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BRUSSELS HOSTS VIII OPEN EURASIAN LITERARY FESTIVAL
From 13th to 17th November, the eighth Open Eurasian Literary Festival and Book Forum (OEBF 2019) was held in Brussels (Belgium). Open Eurasia is an
THE RESULTS OF THE THIRD EURASIAN CULTURE WEEK IN LONDON-2019
From October 1st to 6th 2019, Great Britain, attracted artists, artisans, writers, filmmakers and art-lovers to its capital. Attendees enjoyed the creativity and culture of
TEDX LAMBETH DEBUTS WITH SOVIET THEMES
TEDxLambeth officially debuted on Friday 11th October 2019 at the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) in London, UK, attracting
MOLDOVAN LITERATURE COMES OF AGE
By profession, Ludmila Dubcovetcaia is a doctor working in the Department of Immunology of the Municipal Dermatovenerological Dispensary of Chisinau. However as a part time
THE BRITISH MAP OF “RUSSIAN” PLACES
The map of Russian places in Great Britain, originally developed on the basis of the free Google Maps service in 2015 for the website of
TAKING OSCAR WILDE TO KAZAKHSTAN
The Irish playwright Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) never visited Central Asia, but given how he revelled in the American Wild West, with all its raw edges,
THE SOFT POWER OF EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN CENTRAL ASIA AND THE WORLD
Don’t underestimate the potency of soft power grounded in education and people-to-people contact. Both are the backbone of deepened relationships, and the global community needs
UNVEILING THE DARK SECRETS OF THE GULAG
INTERVIEW: ROMAN ROMANOV, DIRECTOR OF THE GULAG HISTORY MUSEUM, MOSCOW The GULAG History Museum in Moscow, Russia, covers one of the darkest eras in
MUSICAL HERITAGE OF TURKIC SPEAKING PEOPLE IN THE MODERN WORLD
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW ICTM STUDY GROUP The ICTM Study Group on “Music of the Turkic-speaking world” was established in 2006 at the Music
THE RAPID RISE OF TOURISM IN UZBEKISTAN
I remember the first time I entered Uzbekistan, more than a decade ago. My car, an already rather battered Isuzu Trooper, broke down in the
TOURISM ON THE GREAT SILK ROAD: VIEWS ON KAZAKHSTAN
The recent international tourist forum “Ulytau-2019” in Nursultan City attracted participants from more than 30 countries, including the UK, USA, Italy, France and others. President
BUSINESS IN CENTRAL ASIA: HOW TO COVER 20 YEARS’ GROUND IN TWO YEARS
SAIDMUROD DAVLATOV Business mentor, owner and co-owner of 23 types of businesses, Davlatov has individually trained 292 entrepreneurs and coached 30 US dollar millionaires over
THE DEVELOPMENTAL JOURNEY OF THE FIVE STANS POST-SOVIET INDEPENDENCE
A brief analysis of overseas development assistance to the Central Asian Republics. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, abrupt national independence incited a
PUSHING THROUGH UZBEKISTAN’S NEW REFORMS INTERVIEW: AKTAM KHAITOV
Aktam Khaitov has held many roles in Uzbek politics. Currently the Leader of the Uzbekistan Liberal Democrat Party, he cut his teeth in several previous
FIRST ECG FILM FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS NEW TALENT
From 6th to 10th June 2019, Premiere Cinemas in Romford, London became the centre of attention for directors, producers, actors and designers from Eurasian countries.
“VIKING EXTRAORDINAIRE” – Sölvi Fannar
“Viking Extraordinaire”, Sölvi Fannar, doesn’t believe in following just one career path, in fact he has actively pursued several. He has acted in films, played
LOST ENLIGHTENMENT: THE GOLDEN AGE OF CENTRAL ASIA
The problem of distorting general history, a departure from the principle of objectivity in compiling history textbooks, and the lack of holistic basic research on
KAZAKH ALASKA
The territory of Ile in Xinjiang was occupied by Russian troops in 1871. After ten years, in the year 1881-82, the Ile area was returned
THE LIFE AND ART OF MARC CHAGALL
Born in Belarus, Marc Chagall is a talented painter, a bright art practitioner of the avant-garde of the twentieth century who took over the world
FROM SAINT-LIGUORI TO NUR-SULTAN
After meeting eight young Kazakhs at the International Olympiads of Linguistics, I decided to fly from Canada to see my friends again and at the
ANIMATION IS KEY TO DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
As many parents believe that watching cartoons is either harmful or not of much use, nowadays, it has become fashionable not to show them to
DECONSTRUCTING TRADITION: THE ART OF FAIG AHMED
Faig Ahmed dismantles and reforms Azerbaijani traditions of carpet making, creating remarkable new works of contemporary art. Through his art practice he reconsiders these ancient
CHINGIZ AITMATOV EXHIBITION IN NUR-SULTAN
On May 15th 2019, the House of Friendship in Nur-Sultan hosted an exhibition dedicated to Chingiz Aitmatov entitled Tales of the Mountains and Steppes. The
MAKING AFGHAN CHILDREN SMILE
Warakai is the daughter of Kharakai, the talking rabbit on the BBC radio who, during the brutal war of the 1990s, stole the hearts of
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ALMAZBEK ATAMBAYEV
Just hours before former President of Kyrgyzstan, Almazbek Atambayev, was arrested at his home in Bishkek on charges of corruption, Open Central Asia magazine completed
OPEN EURASIA 2019 CONTEST ANNOUNCED!
