DEFENDING WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN

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 are scare for an Afghan Uzbek woman in the male-dominated society. I managed to complete my masters degree in International Public Law with distinction. I am among the very few Uzbek women who obtained a masters degree.

In 2004, I started working as Monitoring Officer at the Afghan National Solidarity Program for Rural Development. In 2007, I worked as the officer in-charge of violence against women at Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) in Faryab province. I dealt with dozens of cases of violence against women, closely monitored the judicial process and advocated robustly for the victims.

In 2012, we formed a Civil Society Forum in Faryab province and a Women Leadership Network. The key objective was promoting the culture of tolerance and non-violence.
For promoting human rights, to fight for elimination of violence against women in Faryab province, I was humbled to be awarded a medal by then President Hamid Karzai in 2011 in recognition of my services.

From January 2013 until January 2019, I worked as Human Rights Officer with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Faryab. I have been living and working in Afghanistan, a country where protracted conflict has wrought havoc to the country. Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic country and several ethnic groups live in each province. Four-decade s of conflict and animosities among ethnic groups have created an environment where non-violence is non-existent and they do not tolerate each other. Mistrust is wide. The norm is to resolve all difference through conflict.

In my province Faryab, we are working extensively with community elders, influential, local governmental figures and women to develop a culture of tolerance and non-violence. Violence against women was high to change mindsets, events needed to bring women on board and create an environment for dialogue and discussion so that the families and communities could find solutions to their problems and tensions without resorting to violence. The process encouraged everyone, including women, to be valued.

We demonstrated that conflict could be resolved by active listening, empathy and dialogue. Events were organised with community elders, religious scholars, the youth, peace activists, civil society activists, women and representatives of different ethnic groups to collaborate on co-existing peacefully and resolving issues through peaceful means, mutual understanding and tolerating different views, political affiliations and diversity.
Violence against women is one of the most serious human rights issues in Afghanistan. Although important achievements have been made in different areas of such as education for women and girls, health and participation of women in civil and political activities during the last decade, however significant violence against women remains a part of life in Afghanistan. In 2009 Karzai pledged to eliminate violence against women, passing a law that considered 22 acts to be violence against women including abuse, harassment, beating, exchange marriage in bad (blood), forced marriage, underage marriage, deprivation of property and inheritance. Although the Eliminating Violence Against Women (EVAW) Law was enforced in 2009, there has been no change in the violence figures. Cases investigated reveal that many women and girls continue to suffer from domestic violence in Faryab province. Cases of beatings by a husband or husband’s family members are common. The victims either seek separation or, in the extreme, escape by self-immolation or committed suicide. The issue of marriage is central to many of these problems. Forced marriages and engagements remain deeply culturally engrained and continue to be widespread.

In Faryab, significant steps have been taken toward improving protection mechanisms for vulnerable women. The commission of Elimination of Violence against Women (COEVAW) has been established at the provincial level. A safe house to shelter and protect women victims has been established. However, violence against women has not diminished, but has increased with each passing day. Sadly, the majority of cases of violence against women happen in remote villages and districts and remain unreported. Due to a lack of security, government organisations working for human rights cannot travel to the field due to ongoing conflict.

Sexual violence is one of the most serious problems faced by women. Based on traditional society, women and girls who are raped or have a sexual relationship with an unmarried man bring shame to the family or village. Some see that the only response to restoring honour is from the death of the victim. Government agencies still do not respect justice. In their territories, women are flogged in public for having an illicit affair with an unmarried men – but the male partner isnever been punished or prosecuted. As an example, a woman named Reza Gul who residence of Ghormach district, Faryab province, was attacked her husband cut off her nose – this happened in 2016. The victim was transported to Maimana hospital to receive treatment. Faryab human rights defenders jointly advocated to send her to Turkey where she could receive nose reconstructive surgery that was not possible in Afghanistan. The perpetrator was not punished.

The elimination of violence against women needs for more time. Afghanistan women must continue the fight for equality and justice. We women will need to make this sacrifice and search for international communities to support us in the fight against these violations and injustices. The victim women suffering from injustice want to access to justice and this most basic of rights cannot come soon enough.

text by Farukh Leqa Unchizada

WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM    OCA#35 SUMMER 2020

Three Central Asia Travel Highlights

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 the most ancient cultures and breathtaking landscapes on earth, it is nevertheless only lightly trodden by wanderers and merchants. But traffic on the silk road is once again picking up. If you too are curious about those countries sometimes referred to as “The Stans,” these quick highlights from my own brief yet tantalizing experience should help motivate you to make the trip a reality. In this article, we will explore three examples that showcase the best of Central Asia: The ancient, the modern, and the outdoors.

The Ancient: Uzbekistan – Bukhara – Lyab-i Hauz

There’s something about this spot, an idyllic pond or “hauz” that has survived for centuries in the middle Bukhara. Around you, the traffic is frenetic. Construction projects line the highways. You’ve jostled with other tourists and bartered with outside famous spots like Kalyan Minaret and the Po-i-Kalyan. And now, you have a moment to yourself. Stop by one of the quality cafes overlooking the ancient pool, enjoy a cup of tea and a bowl of Lagman, and just bathe in the atmosphere that surrounds you. This is it. This is Central Asia at its historic best. You have arrived. So what’s next? 

The Modern: Kazakhstan – Urban Almaty 

Wide highways, a gleaming metro, sushi restaurants, cocktail bars and British style pubs! This is not what the average Westerner imagines when they think Kazakhstan. But the second they come to cosmopolitan Almaty, their eyes are opened. A thriving Korean diaspora means that Kazakhstan’s largest city has a diverse and delicious dining scene, with local favorites mingling with international influences. Stop by for a pint at one of the city’s many expat bars such as The Shakespeare or Mad Murphy’s before (or, perhaps more sensibly, after) taking the Kok-Tobe Hill Gondola for sweeping viewing of the city and a taste of the surrounding mountains.

The Outdoors: Tajikistan – The Pamir Highway

We knew that we were in for an adventure. The Pamir Highway that runs between Dushanbe and Osh is the second highest highway in the world, and is considered one of the most picturesque drives out there – if your car is up for the challenge! Sensible travelers hire formidable 4WD vehicles that make the passes a cinch, even when you’re at the road’s highest point of 4655 meters above sea level. Snow capped peaks and sweeping valleys are dotted with small, hospitable villages, where you can dine with locals and sleep the night in a cosy yurt, before continuing the adventure.

There is so much more to Central Asia than this tiny article can possibly encapsulate. Hopefully this brief sampler will motivate at least one or two travelers out there to move Central Asia up the list. The time to visit is now. 

Nathan James Thomas is the author of “Travel Your Way” (Exisle Publishing, May 2021) and the editor of Intrepid Times, a digital magazine for travel writing with heart. Follow at http://intrepidtimes.com 

WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM text by Nathan James Thomas

ADVOCATING FOR MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

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 exchanges was to study and share experiences of economic development in mountain areas, which are affected not only by traditional challenges from nature such as high altitude, harsh climate, environmental problems, but also the emerging ones like climate change and outmigration.

IUK then studied the economic model in Utah which is considered as one of the best in the U.S. to do business, and how UVU contributes to it. UVU is the largest university in Utah, which primarily serves local communities in mountainous Utah by combining both community college, as well as baccalaureate and master’s degrees for students.

UVU, in turn, was able to learn about IUK’s experiences with the United Nations (UN) and its contribution to Kyrgyzstan’s co-sponsorship of the United Nations’ initiative to celebrate 2002 as the International Year of Mountains (IUM). This led to a cooperation between the State of Utah and the Kyrgyz Republic to jointly advocate for a UN Sustainable Mountain Development (SMD) agenda in the State of Utah, Kyrgyzstan, and elsewhere. As a result, Utah Governor, Olene Walker, visited the Kyrgyz Republic in August 2003 and, in reciprocity, President Askar Akaev traveled to Salt Lake City in September 2004.

In 2006, UVU joined the Mountain Partnership (MP) under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO-UN), the first North American university to do so. MP coordinates the SMD agenda globally through more than 390 members including 60 mountain nations, except the United States.

Since then, UVU and IUK advocated SMD by implementing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 2003) Resolution ”International Year of Mountains, 2002”, A/RES/57/245 from 30 January 2003. This UN document recommended that interested institutions: 1) Join the MP; 2) support, including financially, programs resulting from the IYM, and; 3) organise events each 11th December as part of the UN International Mountain Day (IMD) to highlight the importance of SMD.

In March 2007, UVU and IUK co-hosted the first international Women of the Mountains Conference (WOMC) in Utah as a major initiative to implement the second recommendation of the UNGA 2003. WOMC supported the 2002 “Celebrating Mountain Women” conference in Bhutan.

Under the MP umbrella, the first WOMC gathered more than 120 participants, including officials from the UN, diplomats from mountain nations accredited both to the UN and the USA, specialists from Central Asia, and experts on gender issues from all Rocky Mountain States, as well as more than 25 mountain nations. The United Nations Secretary Generals’ (UNSG) Report on SMD A/62/292 from 23 August 2007 highlighted UVU for hosting a forum to “ensure an improvement of women’s status in mountain communities around the world.” UNSG Report on SMD A/64/222 from 3 August 2009 emphasized that WOMC “established a regional network on sustainable mountain development and gender issues.” UVU was the only academic institution from North America highlighted in both UN documents.

During 2007-2013, envoys from Kyrgyzstan to the UN and US regularly visited UVU. They were followed by three visits to Utah of deputies of the Kyrgyz Parliament representing such parties as Ata-Meken, Respublica and Ata-Jurt. As reciprocity, a joint delegation of state legislators from the State of Utah and the State of Montana visited Kyrgyzstan and, through joint dialogue, contributed to building the Parliamentary model of democracy in Kyrgyzstan.

Since 2011, students have played a major role in SMD advocacy. Through a UVU-developed inclusive, student-engaged learning (SEL) model they gain professional skills by addressing real-world problems of mountain communities as a group with faculty being as mentors. The model engages students across the campus, especially non-traditional learners who are older than 25-years of age, and balance their education all the while working part- or full-time jobs and taking care of their families.

The Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs serves as its core. Its members advocate for SMD by contributing both initiatives and funds and then being recognized at the UN level. They, for example, recruited more than 15 new MP members in the region and jointly with many of them raised awareness about SMD in North America, in particular by observing the International Mountain Day every year since 2010.

UIMF members advocated for the adoption of three mountain targets as benchmarks for implementation of SMD, among 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during sessions of the UN Open Working Groups (OWG) on SDGs in 2013-2015.

UNSG Report on SMD A/71/256 from 29 July 2016 highlighted UIMF for the first time for hosting the fourth international WOMC in Utah in 2015, as well as for providing recommendations about implementation of SDG #5 on gender in interaction with three mountain targets. UIMF was the only student club coalition worldwide featured in the UN document.

Since 2016, UIMF members advocate for the implementation of three mountain targets during forums of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on sustainable development. They reported about WOMCs contribution to support mountain women and girls during the 62nd and 63rd sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in 2018-2019. They also spoke about the lack of attention from the international community to challenges experienced by mountain communities, especially from food insecurity, during general debates at the High-Level Political Forum of ECOSOC on sustainable development in New York on July 19, 2018.

Most recently, the Outcome Document of the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference held in Salt Lake City during August 26-28, 2019 included, for the first time, language about the importance of mountain communities to be in the focus of the UN 2030 Agenda on sustainable development – again, due to the efforts of UIMF members.

Similar educational programs developed by other academic institutions could make a difference in the destinies of their own students, who then facilitate changes in the livelihoods of their local communities, as well as global communities.

 

AUTHORS BIOS:

Baktybek Abdrisaev, PhD, Lecturer, History and Political Science, Utah Valley University, was the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the US during 1997-2005.

Rusty Butler, Ph.D., main representative at the UN of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, an NGO in general consultative status with ECOSOC, was Associate Vice-President for International Affairs and Diplomacy at Utah Valley University, 1992-2016

Sovereign Parametric Catastrophe Bonds as means to address the protection gap in emerging countries

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 downsizes to only 6% in emerging economies.
  • Out of existing disaster risk finance arrangements, the Sovereign Parametric Catastrophe Bonds seem to be the most viable instrument for the ECIS region.

As mentioned by AON in their Weather, Climate & Catastrophe Insight: 2019 Annual Report, last year brought $232 billion of economic losses from natural disasters, whereby only $71 billion was actually insured. It outlined that the world continues to face a fundamental issue of insurance gap, especially in emerging and developing countries, where losses for businesses and governments are only increasing following a decade-long rise in natural catastrophes linked to climate change.

Protection gaps exist in both emerging and developed markets. However, with Swiss Re estimating 35% level of catastrophe risk coverage in advanced economies versus 6% in emerging economies, the issue is far more important for the developing world, where the cost of disasters is not just measured in the deaths and injuries that they cause, but also in their long-lasting economic impact on survivors and countries. Natural disasters there do not just destroy homes, factories, shops, and fields; they can altogether annihilate years of economic growth, which is essential for the low and mid-income countries.

These governments need new ways to increase their access to finance to enable disaster response, recovery, and rebuilding. Ideally, such features should also help make financial systems more predictable and stable, so to be able to avoid or lessen inevitable shocks to the economy in case of devastating events.

Disaster relief aid, as the most obvious tool, is very reactive by its nature, pledged only during and after the event, and the amount generated is unpredictable. Pledges made can also be slow to materialize, with examples of payments taking months or even years.

The role of insurers in the emerging economies focuses mainly on the reconstruction of private assets, which reveal another important issue when (in many cases) critical infrastructure remains in direct state ownership, so exposed to the lack of insurable interest. For example, this is very much the case for Eastern European and CIS countries where insurance penetration of 0.5-1.5% is not allowing to count on the industry at the macro level.

In addition, there are other barriers to stimulate the growth of risk transfer in the developing countries when the state, instead of its retention, arranges a transfer of disaster expenses to third parties. Typically, there is no mature domestic insurance market to leverage and heavy (re-)insurance protectionism in some places. Nor are there sufficient government resources to fund sovereign backed insurance schemes.

When disaster strikes, immediate steps need to be taken to protect survivors and provide them with temporary shelter and emergency food and clothing. In the medium and long term, homes need to be rebuilt, places of employment and local infrastructure reconstructed. Ideally, this to be done in a manner that is resilient to future disasters. All this cost money. For this reason, issue of disaster risk finance, especially when it comes to post-event response, plays vital role for developing economies across the globe.

Mobilizing relief efforts quickly after a disaster can limit long-term economic losses but, unfortunately, many developing countries have limited access to finance for immediate response.

That is why, over the last decade, it made numerous international frameworks and political bodies, including the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and G20 as well as multilateral organizations like UNDP and International Financial Institutions to develop financing mechanisms to assist developing countries to cope with disasters.

Financial markets, governments, and the development community have introduced important innovations in disaster risk finance, giving rise to new or improved funding sources to respond and recover after disasters strike. Given the urgency and scale of the challenges developing countries face, pressures to scale up both categories of disaster risk finance are intense.

For post-disaster emergency financing, these innovations include development of national disaster funds, regional pooling schemes with the use of parametric solutions, contingent credit lines and solutions from Insurance-Linked Securities market, especially Parametric Catastrophe bonds, which, if well structured, can pay out almost automatically when disasters hit.

Through issuance of parametric sovereign catastrophe bonds, governments could access revenue streams that can finance timely shelter and support to victims and then set about rebuilding in a resilient manner.

Such instruments also allow a government to spread the cost of disaster response and prevention over several fiscal years, rather than creating a massive demand for funds in one particular year when the disaster occurs. In addition, as the money will flow from international financial markets, it will create a positive macroeconomic boost to the economy of the whole country and reduce dependence on foreign aid.

Use of the catastrophic bond mechanism also can help in effective solution for two important issues within emerging countries: addressing the “protection gap” on the macro level and dealing with low insurance penetration.

Given the successful track record of issuing and maintaining processes, as well as established mechanisms for triggering and pay-outs, this type of protection is now used with increasing frequency by single states and regional pooling schemes in different parts of the world.

Any developing government, which may consider disaster risk transfer in the form of parametric catastrophe bonds, will benefit from a number of objectives like guaranteed access to funds for recovery (up to agreed limits and in case of well-defined transparent trigger), budget planning certainty, no payback obligation and diversified source of funding to cope with the impact of natural catastrophes.

