interview - EXPO

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fall
2015
Fulfilling Kazakhstan’s Expo 2017 Promise
Astronauts Return as Heroes from Orbital Watch
Savitsky: An Improbable Museum
“Open Eurasia and Central Asia Book forum
and Literature festival - 2015” Announced
First Central Asian Arts Festival
Azerbaijan * Kazakhstan * Kyrgyzstan * Tajikistan * Turkmenistan * Uzbekistan
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contents
Fall 2015 (#20)
4 editions per year
Cover image: Brigade to the fields, Alexander VOLKOV (1886-1957)
Masterpiece of the Savitsky Collection, Nukus Museum of Art
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Fulfilling Kazakhstan’s Expo 2017 Promise
Interview with the First Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Rapil Zhoshybayev
Astronauts Return as Heroes from Orbital Watch
Astana Hosts 2015 Charity Marathon
What’s Behind the Berkeley Group’s Property Success?
An Interview with Berkeley Group’s
Russia and CIS sales director, Stuart Leslie
Astana Hosts the Fifth Summitof the Turkic Council
Time to Try Again: Is a second attempt at closer Central
Asian possible? Interview with Dr. Farkhod Tolipov
Removing the Roadblocks to Safety Eastern Alliance for
Safe and Sustainable Transport in Central Asia
Water For Life: Outcomes of the International Water Conference held in Tajikistan
An Improbable Museum
Olympic Memories: Kazakhstan’s London Olympic Volunteers
A Sound Outlook on Life As long as there is democracy,
there will be people wanting to play Jazz
180 year anniversary Chokan Valikhanov Great Adventures From The Great Game
The Beauty of the Bukhara Deer
Dates for the Fourth International “Open Eurasia and Central Asia Book forum and Literature festival - 2015”
(OECABF-2015) are Announced
Around the World in A to Z.
Interview with travel writer Paul Wilson
Adventures of Khorezm Puppets in Edinburgh
Mangilik Festival Takes Kazakhs Back to their Roots
Bringing Central Asia’s Latest Authors Into View First
Edition of the Literary Almanac “Tvorcheskoe Sorujestvo”
(“Creative Collaboration”) Published
TheTaste of Central Asia: Iskender Kebab
4th Sabantui Held in London
Afghan Cultural Festival Invades London
Book review: “Cold War II”
Book review: The wormwood wind
First Central Asian Arts Festival Finds Plenty of Followers
Latest events from The European Azerbaijan Society
Events
In Memoriam Kazat Akmatov
Disclaimer :
The information contained in this publication is for general
information purposes only. The information is provided by Open
Central Asia and while we endeavour to ensure the information
up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties
of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy,
reliability or suitability of the information, products, services, or related
graphics represented for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such
information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
All authors provide their own material and any opinions contained
within are solely those of the authors and do not neccessarily represent
the views or opinions of Open Central Asia. We publish these views
as part of our provision of a forum for discussion and readers should
be aware that the views may contrast each other in the pursuit of this
aim. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including
without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any
loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising
out of, or in connection with, the use of material contained within this
publication.
Special gratitude for cooperation and support to
Embassy of Azerbaijan to the UK. Embassy of Kazakhstan to the UK.
Embassy of Tajikistan to the UK. Embassy of Kyrgyzstan to the UK.
Open Central Asia is outraged and deeply concerned
by this news and the accompanying lack of credible
evidence that has been brought forwards in this case. We
are fortunate to have the freedom in the UK to openly
condemn these actions and demand a full explanation
from the Uzbek authorities. Regrettably, we suspect that
it is unlikely a response will be forthcoming and fear
that the collection, which also includes the largest body
of Russian avant garde paintings outside Saint Petersburg,
could be stolen, sold secretly and lost for ever.
a warm welcome
My opening editorial piece took a drastic change
of direction when, as we were preparing the final articles
to go to press, news emerged that the Uzbek Ministry
of Sport and Culture had forced Marinika Babanazarova
to resign from her post as curator of the Savitsky Museum
collection without explanation. Claims emerged that
she had stolen works from the collection and replaced
them with fakes, although Babanazarova and her staff
have denied the accusations and have risked further
governmental wrath by challenging the authorities
in an open letter.
Perhaps Babanazarova’s success in promoting the collection and pursuing independent policies has raised her
profile to a level that meant the authorities considered
her position as threatening. It is true that a greater number of foreign visitors have been making the trip to the remote region to see the collection, but is difficult to see
how this has really had anything to do with the growing
separatist movement in the region or with any subversive
or suspicious tactics against the authorities. Babanazarova is the daughter of the first president of Karakalpakstan, and her dedication over so many years suggests to us
that she has only had the best for the collection at heart.
This magazine has interviewed her and published reviews of her books and the museum and wholeheartedly
appeals to the Uzbek authorities to explain their actions
fully and, if no evidence is presented, to apologise, re-instate Babanazarova and redouble their efforts to safeguard and promote this wonderful collection of works
in Nukus.
Known in international art circles as the “Louvre
of the Steppes”, the Karakalpakstan State Museum
of Art houses the unique collection of Igor Savitsky, who
rescued over 90,000 works of art that were threatened
with destruction by Soviet censors. Squirreled away
in the remote capital of Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan
region, Nukus, for years they attracted little attention.
