INTERVIEW WITH MARIA PRIZNYAKOVA OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work. Maria Priznyakova: I am a local press journalist and photographer by profession. I have been involved in literary work for over 15 years. I have been writing poetry since my youth, and prose – short stories and novels […]
Murat Auezov was not only the son of the historical figure in the Kazakh history, and the most popular classic writer of the XX century, Mukhtar Auezov, but also remained in history as an outstanding writer, cultural expert, diplomat, public figure for the Kazakh people. Murat Auezov was born in 1943 in Merki district of […]
INTERVIEW WITH NADYA ROTH OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Nadya Roth: I was born in Moldova, in the town of Bender, graduated from the K.D. Ushinsky Pedagogical Institute in Odessa as a physics teacher and moved to Germany as a permanent resident in 1993. I am currently retired […]
INTERVIEW WITH NINA YAGOLNITSER OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Nina Yagolnitser: I was born in Ukraine, grew up in Moldova, and have lived most of my life in Israel, where I am raising two sons. I am a film director by my first education, worked for two airlines […]
Interview with Olga Shpakovich OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Olga Shpakovich: I live in St. Petersburg, I am a member of the St. Petersburg Writers’ Union and the Eurasian Creative Guild (London). I write prose. The first publication was in 1992. During this time, 7 books have been […]
Raim Hakimovich Farkhadi was born on 16 May 1942 in Samarkand (Uzbek SSR, now Uzbekistan). Died on 4 April 2024 (Tashkent, Uzbekistan). Raim Farkhadi was a poet, novelist, playwright, journalist, translator and children’s author. Member of the Union of Writers of Uzbekistan. Honoured Worker of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Commander of the Order […]
INTERVIEW WITH RAUSHAN BURKITBAYEVA-NUKENOVA OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Raushan Burkitbayeva-Nukenova: I didn’t choose poetry… Rather, poetry chose me. Since childhood, I loved spending time alone with nature – talking to flowers, butterflies, and dragonflies, watching the red algae move in the stream.I had my own imaginary world…Later […]
INTERVIEW WITH RIMA ULCHINA OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Rima Ulcina: Oh my God! Your question has taken me back to my childhood, when a sweet four-year-old imaginative girl was involved in oral song creativity from the moment she learned to speak. I was born into the family […]
Interview with TATIANA BOGOMOLOVA OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Tatiana Bogomolova: I never thought about writing when I was a child or a teenager. Once, in my youth, I dreamed of becoming a journalist: I started to publish in Komsomolskaya Gazeta. But my mother soon found out about […]
It is with great pleasure that I share with you the feelings I experienced when I read the biography of my compatriot Vladimir Grigorievich Schastny. As fate would have it, my little hometown is forty kilometres from the town of Smorgon, where Vladimir Schastny was born in 1948. In my youth I often visited Zalesje, […]
OCA PEOPLE: ANNA GHARIB OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Anna Gharib: I am an author, a coach specializing in supporting sensitive and creative individuals, and a blogger focused on exploring cultural differences between the East and West on Facebook. Additionally, I am a tarot reader and an abstract […]
OCA PEOPLE: OKSANA ZHUKOVA (SKY) OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Oksana Zhukova: I’m a poet, writer and artist. I was born in the South of Ukraine, now live in London (UK). I’m an Academician of the International Academy for the Development of Literature and Art, a member of […]
OCA PEOPLE: ALEXANDER SYVAK OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.My name is Alexander Syvak, I am the director of MediaCompass and publisher of the international maritime magazine Shipping. I started my media career in advertising and since then my team and I have successfully developed the transport media […]
OCA PEOPLE : MARAT AKHMEDJANOV OCA Magazine: Please tell us about yourself and your creative activity/work.MA: In short, I’m a publisher; over the last 20 years of my life, I have been involved in the creation of books and magazines, including this one, and I love my work. People know me as Marat Akhmedjanov or […]
OCA PEOPLE: LIDIA BELOZEROVA OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Lidia Belozerova: Meet Lidia Belozerova, the newest Guardian of the Eurasian Creative Guild based in London! I am a captivating blend of talents and passions. I am not only a teacher and psychologist but also a skilled musician, writer, […]
OCA PEOPLE: WARREN WILLS OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Warren Wills: My name is Warren Wills I’m from Melbourne Australia and I am a composer, a pianist and improviser and an educationalist. I’m a musical director and I’m a theatre director and predominantly my entire life has been […]
OCA PEOPLE: ANASTASIA KALINOVSKAYA OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Anastasia Kalinovskaya: I am a Director of Theatrical-performing Art, a Film Director, an Actress, an Acting Teacher, a Contemporary Artist. Also, I am a Member of the Expert Council on Fine Arts in the «Eurasian Creative Guild» for 2024. […]
OCA PEOPLE: OLGA IGUMNOVA OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / workOlga Igumnova: I was born in Kharkov, Ukraine in 1969 and lived, studied and worked in Volgograd most of my life till 2006. Then I studied and worked in Italy and moved to the United Kingdom in 2010. From […]
OCA PEOPLE: ALEKSANDRA REY OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.Aleksandra Vlasova: I am an Art director with a passion for visual storytelling and impactful design. Since graduating, I have been collaborating with Hertfordshire Press under my pen name Alexandra Rey on a wide range of print and media […]
Hospitable Kazakhstan will welcome the participants of the festival ‘VI Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art’ from different corners of the planet. Every year the picturesque resort of Burabay becomes a meeting place for artists thanks to the festival ‘Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art’. The festival unites literature and visual art of the countries […]