Open Eurasia is an international creative competition, now in its eighth year, which brings together creative people from all over the world. Writers, poets, translators,
FESTIVAL OF EURASIAN FILMS WILL BE HELD IN LONDON
In June 2019, the Eurasian Creative Guild launches the first festival of Eurasian films in London, the ECG Film Festival, which will be held as
ARTS IN DEFENCE OF BRANDS
For more than a quarter of a century, Belarus and the United Kingdom (UK) have successfully cooperated in the trade, economic, cultural, scientific, and humanitarian
KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES!
The name, Rauza Yeraliyeva, has finally become a true discovery for the fine arts circles of Kazakhstan! It is surprising, perhaps, that the formation of
BRITS NAMED INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY ARTISTS IN AZERBAIJAN
Two British contemporary artists, Nicholas Joubinaux and Tim Ridley have been chosen to travel to Azerbaijan from the UK in April 2019 to create new
WORLD MUSICAL HERITAGE IN THE HEART OF EURASIA
‘Don’t divide music into the serious and frivolous. Music can only be good or bad. You can compose a magnificent simple song and trashy opera.’
CULTURAL CROSSROADS: TWO WOMEN’S JOURNEY ALONG THE PAMIR HIGHWAY.
In July & August 2018, two British women Catherine & Hannah, undertook the 2500km drive, unaided, along the Pamir Highway, famously the 2nd highest road
SIBERIAN SPLENDOUR: A BRIEF TRIP TO LAKE BAIKAL
1 On the wild steppes of Transbaikalia, Where people dig for gold in the mountains, A vagrant, bemoaning his fate, Is wandering with a bag
A GLIMPSE OF 2050 KYRGYZSTAN
On March 20th, at 8 o, clock in the morning, the huge aircraft landed at Manas airport after the journey of 30 minutes. Kyrgyzstan’s Manas
DISCOVER MAGNIFICENT GEORGIA!
THE WELCOME TO GEORGIA – NATIONAL TOURISM AWARDS Georgia is one of the most beautiful and ancient countries in the world, with its untouched nature,
INDEPENDENCE DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS
The spirit of Soviet times? Look no further than the main Belarusian national celebration – Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus. The celebration falls
BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE – CAN YOU PUT A PRICE ON INSURANCE?
With its cost estimated to run into trillions of dollars and main developments spread over 68 countries in three continents, it is quite natural for
A STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN KYRGYZSTAN AND THE EURASIAN UNION
Over the past 27 years of independence, two colour revolutions have taken place in Kyrgyzstan, which as such can hardly be called, because a revolution
BEHIND THE DEVIL’S DANCE
Interview with award-winning author Hamid Ismailov Hamid Ismailov, is not an unknown figure in UK literary and broadcasting circles. Having worked with the BBC
VII Open Eurasian Literature Festival & Book Forum – 2018
The 7th Open Eurasian Literature Festival & Book Forum, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the outstanding portrait painter and revolutionary theatrical decorator Leon Bakst,
The Fourth Official Ceremony of the Welcome to Georgia!
National Tourism Awards On December 17, 2018 Rustaveli Theatre will host the most remarkable event of the Tourism and Hospitality industry of Georgia –
ECG Chair Visits Kyrgyzstan
Over the past 5 years, I have edited some 26 works for Hertfordshire Press and the Eurasian Creative Guild, as well as a series of
ECG Vice-Chairman Addresses Houses of Parliament Event
The panel discussion for the evening was “How British Democracy Inspired the World” and was organised by Vesna Petkovic in the Parliament’s Jubilee Hall. British
Dreams Come True!
Whether we want to strike globalisation or not, it will be a part of our everyday life, embracing our future generations. We cannot escape from
Bukvar Slavic Primer Celebrates 400 Years Since First Edition
In late October London saw a series of events dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the first edition of the East Slavic Primer – Bukvar,
Bishkek Hosts Macbeth with a Twist
In March 2018 I was lucky enough to spend six extraordinary weeks in Kyrgyzstan directing the first ever Kyrgyz translation of Macbeth, translated from the
KURASH – TASHKENT HOSTS INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT IN MEMORY OF ISLAM KARIMOV FOR THE PRIZE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN
Tashkent played host to a prestigious international Kurash tournament in September attracting athletes from across the globe to compete for $100 000 of prize money.