Before Savitsky’s death in 1984 he entrusted the collection
to Babanazarova, and she has both guarded and publicized
the bequest to the people of Karakalpakstan ever since.
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Enjoy the issue.
Yours,
Nick Rowan
Editor-in-Chief
3
interview
Fulfilling Kazakhstan’s
Expo 2017 Promise
Interview with the First Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Rapil Zhoshybayev
Although for many the thought of the year 2017
is far away in the distance, for Kazakhstan the hosting of Expo 2017 heralds its first major global event
that will be held on its territory as a showcase for more
than just politicians or businesses. The Expo marks
a turning point in Kazakhstan’s nascent history
as a state and with the First Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Rapil Zhoshybayev, visiting London to promote the event, OCA caught up with him on progress.
OCA: How are preparations for Expo 2017 going?
R.Z.: So far so good. Presentations have been held
in Austria, Germany and London. I just came back
from Spain where about 60 leading companies showed
the interest and we made presentations for them.
There is a large interest in our country. We are gradually getting everything in place to host this exhibition.
OCA: How do you assess the level of interest in this
event?
R.Z.: The response is very positive. At the moment we
have more extensive work to do; we are engaging business partners and tourism organisations. We are presenting our country to the world. In particular, our
scientific and technological centre “Parasat”, is looking for their partners and planning to hold a major
international conference on the subject of “Energy for the future and the usage of alternative energy
sources” in 2016. The scientists who work in this direction will be able to find their partners. They also will
go to Cambridge, to Silicon Valley in California, to Singapore, and other places where scientists are working
on the real energy of the future. Under the banner
of energy of the future, I mean alternative sources
of energy - a source of water, earth, wind, all those
sources that can replace our traditional ones.
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OCA: You are heavily involved in the promotion
of Expo 2017. Many have criticised these exhibitions
as being too expensive for the return they provide.
How and why do you think Kazakhstan’s hosting
of the event will be different and really provide a lasting legacy for the country?
R.Z.: If you look at the development of our country since independence, you will see how progressive
it was in terms of international initiatives. At the presentation in London, it was shown how much the republic is ready to host such kind of events, including
major sporting events, the OSCE Summit, Astana Economic Forum, the Asian Games; we even competed
for holding the Olympic Games. It shows the growth
of the Republic.
We expect 85% of visitors from Kazakhstan, the remaining 15% will be not only from neighboring countries but we expect strong interest from the Chinese
People’s Republic, the Russian Federation, Central
Asian countries, and of course the countries where
we are connected by air travel. Recently the president
announced his open sky policy. We keep not just national carriers, but all the airlines companies that
have interest. For example: Austria, United Kingdom,
and we already have opened a direct flight to Paris. I
have been to Madrid lately and they are interested
as well. It gives us a great economic impact. Today we
have a visa-free regime for many countries. This is a big
plus for the development of tourism and the investment climate. The same applies to the United Kingdom. Thanks to this initiative, London is the number one city attracting tourists. At the moment, a lot
of students want to participate in the exhibition. Elderly people from the country-side write letters, that
they want to participate as well. And this is very good.
There are certainly skeptics, but every event has them.
I think with such interest and a positive attitude
to the event, it will be successful.
OCA: Kazakhstan is emerging as a leader among Central Asia in terms of foreign policy. How would you describe the strategy and aims of Kazakhstan in bringing
the region more onto the world stage without making
your neighbours feel left out?
R.Z.:
Our neighbours understand that this kind
of exhibition is being held in a post-Soviet country
for the first time. When I visited these countries, they
showed a great interest, and congratulated Kazakhstan. Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, all these
countries expressed a desire to participate in our exhibition. Many countries take pavilions of 1000 sq.m.
This is the maximum that we provide. As a neighbour
we provide support to them. As for international initiatives, we approved the creation of official devel-
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opment assistance; through it we use the financial
resources of the European Union, the United Nations
and use it for help in tragic situations, or in the field
of education and culture. We created this organisation under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it is also
helping our neighbours: Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan etc.
This is another step towards rapprochement.
OCA: How do you see the development of bilateral
relations between the UK and Kazakhstan growing
over the coming years and what are the key objectives
of these?
R.Z.:
The current relationship with Britain
is very positive. This is indicated by the mutual visits
of the heads of our countries. The state visit of the British Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron to Kazakhstan
in 2013 became a landmark event that activated economic relations between the two countries. During
the visit of Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Mr. Karim
Massimov to London this February, key bilateral economic institutions – the British Chamber of Commerce in Astana and the Business Council between
“Samruk-Kazyna” NWF and the UK Agency for Trade
and Investment started their work. We are looking forward to the official visit of President of Kazakhstan Mr.
Nursultan Nazarbayev to London this November. This
will become President Nazarbayev’s first official visit
to a Western country after his re-election and as head
of a member state for the World Trade Organisation.
Kazakhstan has always tried to fulfill all the points
in the legal economic sector. There was never a big
problem. Expo-2017 is a step forward for the development of economic relations between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom. There is a decision
of the Head of State to turn the whole exhibition
territory after Expo into an international financial
centre, using the example of Dubai’s financial centre. There are English rules and laws. They register
100% of foreign companies, banks, financial institutions. With the implementation of the Dubai centre
the economic development rose by 12%. We also want
our country to be developed. Here there are certainly
great opportunities for Britain’s companies. This special area, with its own law and visa regime, will allow
business to be conducted more quickly and efficiently.