These are some reasons why the 2020 World Economic Forum (WEF) focused on responses to humanitarian risk by investigating areas where catastrophe bonds may prove valuable tools for risk sharing with private markets and investors raising catastrophe bonds and risk transfer to private or capital market investors as a key route towards sharing (transferring) risks.

Regional points for CEE, ECIS, and BRI transit countries

During only 2005-2014, the region of Eastern Europe and CIS alone suffered 314 disasters, resulting in more than 60,000 people killed, 11 million affected, and $25 billion worth of damage.

The region always had a big exposure to natural catastrophes whereby earthquakes in Almaty/Kazakhstan (1911), Ashgabat/Turkmenistan (1948), Tashkent/Uzbekistan (1966), Bucharest/Romania (1977), Vrancea/Romania (1986) and Spitak/Armenia (1988) almost destroyed respective places and 2014-2016 Balkans floods brought 5-15% damage to GDP of affected nations.

Unfortunately, with the world deadliest earthquake of 2019 near Tirana/Albania and 6+ magnitude events in NW China and East of Turkey – all happened just over last two months – strong reminders of constant exposure can be seen virtually in the live mode.

There is, in the region, a dearth of solutions available for Disaster Risk Finance in the short to medium terms due to some unique local historical, geopolitical, and economic factors. Challenges to be addressed include legislation, regulations, institutional capacity, culture, trust, and the size of the country/regional market to make it viable/attractive to the private sector.

One solution might be the creation of National Disaster funds. This, however, could be problematic due to existing tax, legislative, and regulatory frameworks. The time required for changes to this framework across the region is likely to be lengthy as a result of other national priorities.

Contingent Credit lines with international organizations, while attractive, can run into issues due to the low sovereign credit rating.

Sovereign Parametric Insurance schemes (potentially developing into regional pooling arrangements similar to CCRIF SPC, ARC or PCRIC) face the problem of extremely low insurance penetration (below 1.0-1.5% across ECIS countries, with only Kazakhstan and Turkey around 2%) and overall geopolitical and even religious fragmentation between the countries of the region. The time required to increase insurance penetration is simply too long.

In the meantime, if there is to be a solution that benefits everyone for the peak exposures, it will probably have to be organized by the government in the form of a Disaster Risk Transfer instrument, ideally combining best practices and lessons learned from other regions with a simple, clear and effective working mechanism.

So, out of potentially available instruments, the transfer of sovereign disaster risks for large events to capital markets in the form of Parametric Catastrophe Bonds seems to be pragmatic and possible to introduce quickly in the ECIS region.

Another three specific regional factors include Belt & Road Initiative, Investors’ perception, and recent success of new ILS domiciles, i.e. Singapore success story.

With different possible connotations around the world, Chinese Belt & Road Initiative is probably the largest infrastructural project in the modern history, which plays a vital role in its neighboring and transit countries.

Presuming investments of billions of dollars going into critical infrastructure, the initiative is seen by transit countries as an important opportunity to expand their international trade and give a boost to the own and regional economies.

However, with key transport corridors passing through countries of CIS and Western Balkans, the thread of devastating natural disasters takes on new dimensions. Especially with such corridors passing through the most earthquake-exposed territories of Eurasia, if not the world.

The issue of infrastructure protection in case of large disaster remains open, and post-disaster finance arrangements raise a big question mark. Especially in cases relating to the potential of contingent business interruption losses, whereby an earthquake in Central Asia, Turkey or Western Balkans may stop the whole corridor to operate for significant amount of time.

Other important factors in favor of potential sovereign cat bonds in the region are Singapore’s recent endeavors in ILS sphere thus boosting the concept for Asia and intra-class diversification for investment portfolios.

Recent Singapore’s success in becoming ILS center in Asia was proved by the issuances of several bonds in 2019, including noteworthy $225 mil. transaction for the government Philippines for earthquake and tropical cyclone exposures for 3 years.

The stable appetite for ILS as uncorrelated asset class that institutional investors experience is concentrated on North American exposures. There is, therefore, a potential for intra-class diversification, and any new territory, especially the one yet be explored, shall attract big interest from investors’ circle as these options bring significant diversification element into their existing allocations/ILS portfolios.

Also, generally speaking, the overall performance of the ILS as asset class over the COVID-19 market volatility showed its bespoke value for uncorrelation purposes whereby it acted as almost defensive assets with only insignificant outflow in catastrophe bonds but only as investors were looking to free some resources to use in other affected areas.

So, there are no doubts that having ILS in the portfolios and different strategies will allow any asset manager to have some pure liquid and uncorrelated allocation.

This article was first published 17th June 2020 on Seeking Alpha

Text by Kirill Savrassov is CEO of Phoenix CRetro, a Bermudian ILS specialists focused on ILS solutions for Central Europe, ECIS and BRI transit countries.

E-mail: k.savrassov@phoenix-re.co.uk

Animal Movies and Action Men Interview with Hollywood Celebrity Monty Cox

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. He grew up in a trailer court in Oakland, California and his father was a merchant marine so often at sea.  With little money to support the family, his mother worked two jobs, gone from 8:00 in the morning to 22:00 at night, leaving Cox unsupervised. 

OCA: What do you remember of life growing up, before the calling of Hollywood? 

Monty Cox: My father would return home every 2, or 3, years.  He would instill in me manly virtues.  Never back down from anyone, one’s word is one’s bond, and always remember it is not what someone says -but what someone does that counts.  My father would be home for a week, or 2, then go again.

We moved to Reno, Nevada, when I was 12 years old.  Reno was a wild city.  The mafia was taking over the gambling casinos at that time: throwing people out of three-storey windows, shooting anyone who resisted etc. Crazed Native Americans, gang fights, and the call of the desert flavoured everything.  At the age of 13, my dad would drop me and my dog “Mambo” in the desert, 20 or 30 miles from the nearest town.  I would take very few things with me apart from water, a rifle, and a pistol.  “Mambo” and I would live off the land, eating rabbits.  

My friends were mostly Piut Indians.  Indeed, I spent most of my time on the Indian Reservation with my good friends “Ya Ya” and “Dog Eyes”. When I was 20, I moved to Pasadena, California, and began training in Boxing and Martial Arts.  I got a job as a commercial abalone diver: diving off the Channel Islands for abalone.  I then began skydiving.  I, along with 9 other skydivers, made the first “10 Man Star” in world history.  Never before had anything like this been achieved.

OCA: When did your career as a television and film professional start? 

MC: In 1965, I began working as an animal trainer at Africa USA.  Around this time, they were filming Dakar, Cowboy in Africa and Gentle ben.  Following negotiations, I flew to Miami to become the animal coordinator on Gentle Ben.  Now, Gentle Ben had attacked their previous coordinator: chewing him up and putting him in hospital.  Hence, I was sent to Florida to  “fix the bear”.  In short, to make him a working performer.  That  accomplished, I became the Head Animal Trainer for the Ivan Tors Studios in Miami, Florida. However, when Ivan Tor’s Studios closed down,  I returned to Los Angeles to become the chief Animal Coordinator for Africa USA.  Moreover, I went on to become the president of Africa USA.  Eventually, of course, I left Africa USA and opened my own company The Lion Wild Animals Rentals. Buying lions, tigers, bears and a baboon, in order to train them to work in the movies.  For 20 years, I owned and trained the Exxon Tigers.  During this time, I also trained Sigfried and Roy’s lions for their stage act in Las Vegas.  I won numerous commercial awards for Kal kan commercials – working with lions, tigers, house cats, and so on. Thereafter, I worked on Faberge commercials and Exxon commercials.

In 1983, at the annual Stunt Awards, I was awarded (by the stunt community) Best Stunt with an Animal for my “tiger attack” in the TV series Gambler with Kenny Rogers.  Overall, a very prestigious prize. 

OCA: As the best animal trainer in Hollywood, what are your most memorable projects? 

MC: My most memorable moment was undoubtedly working on the movie Apocalypse Now. Additionally, projects dealing with Native Americans were always my favourites.  Thus, Sun of the Morning Star, with Cyrus Yavneh as the Producer, stands out.  In addition, Crazy Horse – Custer’s Last Stand, Bird on a Wire (with Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn) were particularly memorable. Looking back, I traveled all over Canada finding animals to train for these movies.

Yet, the most incredible movie I ever coordinated was Snow Tigers.  It was filmed in Canada during the winter.  We were working with tigers in extreme conditions (20 below zero).  Stated so, when netting tigers from horseback, I recall them attacking me as I drove a sleigh: thereby, flooring the horse that was pulling the sleigh. Furthermore, after netting tigers on foot, they started to try and eat me – one has to create the required emotion in a tiger for the scene to look authentic – all meaning, I used a “mean” tiger.  With all this in mind, it is hardly surprising I broke my back when netting one of these tigers from horseback. After all, the tiger attacked me on the horse while I was riding causing us both to fall to the ground- the horse landing on top of me.

OCA: Has your expert reputation as a Master Handler/Co-ordinator effected your profile as an actor? 

MC: As an actor I am very limited.  I am not really what you call an actor.  I can play parts that are what I am as a person, but I cannot be what I am not.

OCA: Have you ever collaborated with ECG board member Cyrus Yavneh? 

MC: I have co-ordinated all of Cyrus’ animal work and collaborated on numerous shows (doing stunts) for him over the past 30 years.  Cyrus is one of the best: a top-line producer in the business.  

OCA: Would work in central Asia be a challenge that would interest you? 

MC: Any work with another culture is always stimulating and exciting.  Our views, too often jaded by news reports and politics, are often wrong.  Indeed, people are people with good hearts and minds no matter where they are from.  Overall, I look forward to working in Central Asia with the present E.C.G. Chairman David Parry, as well as possibly teaming up with people from this region like Nikolai Pavlenko.

OCA: What are your plans for the future? 

MC: Getting my script financed and in production. All accompanied by a European tour for my book Animals Movies and Minds from another Time. Each a subject of interest to David Parry. What is more, I am currently working with two young lions – training them to perform in the movie business.  Equally, I have just finished filming a skit for YouTube with a great grizzly bear Tag.  If anyone goes onto Youtube and types my name, this skit will  automatically appear.  

WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM #26 SUMMER 2017  text by David Parry 

CENTRAL ASIA 3.0: 2020 AND BEYOND

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 2019, I saw many changes in the region, changes that are not necessarily good or bad but that investors need to be aware of in order to understand the entire region and the individual countries.


There are three significant eras in the last 100 years for Central Asia (I chose 2019 as the divide between 2.0 and 3.0, as many issues that began in previous years have finally reached definitive stages of implementation):

Central Asia 1.0: 1920-1991.
The Soviet Years. Of some relevance (for instance, the effect of Korean ethnic population transfers to Uzbekistan and its impact on business today), but effectively Central Asia was tied to the Soviet economy.

Central Asia 2.0: 1992-2019.
Independence, the rise of China, conflict in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan’s encouragement of foreign investment, and European Economic Union. Five countries suddenly became independent in a matter of months, many institutions were carried over or became successors to their Soviet era counterparts. China became more important to each country’s economy, although countries were cautious because of questions of losing their sovereignty. The conflict in Afghanistan made the region a priority to the US government, as troops transited through the region to/from Afghanistan, planes were refueled out of Manas (Kyrgyzstan), and because Pakistan was considered an unreliable partner, transit routes (Northern Distribution Network) were developed. Most of these systems have been shut down and, unfortunately, not repurposed into civilian logistical routes. Rise of energy exports, led by Kazakhstan and its firm commitment to foreign investment. The Eurasian Economic Union, off to a slow start, tries to varying degrees to keep the region’s economies tied to Russia, and countries are just as concerned over issues of sovereignty regarding Russia as they are about China’s investment in the region. In addition, regional energy projects (especially hydroelectric from Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan) are planned but stalled.

Central Asia 3.0: 2020 and Beyond.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a more open Uzbekistan, a more polarized US/Russia/China business and political climate, bigger push from US and EU for greater economic ties within the region, and Kazakhstan’s next generation of leadership.

As we look ahead, Central Asia 3.0: 2020 and Beyond, might be the start of the region’s greatest chapter. To some, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), announced by President Xi Jinping in Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan in 2013, is ‘found money.’ China seems to be pouring billions in infrastructure projects, especially in the transportation arena. The appeal of BRI to a poor or middle income country (and even developed countries like Italy and Greece) is that it is the only game in town for many states, and promises to develop infrastructure on a massive scale in coordination with China’s trade routes. Setting aside issues of corruption in such development, a country’s leadership can show new projects to its people, projects that would probably not have been built without China’s participation.

Many countries are concerned with transparency, ‘debt trap diplomacy,’ lack of knowledge transfer, and ultimately loss of sovereignty, either de facto or de jure. Unlike projects funded by EBRD, ADB, the World Bank and other institutions in the West, these projects are largely ‘black holes’ in terms of their financing, construction, and operation. A common criticism is that BRI projects are almost always constructed by Chinese crews and just as critically, subcontracts are awarded to Chinese companies, preventing local companies and people from learning modern accounting, financing and engineering techniques. To contrast, when Telefónica, the Spanish telephone company, went into Latin America starting in the late 1980s, they hired over 300 contractors in their first five years—everything from work crews to wire vendors, from food suppliers to truck manufacturers—which enabled the individual countries to build entire industries, not only to support Telefónica but to bid on contracts for other companies locally and internationally. EBRD, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and development agencies from Western countries like US Development Finance Corporation encourage such development; however, the funding is currently not nearly at the level of BRI and its associated financial institutions.

Uzbekistan at independence had arguably the most developed economy in Central Asia, as well as the largest population. Unfortunately, it continued its Soviet-style command economy, with the negativity associated with massive corruption, authoritarian rule, and little prioritisation of its own people’s education and prosperity. Islam Karimov considered himself a ‘Scientific Socialist’ and therefor the natural leader of Central Asia and consequently did little to develop a free market. Although blessed with good natural resources and universal literacy, benefits did not trickle down to the general population. In addition, there were disputes with neighbours, especially Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, which prevented better regional economic integration. After Karimov’s death in 2016, Shavkat Mirziyoyev as president has led the country to better regional cooperation, a more open economy, and a vast improvement in human rights.

The geopolitical world is more clearly polarised today than it was 10 years ago. Russia is more aggressive and depending on its prosperity more likely to flex its muscles (Ukraine being the prime example). China is mastering the art of soft power, obviously lead by economic investment and trade with the Belt and Road Initiative but also other financing institutions like Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. However, investment from the US, European Union, Japan and Australia is largely favored by both the leadership of Central Asian countries and as well as the middle classes, as it is perceived to ‘come with fewer strings’ attached, as well as allowing a country to prosper. It is important to understand that there is an economic competition in Central Asia, a 21st century Great Game, and countries can benefit by choosing how they want to participate without giving up control of their economies, without giving up work and knowledge opportunities for their own citizens, and still maintaining good relations with their larger neighbours rather than being absorbed into them.

Both the US and the EU want the countries of Central Asia to trade more among themselves, as well as incorporate Afghanistan, the Caucasus, and Mongolia (the “CAMCA” region) to promote peace and prosperity in the region as well as avoid over-dependence on either China and/or Russia. Projects such as CASA-1000 (hydroelectric power from Kyrgyzstan into Afghanistan and Pakistan) which have been largely sitting in a desk drawer for 15 years are finally being constructed; the benefits in terms of fundamental improvement to people’s lives is immeasurable. In addition, better co-operation means more direct trade routes for Central Asian exports and imports—all Central Asian countries are landlocked, and Uzbekistan is the largest of the two double-landlocked countries in the world.

Finally, Kazakhstan is in the process of transitioning to its second generation of post-independence leadership. Because of its forward thinking in the 1990s in terms of emphasis on higher education, on investment climate, on poverty alleviation and income growth, as well as being blessed by un-squandered oil and other natural resources, the country has by far the strongest economy in the region. The transition from Nursultan Nazarbayev to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signals that the generation trained abroad, that came back to participate in the development of the country, are now likewise taking positions of leadership in politics and industry. Innovations continue, notably the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) as a financial and legal hub connecting the economies of the Central Asia, the Caucasus, China, Mongolia, Middle East and US/Europe.

