kyrgyzstan (IUK). The important feature of their academic
Summary Of the $232bn. of economic losses from natural disasters in 2019, only $71bn. was insured. 35% level of catastrophe risk coverage in advanced countries
Cox is a veteran in the entertainment industry. He is an internationally recognized, award-winning, Exotic Animal Trainer, 2nd Unit Director, Stunt Co-ordinator, Actor and Stuntman.
WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM OCA#35 SUMMER 2020 text by Marc David Miller For several years I have been out of the Central Asian market. Upon my return in
Neo. Johnny Mnemonic. Ted. John Wick. Do these names ring a bell? All these characters were portrayed by one man, wonderful, spectacular man, Keanu Reeves.
WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM OCA#35 SUMMER 2020 text by Gareth Stamp As the whole world is coming to terms with what is a ‘new world’ post pandemic, the
“Imagination is more important than knowledge,” — those words of Einstein might describe Yelena Bezrukova’s approach to art. She herself confesses that she has no
WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM OCA#35 SUMMER 2020 As Ukraine continues to look towards the EU for its future, OCA Magazine met with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Belarus, in order
OCA #35 SUMMER 2020 WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM interview prepared by Saniya Seilkhanova INTERVIEW: ALDONA GRUPAS Born in Riga, Latvia, to Lithuanian parents, Aldona Grupas later moved
Last Sunday, Solidarity with Uzbekistan, a digital fundraising campaign benefited from yet another webinar to help raise money for the vulnerable people affected by COVID-19
“I arrived at my station in Kaliningrad as if posted there by an army of desires entering through the gate with a firm set jaw
Establishment of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on 28 May, 1918 was a glorious page in Azerbaijani history. Committing to principles of democracy and secularity, ADR was
International Extinction Rebellion and the Legacy of the 2003 London Anti-war marches I have been following the discourses and actions by Extinction Rebellion for a
This interview with portrait painter Sergey Pavlenko was recorded by Oksana Karnovich, Director of the Galina Ulanova Museum-Apartment in Moscow, and Maria Lvova, Member of
Stories and reminders of Uzbekistan’s great scientists and scholars of the past can be found everywhere in the country. Travellers on the magnificent Tashkent subway,
INTERVIEW: EVGENII DOGA Moldovan musician, Evgenii Doga, dismissed his life of poverty and paralysis to realise his dream of becoming a musician. His fascinating story
The media call him the “Belarusian Nick Vujicic” (Originally a world famous preacher from the USA, born without legs and hands). Only in early 2017,