DISCOVERY TRAVEL FORUM: UNBOXING THE BRAND The practice of international and local conferences is not new. It is a very effective way to focus on a particular issue or area of research and to get multiple views to discuss. But as soon as we shift the POV from discussing the topic in general to some […]
THE MAIN THING IN BISHKEK IS CONNECTIONS In 2023, the cultural treasury of Bishkek received a new addition: the immersive audio performance ‘Connections’. This theatrical project follows a site-specific ‘promenade performance’ format, combining an audio guide to the city’s landmarks with an emotionally charged artistic performance. During this excursion performance, the audience does not sit […]
THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AS A NEWDRIVING FORCE FOR THE CONOMICDEVELOPMENT OF KAZAKHSTAN We use the products of the creative industries every day: for example, when we look at social media, watch films, listen to music, walk around town or go shopping. The creative economy sector includes art, design, fashion, animation, computer game development, architecture and […]
TOURISM INDUSTRY IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN REGION: KEY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE The Central Asian region, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, is famous for its picturesque landscapes, diverse cultures and rich history. In recent years, the region has emerged as a promising destination for international travellers seeking unique experiences in remote locations. […]
NEW MODEL OF TOURISM FOR THE NEW UZBEKISTAN Uzbekistan is the only country in Central Asia that borders every country in the region. Uzbekistan is one of only two countries in the world that does not even have neighbours with access to the sea (the other being Liechtenstein). The oldest cities in Uzbekistan are over […]
CREATE A HYPER-LOCAL WORLD by Natalie Bays, Founder of the NO Collective I was born into the first generation to fully immerse themselves into the internet. As a teen, I could have spoken to anyone in the world from my home computer at any time; but despite this – I was only ever interested in […]
WHY IS BELARUS CONSIDERED THE TREASURE OF EASTERN EUROPE? Belarus is a country with an ancient history and rich traditions, enchanting nature and astonishing architecture, industrial giants and well-developed agriculture, unique cuisine and hospitable people. Belarus is located in the center of Europe at the intersection of many international routes. The capital of the Republic […]
HOTEL MANAGEMENT ‘INSIDE OUT’ FOR LOCALS AND INTERNATIONALS When it comes to a process as complex as hotel management, many tourists don’t even think about how many little things make up their holiday experience. This is especially true in countries where the hospitality industry has only recently emerged as an industry in its own right […]
GASTRO TOURISM: A NEW ADVANTAGE FOR CENTRAL ASIA Central Asia has a culinary legacy that is mind boggling. Like the region’s history it spans millennia and has undergone a vast amount of change from era to era. It is both fascinating and delicious. Being positioned along the Silk Road allowed for this as trade brought […]
OCA Magazine: 15 years of success in building the land bridge with Eurasia in the heart of the storm Since 2009, OCA Magazine has become a well-regarded publication with a readership that includes diplomats and businesspeople. It is the sole English-language magazine dedicated to the Central Asian and CIS region. For the past 15 years, […]
LIKE A MOVIE.A NEW MODEL OF DESTINATION MARKETING Today, tourism and migration have become part of modern life. And since the laws of economics dictate that where there are people, there are finances and other resources, the ability of a city, region or even an entire country to attract and retain tourists, investors, businesses, workers, […]
DISCOVER CENTRAL ASIA IN ITS ORIGINAL TRADITIONS Following the global pandemic, alternative accommodation projects have become increasingly popular in Central Asia, with a variety of unique accommodation options now available in some of the most pristine locations. Visitors can now enjoy the comfort of staying in yurts, dome houses, and even 5-star international hotels. It […]
ADVENTURES OF EUROPEANS IN CENTRAL ASIA. GUIDELINES FOR GUIDES “Just bring us guests”. It’s a familiar phrase among tourism providers in countries developing tourism. But are they ready for the guests? Barnaby Davies and Sjannie Hulsman, co-owners of EastguidesWest, a Dutch training and consulting company, have just returned from speaking on sustainability at Samarkand Tourism […]
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: NEW ATTRACTION The sheikhs of the United Arab Emirates paid France $525 million to rent the name “Louvre” for the museum in Abu Dhabi. The cost of organised tours of museums, galleries and unique architectural sites can easily reach $80,000, as can specialised creative and educational tours for artists, architects, fashionistas, history […]