Original Family Owners to Finally Sell Unique 17-19th Century Turkic Collection
The tradition of private collecting has existed in Russia for centuries. Such donations and gifts helped to create the collections of many university cabinets and
A Celebration of Afghan Culture in London
On the 19th August, we saw a truly authentic reflection of vibrant Afghan culture. Singers and dancers brought the energy to Hounslow’s excitable residents whilst
Kazakh Superstar Brings Sensational Show to London
The London DQ show is part of the Kazakh Culture Days in the UK, hosted by The Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Republic
The Ruzhansky Legends: Women in Belarusian Art and History
Ruzhany Castle, located in Brest region of Belarus, is currently under reconstruction. Earlier it was the residence of the potent dynasty of Sapieha, a castle
AFGHANISTAN LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
The South Asia and Middle East (SAME) Forum hosted a special session on the topic of ‘Afghanistan: Looking to the Future’ on the 25th October
The Global Silk Road: Building the Financial Pillars
The revitalisation of the Silk Road has been envisioned as a scheme, which would stimulate the free movement of people, goods and services from East
On the Rarity of Nuclear States
The proliferation of nuclear weapons is undoubtedly an acute problem in international politics today. Currently, there are nine states in possession of nuclear weapons: America,
ECG members took part in events in Minsk, Belarus, on April 18th, 2018
Marat Akhmedjanov, the Vice Chairman of the ECG, and Elena Bezrukova, Founder and Director of the Elena Bezrukova Centre, a professional business-trainer, coach and practicing
A Journey to the End of the World 1 st ECG Meeting in Yakutsk
Strangely enough, it is not the cold that hits me as I step out of Yakutsk airport onto the frozen snow trodden path to my
Uzbekistan’s Zara King Gracefully Conquers MISS USSR UK 2018
MISS USSR UK is a fascinating show, with the contestants from all the different countries of the former Soviet Union, organised by Russian entrepreneur and
An Artist Who Draws Light Amir Shayesteh Tabar
When it comes to Persian culture, it is impossible not to mention the immortal names of great poets such as Rumi, Rudaki, Firdausi, Khayyam, Nizami
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
LITERATURE CHANGES THE WORLD FOR A BETTER LIFE!
A love of literature made me get involved with the challenging project of promoting Kazakh authors. The idea came to me 3 or 4 years
Welcome to Belarus: A Glance at Educational Opportunities
Many years have passed since the Republic of Belarus was considered to be on the outskirts of Russia and needed a special introduction. Nowadays Belarus
THE ENCHANTED WANDERER AVICENNA
There are only few people from the East who are unconditionally recognised by Europe. Avicenna takes the first place among these glorious people. Suffice to
Tajikistan: Female Faces of Violent Extremism
Participation of women in jihadism is an intriguing subject. Here, ideology and emotions, rejection and expectation are intertwined, and personal circumstances and spiritual motives are
Cashing in on Kyrgyz Tourism. Room for Further Development?
Take it how you like but having been based in Kyrgyzstan for two years now as a freelance consultant completing evaluations of developmental projects I’ve
BRITAIN AND TURKMENISTAN
I write this looking out over the foothills of the Kopet Dag, which are lightly frosted with snow, a week after the Turkmenistan UK Trade
Užupis Republic? And where on earth is that?
A Look at the Unique Creative Environment of the Old Town of Vilnius Tomas Čepaitis has been an ECG member since 2017. He is an
WELCOME TO THE EURASIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY!
You may not have heard of it, but the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University has made significant advances for the years of educational activity. This
The Strategic Importance of Central Asia for the U.S.A.
For the U.S., Central Asia is a place where challenges and opportunities meet. On the one hand, the region is prone to many of the
FROM KABUL TO QUEENS, NY
As a women photographer, exploring the paths of the ancient Silk Road, I was far from home, feeling like a stranger. In May 2005, many
Batya Raizel Bagully 16 years old, forward, California, USA.
Batya has been living in California since 10 months. At this age she was adopted by the wife of Raisel, so she turned out to
Cultural Differences
Just when her life felt right: new career, new home, new grandchildren, Janet Givens leaves it all behind and follows her new husband into the
Belarus – US: Forging New Partnerships
The 25 years of diplomatic relations between Belarus and the United States have seen ups and downs. But we have always been mindful of the
Gulsifat Shakhidi
“As Columbus once discovered America, today America opens the modern literature of Central Asia” In November 2017, at the 6th OEBF Festival in Stockholm, Tajik
Uyghurs: between China and Central Asia
It was March, and a whole neighbourhood on the outskirts of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s biggest city and former capital, was once again preparing for the spring
To become a good friend – visit my home and try some of my bread!