THE STEPPE BLOOMS IN THE HANDS OF A WOMAN The history of the world is made up of unique people, whose lives and destinies differ from the canons of their historical epoch. And the destiny of a unique woman, who went from being a Christian Ukrainian to becoming a heroine of the Uzbek SSR, who […]
DISCOVERING JIZZAKH: THE HIDDEN JEWEL OF UZBEKISTAN In the heart of Uzbekistan lies a region, with stunning landscapes, diverse fauna and flora, and rich cultural heritage. It is an invitation to explore one of Central Asia’s most enchanting secrets. Jizzakh, cradled by the Nurata ridges and kissed by the Golodnaya Steppe, beckons travellers and scholars […]
UZBEKISTAN HARNESSING THE POWER OF NUCLEAR The power and potential of nuclear has been evident for decades, even if it has often come surrounded in warnings and threats of misuse by both state actors and terrorists alike. Now, Uzbekistan has announced that it is joining the race and Uzbekistan’s Nuclear Energy Agency (Uzatom) has boldly […]
JIZZAKH REGION, A FUTURE LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR WESTERN COMPANIES AND INVESTORS? The Jizzakh Region is helping to drive Uzbekistan’s economic growth. With its strategic location and dynamic business environment, the region could become a gateway to Uzbekistan for foreign business, and it already boasts some interesting contributions from Western companies in this region. With […]
CAN JIZZAKH REALLY ENTICE TOURISTSTO DISCOVER ITS HISTORY AND CULTURE? Jizzakh lies on the ancient trading road between Tashkent and Samarkand. When you pass this way, the ghosts of historic heroes are beside you: Alexander the Great came here with his armies on campaign, marching between the wealthy cities of Uzbekistan’s Silk Road oases. Amir […]
AN ACADEMIC QUESTION – JIZZAKH’S GROWTH BEYOND 2024 Academic Growth is an important factor in the Ubzbekistan’s development. The progress of every country is measured with respect to the developments in agriculture, education, healthcare and infra structure. The education sector plays a vital role in contributing for the technological developments and hence increase the opportunities […]
JIZZAKH POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AIMS FOR TECHNOLOGICAL EXCELLENCE It is worth noting that two new, modern production sites have been launched on the territory of the Jizzakh Polytechnic Institute. The first is the “Scientific and Practical Centre for Alternative Energy”, where solar panels are produced. The second training site – “Jizzakh Youth Technopark” – creates a […]
SPORT IN JIZZAKH – A LIFE IN KURASH The Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan proudly enjoys a rich tradition in sport and physical culture. The regional government actively encourage a healthy lifestyle through sport and exercise, particularly among young people. FC Sogdiana Jizzakh play in the Uzbekistan Football Super League and the region has hosted national […]
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MUSIC IN JIZZAKH Folk music was considered risqué by some due to political reasons for decades, but like the Jazz style of America that was also considered equally as taboo, it has become a defining musical style of Uzbekistan. In terms of vocal styles, the main folk style is known as […]
THE ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE OF JIZZAKH Jizzakh, a vibrant province in Uzbekistan, showcases a remarkable blend of tradition and modern enterprise. Its bustling cities—Jizzakh, Gallaorol, Dashtabad, and Dostlik—are home to a diverse industrial base, ranging from mineral extraction and cotton cultivation to advanced manufacturing in electronics and construction materials. This thriving economy is supported by key […]
EXPLORING THE CASTLES OF JIZZAKH Uzbekistan, particularly the Jizzakh Region, has some beautiful and varied countryside. You might be surprised to hear that it also has some impressive castles and fortresses. In Europe we think our history is full of castles, princesses and knights, especially during the middle ages. It is little known that many […]
TURNING A DEAD DESERT INTO A FLOURISHING OASIS The period of the Russian Empire’s domination of Central Asia in the 1960s and 1970s gave impetus, among other things, to the expansion of irrigation construction and the irrigation of previously undeveloped areas. This was a consequence of the establishment of peaceful life and the cessation of […]
THE POWER OF POETRY: RASHIDOV’S ETERNAL KASHMIR SONG The romantic novella The Song of Kashmir (1956) reflects the Indian people’s struggle for liberation. Judging by its tone, this summary of Rashidov’s works and the reference in it to The Song of Kashmir date from Soviet times, and at first glance seem far removed from the […]
AMAZING JIZZAKH SAMSA It is no exaggeration to say that the Uzbek samsa (also somsa) is now known all over the world. Uzbek restaurants are growing in popularity and can be found in many countries of the world. And samsa has always been an integral part of Uzbekistan’s traditional gastronomic wealth, especially samsa with meat […]
Historic Debut: Uzbekistan Hosts Inaugural World Coaching Championship During Eurasian Creative Week From 22 to 29 June, Uzbekistan hosted the first international World Coaching Championship, as part of the 8th international festival Eurasian Creative Week. For the first time, the festival events took place in three cities of Uzbekistan: Tashkent, Khiva and Nukus. The festival […]
ECG World Championship Coaching: A Celebration of Creativity and Enlightenment in Uzbekistan ECG World Championship Coaching and Eurasian Creative Week will be held in Uzbekistan (Tashkent, Khiva, Nukus) from June 22 to 29. The event is organised by the Eurasian Creative Guild and the Elena Bezrukov Center. Participants of the festival are coaches and artists […]
All welcome to VI ECG Film Festival On May 24-28, the 6th ECG Film Festival will be held at Premier Cinemas Romford in the UK. This festival is proudly joining forces with the renowned Romford Film Festival for the 6th consecutive year, promising a diverse and captivating lineup of films. Founded by the Eurasia Creative Guild. […]
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 […]