JUST LEGENDARY Surprisingly there are quite a few links between British Legends and Central Asia. Quite a few of these links are already known, but it’s only really with the emergence of Central Asia onto the world scene that they are becoming better appreciated. Some of these historical links are mentioned below. I have had […]
INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF EVENT TOURISM Silk Road Media and the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) have been developing the tourism potential of the Eurasian region for 15 years through creative and business events, including literary festivals, art exhibitions, business forums, as well as road shows, creative meetings and much more. Thanks to these events, not only […]
TRAVELLING NOTES Many famous explorers began their journeys after reading books. The travel notes of merchants, seafarers, warriors, and minstrels are helping us reconstruct the history of the Great Silk Road. The impact of literature on the development of the tourism sector cannot be overstated. But how are such books created? OCA Magazine’s editors interviewed […]
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS ON TOURISM IN CENTRAL ASIA The pace of development of the tourism industry in Central Asia is impressive, and the international community is supporting these processes, sharing professional experience, discussing challenges and rediscovering the treasures of the Great Silk Road. Uzbekistan is increasingly hosting international events dedicated to the development of the hospitality […]
EURASIAN CREATIVE GUILD (LONDON)AUTUMN FESTIVALS From 25-30 September 2023, the resort of Burabay (Kazakhstan) hosted four ground-breaking events: Poetry & Art Festival III Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art, Literary Festival XII Open Eurasian Literary Festival and Book Forum, Burabay Social Film Festival (II BISFF) and Discovery Travel Forum dedicated to creative industries in tourism. […]
THE SPIRIT OF THE GREAT SILK ROAD TREASURES Gulchekhra-begim Makhmudova is one of the most important women in Uzbekistan and the CIS countries in the field of culture, beauty and perfume. She started in 1985 as a producer of the international tours for Uzbek creatives – InterDay of Culture, then ran her own BEGIM World […]
“Vibrant Navruz and Iftar Celebrations in London: A Cultural Extravaganza” The Navruz and iftar celebrations held in London were a resounding success, marking a vibrant start to the year’s festivities. The event was organized and sponsored by the Eurasian Creative Guild, London (ECG), OCA magazine and Orzu Arts, and served as the inaugural event in […]
A SWORD IN A STONE: THE FUTURE OF MUSEUMS Museums are an important point of attraction for many people for many reasons over the years. We used to visit them as a part of a touristic program as well as see them as an educational or entertainment venue in our everyday life. And the concept […]
IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL NEEDS FOR AUTISM IN KAZAKHSTAN The number of identified cases of autism in children in Kazakhstan has increased fivefold over the past 7 years. In the Republic of Kazakhstan according to information of the Ministry of Education (until June, 2022 of the Ministry of Education and Science) there are more than 8,000 children […]
FUND HONOURS SHARAF RASHIDOV’S LIFE On March 27, 2017, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev initiated the celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of the outstanding Uzbek statesman, writer and poet Sharaf Rashidov, and on January 13, 2022, he signed a decree on naming Samarkand State University after Sharaf Rashidov. Sharaf Rashidov International Public Fund […]
TRENDS IN RECRUITMENTIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS SINCE 2020:INSIGHTS AND POSSIBLE CAUSES Recruitment in international schools has witnessed significant shifts and trends since 2020. The global pandemic, coupled with evolving educational practices, has brought about notable changes in the hiring landscape of these institutions. In this article, we will explore the key trends that have emerged and […]
PLAYING FOR A BETTER CENTRAL ASIA: INTRODUCING VOICES OF CENTRAL ASIA Do you know what lies beyond the mainstream media’s headlines when it comes to Central Asia? Are you curious to learn more about the human rights issues in this region? If so, you should try out a new free game app, Voices of Central […]
The twenty-ninth film festival “Listapad” held from November 17th to 24th became a significant event of autumn and the film industry in Belarus. Such a large-scale event united a lot of film lovers, actors, directors and many others. The rich days of the film festival will be remembered by all participants and spectators who had […]
THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN CENTRAL ASIA After World War II, a massive expansion of higher education took place. What had traditionally been a privilege for a small percentage of the population gradually became an expectation for the majority, and by now almost two thirds of working-age Americans have some education beyond a high […]
OCA #49 People edition Interview with MUKHAMEJAN ZEINELKHAN TRADITIONAL KAZAKH EMBROIDERY “KESTE” AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / workMukhamejan Zeinelkhan: I’m Mukhamejan Zeinelkhan, an artist. Born in Batam-Ulgiy region, Mongolia. Before school , l grew up in the countryside with my parents. I graduated from […]
BELARUS’ EDUCATION POLICY FORGES A NEW PATH In the Republic of Belarus, education is the basis of statehood; it ensures the reproduction of personnel and forms high quality of human capital. Belarus has managed to develop the best traditions of the Soviet education system, while also balancing healthy conservatism and innovation. The country adopted the […]
OCA #49 People edition Interview with KARINA MULIAR MY GOAL IS TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK ABOUT HUMAN VALUES OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / workKarina Muliar: I was born and raised in Chisinau, Moldova. Graduated from the Kishinev Academy of Arts. In 1991, the family emigrated to Israel. OCA: […]
PARTNERSHIP FOR A NEW UZBEKISTAN The British Council has been supporting systemic education reform and cultural relations between Uzbekistan and the United Kingdom for the last quarter of a century since the signing of a formal bilateral agreement with the Government of Uzbekistan in October 1996. A key focus of the reforms over the past […]
OCA #49 People edition Interview with AL ZATURANSKY MY GOAL IS TO SPEAK TO MY READERS AT EYE LEVEL OCA Magazine: Please tell us about yourself and your creative activity/work.Al Zaturansky: I am first of all a writer. Life doesn’t always allow us to fulfill our childhood dreams. Both of my parents were doctors and […]
EDUCATION IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC Education is one of Kyrgyzstan’s priority areas that will be a key factor in determining the development of the country. According to the UN Sustainable Development Goal until 2030, the provision of quality education is one of the most important components of development. Education in the Kyrgyz Republic is aimed […]
OCA #49 People edition Interview with LIUDMILA LARKINA EACH PERSON FOR ME IS NOT A WRITTEN BOOK OCA Magazine: Please tell us about yourself and your creative workLiudmila Larkina: I am writing about the fate of Russian-speaking emigrants living in Australia. In Australia, there is a most valuable layer of Russian history, completely unexplored, covered […]
PRIMUS INTER PARES. KAZAKH ABLAI KHAN UNIVERSITY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND WORLD LANGUAGES IS THE FLAGSHIP OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION INTERVIEW WITH SALIMA KUNANBAYEVA For 80 years, the Ablai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages (KazUIRaWL), which has vast experience and a rich history, remains a leader in higher education, offering innovative […]
TAJIKISTAN – AN ANCIENT HISTORY AND BRIGHT FUTURE Tajikistan has a long and rich history that dates back as early as the sixth century B.C. As a nation descended from Bactria and Sogdiana, its ancient culture and traditions set the groundwork for both ancient and modern civilization. Tajikistan marked the 32nd anniversary of its independence […]
OCA #49 People edition Interview with MARAT FAIZULLIN TREAT THEIR CULTURES CAREFULLY OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / workMarat Faizullin: I’m a composer, musician, performer, producer and publisher. Now I live in Bashkortostan, but have worked in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg for a long time. Symphony and chamber music, theatrical […]
CONCEPT OF HUMANITY’S SURVIVAL STRATEGY IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM Professors O.Sabden and A.Ashirov have as part of their ‘Concept of Humanity’s Survival Strategy in the Third Millennium’ developed a concept for building a new integral innovative society with a spiritual and technological component. In order to implement the proposed theory, a new paradigm of managing […]
OCA #49 People edition Interview with GALINA SHEPELEVA TURNING ONE’S INHERENT VALUE INTO A PRECIOUS THING OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / workGalina Shepeleva: My name is Galina Shepeleva, I was born 10.09.1955 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always painted, starting in children’s […]
PROMOTING RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AND HARMONY IN UZBEKISTAN The government’s commitment to democratic ideals and its choice of a secular path of development have made it possible to create equal conditions for the activity of all religions in Uzbekistan. Work in the field of religion is carried out by state bodies and civil society institutions and […]