Kazakhs are a people striving for the best, so I think we
can afford it.
mfa.kz
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kazakhstan
Yuri Bekker
Astronauts Return as Heroes
from Orbital Watch
On 12th September 2015, the “Soyuz TMA-16M” capsule landed back in Kazakhstan. There were 3
astronauts on board: a new space record-holder Gennady Padalka (Roscosmos), the first astronaut
of independent Kazakhstan Aydin Aimbetova and the first Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen.
The crew of “Soyuz TMA - 16M” were taken to the Astana International Airport by helicopter,
where the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbaev, personally met the astronauts
and congratulated them on their successful landing.
The occasion marks a proud moment for the Kazakh people in celebrating their compatriot. The first
cosmonaut of independent Kazakhstan, Aydin Aimbetov, went into space on the “Soyuz TMA-18M”
spaceship on 2nd September 2015. On 4th of September the “Soyuz” docked with the International
Space Station automatically.
Astana Hosts 2015 Charity Marathon
On 13th September 2015, the British Kazakh Society organised a charity marathon in Astana.
The event was held with the support of the Rotary club of Astana.
“BKS Air Astana Marathon 2015” was attended by over 500 athletes, more than 100 of which
were foreign athletes from 18 countries. Participating in the event were both the Prime Minister
of Kazakhstan, Karim Massimov, and the Mayor of Astana, Adilbek Dzhaksybekov, demonstrating
the importance of the event.
Participants had to pay for their place to run and all the money collected is to be allocated
to projects of the Foundation “AYALA”. The British-Kazakh Society (BKS) has been organising such
events for several years in both Almaty and London. This was, however, the first marathon held
in Astana. The Marathon consisted of four distances: 5 km and 10 km, 21 km and 97.5 km.
Nursultan Nazarbaev noted that despite the large investments in the astronauts flight, he
is confident that this will have a positive impact on the development of the space exploration
programme.
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interview
What’s Behind the Berkeley Group’s
Property Success?
An Interview with Berkeley Group’s
Russia and CIS sales director, Stuart Leslie
With a varied career spanning from hospitality and hotels to the food industry and
property, Stuart Leslie currently heads up the Berkeley Group’s Russia and CIS sales
desk. His passion for customer service fits well with the “timeless” industries he has
worked in and this is what thrills him about the part of the property business he is now
involved with. It Is no secret that the UK has an obsession with property and Berkeley
has played a role in satisfying the unending demand for new, high quality properties, so
Open Central Asia magazine caught up with Stuart to find out more.
Open Central Asia: Berkeley has been particularly successful through the market peaks
and troughs, not posting a loss since it was listed on the LSE in 1984, what do you
attribute this resilience to?
Stuart Leslie: We stick to what we know. We buy the best land, employ the best teams
and deliver world-class projects. The business is driven by determination and dedication
to our core values of looking after our customers, building a sustainable business,
delivering fantastic homes and ensuring that our workforce is constantly up-skilling and
we find new technology to improve our construction standards.
OCA: You head up the Russia Sales desk for Berkeley Group. What are foreign property
purchasers from Russia and Central Asia looking for when investing in or buying property
in the UK? Is London the only hotspot right now?
SL: I have heard that New York, Paris, Miami and Hong Kong are also good markets
but London is something special. Investors are looking for a safe place to invest where
they will get good return on investment but more importantly the political, social and
economic indicators suggest that it is a stable and safe investment for the foreseeable
future with prime central London outperforming every commodity and financial
investment vehicle since Berkeley Group began. Of course it is all about getting a good
return on investment and we have demonstrated time and time again that London is not
only a sustainable market, but it is so rich in culture, theatre, museums, schools and so
much more. London is a world-class destination and we simply cannot build properties
fast enough to keep up with demand.
financial capital, which continues
to drive demand and opportunity
in London.
OCA: Is there space in the Central
Asian housing market for a
company like Berkeley to expand
and grow into? If so, why and if
not, why not?
SL: We really do not have any
interest in developing anywhere
other than the UK. One of our
major strengths is as a business
is that we stick to what we know.
We established the Russian and
CIS desk to service existing clients
and interest from the region and
that is what we continue to do.
We do not see the market as
opportunistic and we simply look
to take care of our clients as we
always do.
OCA: People in the UK are happy
to borrow money to buy their
houses (in fact it is a national
obsession) but in Central Asia
people tend to save up first. How
can sustainable and long-term
house building work with such a
different approach?
SL: We see the London residential housing market as a good opportunity for buying a
house, investing and having second home and it doesn’t matter whether you buy with
a mortgage or cash. We build on the best land possible and we build great projects.
Whether our clients buy with cash or a mortgage, they have enjoyed a good performance
of capital growth and good serviceability of the rental market, which has made it a good
investment. We see the market as a long-term opportunity and look forward to sustained
growth and future development opportunities.