Image by Guilherme Romano from Unsplash

My new inspiration

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. Both sincere and enigmatic, he breeds speculation, all kinds of a tales and fictitious stories were written about him, so in order to shed some light on the truth about him, we have decided that the goal of our book would be to separate the wheat from the chaff, tell the true story about his life and endeavors. And the reason we chose to write a book about him is plainly obvious – he deserves to be written about. Sure, there may be a multitude of articles about him, his play and his way of life, but we are first in publishing a comprehensive biography of his life to this day. The purpose of the book is to show relevant information about Keanu since we know that there is a lot of contradictions about him in the Internet.



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The year 2019 was very successful for my coauthor, Arkadiy Novikov and I; we have published our first book, “Mr. Keanu Reeves. The unfinished portrait. Part 1”, as the success story of a free person living his own spiritual life, without regard to generally accepted stereotypes and patterns. It was very important to include two parallel lines to the book; along with the well-recognized filmography and biography facts, it contains the view on actor’s spiritual vision. Laid a roadmap for future books (yes, there will be more, so hold your breath), not only as a tribute to Keanu and his work, his childhood and youth but as a token of our appreciation for his position in life.

In order to gather information we reviewed cult movies of Keanu’s, and contemplated about his unique ancestry, cultural and ethnic background. Our initial intent was to show the true intentions of Keanu, his values and belief, to tell the story of his success, not because he is such a lucky guy, but rather, due to his hard work and the power to retain optimism instead of all his failures. For three years we have been gathering information, and investigated over two hundred sources. 

As we were writing the book, many routes and different ideas of the plot were developed, exploited, rejected and accepted, as is customary for all writers. In the end we decided that there will be two parallel lines – physical and spiritual. Sure, there were some setbacks writing the book, we eventually overcame it, and gotten stronger in the process. Working with the most talented writer, my coauthor Arkadiy was a blast and I greatly enjoyed it, and his creativity and hard work carried us through the whole process of writing this book.

In addition, it would be wrong not to mention a wonderful American painter, Russell Powell whose painting is on the book cover. He has a unique method of creating pieces of art. It is called ‘hand stamping’. At first, Russell paints a picture on his hand, and then transfers it onto canvas. 

In November 2019, I was invited to participate in the eighth Open Eurasian Literary Festival and Book Forum (OEBF 2019), held in Brussels (Belgium), where I was honored by allowing me to hold a press conference. And what a wonderful experience that was. Among the participants of the conference, I met many wonderful talented people, they inspired me, they bolstered my resolve to write more. For me, this conference was the first of many to come in the same way as our first book is just the first of many to be published. This is a first step to a great many things to come, even as you read these words, a new book is being published this very moment, so be sure to check it out! Moreover, additional books are being written and the schedule of their edition and printing is already set.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) for their kindness, professionalism and compassion. Without their help,we would have had much more trouble in achieving my goals, as their guidance aided us in the process of finding good publishing house, setting straight logistics lines to market, etc.

Our fascination with Keanu’s life is long-term; there is no doubt about it. He is a wonderful, breathtaking man, and it is truly an honor to write about him. We have a goal of making this world a better place, through our work, our publications and our agenda, so we intend to write for as long, as Keanu has the will to act and, since he is an immortal (wink wink), we will write for ever!

If you want to buy the book follow this link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1913356051/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_awdb_t1_F-L0DbQ2CWARH

WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM  text by Yevgeniya Sikhimbayeva

THE COVID CRISIS IN CENTRAL ASIA COMPLIANCE, CAUTION AND DENIAL

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 spotlight is falling on the response of countries to the crisis and as of equal importance how they are dealing with economic recovery. At the time of writing (mid May 2020) the situation around the globe is still very fluid and cautious but an initial focus on the countries of the Central Asian region shows a wide variety of responses and different levels of effectiveness in those responses.

Central Asia has a population of about 72 million, consisting of five republics: Kazakhstan (pop. 18 million), Kyrgyzstan (6 million), Tajikistan (9 million), Turkmenistan (6 million), and Uzbekistan (33 million) and while the Novel Coronavirus itself seems to have reached Central Asian states relatively late, they were among the first to feel its economic effects. Across Central Asia, governments ordered confinement measures, paralysing most of the economy, both formal and informal but did so at different speeds.

“Saving lives has been and will continue to be the driving principle behind the government’s actions. The government is communicating clear and consistent guidelines for the reopening in certain regions. A measured and responsible approach will ensure the economy can begin reopening while keeping the risk to people’s lives low,” said Erzhan Kazykhanov (Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the United States.) writing in the New York Times in early May as measures were beginning to be lifted in the country.

Most, but not all, Central Asian governments have prepared and implemented specific policies to respond to the health situation and to try to mitigate the fallout from the economic consequences. Some have delved into national funds to continue financial flows and support small businesses through the crisis including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. This has included loan deferrals, postponing tax declarations or exempting firms from social contributions among other measures.

Several countries have called for emergency financial support from international partners and have received emergency funding to mitigate the immediate economic impact of the COVID-19. For instance, Kyrgyzstan was the first country to benefit from emergency support funds from the IMF.

Economic issues are highlighted by the fact that Chinese imports from Central Asia fell sharply in the first quarter, and PetroChina issued a force majeure notice, cutting planned gas purchases from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. According to Chinese trade data, January-February imports from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan were down more than 17 and 35% respectively. Trade turnover with Kyrgyzstan fell almost 12%. Given that more than 75-80% of Turkmenistan’s exports have been to China in recent years, the cost to that country is particularly great, according to OECD data.

Based on the experience of the 2008 financial crash and subsequent commodities price issues, it is predicted that regional growth will fall significantly, and public finances will come under more strain. The shock of the global drop in commodity prices has a particularly strong impact on countries with large mining and raw material sectors. The combination of reduced export earnings, particularly for hydrocarbon exporting economies such as Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, and significant trade disruptions will narrow the monetary gap for governments to respond, limiting their ability to stimulate local demand, support businesses, and address long-term priorities.

Central banks in the region are adopting differing policy responses. The National Bank of Kazakhstan adopted an initially restrictive monetary policy, increasing its policy rate, while supporting the currency against over-depreciation, in an attempt to prevent a surge of pass-through inflation. By contrast, the central banks of Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan have eased constraints on banks’ liquidity ratios and lowered policy rates in an attempt to channel additional liquidity to the economy. Kazakhstan followed suit in early April. Uzbekistan has adopted a third approach, allowing for targeted and eased refinancing operations of commercial banks, while keeping its policy rate unchanged at a record high.
The countries of Central Asia are geographically fragmented and the real effect on communities varies widely. Tested COVID-19 outbreaks have been focused in the major urban hubs and whether by geography, climate or luck the virus has not appeared to spread rapidly. Early action and testing have proved successful in countries such as Mongolia, which at the time of writing only had a small number of cases which were all ‘imported’ and their lengthy lockdown was all but eased. Other countries were less quick and even denied the existence of any cases – all of this will be highlighted in post pandemic enquires by local and international organisations.

Central Asia, which already faces challenges with public service delivery, has overall coped with testing and tracking but in this region such measures need to be adapted to local conditions as there is no system to fit all.

And what of life for the everyday person in Central Asia at this time? Well again the experience has been seen to be polarised. Those with income in the formal business sectors have been able, on the whole, to weather the storm. Those involved in the informal sectors have fared less well. Anecdotal evidence from rural areas show the resilience of small communities – maybe used to the isolation and more self-sufficiency. The real impact appears to be on the young aspiring middle classes that have over the past twenty years moved to the new cities and new jobs. The levels of credit for this group was already high and now many of them may well be saddled with unemployment, debt and destroyed dreams.

But there have also been a large number of positive stories, the renewal of community spirit and online connectivity. Examples of coordinated charitable giving, artistic and creative people working together and sharing their work internationally for the first time and even enterprising people seeing exciting new opportunities for business development. Only time will tell what the true fallout will be, but based on previous experiences and hardships, the resilience and positivity of Central Asian people will win through.

images by Natalie Mahod, Chris Bentley

Projective graphics through the eyes of an art critic

“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 professional training in art – she is entirely self-taught. But this has not been an obstacle to her pioneering the concept of projective graphics! 

But then the whole idea of ‘projective graphics’ is unconventional and intriguing. And Yelena’s discovery of it was equally surprising and unplanned. It started,it seemed, from idle doodling on pieces of paper, but gradually flowered into an entire independent concept of art work. 

At first, it seemed so off-the-wall and casual that it was easy to dismiss –if only because it did not fit into any customary genre of figurative arts – unrelated to any recognizable format for picture, caricature, bookplate, portrait. But as it developed, a completely new approach to art developed, now called projective graphics; while the works themselves are called graphemes (from the Greek for  “writing”). 

The paradox of projective graphics is while it has much in common with figurative art, it has its own unique nature. It has no tradition to rest upon; there are no plot or socio-generating components; nor does it rely on normal creative processes or influence of the art world. 

Everything in projective graphics rests upon sudden revelation, magical intuition, the insight of the psychologist that Yelena actually is, all guided by artistic taste. It empowers the creation of images in a spontaneous but highly concentrated way. It’s full of contradictions: concise, yet deep and aesthetically expressive! 

In working this way, Yelena Bezrukova jumped fearlessly, and maybe a little recklessly, into unknown territory. And yet she had complete confidence in her path. It  seemed entirely natural! One guesses that her professional experience as a psychologist helped – with its sharp observation, tenacity of memory, intense communication, emotional compassion and intellectual curiosity. And of course, the art world itself was not entirely strange to her. She had long had a passionate interest in classical music, needlework, and the beauty of literary expression. Yelena was also blessed with the support of her longtime friend and colleague Valentina Tikhomirova that really mattered when she was embarking on such an obscure voyage. What if it was all a fleeting delusion, lacking any serious worth? 

And yet Yelena’s lack of familiarity with the rules of figurative art was not only no hindrance but actually gave her complete freedom of self-expression. Her work was not held back by any of the tension an artist often feels in bending creativity to fit normal rules, a tension that often kills fresh ideas. Yelena is not dragged down by the complexity of searching for ways to express her message. The experienced eye of the “anatomist of human nature” effortlessly selects the right bricks for building the human image, practically assembled in her mind already, imprinted in her heart during the process of observation and learning from people, who involuntarily became the objects of art, spontaneous models for the artist. Now the matter depends on the performance. The entire creative process lasts just minutes and ends in complete closure, where there is nothing to add or take away. With the accuracy of a sniper, an image shoots out fully realized, placed on a white piece of paper perfectly fitting its size and proportions! 

During these incredibly short bursts of creation, everything is logical and precise. The ability to formulate soul vibrations – with the emotions of the models precisely captured, with exact logging  of complex  communicative interaction – cannot fail to impress! In addition, there is no distraction with efforts to create volume, three-dimensionality, light and shadow modeling. It is all about integrity of pattern, sharpness of psychoanalysis, as if the distillation of a multisession portrait! Everything comes at a high speed level, both thinking and feeling! The most significant characteristics of a person concentrated and reduced, without anything superfluous. And the lines have great beauty of lines uninterrupted, with stylistic purity specific particularly for the projective graphics. It  all seems so effortless, everything is so brilliant and fine while preserving the poetic, lyric and ironic harmony. Each grafelva has its unique accent!  

Each page has its own unique aura of associations. For example, “Curtsey” suggests the fine curve of a bow in the image of the person, contrasting the movement with the somewhat absurd silhouette of his body, enhanced by the absurdness of his silhouette. There is a fine irony in that noted by the artist. 

In general, the masterly correlation of minimalism in every drawing with the often miraculous ambiguity of the image or the situation is riveting. In “Teenager on the wave” — the vibrating energy of the lines shows the psychological ambiguity of the image: both the awkwardness of the teenager, and his dash, dynamic energy of youth and some abashment… How can one put so much into a fleeting image?! It is all lived through, suffered inside, and yet the final result is there! 

The composition “Peace” is a whole psychological drama where with the help of tiny, slightly visible strokes she captures the feeling of offence first and repentance second! In these miniatures one can combine an entire literary simile, or a dramatic essay, or a series of satirical miniatures! It opens a vast area for the imagination! It is a graphic alloy of various types of art with many stylistic overlays that can be traced! 

It is a kind of universal art where the miraculous synthesis of various graphic characteristics shows the depth of internal emotional experience by the author and expressed on paper. Each page conceals its own encrypted code, which is great fun for the viewer to solve. And that quality of grafelva entices them into the process of cooperation, the analysis of such imagery including psychological pictorial puzzles, allegories, association and symbols… Every time, there is something new, unusual, engaging in its unpredictability. Yelena Bezrukova has found a niche that is entirely new and entirely her own, free from the slavery of the commonplace. It has allowed her to break free, without “becoming someone’s thought’s slave” (Kluchevskiy) , Mariya Zhumagulova, fine art expert, member of the Union of journalists of Kazakhstan, fine art expert V. O. Kluchevskiy.

WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM  text by Maria Zhumagulova- art critic, member of the Union of Artists of Kazakhstan; member of the Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan

INTERVIEW: IHOR KYZYM, AMBASSADOR OF UKRAINE TO BELARUS

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 to find out more about the European geopolitical direction of the country, as well as the development of Ukrainian-Belarusian relations.
OCA: What is the regime of work of your embassy during the coronavirus pandemic?
IK: Obviously, the situation with the pandemic in Ukraine and the rest of the world affected the work of Ukrainian diplomatic institutions abroad, including our own Embassy. Above all, we value the health and safety of the embassy staff, as well as that of the guests of our diplomatic institution. Thus, since the 14th of March this year, the Embassy has been working in a special mode. In particular, we suspended the reception of visitors on consular issues, with the exception of some emergency cases. Our consular staff is still available online and on the phone hotline.
Unfortunately, I also had to cancel or reschedule important events. For example, the Days of Ukrainian Business in Belarus as well as a public screening of the film «My Grandmother from Mars» and a number of other events.
However, the embassy is working. Some of the employees switched to the so-called ‘remote’ work mode, others still go to work while observing certain requirements of self-isolation (fortunately, every diplomat has his own office). The Embassy continues to fulfill its functions, which consists of representing the interests of Ukraine in relation to the Republic of Belarus and protecting the rights of our citizens in Belarus. Of course, the special workload now lies with the consular section of the Embassy. Our consular staff assists Ukrainians 24 hours a day, especially those who need help to return to Ukraine or to resolve urgent issues.
In addition, we continue to deal with issues related to the development of bilateral relations in the political and economic fields. After all, the pandemic will pass, and our main task today is not to lose the achievements that we have made in our bilateral relations.
OCA: Your work as the diplomatic representative of Ukraine has led you to many countries, such as France, Nigeria, Canada and Great Britain. You have been in the Republic of Belarus for three years now, what differences in cultures between these countries are most noticeable?
IK: There are several particular features. Firstly, Belarus is our neighbor, a country with which we have a common border of about 1084 km. There is always a special relationship between countries that share borders. Since we cannot choose our neighbors, it is vital to live in peace with them. This was not the case with the previous countries where I worked in.
In this context, I need to mention that Ukraine and Belarus have somewhat opposing strategic aspirations. Ukraine has a clear strategic goal of joining the EU and NATO while Belarus has strong contacts within the framework of the Eurasian community and Tashkent Treaty.
Despite this, our countries, traditionally, have friendly relations. For many centuries, starting from the Kyivan Rus, the period of Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, we practically lived in one state. Moreover, we obtained independence almost simultaneously. We have very close cultures and languages. We even speak without translators at conferences using Ukrainian and Belarusian languages. Linguists reveal that 83% of the vocabulary in Ukrainian and Belarusian coincide. To my mind, these are the three main features that make relations between Belarus and Ukraine special and very different from relations with countries of my previous missions.
OCA: What was the most memorable thing you found during your stay in the UK?
IK: In regard to my diplomatic work I have to mention the deep understanding by politicians and representatives of the British public of the events taking place in Ukraine. Everyone understands how careful they should be while speaking about the war in Donbas and Ukrainian-Russian relations. The UK supported Ukraine from the very beginning of our conflict with Russia and we are grateful for that. For all these years, providing us, not with weapons, but with economic, political and military training assistance. For the UK, it is clear who the aggressor in Crimea and Donbas is and the British understand our internal situation very well. It was very helpful in carrying out my mission.
In general, the UK is well known for its traditions and democracy. I was astonished by the work of the British Parliament, as well as the decision-making process and the perfect coordination of action by their governmental agencies. Ukraine can learn a lot from the UK. I hope that despite all the changes that are currently happening, including Brexit, the UK will continue to support Ukraine. We count on British support in keeping the pressure on Russia in order to restore the territorial integrity of our country.
OCA: The Republic of Belarus is not only the closest neighbor of Ukraine, but also an important ally in the settlement of the conflict in the Donbas region. How do you work with the government of Belarus to engage and assist in these delicate matters?
IK: Let us be correct. Belarus is not a mediator in our negotiations with Russia on Donbas and Crimea. In this regard, Belarus takes a neutral position, and president Lukashenko has repeatedly said, “We will support what Ukraine and Russia agree to”. However, we are grateful to Belarus for providing a platform for conflict resolution negotiations. In this regard, the role of Belarus is important as it helps provide ideal conditions for such negotiations.
OCA: How do you plan to develop relations between Belarus and Ukraine in both trade and economic spheres?
IK: At the moment, the economy is an essential component of Ukrainian-Belarusian relations. For Belarus, we are the second largest trade partner, and for Ukraine, Belarus is the second in the post-Soviet space and the fifth largest in general. Therefore, we have highly developed cooperative ties.
The growth rate in bilateral trade has slowed down a bit, nevertheless, a slight increase has been recorded last year. In 2019 trade between our countries amounted to about 6 billion US dollars. And we do hope that despite all problems caused by COVID-19 we will keep positive dynamic in trade this year.
In 2018 we have started to organize a Forum of Regions, that is, we are taking regional cooperation very seriously. Two regional forums have already been held in Belarus (Gomel) and Ukraine (Zhytomyr). They provided a great opportunity for regional leaders to meet personally and agree directly on cooperation. At the first forum (2018), nine regional agreements were signed, at the second forum (2019) – thirteen. The presidents of the two countries participated in each of the Forums. We are preparing now for the third Forum and we expected both presidents would take part in it.
Largely thanks to such forums over the past two years, all 6 Belarusian regions and 19 Ukrainian regions intensified their bilateral trade. In addition, in recent years, the number of contact and agreements between the cities of our countries has significantly increased. We actively support these developments.
OCA: Since 2014, Ukraine signed an Association Agreement with the European Union to strengthen ties in the areas of politics, trade, culture and security. The course of President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding foreign policy is to make Ukraine an equal member of the European Union. In your opinion, how long will the implementation of this plan last and will it be successful?
IK: My assessment is that we will continue to move in this direction. Honestly speaking, I can see that the main trends are being preserved. This is evident from the recent visits and meetings of our president. There is no doubt that we are moving in the right direction defined by our Constitution – full membership of Ukraine in the EU and NATO. But how long this will take is a question that no one can answer today. Nevertheless, we all want this to happen faster.
OCA: The EU is facing widespread criticism of expanding too much too quickly with major migration and economic concerns. What would Ukraine bring to the EU that mitigates these fears and adds to the union?
IK: My view is that without Ukraine, the model of the European Union will not be finalized. Therefore, I see Ukraine as part of the European Union, as a single structure. I think that migration will bring many opportunities, taking into account human resources, capital resources – these opportunities are great for both sides. By the way, even now, despite all restrictive measures connected to COVID-19, Ukrainians workers are very demanded on European labor market.
OCA: There is a stereotype that corruption is a widespread problem for Ukraine. This could make for a significant challenge to Ukraine’s ambitions to join the European Union. What further measures are being taken by the government to eradicate corruption? How does Belarus compare?
IK: The question is very relevant. Reforms have been undertaken and special structures have been created in order to combat corruption. The main question now is whether these structures will work. This is a challenge for the president of Ukraine and all of us. I am a supporter of radical measures, not only the adoption of law, but also actions. Regarding Belarus, there have never been major complaints. Here, the governance system is tough in the fight against corruption. There are strong law enforcement agencies and from time to time they reported about success in this field.
OCA: On the world stage, there is a double attitude to the Russian Federation. Not so long ago, a new list of anti-Russian sanctions came into force. To what extent does Ukraine still serve as a pretext for world leaders to impose sanctions?
IK: Ukraine is not a pretext for anti-Russian sanctions. Sanctions were imposed because of the armed aggression of Russia against our country. They are effective. I can even say that if sanctions were tougher, we would have had a completely different picture and peace on Ukrainian land. The only effective way to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine and force Russia to leave Crimea and Donbas is to impose sanctions. These sanctions should continue until Russia understands that it is losing, and should be lifted only after Russian troops are withdrawn from Crimea and Donbas.
OCA: How has the conflict between Russia and Ukraine changed the relations with Central Asian countries?
IK: We have no problems. This is Russia’s problem with everyone. All post-Soviet states have problems with Russia in some areas. However, there are no problems between Ukraine and Central Asian countries, such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan among other. In fact, our relations with these countries are developing rather well. Everyone wants peaceful and mutually beneficial relations with Russia, but it is extremely hard to deal with them. So, let us together make Russia understand what it is doing wrong.

EURASIANIASM — FROM LITHUANIA TO LONDON

 

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 to Klaipėda in Lithuania, before resettling in the UK, where she embarked on a geriatric-nursing career. She has written books for Lithuanians who move to the UK to help them settle and has reflected upon her own personal and professional journeys to help others navigate their new lives. OCA Magazine got the chance to ask Grupas a few questions about how her own experience has embodied the feeling of Eurasianism that many readers and members of the Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG) have been expressing over the years.
OCA Magazine: What is “Eurasianism” for you?
Aldona Grupas: For me it is about the opportunity to be a member of a group with similar views. It is about taking part in multicultural events such as the Open Eurasian Literature Festival & Book Forum or the Eurasian Film Festival. And then, building on that it provides the opportunity to publish information and articles in English on platforms such as this magazine. Finally by bringing people together it provides the opportunity for exchange of ideas and feedback of experienced from experts, writers and readers.
OCA: Who are your favourite artists?
AG: I have a few but probably my favourite is Bob Proctor, a world-renowned speaker, motivational coach, author of bestselling books, as well as a Law of Attraction teacher. I’d also cite American novelist Margaret Mitcheel. And Tina Turner is a pretty good singer and actress!
OCA: Have you taken part in the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London)?
AG: Yes, I participate in guild events. I have been to literary weeks in London, forums and the Open Eurasian literature and book forum festival in Brussels.
OCA: What does the Eurasian Creative Guild mean to you, and how does it influence your work and creativity?
AG: It provides me with the opportunity to participate in the Open Eurasia literary competition and other ECG projects. It is also a meeting place for professionals providing a wide range of activities and serving as place for discussion of their work with each other.
OCA: What projects have you participated in and which ones do you plan to participate?
AG: I participated in the competition ‘Small Prose’ in the category ‘Literature’ in the nomination Woman’s writing. And I was awarded 2nd place in this nomination. I also participated in an online competition #NOcovidECG.
I have published my new book, “It Is Not Easy To Be An Angel” with Hertfordshire Press and I am planning to present the book at the literary week in London. I also plan to participate in some competitions.
OCA: What would you say to the members of the Guild, just starting their career?
AG: When a writer sets out on their career, they need a community of interest to help them negotiate the creative world. The Eurasian Creative Guild (London) was established to stand up for the career of writers and creative people. The ECG is your friend in the business.
OCA: Do you have a personal project that you would like to talk about?
AG: Yes, I do. My editor, David Stanford, is currently working on a book on the Lithuanian community in West Anglia after World War II. It is called ‘West Midlands Ho! The Community Life and Personal Tales of Lithuanian Refugees since World War II’. This book, is a revised and updated edition of a book published in 2014 under the title “Lithuanian Community in the West Midlands after the Second World War (1947–2012)”.
I produced the original book with the help of a wide range of people, mostly members of the Lithuanian community in the West Midlands. The focus was on the personal tales of refugee families who had settled in this corner of England after World War II. In addition, I provided some historical information on the Lithuanian community as a whole, including its social and cultural activities over several decades.
OCA: What can you tell us about Lithuanian society in the UK?
AG: There are more than 100,000 Lithuanians in London and over 200,000 in the UK. The largest Lithuanian communities can be found in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, Bradford, and in Scotland.
Lithuanian student associations have been established at the universities of Birmingham, Edinburgh, Huddersfield, Cambridge, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford, Southampton and Warwick.
Lithuanian schools, kindergartens, children’s clubs, language, ethnocultural, art studies were founded by Aberdeen and Fraserburgh (Aberdeenshire), Armagh, Birmingham, Bolton, Colchester, Crawley, Dungannon (Northern Ireland), Glasgow, Ipswich, Leyton, Kingston upon Hull Lithuanians from Lincoln, London, Luton, Cambridge, Corby, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn, Norwich, Nottingham, Peterborough, Portadown (Northern Ireland), Scunthorpe, Wolverhampton.
The Lithuanian Youth Union of the United Kingdom is also active. There is a British Lithuanian Basketball League and a British Lithuanian Sports Association,
Our feature is diligence and appreciation and preservation of culture.
Our pride is basketball.
OCA: Being a nurse,what made you decide to write a book?
AG: My second book (Nurse, give me a pill for death…) is different from the first – as this book highlights much of my own journey. It is important to me that it is not seen as a self-indulgent autobiography, but rather I tell from my unique perspective both the experiences newcomers have who come to make a life in the UK from overseas– and also from the perspective of my work. Both my husband and I have professional qualifications and experiences in the medical field – this book shows our struggle to join this field in the UK. I wanted the book to be challenging as well as heart-warming too.
OCA: What inspires you to write about peoples’ lives?
AG: My hope is that whilst you may be challenged and compelled to see things in a new light –most of all, you will be inspired by people who not only come to the UK from Lithuania but also from many other countries.
OCA: Why do you think that medicine is important in literature?
AG: The book has been and remains an important source of spiritual and cultural human development. Artistic text is a complex phenomenon: it is both a means of communication, and way to store and transmit information, a reflection of the psychological life of a human, a product of a certain historical era and reflection of national culture and traditions.
The image of a doctor is present in a large number of works of classical and modern literature, which gives us the right to argue: the profession of a doctor at all times has been in demand in society.
OCA: How does your working day now look during the Covid-19 pandemic?
AG: There are no particularly big changes in my work. I do my job as always. Helping people feel better. Of course, precautionary measures are strengthened. We protect our patients and we must protect ourselves for those who need us.
Panic and stress are the main difficulty. Not knowing what will happen next. Mostly I think about my team and patients. Our team supports each other and our patients with a positive attitude.
OCA: What would you advise people during this pandemic?
AG: I have no special secrets. I can only advise what they say everywhere on the radio or TV. Wash your hands!  Disinfect surfaces. Don’t eat food or handle dishes or utensils touched by a sick family member. Don’t share a towel with anyone in your household who is sick. Don’t shake hands, kiss or hug people. Practice good hygiene.

Lecture about Savitsky Museum helps to raise funds for anti-COVID-19 campaign in Uzbekistan

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 lockdown in the country. An interesting lecture about the Savitsky Museum given by its former director Marinika Babanazarova was fully booked. Held at 3pm in London, the Zoom-session attracted over 40 participants dialing in from all around the world, including guests from Europe, New Zealand, Peru, and Canada.

Located in Nukus, this Uzbekistan’s museum is a jewel hidden in its north-western part – Karakalpakstan. Due to the latter’s arid climate, the museum is sometimes referred to as the Louvre of the Desert. It hosts the world’s greatest collection of avant-garde art (ironically, the collection is famous abroad, albeit not so well-known by the Uzbeks within or across the globe). Marinika Babanazarova gave an insightful lecture about the art collection and life of Igor Savitsky, the museum founder, who managed to rescue dissident or “forbidden” art pieces turning all into a museum in 1966. The lecturer had a lot to share having served as the museum’s director for over 30 years (she was trusted to do so by the late Savitsky himself).

An engaging talk led to many questions, which transformed an initially planned 45-minutes webinar into full two hours. Touching on art collections, rare artifacts, Karakalpak culture, history and life of the founder, this lecture helped to raise additional $6,000 for the Solidarity with Uzbekistan campaign.

Launched in April 2020 by Uzbek diaspora in France and UK, the GoFundMe campaign currently stands at 19,777 GBP thanks to generous donations from Uzbek diaspora and friends of Uzbekistan. The organisers hope the fundraising (welcoming donations at https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid19-solidarity-with-uzbekistan) continues generating interest.

The funds raised will be matched by the EBRD community initiative special fund, according to Kamola Makhmudova, one of the UK organisers. “In line with the terms of EBRD’s “Community Initiative” program, the fundraising campaign may continue until December 1, 2020 or until the donations reach 50 thousand euro” she said.

The beneficiary is an Uzbek NGO – “Ezgu Amal” Foundation that supports children at high-risk – especially those fighting cancer. “Ezgu Amal” is trusted to distribute the funds for social and medical needs of the people the most affected by the pandemic, including minors at risk. The NGO was chosen by the campaign organisers in good faith after a series of interviews and careful selection process. “Ezgu Amal” promises to allocate the funds in accordance with the guidelines amid the lockdown constraints during this difficult time. Organisers say the NGO will be fully accountable, as it will provide transparent and detailed reports on the use of funds.

Prior to last weekend’s lecture, Solidarity with Uzbekistan campaign was boosted by #dance4Uzbekistan challenge. It saw professional dancers from Uzbekistan teach various types of Uzbek dance moves to numerous participants globally. Another Zoom-session was dedicated to making palov, Uzbekistan’s most favourite dish, by an Uzbek chef – Bahriddin Chustiy.

LONDON, 18.06.2020

By Zaynab Muhammad-Dost  

 

Kaliningrad – A City of Poets

 “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
into the guarding teeth of iron girders
driven into the soft soul of the soil
by hammering heels as bold as yours

approaching a fateful encounter quite naughty
amidst ghosts in an Eastern European night
its sights built when all roads led to Königsberg city
taking pretty daughters of frightening Prussian knights
to a military parade past the rust of heavy industry…”

An excerpt from a poem by Anthony Williams

 

Kaliningrad is a city of contrasts. Unlike any other Russian city, Kaliningrad was built from the ruins of old Prussian capital city of Konigsberg, a citadel on the shores of Baltic sea. Here, Prussian discipline merged with Russian creativity, to create a truly unique architectural image. Old German gothic architecture alternates with new Russian modernism, the spirit of ordnung with the Russian soul, this contrast gave a huge impulse to a fast development of the city.

Walking through the old quaint streets, you feel like the heroine of a good medieval fairy tale. The main thing is to notice are the details and enjoy the beauty. Kaliningrad is called the amber capital of Russia, few cities can boast of such a favour of nature! The Amber Room is a small World Wonder, but your Kaliningrad grandmother could have amber pictures all around her flat’s walls. More than 80 percent of the world’s sunstone reserves are concentrated here.

Kaliningrad is a welcoming jewel of the Baltic, a city first built by the Teutons to battle Lithuanian romuvans, later a home of Friedrich I, the first king of Prussia, Emmanuel Kant, the great philosopher and the site of some of the bloodiest battles of the 20th century – during East Prussia Offensive, the Red Army stormed an impenetrable stronghold of Konigsberg. Kaliningrad truly has a lot to offer for any visitor: great architectural wonders – a castle, various churches, houses, fountains, and different museums.

This city personally sets me up for a philosophical view, perhaps because one of the greatest philosophical minds, Emmanuel Kant, lived and worked here. Thanks to Kant, namely his grave, the main attraction of the city survived – the Cathedral of the 13th century! If you are ever lucky enough to visit this Cathedral, you will be able to feel the spirit of the old Konigsberg from the time of the great philosopher and feel the mysterious breath of that time. Königsberg Cathedral is built in a brick Gothic-style with a magnificent pipe organ, the largest in Europe.

The land of Kaliningrad gave birth to many talented people, among them many poets, and many more came here in search of its unique spirit. Some famous names include Simon Dach, Kristijonas Donelaitis, Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann, Simkin Sam Haimovich, and Ziborov Eugen Alexandrovich.

Kaliningrad, the most western and European city of Russia ,this year will become the centre of poetic life of Eurasia. The Eurasian Creative Guild (London), giving due note to the city’s long and bright history, the beauty of its buildings and its unique atmosphere merging the two cultures – Russian and European – has decided to host its first Eurasian Poetic Festival in Kaliningrad.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Kaliningrad oblast, a co-organiser of this event, notes that the Eurasian Poetic Festival will fit right in to the city that easily mixes old and new, German and Russian, East and West, and will play a key part in uniting poets from all over Eurasia.

Welcome to Kaliningrad – a place of contrasts, rich history and good people!