Many people all over the world, including Turkmens, consider bread an essential and irreplaceable part of the diet. Bread contains numerous nutrients and useful bioactive
Tajikistan and the United States of America: Gardening a Tree of Friendship
A message from H.E. Mr. Farhod SALIM, Ambassador of Tajikistan to the United States of America The Republic of Tajikistan and the United States of
I see a light for my native cinema at the end of this dark period
INTERVIEW WITH Bolot Shamshiev Few will know much about the cinema in Kyrgyzstan. What currently hampers its development is never aired and never makes the
KAZAKHSTAN: The quest for international recognition drives many emerging markets
WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM OCA#28 SPRING 2018 Text by Nick Kochan The quest for international recognition drives many emerging markets. Kazakhstan has undoubtedly been better at it than
The American View: EXPO-2017 People are the source of future energy
WWW.OCAMAGAZINE.COM OCA#28 SPRING 2018 USA EDITION Text by Maria Indina In the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, the international specialized exhibition “Expo-2017” has finished its work.
ECG Goes Stateside
Recently, the vice-chairman of the Eurasian Creative Guild, Marat Akhmedjanov, returned from a tour of North America. He visited nine cities and held more than
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
VI Open Eurasian Literature Festival & Book Forum Held in the Homeland of Alfred Nobel
The Sixth Open Eurasian book forum and literature festival became the most anticipated event of 2017 for representatives of the Eurasian region. The venue of
A Sparkling Success “I love pearls for their colour and lustre and they are very tactile”
In an interview with OCA magazine, jeweller Gulsara Davis, a linguist by education, but according to her nature a creative personality, tells of her life
Bonding for change and functionality: Water users of Turkmenistan
How much would you charge a neighbour for access to water? How many volunteers can you gather to clean up a dam? Who will get
Azat Akimbek: Art Collector, Antiques Expert and Philanthropist
Azat Akimbek is a distinguished expert in art and antiques and a well-known philanthropist in Kazakhstan. He is renowned for his unique collections of antiques
Warwick Central Asia Forum
By showcasing the cultural, political and economic dynamism of this rapidly-developing region, the Forum hopes to spark interest amongst novices to the region, whilst enhancing
EDUCATION IS A CORNERSTONE OF SUCCESS
Panoba Executive Lifestyle Services specialises in education, property, relocation and events services for the discerning overseas executive. The London-based firm works with a network of
Teen Idol: Megan Werner
Tours the Cities of Russia and the Republic of Crimea In just two weeks, a young and inspirational Megan Werner visited seven cities and held
Project: ON THE GREAT SILK ROAD…
Motto: «World without national or government borders! We are one! We are a single field!» Project description. Photo project “On the Great Silk Road” is
To people like you I can say that I’m Uzbek
It’s a Sunday at the end of one of the many busy weeks working on the new BBC Uzbek TV programme for Afghanistan’s Uzbek-speakers. I
The Land of Frozen Tears – a Book of Tales and Hopes as an Outsider in Kazakhstan
‘Everyone has a book in them’, someone once said – I hope I have two or three! But ‘in them’ is not ‘out of them’,in
Ashugs and classical ashug music
Azeris have a wide range of musical forms and styles to satisfy their needs. They also enjoy international as well as their national music. However,
Svetlana Yudina: “Everything begins with itself”
Today, expensive accessories made of precious metals and stones are replaced by accessories made from natural materials in ethnic style. The new trend opened new
Great Britain-Belarus: 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations
2017 is a very important year for Belarus and Great Britain, as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Great
Turkmenistan-an emering force in sport
Multi-sport games such as the Olympics are familiar to us all. Every four years the eyes of the world focus towards a major city such
Tajikistan and the United States of America: Gardening a Tree of Friendship
A message from H.E. Mr. Farhod SALIM, Ambassador of Tajikistan to the United States of America The Republic of Tajikistan and the United States of
The American View: EXPO-2017 People are the source of future energy
In the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, the international specialized exhibition “Expo-2017” has finished its work. It has continued for 3 months since 10’th of June
Fashion Project: ON THE GREAT SILK ROAD…
Motto: “World without national or government borders! We are one! We are a single field!” The Photo project, “On the Great Silk Road”, is a
Sharaf Rashidov’s 100th birth anniversary: remembering the Uzbek statesman and a writer
This year marks the 100th anniversary since birth of Sharaf R. Rashidov, the first secretary of the Uzbek communist party (in office from 1959 until