OCA: It is said that people from economies undergoing turmoil (such as Greece and
Russia) are putting their money into safe havens like the UK property market and that
this is driving up prices making it unaffordable for locals. Do you agree and what are
Berkeley doing to tackle this perception or reality?
SL: People don’t just buy here because it has demonstrated great long-term capital
growth or because of London’s great cultural wisdom, there are some of the best
schools in the world, we have fantastic museums and theatres and we also have the
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During the summit, chairmanship was handed over
from Turkey to Kazakhstan.
The heads of member states have approved the report
of the Secretary-General of the Turkic Council about
its activity in the past year. There was also an agreement signed for the emplacement of the Deputy Secretary General of Turkic Council and President of the
Turkish culture and heritage.
The heads of delegations have resumed the activities
of the past period and set up perspectives and ways of
future development for further strengthening cooperation in economic, cultural, educational, scientific,
touristic and information fields. Much attention was
paid to the issue of further institutional strengthening
of the Turkic world and its role in regional and international security.
The conference, devoted to the 550th anniversary of
the Kazakh Khanate, was held as a part of the Summit
of the Turkic Council. The conference was opened by
the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, in attendance of the Heads of States
of the Turkic Council. The opening ceremony was held
at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace, where Nursultan
Nazarbaev made the welcome speech.
Astana Hosts the Fifth Summit
of the Turkic Council
On 11th September 2015 Astana hosted the Fifth Summit of the Turkic Council. This was the
second summit held in Kazakhstan and the fifth anniversary of the Summit.
The Summit of the Turkic Council is a unique event that brings together countries with a
long history, which have common Turkic roots. The main purpose of the event is the development of comprehensive cooperation between Member States. The Cooperation Council
of Turkic Speaking States was established with the signing of the Nakhchivan Agreement
of 3rd October 2009, and the first summit was held on 20th – 21st October 2011 in Almaty.
The President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev
called the Fifth Summit of the Turkic Council “an
important step towards the integration of the Turkic
world”. The Head of State stressed the need to accelerate the adoption of the concept of integration of the
Turkic world as proposed by the Turkic Academy.
The President of Kazakhstan noted that obtaining future observer status at the UN and OIC by the Turkic
Council will greatly help to meet the common interests of member states.
The participants of the summit came to a decision
that the Sixth Summit of the Cooperation Council of
Turkic-speaking states will be held in 2016 in Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan) and will be devoted to the subject of “National Sport”.
The Fifth Summit was attended by the heads of states Ilham Aliyev (Azerbaijan), Almazbek
Atambayev (Kyrgyzstan) and by the head of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Ismet
Yilmaz. The Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan Sapardurdy Toylyev also participated as
a guest host.
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The summit was also attended by the General Secretaries of the Turkic Council, TURKPA,
TURKSOY and by the presidents of the International Turkic Academy and the Foundation of
Turkic culture and heritage.
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13/06/2015
interview
Time to Try Again:
Is a second attempt at a
closer Central Asia possible?
Interview with Dr. Farkhod Tolipov
Dr. Farkhod Tolipov is a prominent Central Asian scholar. He
taught at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy
and the National University of Uzbekistan. He was a visiting
Fellow at the NATO Defense College, Harvard University and
lectured in leading Western academia and international
think-tanks including the University of Georgia in Athens, the
George Marshall European Center for Security Studies and the
Geneva Center for Security Policy.
FT: Given the very specific history of the region and
contemporary geopolitical realities, integration
may not necessarily take a form of sequence of
cooperation fields with a spillover from one field
into another; it can start with any possible sphere
including cultural cooperation. At the same time, I
would give more priority to the security sphere.
OCA: What do you think is the main problem
about political integration in Central Asia?
FT: There are at least two main problems of
political integration, to my mind. They are, first,
the vulnerability of all Central Asian countries to
geopolitical trends, and second, the obsession of all
Central Asian states’ leaders with nationalism and
sovereignty. The first problem creates impediments
for integration from outside the region; the second
one erodes it from the inside.
OCA: Given the diverse economic levels of
Central Asian countries, where could the actual
integration begin?
FT: As I mentioned before, integration can begin
in any sphere. But when it comes to the economic
realm, I would give priority to joint functional
projects on transport, trade, energy and food.
In the 1990s when the integration process was
proceeding rapidly and successfully, the countries
of the region really comprehended the potential in
common economic activity and decided to set up
joint consortiums in the field of energy, food and
transport as well as announcing the creation of a
common economic space. Moreover, I do not share
the perception about the diverse economic levels
of Central Asian countries. The European countries
also have diverse economic levels but managed to
integrate into the Union.
OCA: Would you agree with the statement
that some make, saying that without a large
scale war there can be no significant basis for
integration?
FT: Of course, not! Let me remind you that the
successful advancement of the integration process
in the 1990s until 2005 was due to its natural and
historically predetermined character. Yes, it wasn’t
free from tensions and mutual mistrust, but Central
Asians managed to establish relevant institutions to
resolve/prevent possible conflicts. The integration
was interrupted only due to an exacerbation of
the geopolitical environment. So, I would say I
disagree that without a large scale war there can be
no significant basis for integration. I would rather
argue that without a large scale integration there
could actually be a basis for a war or a conflict.