Azerbaijanis around the world celebrate their National Day on May 28

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 the first parliamentary republic in the Muslim East, granting women the right to vote before most western democracies.

ADR fell in April 1920 after Bolshevik invasion. Nevertheless, it laid the foundations of Azerbaijani statehood and in 1991, the restored independent Azerbaijani state recommitted itself to the traditions of the First Republic.

Today Azerbaijan is a dynamic, modern country, actively contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security and promoting tolerance and multiculturalism in domestic and international levels.

Guided by the supremacy of international law, Azerbaijan’s multi-vectored foreign policy enabled it to build reliable partnerships across the continents. The only exception is Armenia, with whom Azerbaijan has no relations due to the continuing aggression and occupation policy of this country against Azerbaijan.

As an oil exporter country, Azerbaijan plays a critical role in global and in particular European energy security. Yet, amid the recurring economic fluctuations the country has redoubled its multi-faceted reform agenda in a bid to achieve a sustainable economic development which already bears its fruit nowadays.

This year Azerbaijan celebrates its National Day at a time when the world is fighting novel Coronavirus pandemic. Azerbaijan was one of a few countries to introduce early and effective measures to contain the spread of the virus. “Restructuring its healthcare system in the shortest possible time, promoting global solidarity, Azerbaijan, in spite of the sharp decrease in global oil prices, also managed to mitigate negative socio-economic impacts of pandemic with government having so far allocated AZN 3 billion towards this end”, said Mr. Tahir Taghizade, Ambassador of Azerbaijan in the UK. 

Azerbaijan, as chairman of the Non-Alignment Movement for the 2019-2022, held its first-ever virtual summit on 4 May, under the leadership of President Aliyev where more than 40 joining heads of state discussed the necessity of implementing an effective global response to COVID-19. Azerbaijan allocated about USD 10 million to the WHO especially with the objective to help needy population in Africa, Asia and Latin America amid pandemic. WHO experts hailed the country’s healthcare preparedness and in a letter to President Ilham Aliyev, WHO Chief called the measures taken by Azerbaijan “exemplary”.

Cherishing the legacy of First Republic and in spite of ever-emerging challenges, Azerbaijan continues to reshape itself to serve the best interests of its population and international community.

 

 

Extinction Rebellion Inspires Ecological Readings In Kyrgyzstan

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 while now, pretty much ever since its inception in London. It is an quite an endeavour and a very brave approach of handling current climate issues and the potential for an ecological catastrophe to unfold before our eyes.

As a Kyrgyz woman who spent most of her formative years in the end of 1990s and early 2000 in the UK, USA, and Europe studying and working (including a stint with the Financial Times), I gained a more or less balanced view of the Western spearheading of the Eurocentric outlook at the Rest of the World and the former USSR. I found that the outlook was tainted by the lack of understanding about the history and culture of Central Asia but with plenty of what was in fact a predatory interest in the oil, gold, rare metals, minerals, and cheap labour sourced from the region. At the same time the official, corporate, and research agenda had been linked to the human rights, democracy, and good governance advancement and most recently green economic and climate discourse – which made it seem ever more sinister, is there any disinterested agenda among them? I became aware that the hegemonic liberal ideal and method diffusion through the bilateral and multilateral organizations and their projects in Kyrgyzstan often brought harm as only a narcotic needle of donor injections can do on a community that lacked the Third Sector (the social self-organization sector) during the Soviet years. The so-called civil society started growing with the arrival and motivation of international donors and their inscribed agendas since early 1990s to Central Asia. But can we really complain about it? Can we at this time of history stay away from this, which seems to be not a mere wave but a tidal wave of tsunami proportions within the global development “industrial” complex with some unpredictable consequences for the local communities.

Nevertheless, there is still a great deal of human and cultural interfacing and interbeing that makes the globalist project less harmful in some ways. The connections at the people’s, intellects’, and hearts’ level also happened in London for me and it turned out to be a rewarding experience mainly because it brought to my attention the civil disobedience and some of the most progressive thinking about labour, land, and money. On the memorable Saturday 15 February 2003 I took part in the biggest rally ever in London, which was dedicated to stopping the war on Iraq. It was the first time I saw over a million people marching in a peaceful protest. I heard speeches full of meaning and spirit from the likes of the incredible former MP Tony Benn, Former US presidential candidate the Rev Jesse Jackson, writer Tariq Ali, playwright Harold Pinter, actress Vanessa Redgrave, Hollywood actor Tim Robbins, human rights campaigner Bianca Jagger, ex-minister Mo Mowlam, and London’s mayor Ken Livingstone. The electrifying atmosphere of the people voicing their concerns about the eminent crises shook me in a new way, I learned then that protest can shift the energy of a nation and, indeed, of the world for a long-term impact.

Doris Lessing, Hot Planet, and Climate ABCs

Most importantly, while living in London I discovered the incredible Doris Lessing and her feminist writing and sci-fi. In one of her books, Mara and Dann, she describes the desperate human children living on a hot planet with very little water, people fighting wars, surviving on meagre food and hiding away from the deadly heat, new types of predators and insects, new diseases. After reading that futuristic apocalypse vision I was a changed person. The connection between Kyrgyzstan and UK, between Bishkek and London became clear to me at that time. London was to become my intellectual catalyst. I knew then that the Earth, its climate, and the humanity’s survival in the nearest century would become the central axis of my personal and professional art and technology. The seeds of my Climate ABCs were planted.

Today, as many of my friends and colleagues across the world feel daunted and depressed by the looming climate issues, I cast my antennas towards London again to connect with London’s XR (Extinction Rebellion). At the same time I am have also become inspired to start an Ecological Reading group based at the office-studio of the green climate consultancy Dialecticon in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The Bishkek Connection to the Global Climate Discourse

We are starting an Ecological Reading (ER) group at Dialecticon in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan with a group of friends during the week of solidarity with the International Rebellion. We are hoping to wake people up to the realities of climate change and the lack of policies in Kyrgyzstan in regards to protecting nature, glaciers, clean water, soils, forests, and pastures. There is a foreign corporate encroachment on the gold and other rare minerals in our celestial mountains at the time where instead what must be prioritised is the prevention of mining radiation, soil and water damage as a threat to the future generations. Yet with the globalist gold lobby being so strong, more than 2500 mining licenses have been given away to dubious companies, likely illegally.

Thus, the Ecological Readings (ER) have the chance of being timely and critical for Kyrgyzstan despite them being comprised of mostly English-language authors and books, essays and articles. This is mostly due to the fact that the Climate and Green Economy discourses are driven mostly by the English spoken scientists, communities of practice, interest groups, and the communities that are the target of and the active promoters of the green mitigation and adaptation technologies offered through the English language science and English centred finance. Yet, the most advanced thinking and action on the climate, ecosystems and regenerative ecology has been produced by very local and practical people, including inter-disciplinary scientists, activists, and practitioners in the a variety of fields. Among them are my friends and mentors Jo Brewer and Weitske Medema, researchers and authors whose work I follow closely, including Daniel Christian Whall, Kate Raworth, Jordan Greenhall, Edward Muller, John Verveaeke, Jem Bendelle, and of course the gurus of the Gaia Tradition of Earth Humanity such as Professor Stephen Harding and the maverick Professor James Lovelock. These are the authors I want to present to audiences in Kyrgyzstan. Also, I am hoping to establish a constant following among audiences to the works of authors such as Mathis Vackernagel, William Rees, Rachel Carson, David Suzuki, Naomi Klein, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Peter Wohlleben, and spiritual leaders such as Vandana Shiva and Thich Nhat Hahn.

It is my hope that the ER becomes instrumental in bringing the discourses of these authors and activists to the Kyrgyz social, ideological, and political landscape and support the exchange of ideas, filtering those that are most potent for the Kyrgyz eco-systems and social and ecological regeneration as the main antidote to the environmental destruction and societal and political neglect of the collapse at all levels. This is also one way to cope with my personal despair about the socio-ecological and climate collapse not only at home but globally.

Author: Jamilia Jeenbaeva is based in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. She is the co-founder of Dialecticon and Ecological Lecture readings for Electoral Quality (ELEK). Contact: Tel. +996 777 593 460;
E-mail: jamilia.jeenbaeva@gmail.com

The Life Of A Royal Painter From Russia

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 Russian Heritage in the United Kingdom.
We are in the very centre of London, on the busy, but cozy High Street Kensington. The reason was for the participation in the jury of the Fourth International Art and Creative Contest “Outstanding Russians. The history of cooperation between Russian and British educators and scientists”, which was organised by “Russian Heritage in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”
Before the meeting, I had only one question for the jury member Sergey Pavlenko and for myself – “How did a maestro with a Russian surname turn out to be the main contender for the role of the Royal Family artist?”. I questioned Sergey about this, and the following interview emerged.

Maria Lvova: Sergey, so did you paint the royal family?
Sergey Pavlenko: No, I did not draw the royal family. I painted a portrait of the queen!
ML (thought): In my head, the words of the painting teacher of an art school, where I had the opportunity to graduate in Moscow, instantly arise: “the artist does not draw, the artist writes, from the word “painting”
Pictures, indeed, are painted more often, rather than drawn, which is connected with the etymology of these words. The word “draw” (“рисовать”) appeared in Russian at the very beginning of the 18th century; it has been noted in dictionaries since 1731. It is borrowed from Western European languages, where its senior meaning was “draw, cut, scratch”. To draw is to depict, reproduce objects on a plane (pencil, pen, charcoal, paints). The word to paint has been known since the 11th century, but its meaning was closer to the modern concept of “paint in colors”. It is enough to recall that the words “motley” and “write / dazzle” have one root.
According to dictionaries, painting is called fine art that reproduces objects and phenomena of the real world with the help of paints. The word is a tracing- paper from the Greek language. The fact is that in the ancient world, the ability to draw an object “like in real life” was especially appreciated. It is no coincidence that there were legends about the artist’s ability to draw grapes in such a way that birds flew to peck them.
Fortunately for me, another member of the jury joined us, the director of the Galina Ulanova museum-apartment in Moscow, Oksana Karnovich appeared with a voice recorder in her hands, asking for permission to record, which allowed me to correct and repeat my first question in a more skillful way.
ML: Sergey, getting back to my first question, are you the same artist who painted the members of the royal family?
SP: Yes, one portrait, a canvas is a family portrait with the concept of the princes studying at a military academy.
ML: Did you paint from the actual princes or from a photograph? How did the process go?
SP: First, the composition was developed. And at this stage I knew how many people would be there. Their role was played by cadets, respectively, male and female. The general was the actual general, and the princes were the actual princes. But at that time they were all dressed in khaki, as I can remember, except for the princes. The princes were already in full uniform. And I just moved them like chess pieces, developing different compositional options. Because, you might understand, when a crowd of people is below my gaze, they all overlap each other on the same level, or they must be put in a row, like a football team. Neither is the best option.
Fortunately, I had a way out of the situation due to the fact that there were steps that allowed to spread everything horizontally and make a more or less interesting composition. I drew a sketch. Then there was another rehearsal, which was attended by everyone except the members of the royal family, but there were … [recalls] trumpeters, yes, trumpeters. But, unfortunately, they appeared in the wrong uniform, because when there was a real parade already, they were in a different uniform. But nobody told me about this, and I had to do a second sketch.
The third time was, in fact, the action itself – there was a parade, and they all arrived. And since the sketch was already approved, the task of the princes was to arrange all the participants as needed and depicted in my sketch. All this action lasted roughly three minutes. Certainly, in parallel, a lot of photos were taken, one way or another, so that some details and poses could be considered. And then, when the painting itself was being painted, they posed individually in Buckingham Palace. That, in fact, is the whole story.
ML: Did each character pose in the approved position as shown in the final sketch?
SP: Of course, yes. Everyone was in a uniform. Absolutely as they should be.
Oksana Karnovich: Did they sit patiently?
SP: They stood. Stood as much as needed. But there’s something interesting. In Russia, if you went to different exhibitions in the 70-80s, there were autumn painting or spring ones, for example, “Lenin in the Gorki”, “Gorky, hosting the Archery Parade” [laughs] … In general, people painted portraits of people whom they had never seen. Or a portrait of Alexander Green. And sometimes they were good, you know. Because they were based on such figurative similarities. It was not so important to draw or not, by looking at actual people. In England, it’s the opposite. If a person did not pose for the artist – that’s it. For professional portrait galleries such portraits are not of interest. Therefore, when they told me that no one would pose separately, I answered – you know that if no one poses, then your painting will not have value. So they immediately organized all this for me [laughs].
OK: Incredible! How many royal family members did you paint?
S.P.: In this case, there was Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Charles, Camilla, two princes … that’s all. Yes, there was a general, a senior sergeant and trumpeters, two trumpeters.
OK: And everything was painted in Buckingham Palace?
SP: No, it was painted in the studio, but they posed in Buckingham Palace. It’s better. Everyone posed in Buckingham Palace, except for Charles and Camilla, who posed in Clarence House.
ML: Who approved you? Who picked the main artist for this role? You were already in England at that time, not in Russia I suppose.
SP: Yes, I was already in England, it was the seventh year of my stay here. The truth is that I had already painted the Queen before.
ML: But how were you chosen to paint the first portrait of the queen?
SP: Voters were in charge [laughs] … You want to know everything right away and don’t let me say [laughs] …
ML: Because I’m curious, you see. I was the one who approached you with a question, and not you [everyone laughs] …
SP: Yes, you are right, I’ll tell you. Voters went to the National Portrait Gallery and searched for the file with names, which at that time still existed in the gallery. There was no computer system yet. According to this file, they selected people whose style made them more or less satisfied. Then they narrowed and narrowed the list, and I was the only one left [laughs].
ML: Ah, I see, they have already seen your works and your style. How interesting that such style of painting caught their gaze.
OK: So they did see your works?
SP: No, not the actual works, but their photos in a file. The National Portrait Gallery is a very strange establishment. Very.
ML: How did your works get there?
SP: They did not. There are only photos. They don’t have and did not have any of my works in the exhibition or their property. But because they keep lists of prominent artists, who paint and create well-known British portraits, I belong to that circle of artists.
ML: Are all your works part of private collections then?
SP: Almost every piece, except museums. Do we consider museums as a private collection or not?! [ponders]
OK: That is to say, the members of the royal family also ordered you a portrait, particularly for themselves?
SP: No, no, there’s no such thing; the members of the royal family do not order anything for themselves at all. Someone else always orders, for example, to write to the members of the royal family.
ML: Have you ever painted Prince Michael of Kent?
SP: Well, I have, the painting is … let me remember where … Michael of Kent is depicted as a freemason. There is a portrait in some London branch of the freemasons club.
ML: Is he a member of the freemasons society?
SP: Yes, he is a freemason, a famous freemason. I painted the two main masons in life. The first was Michael of Kent. That’s right, it was Michael, Duke of Kent. And the second, who really ran everything – Marquess of Northampton.
ML: Sergey, thanks for the fascinating interview.

Transforming Education in Uzbekistan: A President’s Initiative

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, when stopping at the Kosmonavtlar station, can walk the length of the platform and view a gallery of those who built, influenced and pioneered the Soviet space program. In chronological order, this starts with Mirzo Ulugbek, whose 15th Century pioneering work on astronomy-related mathematics and trigonometry, as well as the building of the Ulugh Beg Observatory helped set this part of the world on a course that eventually sent Yuri Gagarin into space in 1961.

Earlier still, in the ninth century, the scholar Mohammad al-Khorezm produced works in mathematics, astronomy and geography and became the father of algebra and lent his name to the algorithm. When I visited Urgench, the capital city of the region that bears his name in July of last year I came away of a deep sense that his name and legacy are deeply ingrained in the character of the region, and that the people who live there don’t consider his time to be particularly long ago.

It is the legacy of men such as Ulugbek and al-Khorezm that is in many ways a driver of how society in Uzbekistan values and reveres learning, scholarship, discovery and intellectual pursuits, and how much value is placed on education in the country.

After President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office in 2016, education reform has taken centre stage in Uzbekistan’s national development. The National Development Action Strategy on five priority areas for 2017-2021 has generated around 100 decrees, resolutions and orders by the President aimed at improving the education system. These include a programme to reform the system of pre-school education, a revision of the school system to expand provision and choice, and a five-year programme of radical improvement of the higher education system.

This also includes the abolishment of the system of student and teacher participation in the nation’s cotton harvesting, which for many years led to classrooms being emptied so that school and university students could gather the cotton, the export of which had become so crucial to Uzbekistan’s economy.