OCA #49 People edition Interview with GULNARA MAKHMUDOVA WE ARE FOR PEACE! OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity/work.Gulnara Makhmudova: Good afternoon. My name is Gulnara Mahmudova, I am a teacher-psychologist. In 1999 I founded the “First” school, grades 0 to 6, in the city of Semey, and in 2018, a […]
OCA# Education edition Welcome Word “Education is what remains once what you have learned at school has been forgotten” This famous saying (which has a multitude of written forms) has been attributed to many people over time from Albert Einstein to B.F. Skinner. What is education, therefore? It sounds so simple and obvious a question […]
On the UN Day of Nuclear Disarmament Assessing the Impact of January 2022 Unrest on Kazakhstan’s Economy, Politics and Social Order. In January 2022, Kazakhstan experienced a wave of protests and unrest that reverberated throughout the country. This significant event had far-reaching consequences, impacting the economy, politics and social order of Kazakhstan. This article aims […]
Kyrgyzstan’s debt to China: yet another lever of influence? BISHKEK — Stagnation of the world’s economy, decreasing international trade and growing inflation put the spotlight on the issue of returning Kyrgyzstan’s foreign debt, a large part of which is owed to China. The debt is to be repaid sooner or later, but it would make […]
RIPPLES OF CHANGE IN CENTRAL ASIA At the end of 2022 I travelled to Kazakhstan, as Chairman of Eurasian Creative Guild to report on the early Presidential Elections and constitutional reform called by President Tokaev. It was a showcase, multimedia affair, streamed live on TV, a modern ‘progressive’ event to show the world democracy exists […]
THE FALL OF RUSSIA IN CENTRAL ASIA As a committed “Eurasianist”, I find it odd when pundits tell us this war between the Russians and the Ukrainians should terminate in the ruin and desolation of the former nation. After all, it may be expected, in the first approaches of the confined, or simple observer, that […]
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT IT! I am finally in Astana, the capital and my old home. It is still winter but the sun is out and the streets, at this time of year, are more clear of snow than I can remember – maybe this year Nauryz will be a real spring, a real ‘new day’? […]
THE CONTEMPORARY ART OF BAHKSHI A NEW SOUND OF THE GOLDENHERITAGE OF UZBEKISTAN Uzbekistan is a country wrestling with its past and its future. Ancient historical cities where heroes such as Alexander the Great and Tamerlane walked the same smooth worn pavements as today’s tourists, need preserving, yet the country is also caught up in […]
CAN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SOLVE CENTRAL ASIA’S CHALLENGES? Creating Water Purification Systems for Disaster Response: A Case Study National, state and local governments frequently face complex problems that require cost effective and efficient solutions that are often constrained by both time and fiscal pressures. Government best practices developed and implemented in the US Federal government can […]
KYRGYZSTAN TOURISM KEEPS EVOLVING INTERVIEW WITH ELENA KALASHNIKOVA Elena Kalashnikova was born in 1968 and has had an active and fulfilling life based around her love of travel, alpinism and diving. She graduated from Omsk State Educational Institute (Specialty: mathematics, computer science) in 1992 but realised that tourism was her passion that she wanted to […]
Open Doors to the World of Art: Announcement of the International Festival in Kazakhstan The festival “Voices of Friends: Poetry and Visual Arts” brings together talented authors from different countries, giving them the opportunity to show their creative abilities to a wide audience and to find like-minded people. In 2023, the festival will take place […]
THE ROAD TO BOROVOE For people that live in the beginning of the third millennium, it’s hard to believe that a hundred years ago trips to Borovoe were not so easy and challenging for our ancestors. Now, almost everyone has his own car, there are intercity bus and train services all over Kazakhstan, and finally […]
5TH EURASIAN FILM FESTIVAL DESCENDS ON LONDON From the 25th to the 30th May 2023, the Fifth Eurasian Film Festival was held in Romford, London. Films and presentations were made from more than twelve countries, embodying the best of culture and creative talent. The festival ran alongside the Romford Film Festival. President of Romford Film […]
PEOPLE’S DIPLOMACYIN ACTION AT BURABAY In European countries they have a tradition of taking a “gap year” after college before entering university. Usually this year is devoted to travel and volunteer work, and volunteering in itself is a form of social interaction. Even members of the British royal family are included in this process (this […]