OCA: People nowadays do not talk much about
Central Asia’s own unique integration, but
there are reports of a Eurasian Economic
Union, which includes Russia. Is Central Asian
integration possible without Russian involvement?
Dr. Tolipov’s expertise lies within international relations
and regional integration in Central Asia, geopolitics and
international security studies. His work includes numerous
articles on Central Asian topics in leading scientific journals.
Dr. Tolipov is also the author of “Grand Strategy of Uzbekistan
in the Context of Geopolitical and Ideological Transformation
of Central Asia”.
Currently, Dr. Tolipov heads a non-governmental Research
and Education Institution “Knowledge Caravan” in Tashkent.
Open Central Asia went to meet him.
OCA: Why do you think Central Asia could be a successful integration project?
Dr. Farkhad Tolipov: For a number of reasons: first, it was launched in December
1991 as an immediate, relevant and natural response by five Central Asian states to
the abolishment of the Soviet Union and creation of the CIS, reflecting therefore a preexisting and frozen regional community. Second, the post-Soviet period has already
registered an impressive record of successful integration, which lasted from 1991 till
2005 when it was again frozen artificially. Third, nowadays we observe the revitalisation
of the integration idea, now on the public level, the process that displays the great
hidden potential of those who can be called the bearers of the integration value.
OCA: Do you think integration should start economically first followed by a
spillover into other fields of cooperation? Could there be other fields to start
with?
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FT: Yes, it is possible. It deserves mentioning
that it is just Russia’s involvement/membership
in the Central Asian Cooperation Organization
(CACO) in 2004 which finally led to the complete
abolishment of the CACO and its merger with the
then Euro-Asian Economic Community (EAEC)
under the false pretext that these two organisations
duplicated each other. Central Asian integration
has always been underway of its own accord and is
unique. The artificial acceleration of the Eurasian
Economic Union (EEU) by Russia and Kazakhstan’s,
Kyrgyzstan’s and possibly Tajikistan’s membership
in the EEU can further deform and strain the
natural Central Asian community.
OCA: What is, in your view, the most important
security threat for Central Asian countries?
FT: The most important security threat for Central
Asian countries is hidden in the scenario of further
fragmentation of their region and its falling into
the sphere of exclusive dominance of one great
power. These countries are obsessed with what
they call national interests without defining those
interests precisely. The result is that their “interests”
lead them to one or another form of extra-regional
dependence from a great power and to one or
another form of intra-regional “independence”
from each other.
OCA: Where do you think successful integration
begins? Is this always a top-down initiative?
FT: Theoretically, it is both a top-down and
a bottom-up process. In Central Asia it was
predominantly, so to speak, a state-run process. The
remarkable success of the European integration
was to a great extent due to the essential civic
inputs in the process. In Central Asia the topdown process must be complemented by the civil
society’s activism towards integration. I think
now when over a quarter century passed since
gaining independence, it is time to bring the idea of
regional unification to the public, in all five Central
Asian countries. To begin with, experts and public
activists as well as politicians, might raise this topic
in front of the wider audience and start discussions
on integration.
OCA: Do personalities play roles in successful
integration projects?
FT: Definitely. Let’s again recall European
personalities such as Charles de Gaulle, Konrad
Adenauer, Winston Churchill, Jean Monet, and many
others at the onset of the European integration,
let alone subsequent and contemporary leaders.
Central Asia is not an exception in this respect and
much depends on personalities. Today many point
out to the leaders of states of Central Asia to say
that they mistrust each other and are, therefore,
the main barriers for integration. This is true, but
let’s not forget that it is the same leaders (especially
the two veterans – Islam Karimov and Nursultan
Nazarbaev) that first proclaimed regional
integration in 1991. Today, new leaders and activists
are needed to pick up the project and follow on the
integration way.
OCA: Could integration be beneficial for some
but highly costly to others?
FT: Integration by definition should be beneficial
for all participating countries. It is always a
voluntary choice of participating states based on
strong assessment of all pros and cons. However,
the benefits of integration should not be considered
only in the economic realm; it has at the same
time a strategic and a normative dimension. While
it cannot be always a smooth process free from
impediments, the long-term vision of benefits
should prevail over short-term costs calculations.
OCA: Would you agree that there is a need in
a major external funding for the project? Do
you think there are parties interested in a
“Marshall Plan” for Central Asia? Will it not be
a very expensive enterprise?
FT: I absolutely agree. Time and again, the European
model could be recalled. The European integration
started with the Marshall Plan. The similar impetus
might be given to the Central Asian integration. At
the same time, the “Marshall Plan” for Central Asia
can be, let’s say, multilateral: it can be not simply USled or US-initiated, but should be inclusive in terms
of contribution to this mega-project from great
powers and international organizations interested
in supporting it. The UN, OSCE, NATO, World Bank,
EBRD, ADB, United States, European Union, Japan,
Turkey, India, China can be parties of this “Marshall
Plan”. When it comes to Russia, the current
political regime in Moscow is not interested in the
unification of Central Asia without Russia and, as
we know, it spurs a Eurasian model which will be
detrimental to the Central Asian model. The most
interesting and important aspect of this question is
that the European Union, erstwhile recipient of the
Marshall Plan assistance package from the United
States, can provide its own Marshall Plan jointly
with above mentioned stakeholders to Central Asia.