Mirziyoyev’s commitment to raising educational standards, and to Uzbekistan becoming a country that once again produces scientists of the international and historical calibre of Ulugbek and al-Khorezem, is most visibly manifested in the establishment of the Presidential Schools, the first of which opened in September 2019.

I was part of the international project team from Cambridge Assessment International Education brought to Tashkent to contribute to this effort, and I was astonished that the schools were planned, designed, built, staffed and opened in just nine short months after an initial meeting with them in January of that year. Patches of land in Tashkent, Nukus, Khiva and Namangan became architectural designs, which became construction sites, which became landscaped, full furnished, state of the art schools in what seemed like no time at all.

Students at the schools, at which places are extremely limited, are selected on a competitive basis and are tested on their critical thinking, problem solving and English language skills. Any child in the regions where a school is opening was eligible to apply, regardless of their economic circumstances. 28,500 students applied for the 480 places available in the first year. This required a monumental logistical and security effort on the part of the Uzbekistan Ministry of Public Education and Cambridge Admissions Testing to ensure fair, valid and reliable methods were used to select the students who entered the schools in September.

The examination halls in Urgench alone fit almost 1,000 children, proudly singing the national anthem before their two-and-a-half-hour final exam. Waiting outside in searing temperatures, their parents listened and waited, greeting their children with hugs and words of pride as they eventually exited the exam hall.

The schools themselves are impressive facilities with the very best classroom equipment, sporting facilities, dormitories and staff. The curriculum of the school is broad and balanced, with a focus on the STEAM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. As the students study these subjects in English alongside national compulsory subjects such as Literature and History in the Uzbek language, I was struck at the ease with which these children access their lessons and interact with the teachers, many of whom come from abroad.

Mirziyoyev visited the Tashkent School on September 10th, 2019. Scheduled to be at the school for 45 minutes, the President stayed for three and a half hours observing lessons, speaking to teachers and students, and talking with the leadership at the Ministry of Public Education and the Presidential Schools project office. I greeted the President as he entered the school for the first time, and we discussed both Uzbekistan’s great scholars of the past, and British scholars of Cambridge such as Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. He said to me that he wanted the students at these school to stand on the shoulders of all those who came before them, and achieve even greater things for their country and the world.

Ten more Presidential Schools are planned to open by 2021, which means that there will be one school for every region in Uzbekistan. The practices learned in curriculum implementation, assessment, teaching and learning at the schools mean that they can become centres of educational excellence and models for state schools across the regions they are embedded in, which will lead to improvements in the system as a whole and better outcomes and prospects for the country’s young people.

It is possible that a successor to Mirziyoyev is at one of the schools today. It is possible that there is a successor also to Mirzo Ulugkek, Al-Khorezm, Iasaac Newton or Charles Darwin. We shall see. These are undoubtedly special and talented children.

 

Text by Steve King

Steve King is based in Cambridge and leads the Central Asia education reform projects team at Cambridge Assessment International Education, a non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge. He has worked in international education for over twenty years, and has been involved in educational publishing, assessment, and teacher development projects worldwide.

A firm believer in the power of education to positively transform societies, his current focus is on working with national education authorities and international development organisations to design and deliver education reform projects in the Central Asia region, particularly in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. He has also been captivated by the natural beauty of the region, and takes as many opportunities as possible to experience the spectacular architecture, natural environment and cuisine of Central Asia.

Poverty, Paralysis And Persistence Create Pure Perfection

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 is uncovered here.

OCA: How did you become such a talented creative person in Moldova?

Evgenii Doga: I liked music from my childhood, but I could not even imagine that it would become my profession. Music had always been out of favour. Even the famous classics mostly lived in poverty. And even in our village, musicians played only at weddings and funerals.

The time of my childhood was not up to music: a terrible post-war famine, continuous epidemics, the loss of my father in the war. But my destiny was probably already destined somewhere up there. I loved tinkering, whether it was a bicycle, gramophone, mandolin or harpsichord. I abandoned my plans for entering an industrial school where I was supposed to be fed, dressed, and I only needed to study for 2 years, in order to quickly come to the aid of my mother. Only three months later, my mother sold everything to survive and I went barefoot to Chisinau. It was here that I was fortunate to be asked to play the cello.

But at the end of the conservatory, my left hand was paralysed and I bid farewell to the cello, although I played well and even a film was shot with my performance. What to do? I decided to return to the conservatory to the composer faculty. I wanted to come up with something, some kind of dance, since my childhood, and so that the brass band of our village would play this. But I was embarrassed to even tell anyone about it. In parallel with the cello classes, I secretly wrote something. But my teacher P.I. Bachinin became interested in my “creativity” and organised it to be played with the orchestra, and then on the radio. My first song was performed by my classmate, Marie Biesu, who later became a world star, one of the best chio chio san of the world. And it went on from there.

OCA: How did you create the famous waltz for the film “My Sweet and Tender Beast”, which was recognised as a 20th century masterpiece by UNESCO?

ED: It is unlikely that the composer thinks about creating a masterpiece during their work. What is true is that he is trying to do his best. With the ingenious director of this film, Emil Lotyanu, six months before the shooting, we agreed to write “Waltz” for the scene of the wedding of Olya Skvortsova, since we did not find anything good in the music libraries. The film shooting began with it. And then one late evening, an angry director bursts into my hotel room and says from the threshold: “Waltz!” I quickly removed the notes for another picture so that the director wouldn’t notice and in fear I “trinketed” something in the rhythm of the waltz, not being completely ready for such a situation and knowing that this was not at all what Lotyan demanded. After strained improvisations, the director opened the door and left, terribly angry left. And then, from the hallway he informed me that tomorrow there was a recording and an orchestra was already ordered. After painful thoughts, I gathered my thoughts and began to add up the score of the future waltz. What I wrote, and how it turned out, I did not even have time to realise, or at even remember. By the morning I passed the score to the orchestra and by evening, at the Mosfilm studio, the cinematography orchestra under the guidance of the talented conductor S. Skrypka played this “Waltz” and the musicians began banging the consoles with bows in approval. At the beginning I thought it was a joke, a practical joke, but time judged in its own way and today this music sounds around the world.
OCA: Do you visit Moldova and and conduct concerts there?

ED: Moldova is my homeland. I live there, although for many years, and even now, my life is connected with Moscow. I was recognised there, and for the first time my music entered the big world. I continuously hold concerts there. At the very beginning of my career, I travelled with small groups of performers throughout the Soviet Union, and visited almost all of its geographical points. I love iconic performances. If holding a concert, then it’s in the Kremlin Palace, in Ateneu Romin in Bucharest, in Schonbrunn in Vienna, in Ankara with the presidential orchestra, Canada, USA, China … And, of course, in Chisinau in the National Palace. I also performed together with the Leningrad concert orchestra in my native village of Mokra. But I especially remembered the performance in front of 9 listeners in a taiga pear, where my small group of performers and I, came on a tractor through terrible mud, and in the rain. These people saw artists for the first time in their lives. You should have seen these happy faces and outstretched, strained hands to us as a token of gratitude! They are still in my mind.

OCA: Do your listeners from Central Asia differ a lot from listeners from European countries at your performances?

ED: I have long ago understood that the listeners around the world don’t differ a lot. I remember a performance in China. I was terribly worried how they would perceive my music there! During the performance, you could even hear a fly (though they don’t have flies there), there was such silence. I had to perform at different times in Tashkent, Alma-Ata, Samarkand, Bishkek and the reception everywhere was always very warm. Moreover, when the film with my music “Gypsies go to Heaven” was just released, I was asked by the audience to perform something from this film. A lot of letters were received from Asian republics asking where to buy records with the recording of this, and other music. Even now, sometimes someone comes up after a performance to sign an autograph on an old record. Listeners want to listen to music that excites them, which affects their souls. I try to write such music. And the listener feels it perfectly and reciprocates both in Europe and in Asia.

OCA: Do you still write music for movies or TV shows? If so, which ones?

ED: It has been a few years now that I no longer write music for films. Those who offer them are not interesting to me, and those to which I would write with pleasure, are not to be found. I love romantic films, and today they are almost gone. There are a lot of detective stories, films of violence, rudeness, sex-mania. Soon there is an interesting work expected at the Bucharest studio, where I can again return to the movie genre, which I yearn for. For TV shows, I wrote music, but not for long. This is also not so interesting, since the meaning in them is far from romanticism. And they prefer electronic music.

OCA: Do you write compositions for ballet or operas?

Yes, I have three ballets. But only one was played in the theatre. This is the ballet “Lucheaferul” based on the eponymous poem of the brilliant Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu, the libretto of Emil Loteanu. It went on a stage very successfully, received the USSR State Prize, was shown at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, and at the Mariinsky Theatres in Leningrad, Kiev and Minsk.Today in Chisinau, the ballet troupe is not able to play such a performance due to complex problems in the opera and ballet theatre itself.

OCA: What do you like to do in your free time?

ED: I have no free time. Even if I don’t do music, I’m doing other interesting things for me. I have not yet realised the need for a simple walk, just to walk, to go to rest houses. In my “free time” I participate in some jury or arrange musical evenings in my music salon with the participation of musicians, artists, poets, drama artists, etc.

OCA: Where in the world do you feel most comfortable performing?

I am European. This is my large house. It’s impossible not to love the land on which I was born. The huge intellectual forces and activity of tens of generations of outstanding people are concentrated here. I am glad that my ancestors were Europeans and conveyed this love to me. Maybe that’s why in any countries where I have to perform, they listen to me with great understanding and love.

I really want such concerts, as in Chisinau or in Romania in the open air with the participation of thousands of listeners. To come to listen, not only those who can, but also those who want to. I love it when people come together, when the whole world comes together. Music contributes to it.

OCA#34  WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM Interview prepared by Saniya Seilkhanova

Alexey Talay – A Sportsman Without Limits

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, at the age of 34, Alexey Talay began practicing professional sports. He has achieved incredible results in a short period of time – he was awarded the Master of Sport title, he is a member of the National Paralympic Team of Belarus in swimming and a multiple record holder throughout the World and Europe.

Public activist, Motivational Speaker and entrepreneur, Talay has visited many countries in Europe, CIS, Russia and 30 states of the United States, as well as India with his speeches. He is a father of four children, a philanthropist and the founder of the Children’s Aid Foundation.

Working abroad, Alexey acts as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Republic of Belarus. He lectures about the country, encourages local businesses to invest in the economy of the government and to develop collaborative projects.

Tragedy happened when Alexey, a 16-year-old boy, stepped on a shell that had been left in the ground since the World War II and it exploded. The shell fell during fierce battles with the Nazis invaded his hometown of Orsha. It was on the anniversary of the end of the war, May 8, 1999, that this event changed Alexey’s life completely. The exploding shell ripped off Alexey’s arms and legs. Life full of hopes and plans stopped at once. The turning point in the life of the future champion was the days spent in Germany, where he underwent rehabilitation. There, he faced the terrible fate of children with cancer. They endured the most severe surgeries, losing their vision and losing their organs. The situation they were in seemed to be much worse than his and this gave him strength.

Alexey personally did not accept the fact that the only window into the world for him would be the TV. He read a lot, including classics and modern literature, finding in the characters of books examples to follow.

“Now I can run my business without arms and legs. Thanks to the latest technology, I correspond, negotiate and manage my Facebook page. None of this happened back then. I was alone with myself, and it was only through the characters of novels and stories I was gaining experience. In their actions I found clues – how to behave, what decisions to make,” Talay continues in an interview.

TO FIGHT AND SEEK,
TO FIND AND NOT TO GIVE UP.

To children and teenagers of today, Alexey advises not to disregard books. Perhaps soon there will be his story in the libraries and on the shelves, the story of a man without arms and legs, who became a champion, made a family, ran his business and helped people with disabilities like him.
“My training and lectures are very popular. I explain how I endured pain, how I fell in the mud with my face, how I withstood the mockery by people who seemed to be close to me, the most respected people for me. In my training, I encourage people, whatever your situation, do not give up,” Talay recalls.

He told how he saw very different reactions from the people he encountered. How he registered his business and went through the offices. They used to say things behind his back: what was he doing here? Couldn’t he ask his mother or his brother to come instead of him? Is he showing off, trying to prove something?

The behaviour of people around him made Alexey doubt – maybe he was really overreaching, maybe he was an invalid. His fate was already sealed – he would live out his days in sadness and gloom. Then a new stage began for him – one where he could overcome of doubts.

“And I said to myself, no! You can’t take me, this is my life. Only I will live it. If you don’t like me, don’t look at me,” Talay comments on his situation.

THE ROAD TO SPORT

About eight years ago, watching the Paralympic Games on TV, inspired by courageous people, he began to dream about sports – suddenly he realised that he could be good at something. Alexey came to the Paralympic Committee in Minsk and met with officials. They looked at him, thought about it and offered him the opportunity to go swimming. “I had to forget about my courses. That means I had to give up the opportunity to earn money by conducting public motivational meetings. Thank God, I had a financial safety cushion, and I financed myself,” Talay recalls.

He should’ve forgotten about everything in the world. He was practising. Coming back home, he fell down exhausted, slept and the next day he started all over again. And so, month after month, friends would say to him, “You’re a grown man, a family man, a father of your children, why would you do that?” During this period he was supported by his wife (Alexey married again), and two months later Alexey Talay swam to a standard that surprised most.

“Today I am a European and World record-breaker in the 50m breaststroke, so I have already made history in the world Paralympic sport,” said Alexey on the day of his triumph.

The other day, the Paralympic Committee of Belarus received a letter from the International Paralympic Committee with a request to Alexey Talay to give a speech at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.

TALAY CHARITY FUND SUPPORT

Today Alexey is more often with his training and lectures in Russia and the former Soviet Union republics – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine. He performs a lot in Belarus. Together with the government of Minsk and the Belarusian Association of Athletics, Alexey Talay and his charity foundation work on a program to prevent suicide among young people. “In the European Union, these trends are clearly manifested. But there are also some cases of suicide in Belarus. When I, father of four children, hear about it, it my heart breaks,” says Alexey.

“We will act to overcome stigma towards children with disabilities. Now we have started such a project, together with UNICEF, other state structures and organisations, and with the support of the Foundation and financial support of the Russian Federation.”

“I will personally describe my unique life experience, about those steps to happiness, about the path to independence, about success in life, and about my family. This project will be carried out throughout the country, and in all regions”.

OCA#34 WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM  Interview prepaed by Saniya Seilkhanova

A meeting with Kazakhstan

I used to dream of visiting Central Asia. For 12 years, first while studying in Russia, and then working in jobs connected with the Russian-speaking world, I longed to one day find myself in a city on the Silk Route, talking with the people, and immersing myself in the markets.

In 2017 I booked a trip to Almaty, and my dream finally came true. I would be in this lively city tucked against the Tien Shan mountains for a week. Only there was a twist: this was a business trip, for my new job writing reports about the wine & spirits industry. The people I was in Kazakhstan to meet were managers at alcohol companies; the markets I was there to learn about were business markets.

 

But still, landing in Almaty, I couldn’t bring myself to think like a business traveller. I booked a basic room in a little Kazakh hotel on Tole Bi street, and planned my work so that, between several meetings each day in offices all around the city, I could see as much of Kazakhstan as possible. I organised morning meetings with the companies close to the hotel, so I could walk to their offices and take some photos on the way. One company was on the same street as a cafe serving Dungan food, so I arranged to go there after lunch, and slurped some laghman noodles as I waited. I had to see a wine importer based in the fancy Dostyk Plaza mall; I made it my last appointment of the day, so I could walk through the shops before going back to the hotel.

But it was in the meetings themselves that I really experienced the many sides of Kazakhstan. In a boardroom in Nurly Tau business centre, Almaty’s prestigious new complex of skyscrapers close to the mountains, a lady at a whisky distributor told me that their sales were growing, as more middle-class Kazakhs now want to experience the products and lifestyles that are trendy in Europe. Later, in a dark and crumbling office on Nurmakova street, I also learned that a local vodka company is struggling, because many of the poorer people in Kazakhstan’s regions are reconnecting with Islam, and so turning away from alcohol.