The city of Jizzakh has become a symbol for the prestigious London Film Festival. On May 30th, 2023, at the fifth ECG Film Festival in London there was an award ceremony dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Maria Akhmedjanova – Shevel – an outstanding architect and creative artist of Uzbekistan. Maria Akhmedjanova – Shevel – […]
Constitutional referendum in Uzbekistan: a course to continue profound democratic reforms A national referendum on the law on the new Constitution will beheld in Uzbekistan on 30 April 2023. The updated Basic Law is intendedto consolidate the country’s strategic course for further reform of societyand the state, which has had a positive impact on its […]
The Kazakh Spring. As I am being driven along the highway from Almaty towards Taldykorgan, the billboard posters have been changed from the usual images of pop stars, safety information and Casinos to an array of big yellow ticks, the number 19 and lots of smiling citizens. Some are in groups representing political parties and […]
By the middle of the 19th century, the military-Cossack colonisation of the Steppe continued with less stress and risk. In 1849, not far from the Kokchetav mountains, the village of Koturkolskaya village was founded, and a year later its settlement Shchuchinsky arose. Twenty years later, 22 kilometres north of the village of Shchuchinskaya, on the […]
I cannot believe that she left us at the age of 37 in the last week of May 2022. I met her at Kitapfest in Almaty city in September 2019. It was our first meeting. I had already heard about her Facebook stories, some of them I found very thoughtful. Her stories were full of […]
So much of the detail and truth of what the Soviet Union was is absent from discourse in the West and in the FSU countries. There are many reasons for this but first and foremost is the sheer weight of the political, military, economic, technological and sporting history in relation to the wider world and […]
The concept of digital economy is an activity directly related to the development of digital computer technologies, which includes services for the provision of online services, the most important of which are: Internet banking, Internet commerce, Internet marketing, Internet games, crowd funding, etc. There are two approaches to the term digital economy. The first approach […]
The Former Soviet Union has occupied Ambassador Daniel Speckhard’s professional career (and personal interest) since the 1990s. He initially served as director of policy and resources for the Deputy Secretary of State, overseeing and co-ordinating foreign aid funding. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union he was Deputy to the Ambassador-at-Large for the new independent […]
The elections in Kazakhstan have concluded and outside even the weather has warmed a little and the sun has melted some of the frozen pavements. The warmth is a slight respite before the real winter, but people are making the most of it. Wrapped and cocooned in layers, smiles and bright eyes peek from coat […]
Happy New Year! Black swan events are supposed to be unexpected, of large magnitude and consequence, and very rare. Perhaps once a decade or once a generation events even. But recent years have seemingly thrown up one black swan event after another that have impacted the world in far reaching and profound ways. The world […]
Uzbekistan’s economy is going from strength to strength. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) expects the country’s GDP to show 6.5% growth in 2023 – higher than the 4.9% forecast for the overall Central Asia region. One of the key actors that will support this growth is a new focus by president Shavkat […]
INTERVIEW: HIS EXCELLENCY MAGZHAN ILYASSOV,AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland were established on 19 January 1992, with the Embassy opening in the UK in 1996. Thirty years on, relations continue to be as […]
INTERVIEW: Her Excellency Cathy Leach, Ambassador to Kazakhstan Ms Kathy Leach started her role as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan in August 2021. Previously she was Deputy Director, Constitution and Devolution, Europe Directorate in the FCDO. From 2012 to 2015 Kathy served as Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia. Kathy is married […]
Rotary Fountains in the Heart of Eurasia Our attention was attracted by a wonderful project in the city of Almaty – the southern capital of Kazakhstan. Almaty is a crossroads of civilizations, one of the important and longest points of the Great Silk Road and a key centre of charity in the pre-Soviet and post-Soviet […]
The Turkic World: A Concept of Co-operation Between Central Asian Countries What is the modern concept of co-operation between the Central Asian countries and why is the Turkic world, according to many scientists, a promising concept of such co-operation? We try to understand this issue in this article. Considering historical retrospect, we note that the […]