THE KASHMIR SONG
by Sharaf Rashidov
Translation: Alexey Ulko
Editor: Robin Thomson
“Romantic novel «Kashmir Song» (1956) by
Sharaf Rashidov reflects the struggle for liberation
of the Indian people,” says a brief encyclopedic
definition of «Kashmir Song», coming from the
Soviet era. It does not correspond, however, to
either the content or genre of the work, which
in reality is a deeply dramatic, oriental-stilted
and sophisticated narration of the legend of the
traditional Kashmiri cyclical change of seasons
and the annual triumph of the forces of life over
the forces of decay and death. This is a story of
all-conquering love between the king of bees,
Bamburi, and a spring daffodil, which was the
perfect embodiment of Nargis, surrounded by
other equally beautiful and cheerful colours.
Their antagonists are severe winter storms and the
mysterious, death carrying Horud, which falls on
the blooming valley with all its rage and strength,
but in the end gets defeated and retreats, not being
able to break the love and life-affirming force that
carry the flower, bees, trees and the sun that shines
on the valley.
ISBN: 978-0-9930444-2-7
Zaynab Dost
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17
action
An EASST grant and mentoring has made possible
the establishment of the first road safety NGO in the
Republic of Kyrgyzstan. The organisation called ‘Road
Safety’ has been appointed to the new government
Road Safety Commission chaired by the Deputy Prime
Minister and is successfully promoting road safety
in cooperation with schools, universities, the traffic
police, government ministries and international
organisations. Recognised for their expertise, EASST
partners from Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia,
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have been selected for
a major EU project working across ten ‘Silk Road’
countries to promote best practice and raise awareness.
Removing the Roadblocks to Safety
Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport in Central Asia
If you would like to know more about how EASST is
promoting safe travel in the region please contact
Julie@easst.co.uk and visit our website
www.easst.co.uk
Members of the EASST team including its patron Lord Robertson and celebrity ambassador Nikki support
the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety
Every six seconds someone is killed or seriously
injured on the world’s roads. Road traffic collisions
account for 1.3 million deaths annually and by 2030
are forecast to be the fifth leading cause of death
globally at 2.4 million fatalities a year unless measures
are taken. Over the last two decades, EASST’s founder,
Emma MacLennan, has been a regular visitor to the
beautiful and diverse region of Central Asia and its
neighbouring countries – building a vast network
of friends and professionals spanning from the west
of Ukraine through to the bustling hub of the South
Caucasus and extending as far as the eastern reaches
of Siberia. As a result of her extensive travel, Emma felt
that much more could be done to make transportation
in the region safer, particularly regarding the high risk
of road traffic collision and the dangers to pedestrians
and children.
Keen to halt the trend of rising road fatalities in the
region, Emma decided to take action to make road
travel safer and in 2009 established the UK charity
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Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport. As
a result of her efforts, a vibrant and effective network
of road safety NGOs and activists has been developed
which has been highly successful in implementing an
array of legislative reforms to improve road safety and
has resulted in this vital issue becoming an increasing
focus for governments and members of the public.
The key to many of EASST’s successful activities is the
forging of effective partnerships – locally, regionally
and internationally – by uniting organisations,
individuals and expertise across sectors to work
towards the shared goal of casualty reduction and
reducing road risk. An example of this is EASST’s
‘Safe Villages’ campaign in Azerbaijan. Following
the success of this project in Ukraine, EASST and
its local partner in Baku – the Hayat International
Humanitarian Organization – developed a similar
project along the regional roads of Azerbaijan
funded by the European Bank of Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD). This coalition of non-profit and
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private sector organisations worked together to raise
public awareness of road safety along certain regional
roads identified for reconstruction by the EBRD. The
campaign covered the Agjabadi, Barda, Beylagan,
Bilasuvar and Imishli regions and focused specifically
on the R18 and R42 roads. Road safety training and
events for villagers were held and booklets, highvisibility materials such as reflective jackets, and
reflective belts for farm animals were distributed
among villagers with the aim to keep them visible and
therefore safer.
Similar work is being conducted in Tajikistan where
EASST funding of its new local partner ‘Young
Generation Tajikistan’ has enabled the training of
young road safety advocates in Dushanbe focussing
on 5 at-risk schools. This has increased awareness
among children of the rules of the road by 14% during
2014-15 in the city’s Firdavsi district, the area with the
highest road risk for young people. Early results show
a decrease in the number of road injuries for the under
16s living in Firdavsi by 17 cases during Jan-March
2015 compared with the same quarter in 2014.
EASST’s work in Tajikistan focuses too on the response
to road traffic collisions and other emergencies, not
purely the prevention of such incidents. EASST is a
founding member of FIRE AID (www.fire-aid.org) – an
association of UK organisations who deliver fire and
rescue aid to communities lacking emergency rescue
equipment, particularly tools to respond to road
traffic collisions. In Tajikistan, EASST is part of the
team working with the emergency services to improve
their rescue capacity to respond to emergencies.
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THE GODS OF THE MIDDLE WORLD
by Galina Dolgaya
The Gods of the Middle World tells the story of Sima, a
student of archaeology for whom the old lore and ways
of the Central Asian steppe peoples are as vivid as the
present. When she joins a group of archaeologists in
southern Kazakhstan, asking all the time whether it is
really possible to ‘commune with the spirits’, she soon
discovers the answer first hand, setting in motion events
in the spirit world that have been frozen for centuries.