Each day I met Kazakhs of all ages and backgrounds. There was a former finance minister (an influential advisor to Nursultan Nazarbayev), who had discovered an abandoned vineyard in the Assa Valley outside Almaty, and had made it his mission to bring it back to life. After him I met two young lads working in the reception of another company. They drove me to my next meeting when my taxi didn’t turn up, and were stunned to receive a 3,000 tenge tip to share. I met ethnic Kazakhs, Russian Kazakhs and Armenian Kazakhs, and each of them taught me something new about their country.

Walking between meetings carrying a list of addresses, I spent half my time getting lost. I wandered into a deserted apartment block on the edge of the city hoping there was a wine company on the third floor, before realising that the building I needed was further down the street. In another dark building I thought I found the office of a beer company, until some paramedics came and opened the doors to a clinic. Once, completely disoriented and soaked with rain, I had to hitch-hike to a meeting. A cheerful man picked me up off Abay Avenue in less than a minute. I thought about my colleagues from London who were in other cities at that time, researching reports on other countries. They were calling cabs to modern business centres in the centre of Paris, Sydney, New York…

But I didn’t envy them. Their meetings were only about cold numbers and data; in Central Asia, I found out, you can’t talk business without the human touch as well. Arriving at each office speaking fluent-but-flustered Russian, my contacts in Almaty always tried to make me feel at home. The former finance minister gave me two bottles from his resurrected vineyard; another company presented me with a beautiful notepad to write my meeting notes in. Knowing that I was English, one man broke the ice by asking me who my favourite snooker player was. I don’t think this would happen in Paris.

The weekend before I flew home, I had to write up my reports. But I couldn’t spend my last two days in Kazakhstan stuck in a hotel room. Instead I worked by night, putting the numbers into my spreadsheets until 3am, fuelling myself with the apples that Almaty is famous for. Then I got up at dawn to explore every street that I hadn’t been to yet. I spent a morning in the murmurs of the Green Bazaar, and chatted to the sellers about what they were selling – everything from fruits and nuts to homemade medicinal potions.

The lady from the whisky company had told me to go to Shymbulak ski resort, in the mountains above Almaty. But I didn’t make it: I got on the wrong marshrutka bus on Al Farabi street and ended up 30km away, in the bedlam of the Altyn Orda bazaar.

When I left the company, and stopped travelling to cities in Eurasia for these meetings, I thought I had said goodbye to this part of the world forever. Then one week out of the blue, I found myself back in Central Asia – in Almaty again, for a press trip with Air Astana. This time it really was to immerse myself in Kazakhstan. But on reflection, the business trip those years before taught me much more.

 

text by Jonathan Campion writes about his travels in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia and Europe at jonathancampion.com.

He is also a translator, editor, and still works as an analyst.

Visit website: http://jonathancampion.com 

 

 

 

 

 

Dubai Hosts 2020 Focus on Turkmenistan Oil & Gas

The vice-сhairman of Eurasian Creative Guild (London), Marat Akhmedjanov, visited the official opening ceremony of the international conference “TAPI – the Pipeline for Peace and Cooperation” and the roadshow “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan” which took place in the Al Maha conference hall of the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights Hotel on 24 February 2020.

 OGT 2020 is Declared Open

Yagshigeldy Kakaev, Advisor to the President of Turkmenistan on Oil and Gas Issues, addressed delegates with a welcoming speech. Noting the role of Turkmenistan’s neutrality as an effective mechanism for establishing fruitful co-operation in addressing pressing issues, strengthening the friendly, good neighbourly relations between states and peoples, Yagshigeldy Kakaev urged potential investors to consider mutually beneficial co-operation. He stressed that the stable economic and political situation in the country, as well as the legislative framework and state guarantee are among the main factors that make Turkmenistan increasingly attractive for foreign investors. The participants were shown a detailed overview of the achievements of the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan and te future plans and projects of the oil and gas sector.

Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the UAE, Serdarmamet Garajayev, noted the importance of the current event for the Turkmen-Emirati relations and expressed confidence that the open door policy of Turkmenistan couple with its neutral status will continue to promote the comprehensive development of international co-operation.

Saeed Al Tayer, representative of the sponsor of the plenary session, and Dragon Oil Board Chairman, welcomed the guests, stressing the productivity of co-operation between the UAE and Turkmenistan in the oil and gas sector and expressed hope for further long-term cooperation, paying special attention to safety.

Ajmal Ahmady, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan, dedicated his speech to the significance of the TAPI gas pipeline for Afghanistan’s economic development, noting the Afghan government’s readiness to fulfill its commitments on the project.

Delegates could learn in detail about the construction progress, economic and political impact, advantages and peculiarities of the TAPI gas pipeline from the presentation of Muhammetmyrat Amanov, CEO TAPI Pipeline Ltd, which provided varous statistics about TAPI.

Further information was also presented during a presentation by Rahimberdy Jeparov, Chairman of the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan. Presenting the summary of economic indicators in Turkmenistan for 2019, the speaker emphasised the country’s wide investment opportunities and openness of the bank to cooperation.

At the end of the plenary session, moderator Ronald Nash, Chairman of the Turkmenistan-UK Trade and Industry Council, drawing attention to the exceptional importance of the peace-loving policy and neutral status of Turkmenistan in the modern world, cited the relationship between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan as an example. The speaker stressed Turkmenistan’s efforts in supporting Afghanistan for political, economic and social stabilisation of the country, noting the provision of humanitarian aid, electricity and the benefits of commissioning the TAPI gas pipeline in the future.

The working sessions of the first day of the international roadshow were devoted to the prospects of development of the gas, chemical and oil refining industry of Turkmenistan, industrialisation, as well as development of the offshore blocks of the Turkmen shelf of the Caspian Sea and attracting of investment.

Managers and leading specialists of the oil and gas sector of both Turkmenistan and foreign companies, including Gas Strategies, Haldor Topsoe, China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation, Dragon Oil, WOOD, and Gaffney, Cline & Associates, made comprehensive presentations.

In the afternoon, a round table session titled, “TAPI – the Beacon of Peace and Cooperation”, and a seminar on legal and tax aspects of investing in the oil and gas sector in Turkmenistan were also organised. At the end of the day, delegates from companies such as Siemens LLC, BP, SOCAR AQS, Baker Huges, Technip FMC and others met with the heads of the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan.

On the second day of the international conference «Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan» dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan, two more sessions on investment in the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan were actively held.

In their speeches, representatives of SC «Turkmengas», TCOR and NaPeCo revealed the potential of co-operation of the Turkmen side with international investors and proposed new solutions to bring Turkmen hydrocarbons to world markets. The final word was given to the advisor to the President of Turkmenistan on oil and gas issues. Summing up the conference, Y. Kakayev noted that more than 300 delegates from 113 companies took part in the conference. He thanked these companies for their interest, the moderators for conducting the sessions, the speakers for their rich presentations full of useful information, and the organisers for the high standard of the forum. At the end of his speech, the advisor invited all participants to the next events, recalling that as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan, the next roadshow will be organised in early July in London, and in October, as per tradition, the 25th anniversary international forum will be held in Ashgabat.

 

 

An Ambassador’s View: Forging New Ties Between The Uk And Kazakhstan

Michael Gifford joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1981, with his first ambassador role coming in 2004 when he served as the British Ambassador to Yemen. He then moved to be the Deputy Head of Mission in Cairo before becoming the Ambassador to North Korea in October 2012.  Following intensive Russian language training he was appointed as British Ambassador to Kazakhstan in 2018 where he continues today. OCA Magazine had the opportunity to get a further insight into Gifford’s career and plans during his tenure in Kazakhstan.

OCA: Please tell us a bit about your background and why you decided to join the Foreign Office in 1981?

Michael Gifford: I grew up in Hastings in East Sussex. I didn’t have a burning ambition to become a diplomat; there isn’t any tradition of it in my family.  But after completing my education I looked at jobs in the private sector and the Civil Service was also an obvious place to apply as well. The Diplomatic Service was a separate competition and entry procedure and I was lucky enough to be accepted. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I made – and I hope the Foreign and Commonwealth Office feels the same!

OCA: You have been posted to what many people might call tough places. What skills do you think help to bring out the best in an Ambassador’s role?

MG: British diplomats work worldwide, because Britain has a global foreign policy.  I have been lucky enough to work in some important and interesting countries, including Egypt, Yemen, North Korea and now Kazakhstan, where I took up my present position in January 2018.  I would not characterise any of my previous jobs as ‘tough’ because that is an oversimplification of often complex problems.  Levels of security and prosperity differ widely from country to country and each posting brings its own challenges.  Diplomats need many skills, including resilience, a thorough understanding of a country’s history, language and culture, a clear view of the UK’s interests in their patch, and the energy to get out there and promote and defend those interests.

OCA: What have you learned from your previous postings that you have taken   into your current posting in Kazakhstan?

MG: Standing up for our values has been a constant theme, whether that is respect for the international rule of law, promoting democracy and human rights, or the vital importance of global free trade.  In June, Kazakhstan will host the next WTO ministerial meeting, which will be a great opportunity for the UK and our international partners to defend and promote the rules governing global trade, on which our shared prosperity depends.  Climate change is another very important topic. Five years on from Paris, COP26 in Glasgow in November is the next big moment for raising global climate ambition and action. We want to work closely with Kazakhstan and others to make real progress on this vital issue in 2020 and beyond.

OCA: Given the government’s desire to build trade with new trading partners, what are your priorities for helping the UK in doing more business with Kazakhstan?

MG: In my two years in this job, it’s clear to me that British firms are already well established in Kazakhstan in oil and gas, mining and financial and professional services.  Our two-way trade is a very healthy £2.5 billion a year.  We want to take that further, including in sectors such as renewables and waste management, water infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture.  British companies offer world class expertise and cutting-edge technologies and services which Kazakhstan needs as it economy develops.  There are many new opportunities opening up, including with the Astana International Financial Centre.  The City of London is a global centre of experience and excellence in many specialised areas such as Fintech and Islamic finance.  And privatisation of significant state-owned Kazakh government assets present key opportunities for the London Stock Exchange.

OCA: Culturally Kazakhstan and the UK are very different. What can each culture learn from the traditions and ways of life of the other?

MG: It’s fair to say, I think, that the UK is better known in Kazakhstan than the other way round – although that is changing fast as Kazakhstan establishes and promotes its distinct and vibrant national culture.   Many thousands of Kazakh students choose to study in Britain at all levels, and I’ve been struck by the fact that the UK issues more student visas for Kazakhstan each year than we do for Brazil or Australia. Each personal connection or visit – for business or pleasure – creates new understanding and trust, whether that is expressed through educational links, art, music, or simply new friendships.

 OCA: How do you see the form of government in Kazakhstan developing and what could be learned from the UK’s democracy?  Should Kazakhstan be a leader of the world, or just the region or just a follower, and what are the benefits and risks you see in such a choice?

MG: A set of big questions!  Kazakhstan is the leading regional state in Central Asia; it is finding its own role in the world and is developing fast.  A sovereign, prosperous and independent Kazakhstan, acting as a force for good in the world, is very much in the UK’s interests.  We share Kazakhstan’s ambitions to promote international peace and stability, for example through UN mechanisms such as peacekeeping operations.   In terms of Kazakhstan’s domestic development, we strongly support President Tokayev’s new programme of political and social reform: without continued positive change on issues such as judicial reform, corruption and media freedom, further economic progress will remain elusive.

OCA: What is your favourite thing to do while living in Kazakhstan?

Talking to young Kazakhs always inspires me. They have such a pride in their country and a high level of ambition for the future, which are both great to see. I also enjoy visiting various regions of the country to see at first hand the enormous diversity of landscape and culture which exists outside Nur-Sultan.

OCA#34  WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM Interview prepared by Saniya Seilkhanova

 

 

 

 

2020: The Year to Visit Tajikistan

My trip to Tajikistan in the summer of 2019 was one of my most memorable adventures ever. I’ve been travelling full-time for the past 9 years and seen some stunning destinations, but not many countries have touched me like this little Central Asian country did.

What exactly makes Tajikistan so special?

93% of the country is covered in mountains, making it a perfect destination for outdoor lovers. It’s home to the Pamir Highway, one of the world’s wildest and highest roads, and the beautiful Fann Mountains. Almost every day my breath was taken away by the extremely scenic landscapes, lush river valleys and azure-coloured alpine lakes.

Tajikistan is one of the few countries in the world where tourism hasn’t left its traces yet. I love seeking genuine experiences in non-touristy places and that’s exactly what you can still find in this off-the-beaten-path destination.

Part of me wants to keep this destination hidden from the outside world. It might be a bit selfish but I love the fact that, when I was travelling through the country, I barely met other tourists. It made me feel like a real explorer.

Even taking public transportation was an adventure on its own. While there’s definitely room for improvement concerning the tourist infrastructure in the country, I love that it’s still challenging as a traveller to get from one place to the other. This sets Tajikistan apart from popular destinations and makes the country so authentic.

Tajikistan is also one of the best trekking destinations people haven’t heard of. If you’d normally go on a multi-day treks in destinations like Nepal and Peru, you would typically have to share the hiking trails with many other hiking enthusiasts. While hiking through the mountains of Tajikistan, however, you’ll often get the feeling you’re alone in your own little patch of paradise.

I especially enjoyed my hiking trip to the Kulikalon lakes and the Allaudin lakes in the Fann mountains. The 3-day trek itself wasn’t too challenging as I’m quite used to trekking in mountains but it took me ages to hike across the mountain passes as I constantly wanted to stop to photograph and take in the fantastic scenery.

Words fail to describe the beauty of this region. The sense of awe I felt in the presence of such dramatic landscapes was overwhelming. Rugged mountain peaks stretching up to touch the sky. Juniper forests surrounding turquoise and aquamarine lakes that shimmer like jewels against a dusty backdrop. As far and wide as I could look, I was surrounded by this majestic beauty and I just couldn’t get enough of it. This region is truly a little heaven on earth!

Another thing I absolutely loved about Tajikistan is its people. The Tajiks are genuinely happy to meet foreigners and will welcome you like an old friend. Never before have I been greeted by so many waving hands and big smiles. Whenever you get invited to a family’s home, tea and biscuits are waiting for you and your hosts will do their utmost best to offer you something delicious. The Tajiks go to great lengths to make sure you’re well taken care of. They turned hospitality into an art!

So while I hope that Tajikistan will forever be as unspoiled, untouched and unique as it’s now, I also don’t want to deny its beauty to others. Every traveller who decides to visit this little corner of the world will be greatly rewarded!

 

About author

Cynthia (35) is a Belgian travel photographer, Panasonic Lumix Ambassador and travel blogger. She writes for the outdoor and adventure travel blog Journal of Nomads together with her Canadian travel partner, Niko.

Instead of rushing through places and ticking off countries on a list, they prefer to spend some quality time in the places they visit. They travel very slowly so they immerse themselves in the local culture while learning more about the traditions and daily lives of the people they meet.

Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/journalofnomadsaworldodyssey

Instagram: @journalofnomads

YouTube: Journal of Nomads

 

Fighting For Political Change in Georgia

In Conversation: Shalva Natelashvili

 

Sixty-two year old Shalva Natelashvili is no ordinary Georgian politician. Born in the northern mountainous part of Georgia, he graduated from Tbilisi State University with a degree in Law before pursuing a post-graduate degree at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian federation. He began his career in the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, later becoming head of the Department for International Relations. In 2004 he studied in the Leadership Programme of the US State Department earning an honorary position as envoy of the state of Louisiana. He is known to be a peace ambassador and founded the Georgian Labour Party in 1995 to help bring about change in his country after independence. OCA was fortunate enough to find a few spare minutes in his busy schedule to speak to him about his experiences and ambitions. We relay the conversation that Marat Akhmedjanov had recently with this man of change below.

OCA: You established the party in 1995?

SHN: Yes, I established party in 1995, but I have been in politics since 1992 – at that time I was the chairman of the legal committee of the Georgian parliament and the head of the editorial-constitutional commission in the country’s parliament.

OCA: You are not just staying in politics, but you are playing a very active role in politics. You participated in the presidential election, though your vote share percentage was reported to be low. Perhaps a disappointment?

SHN: Like in the Olympic Games, the important thing is to participate (he laughs). In 2002 we got 26% of the vote in the local elections. After that, in the parliamentary elections they have reported we achieved 12.5%, while in fact we understand we got 27%. And then, this damned revolution happened, and everything went backwards. In the first 2 years, there was a rise.