Book Review: ‘Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb’ Kazakhstan – for 30 years a reliable security partner for the West – has said little of the Soviet nuclear legacy that befell it upon the breakup of the Soviet Union. This previously untold story of its abandonment of nuclear weapons is now told in […]
As the world’s economic woes are broadcast across the media and governments and, financial institutions battle the potential recessions some developing nations are seemingly faring better. The Covid pandemic and war in the Ukraine have, undoubtedly, been the cause of many worldwide issues but how are some countries and regions more able to weather the […]
By the time the milky sun manages to burn off the early morning frozen mists blanketing Astana over ten percent of the population have voted in these presidential elections, called early to secure a nation’s mandate and future direction. Even as polling stations opened at 7am, there were queues in the snow covered, freezing streets. […]
Kazakhstan is about to reach a major milestone in its democratic development. While elections have taken place regularly since our independence in 1991, the upcoming presidential election on November 20 can be considered one the most consequential for the future of democratic politics in Kazakhstan. This year has been the most tumultuous in our recent […]
On 1 September 2022, during the State of the Nation Address, President Tokayev announced snap presidential elections to take place, insisting that a “new mandate of trust from the people” was necessary as a basis of his decision. The ‘need’ for these elections comes after nearly three years of unrivalled political turmoil, intrigue and dissent […]
As part of the ECG festival in partnership with Orzu arts we are hosting Open Eurasia international art festival in London, UK. Dates 21-26 December, London. Venue details will be up here soon!
The religious world in all its diversity is waiting for the central event of the year – the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Nur-Sultan – the capital of Kazakhstan.What kind of religious leaders will we see at this convention? Pope Francis I is on his first visit to this country. […]
31 YEARS YOUNG UZBEKISTAN: SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS FOR FURTHER PROSPERITY On september 1, 2022 Uzbekistan celebrated the 31st Anniversary of its Independence. From the very beginning the nation has set an ambitious goal – to become a developed, sustainable, democratic state. In a relatively short period, profound structural and institutional transformations were carried out that laid […]
At present, representatives of 130 ethnic groups and 18 religious denominations live in Kazakhstan, among them – Muslims, Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists. Throughout the country, many mosques and temples are operating and being built, which are actively visited by believers. Religious freedoms in the Republic of Kazakhstan are guaranteed by Article 14 of the […]
It is going to be exactly 30 years since the state entity called the USSR disappeared from the map of the world. What is interesting about that date? Because there were many historic turning points in this arena that could have thrown a vast area of 22.4 million square kilometers into chaos and affected the […]
INTERVIEW WITH EKATERINAZGURSKAYA OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / workEkaterina Zgurskaya: My name is Ekaterina Zgurskaya aka Katerina Zver (rus. “The Animal”) – it’s a moniker based on one of my projects, a short animation video about various fantasy creatures. One of the main characters was a strange three-tailed […]
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown how interconnected human health is with the environment, as well as with economic and social progress. We can no longer ignore the signals that nature itself sends us. Unfortunately, climate change is on the rise. In Central Asia, the average annual temperature over the past 30 years has increased by […]
OR 12 GW OF RENEWABLE POWER CAPACITY IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS Can it be possible for a country to go from zero to climate hero or 12 GW of solar and wind power in less than 10 years and at a very low cost? This is a daunting task for any country. But Uzbekistan, […]
INTERVIEW WITH IGOR GUSHCHIN OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / workIgor Gushchin: The sphere in which I work is not only my job but also my life. I can talk a lot about art, this is a phenomenon and a product of human consciousness. What distinguishes a person from […]