With a lifetime of first-hand knowledge of the region
in which the story is set, Galina Dolgaya has published
a number of novels and poems in Russian. The Gods
of the Middle World won first prize at the 2012 Open
Central Asia Literature Festival and is her first work to
be published in English.
ISBN: 978-09574807-9-7
Available on Amazon, Amazon Kindle
www.discovery-bookshop.com
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environment
Water For Life:
accordance with the General Assembly Resolution and
provided an effective platform for comprehensive discussion of the implementation of the main goals of the
Decade. The Government of Tajikistan has organised
the Conference in close cooperation with the United Nations and other development partners. The Dushanbe
Declaration has become an outcome of the Conference,
reflecting the key points of the discussions and a number of
important conclusions and recommendations. The Conference also supported the new initiative of the President of the
Republic of Tajikistan on the announcement of a new International Decade «Water for Sustainable Development». The
Government of Tajikistan will submit the Dushanbe Declaration to the UN General Assembly at its 70th session.
Outcomes of the International
Water Conference Held in Tajikistan
On June 25th the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in London conducted a round table discussion
devoted to outcomes of the High-Level International
Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, which was
held in Dushanbe from June 9th to 11th.
The round table was attended by the representatives
of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, representatives of the embassies, which are accredited in London, mass media, experts and specialists from leading
organisations in the UK which deal with the related
theme.
Ambassador of Tajikistan to the United Kingdom H.E.
Mr. Erkin Kasymov informed the participants of the
main results of the conference, the provisions of the
Dushanbe Declaration adopted at the conference, and
the proposal of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan on announcing the new international decade for
Action “Water for Sustainable Development”. The high
level of international participation at the conference
was emphasised, which was attended by the official
high-level delegations from about 50 countries and
international organisations. UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-Moon personally took part in the conference.
In the course of the round table, the Second Secretary
of the Embassy Mr. Asliddin Rakhmatov acquainted
the participants with the presentation of global water
initiatives of Tajikistan. It was noted that Tajikistan is
one of the leading centers of “water diplomacy” in the
world where in recent years a number of major inter-
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national events of water related issues were held with
the support from the United Nations. In addition to
the international initiatives of Tajikistan the participants were also provided with the information on the
role of the country in the regional cooperation relating to the preservation of water resources and the environment in the Central Asian region.
Mr. Richard Taylor, the Executive Director of the International Hydropower Association, made a presentation on the impacts of climate change on sustainable
development. Mr. Taylor presented an analysis of the
impact of climate change on the conservation of water resources required for the electric energy generated by the hydro power plants in the world. Taking into
account the huge potential of Tajikistan in hydropower development, the important role of the country in
providing the region with clean and cheap energy in
future was emphasised.
Upon completion of the presentations the participants of the round table discussion exchanged opinions on the above subjects related to the conference.
The participants highly appreciated the Conference
organisation. In particular, Craig Fulton, Deputy Head
of Eastern Europe & Central Asia Directorate, Foreign
and Commonwealth Office who personally participated in the conference, noted with satisfaction the high
level preparation and organisation of the conference.
The High-Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action
«Water for Life», 2005 -2015 was held in Dushanbe in
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Asliddin Rahmatov
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OCA archive
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SAVITSKY: AN IMPROBABLE MUSEUM
Evening at Koy-Krygan. Only the corner of the fortress with walls is portrayed,
as if hanging over the sea of sand. Long shadows and, in particular, the golden,
shining color of the sunset, presages imminent dusk. One can almost feel the
silence that is characteristic of these places
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23
message
One of the world’s greatest collections of Russian
avant-garde art is housed in an unlikely place: the
remote city of Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan
– a depressed and desolate area, including the now
dried-up Aral sea, that is in the westernmost part of
Uzbekistan.
​ he Savitsky Karakalpakstan art museum holds about
T
90,000 artworks, paintings from the 1920s and 1930s
along with archaeological finds and examples of
Karakalpak folk art. Since the death of its founder
Igor Savitsky in 1984, its director has been Marinika
Babanazarova, a woman of extraordinary dedication.
​Babanazarova has recently been fired from the museum
and accused of stealing its treasures; there is no doubt
that these charges are false. There are probably several
different reasons why vested interests might wish to
remove Babanazarova. She has, no doubt, created
enemies by her persistent refusal of the many offers,
from businessmen and art collectors, from all over
the world, to buy individual items. And her success in
promoting the Savitsky Museum has evoked jealousy;
it is likely that many important people would like to
see all or part of the Savitsky collection relocated to
Tashkent, the Uzbek capital.
24
​ ore generally, the Karakalpaks are a minority within
M
Uzbekistan. The Uzbek authorities, paranoid about
the possibility of unrest, tend to resist any initiative
that focusses attention on the region. Sue Richardson,
co-author, with her husband David, of a recent book
about the region, writes, “The Uzbek authorities do
not like to see attention focussed on the Karakalpaks,
as we know to our cost – we were not granted a visa
to return once they knew we were writing a book
celebrating Karakalpak art and culture.”