OCA: The leader of “Georgian Dream” party Bidzina Ivanishvili promised that they were going to reject the majority system and will move to a proportional election system, and they actually didn’t keep their promise. What do you think of this behaviour?

SHN: You know, in human history, that subject, the Russian billionaire, Gazprom shareholder, The Kremlin and Putin’s representative, will stay as a great “backstabber”.

I think you have heard the saying, I guess Churchill said: Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen. But, what Ivanishvili promised to people was unprecedented. He promised invaluable money, promised zero bank percent, and now Georgia is in the first place for bank debts. He promised that there will be work for everybody; every village will have 5 million [dollars]; that all refugees and emigrants will be back home. But now he calls everybody to leave the country and find some job in Europe.

Of course, all this accumulated as a negative charge. And this charge accumulated and blew up on the night of the arrival of that poor deputy Gavrilov in Tbilisi, who was then the chairman of parliament. If this would have happened 5-6 years ago during the rating peak of Ivanishvili, then there would not have been such reaction. But, this time, people just blew up, obviously this was the reason.

At the same time, not a single statement was made by Georgia to the UN Security Council, because the government forbids it. And then all this blew up on the night of June 20, and the process of power change began together with the recognisable  unrest. And this process was stopped only by a promise to hold proportional elections.

You see, in the world there are no precedents in a democratic system when deputies are elected from two different systems: proportional representation and majority vote. Furthermore both sit in the same house. Even in Russia, for this, there is an upper house, a federation council for majorities. We have it only in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, i.e. when deputies elected by a mixed system are sitting in the same house.

My son was detained twice, he is the head of international relations of our party. The leader of our youth organization was detained, and other young people were detained, they all are held in prisons as political prisoners. Currently, the leaders of political parties have been arrested, they are in prison. Things got to the point where, for negotiations between the opposition and the government, international mediators were really needed, you know?!

There are only two countries in the world where the opposition and the authorities speak through international mediators – these are Syria and Georgia! It is a fact! That is why, you need to raise your voice.

OCA: On December 6, an opposition meeting was held in your office and a decision was made to hold protests throughout the country. And as you say your son was arrested. How long will these processes last, and what are you planning to join?

SHN: Opposition meetings are always held in our office. These protests will last until the departure of Ivanishvili and his group, and until the advent of a coalition government, a multi-party government, and the introduction of proper proportional elections. Georgia must get rid of this archaic voting system of majorities.

OCA: What is the role of your party in the opposition? Because, there are a lot of opposition parties now.

SHN: There are about 38 major opposition parties here. We have meetings here. We are happy that we were able to coordinate a very diverse Georgian political spectrum, that could not even sit together in one place for about 30 years. Because of this, sometimes we received coups, civil wars, serious conflicts and destruction. Thank God that the Georgian political mind has come to the point that for basic issues, you need to sit together at the same table.

OCA: It is a big deal that you were able to unite everyone in your office. But, it gives the impression that you are applying for a leadership role, or for some kind of intermediary role of parties.

SHN: No, no

OCA: What role do you see for your party then?

SHN: We are happy that we can unite all political forces to achieve one goal, and specifically to end oligarchic rule. As long as the oligarchs are in power, these pro-Russian – Gazprom, pro-monarchist or pro-feudal types, there will be no development in our country.

Now the situation is that the oligarch abolished the multiparty system. This refusal to accept proportional elections means: “You know, my dear parties, I do not need you, leave, I will look after everything myself. My henchmen lead their ministries, my appointees will talk in parliament about “great achievements” on your behalf,

OCA: Who is the main opposition? There are 38 parties, but which ones are the most significant and influential?

SHN: Almost all the main parties are here, and they are all equal at the same time. We simply have the function of coordinator-unifier in order to reach the final goal, getting rid of Ivanishvili. After this, there will be elections for which the parties will gain the majority, if they do not, then they will [have to] create something special just as in Germany where the most ancient enemies: Christian Democrats and Socialists united in one coalition government.

OCA: 38 parties sounds good. It speaks of pluralism of opinions in the country.But what are the main 5 parties?

SHN:It will be an unethical step from my side to name these parties now. Since this may cause some kind of conflict. I can’t do this at the moment. I can’t allocate any one of them. But, you can take a survey of the Republican Institute, where the main parties are listed there.

OCA: What are the main demands of the opposition except the departure of Ivanishvili?

SHN: After that, the parties will have a huge field for the implementation of their ideology. Of course, not a single ideology has been fully implemented in the history of mankind…

OCA: Speaking specifically about the Labour Party, what are your main objectives?

SHN: More specifically, it is de-oligarchization (from the word “oligarch”), an independent judiciary, real democracy, and not just in words, and social guarantees to people.

Now, unfortunately, in our country, a maximum of 15% -17% of the population use all the national wealth, and the rest live as secondary citizens. We want the country to create a middle layer that will control the politics, economy, legal system and future development of the country.

OCA: Regarding the Labour Party, what are your foreign policy aims?

SHN: By the name of our party it is clear that we are oriented towards Western values. In the 12th century, we already had signs of parliamentarianism, a special institution was created under Queen Tamar, in which laws were ratified. Similar principles created the famous parliament in Great Britain. And in the 17th and 21st years, when Georgia became independent, women in the UK did not have [fully equal] rights yet, but at that time we had not only female deputies, but also Muslim women (female deputies).

That is why, our historical values ​​are Western values, but Asian values ​​are not foreign to us, because Georgia was at the junction of Western and Eastern civilisation.

OCA: How do you see the organization of the country? Suppose you win the next election? And with which party is your party is ready to enter into an alliance with?

SHN-:We can enter into an alliance with all parties only if we lead the government. If this does not happen, then we will remain in constructive opposition, all the more we are used to this state, and we will control the actions of the authorities.

OCA: What is your attitude towards the Eurasian Economic Union?

SHN: I think that this is the worst model of the Soviet Union. You know why? During the Soviet Union, the center gave subsidies to the republics, that is, the republics lived and did nothing. They were just sent money from Moscow, and now we have to send money to Moscow.

OCA: What are your plans for integration with the European Union?

SHN: Our plans are very pleasant, we want to be members of the European Union, but unfortunately this is not quite achievable for us now, due to the geopolitical situation. Unfortunately, I want to repeat once again that France and Germany, while making decisions regarding Georgia, are following a very pro-Russian course. That is, they do not want to quarrel with Russia over Georgia.

Therefore, I am very worried that Britain is leaving the European Union. Leaving the European Union means inviting Putin as a host, because Putin has gas and energy for Europe in his hands. Energy decides a lot for the development of Europe and Asia. I respect the opinion of British voters who voted for Brexit, but that means they will give Europe to Putin.

 

OCA: In order for the opposition to win and be able to overthrow this regime, you need some kind of support in the regions. How strong is your party’s support in the regions? And in which particular regions do you feel support?

SHN: Our party has always had great support both in the regions and in the capital city. But, unfortunately, we were not able to establish real democracy, and at least count the votes correctly.

We have support in all regions, since the social situation in all regions is the same and they have the same interests. Despite the fact that Georgians are in the majority, an significant Armenian or Azerbaijani minority also live there. But unfortunately, in the regions, in which Azerbaijanis or Armenians live, there is also the factor of trade between the government of Georgia with Baku and Yerevan. That is, there is an agreement between the presidents, all these regions will vote for Saakashvili, for Shevardnadze, for Ivanishvili and all.

I am very worried because we have wonderful citizens of Georgia, Azerbaijanis and Armenians, some of the world’s famous figures who grew up here, who glorified Georgia and their historical peoples. And now they are deprived of the right to vote. Our main regions are Kartli, Kakheti, Imereti, Tbilisi, Rustavi. I repeat in all regions we have voters, and have always had them.

OCA: There is an opinion among experts that in reality the confrontation that is taking place in Georgia now is a battle of the oligarchic clans of Ivanishvili and Saakashvili. There is a struggle for power, for one it is revenge, in order to return. And Vashadze, it doesn’t matter, the first and second are his proteges.

SHN: Grigory Vashadze is the chairman of the national movement, he is a professional diplomat.

OCA: I don’t disagree but rather see a struggle between the two clans.

SHN: No, its Ivanishvili’s PR that, with the help of scarecrow Saakashvili, he can create personal immunity and eternity. There is a struggle of the people and the whole political spectrum against the oligarchic regime … By the way, the oligarchy is being destroyed from within, there are huge contradictions.

OCA: Ivanishvili, as you said, a Russian oligarch, a person who owned or owns businesses in Russia, and is affiliated with Putin. Is there any threat that Russia could take its side and in some circumstances occupy Georgia?

SHN: Russia has already occupied Georgia, 20% of the territory of Georgia is under the control of Russian troops. They are 300 metres from the main Eurasian highway, 300 metres, do you understand? So, if this continues, the political occupation is too obvious.

OCA: If you win and drive him out [Ivanashvili], will the Russian armoured personnel carriers come to his aid?

SHN: No, the matter will not come to this. Today the Kremlin is not satisfied, because it has not had its promises completely fulfilled. Shevardnadze played with both Moscow and Washington, then, both overthrew him, Bush and Putin. And Saakashvili had such a position, at first had excellent relations with Moscow, they agreed to create an anti-terrorism centre here, in Tbilisi. This is also a military base in Russia, and had excellent relations with Washington, and then took a pro-Western course and naturally this course continued. Putin was very dissatisfied, he considered that he had been “cut out” and burst here and there. Now the same situation is being established, everyone is tired of Ivanishvili. Everyone, this is a fact!

OCA: Now there are European MPs intermediaries whole have intervened, and they offered a mixed form, and it seems that the government is thinking about it…

SHN: Sorry, I do not trust these deputies. I still think that these diplomats are lobbying Ivanishvili.

OCA: You mean to say that these intermediaries protect Ivanishvili?

SHN: Not protect, but if there is an opportunity they will protect him and implement his interests.

These grievances are not directed to the whole of Europe, now I really appreciate that the deputies of the European Parliament arrived, that they recognised the existence of political prisoners, and told the truth. But there is a tendency, in the French-German bloc, which is always recognised by the Georgian government, and not by the people or the country, they are cooperating with the government, not with the opposition and all political representatives.

For us, Europe is like that. Due to the fact that we loved England/Europe, that is why we called ourselves Labourites, took the ideology of classical social democracy, the oldest one, thought that we would be partners, and embarked on the European path. They all failed and left us here alone against the oligarchs, Putin and against all this savagery.

OCA: It remains a fascinating and tense time. Thank you for taking the time to speak to us.

 

Way to Yourself

The artist, Zhurkabayeva Guldana, is on the threshold of her first mature personal exhibition “WAY TO YOURSELF” that will be held at the Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This sums up the results of what has been done since her first personal exhibition of 2008. Since then the artist has created about 150 creative works.

During her training as an interior designer, Guldana began to take great interest in painting and graphics. At the same time she made a choice in favour of
free creativity in the field of easel painting.

The works of Zhurkabayeva Guldana reflect the signs of modern Kazakh art, where it is possible to see a mixture of techniques of Decorative and Applied Arts, a message to the symbolism of rock paintings, a historical past and comprehension of national symbols, both medieval and modern. At the same time, various works refer to the style trends of the 20th century. But most of all, her works also have a lot of their own, personal style.

The silhouettes, symbols, proportions and plots of ancient rock carvings are aligned with a texture of natural “wild” material. The use of animal skins, the unpolished fur gives the impression of ancient messages. The “animal style” of the Scythians is repeatedly seen in the works of this modern master and other from Kazakhstan. The themes of totemism and shamanism are close and exciting for many contemporaries. Here the artist rethinks ancient symbols, extensively using them in her work. The works on the skin “Scythian Motifs”, “ Deer Hunting”, “Cave Circulation”, “Petroglyphs of Tamgaly”, “Sounds from the Past” and many others were made by the author under the impression of the first drawings of mankind.

To bring your vision and to be understood by the viewer is not an easy task, especially if emotional feelings are added to it. The artist is given the gift to see the world in a different way. The world is bifurcated, divided and emotionally sharp in the works of Guldana.
Shortly before her first personal exhibition, Guldana underwent serious eye surgery, after which she saw the real world in a fragmented, divided state. Not only was her acuity of vision changed, but also the estimation of the size of objects and the distances between them. The artist does not just represent a divided world, she lives in it.
The fragmented vision of the world, which for an ordinary person would be a disaster, for a true artist, perhaps, is a starting point for artistic experiments. The multiple projection of forms, or separation of compositions into the right and left parts, occurs in many of Guldana’s works, for example in one of her earliest works “Cause and Effect”. Here, conditionally depicted is an eye shape, torn in the centre, which reflects an endlessly repeated series of figures, like a reflection in a room of mirrors. All the expression of an irreversible reality is perceptible in this work. In general, in the most of Guldana’s paintings, we can see images of human eyes, “Glance of Green Eyes”, “The Priests of the Eye”, “Where is a Saviour?”, “Displacements” and many others. The eyes are one of the main symbols, a window into a kind of unreal world and the centre of the universe and the reflection – the mirror of the soul.
Choosing a theme for her future works, Guldana tries to fully reveal and diversify the motives of her works, sometimes looking for answers in the works of old masters.

Inspired by the creativity of the surrealists Giorgio de Chirico and Salvador Dali, she experiments with the shape and space as exemplified by the painting “The Unconscious”. In a flaming timeless space, on conventionally designated architectural forms, a lonely, lifeless sculptural figure melts.

In other works of Guldana, we see the philosophy of Buddhism, “Meditation in the dimensions,” “The East is a subtle matter”. Guldana often discusses religion, self-knowledge, faith in yourself and God. The names of recent works “Order in Chaos”, “Do it Now”, “Living Energy”, “Mirror of the World”, “Dissolve in Motion”, presented at the exhibition, clearly demonstrate it.

The all these works were created in the technique of traditional easel painting. Guldana learns new material for herself and the themes of the works tell about many deep thoughts of the transience of life, death and love. The philosophy of the latest works reveals maturity and readiness for self-development, scrupulous work in the ratio of colour elements, the search for form and harmony of composition.
ZHURKABAYEVA GULDANA
(ALINA) TURSYNOVNA.
Kazakhstan, Astana

Member of the Eurasian Union of Designers
Member of the Union of Associations of Young Artists of Astana
Member of the International Organization of Expo & Women
Participant of international, republican, regional, city exhibitions
The laureate of the “Shabyt” award of the Kostanay Public Fund of the Club of Patrons in the nomination of “Fine Arts”, 2009
Laureate of the 2nd degree of the International Festival-Competition “Tanysu”, Republic of San Marino, 2016, Nomination of Applied and Decorative Arts
Laureate (1st place) of the International Festival-Competition Italy, 2016

Kazakhstani artist Guldana Zhurkabayeva, known to the creative world under a pseudonym “Alina”, expresses her inner world in her only artistic form. Her works are executed in a nomadic style of natural material with the use of skins and leather, filled with ancient symbols, sacred secrets and petroglyphs. Impregnated with a steppe smell of Artemisia, they attracted foreign experts’ interest and critics who awarded the first place at the International Festival of art “Tanysu” (San Marino, Italy).

Today the master gradually departs from Decorative and Applied Arts and tries herself in a new kind of fine art – painting. The first initiatives were highly appreciated at the exhibition “The Way to Yourself”, held at the beginning of the year at the Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

But those, who are not closely acquainted with the artist are hardly aware of her special vision of the surrounding world and the diagnosis with which the master of paintings has been living for decades (constant double vision).

“This is a rare disease and cannot be cured. Only the philosophy of OSHO helped me to understand that it is my advantage, my UNIQUENESS, that gives me an opportunity to look at the world in a new way”.
The master always reflects an inner temperament in her works. Guldana Zhurkabayeva’s paintings are bright, colorful and the whole dance of singing colors is nothing more than a reflection of the artist’s soul. Absolute harmony.

But has it always been this way?

The task of art does not consist in the most accurate representation of reality, but in the depiction of the artist’s personality and their special view of the world, fantasies, memories, aspirations and visions from a special angle.

Guldana does not adhere to a certain style, but simply follows her impulse, transferring her energy and creating a living surface on the canvas, in some of her works, the avant-garde direction is clearly observed.

For what will a spiritual search lead the master? What will happen next: cubism, neoclassicism, surrealism, modern, nobody knows, even the artist herself.

As many talented people, Guldana is not afraid to try herself in different hypostases and besides paintings, she also creates designer accessories. Guldana is planning to realize and develop herself in this direction.