From the beginning of the written history of humankind, Central Asia was at the crossroads of civilisations, cultures and development. Archaeological discoveries show that the first known cities and states were present here for more than five thousand years. Magnificent monuments, temples and government buildings, with the sophisticated structures, prove that this land was full […]
While relations go back over six hundred years, with an exchange of letters between King Henry IV of England and Amir Temur, the British Council has been supporting systemic education and cultural relations with the UK for the last quarter of a century, since the signing of formal bilateral agreement with Government of Uzbekistan in […]
INTERWIEW WITH LIDIYA DROZDOVA OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity.Lidiya Drozdova: I live in Kazakhstan. I create from the beauty around me and give the happiness of creativity to everyone who wants to learn how to paint. I am the worker of Kazakh art, member of the Kazakhstan Designers Union, […]
The British Museum has announced that it is working closely with colleagues in the Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) under the Ministry of Culture, and the staff of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London. On 30th September 2020 the Museum signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ACDF and agreed to […]
INTERVIEW WITH MAKSATKANTARBAYEV OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / workMaksat Kantarbayev: I am from Kazakhstan, come from the village Kulan, whis is placed in Zhambyl region. I am a Member of the Union of Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and became a member of the Eurasian Creative Guild […]
International art lovers attending the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale were in for a treat. For the very first time in the history of this prestigious festival, Uzbekistan had a national pavilion, situated within the Arsenale. Titled “Mahalla: Urban Rural Living”, this 1:1 scale model of a house in a traditional Uzbek mahalla (neighbourhood) was curated […]
“I really want our society to be inclusive. I think we should start with culture because music and arts do not require interpretation. If we make culture inclusive and accessible, everything else will go by itself, God willing,” said Mirsaid Mukhotorov, a blind student of international law at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy. […]
EVERYTHING THAT IS IMAGINABLE – IS POSSIBLE OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activityMargarita Yagudaeva: I was born in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, grew up there before I went travelling around the world. Recently, I completed my PhD in Linguistics and am now a Doctor of Linguistics.As for my creative […]
Since its creation in 1753, the British Library – formerly the Library of the British Museum – has amassed more than 170 million collection items. A small portion of these are in Uzbek or Chagatai, or related to the territory of the contemporary Republic of Uzbekistan. Despite their small number, the 50-odd Turkic manuscripts from […]
I ALWAYS WAS CREATIVE IN SOME WAY OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activityTatiana Kaunis: Historically I always was creative in some way. When I was a child I used to compose fairy tales for myself and play it. At school I wrote poems and short stories, several times I won […]
Heading into the autumn of 2021, the revival of international tourism still looks some way off. But as flights resume, travel restrictions are lifted, and tourists regain confidence, we will start to see the sector’s recovery. Uzbekistan has been using this downtime to build upon the foundations it laid pre-COVID and prepare to realise its […]
The public address of a head of state to his people is always a prominent political event, for the whole world as well. Especially when it is a state that leads the Central Asian region. Particularly now, when the region as a whole is far from stable, is battered by the coronavirus pandemic and is […]
Commitment to international principles The situation in Afghanistan was a real test of the international community’s commitment to democratic values and principles of mutual assistance. One of the first Central Asian states to pass the test was Kazakhstan, which promptly responded to the UN appeal and hosted missions by the international organisation. As the military […]
BIOGRAPHY: Kazat Akmatov is a well-known people’s writer of Kyrgyzstan. He is the author of such wonderful works as “Arhat”, “Munabiya”, “Howl”, “13 steps of Erica Claus”, “Shahidka”, “Sacred Hearth”, etc. The works of K. Akmatov have been translated into dozens of languages and included in the study programme in many countries. They have also […]
Dear Reader It is was a great honor to be asked to be the Guest Editor for this edition of OCA magazine. The magazine is now in its twelfth year and has grown in influence over that time. I have been involved with OCA and the Eurasian Creative Guild for nearly nine years – having […]