The history of the Savitsky museum is itself the stuff
of legend. After visiting the region in the 1950s, as an
artist accompanying an archaeological expedition,
Igor Savitsky left his flat in a fashionable district of
Moscow and settled in Nukus. There he obtained
permission to set up a museum of Karakalpak popular
art: jewellery, carpets, musical instruments, yurt
furnishings and camel trappings. Sometimes he found
bits of precious carpet being used to block sluices in
irrigation canals.
​
Later he began to collect the work of 20th century
Uzbek artists and of Russian artists who had settled
in Central Asia and in 1966 he established a Fine Arts
Museum. Most remarkably of all, he went regularly
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to Moscow and Leningrad, visiting the heirs of avantgarde artists from the 1920s and 30s and acquiring a
huge collection of still-banned work. He would travel
back to Nukus – a three day train journey – with
enough paintings to fill two or three compartments.
Only because Nukus was so far from the centres of
power was he able to do this. Many works were donated
to the museum, but his purchases were funded by the
Karakalpak and Uzbek governments, which had little
understanding of what he was doing with their money.
Savitsky was, evidently, endowed with unusual powers
of persuasion.
When I visited Nukus in 2004, the energy and
intelligence of the staff was almost as striking as the
collection itself. Aigul, who showed me the Karakalpak
folk art, had first worked there as a cleaner. While
doing her work, she would listen to Savitsky speaking
to visitors about the paintings. Inspired by this, she
went on to study, with his encouragement, for three
degrees. It is no surprise to me that the museum’s
staff, at considerable risk to themselves, have signed a
collective letter in support of Babanazarova.
Without a director of Babanazarova’s integrity and
dedication, the Savitsky Museum is certain, one way
or another, to be downgraded. This would be tragic
- for the culture and economy of Karapalkakstan and
for lovers of art worldwide. Babanazarova has been
dismissed at an important time. Next year will mark
the 50th anniversary of the Museum’s foundation in
1966. More immediately, August 4 was the centenary
of Igor Savitsky’s birth. The official celebration of this
anniversary took place in Nukus on September 4, in
the absence of Babanazorova. Babanazarova was, of
course, more conspicuous by her absence than she
would have been through her presence. Not once in
the course of ceremonies lasting several hours was
her name even mentioned. The US and French both
boycotted the celebrations and posted statements of
support for Babanazarova on their websites.
It can only be hoped that Bahodir Ahmedov, the Uzbek Minister of Culture and Sports, will realise that
the high international reputation of the Savitsky Museum brings credit not only to Babanazarova and her
staff but also to the Uzbek government, which, despite
the country’s economic difficulties, has continued to
fund the museum, enabling them both to increase
their exhibition space and to carry out crucial re-
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25
message
search and restoration work. By attracting tourists to
Karakalpakstan, the museum also helps to ensure the
region’s peace and prosperity.
“Homage to Savitsky: Collecting 20th-Century Russian
and Uzbek Art”, was published earlier this year by
Arnoldsche Art Publishers, with the help of The
Friends of the Nukus Museum. The original Russian
version was published in 2011 by the Galeyev Gallery.
Robert Chandler’s translations from Russian include
Vasily Grossman’s Life and Fate and Hamid Ismailov’s
novel The Railway, set in Central Asia. He has compiled
three anthologies for Penguin Classics: of Russian
short stories, of Russian magic tales and, most recently,
(with Boris Dralyuk and Irina Mashinski), The Penguin
Book of Russian Poetry. He published a longer article
about this wonderful museum in the Times Literary
Supplement on 26 Nov 2004. A shorter article by him
about the current controversy can be found on the
Guardian website: http://tinyurl.com/pncnb7c
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This petition was inititated by the art historians
Nicoletta Misler and John Bowlt, two of the most
prominent western experts on Soviet art:
http://tinyurl.com/pqfa52u
And here is the website
for the Friends of the Nukus Museum:
http://www.savitskycollection.org/friends.html
If you can access the archive of the TLS archive
(you have to be a subscriber), I published a long
article about this wonderful museum on 26 Nov 2004:
http://tinyurl.com/oydr9zl
Or one can write to the Minister of Culture and Sport:
Bahodir Madjitovich Ahmedov
minister@mcs.uz
700129, Узбекистан, г.Ташкент, ул. Навои, 30
700129, Uzbekistan, Tashkent, 30. Navoi Street
Robert Chandler
www.ocamagazine.com
Museum Archive
Unnoticed by the international art world until recently, the Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art
- located in Nukus, Uzbekistan - houses the second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art
in the world (after the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg). This extraordinary museum is the life’s
work of Igor Vitalievich Savitsky, a Russian painter born in Kiev who first visited Karakalpakstan
in 1950 as a member of the famous Khorezm Archeological & Ethnographic Expedition led by
Sergei Tolstov. Subsequently, having moved from Moscow to Nukus, Savitsky began collecting
the works of the Russian avant-garde - including of such well-known names as Falk, Mukhina,
Koudriachov, Popova, and Redko - whose paintings were banned during Stalin’s rule and through
the 1960s because they did not conform to the officially prescribed Soviet ‘socialist realism’
school of art. The current English language publication, already issued in Russian in 2011, helps
make the Savitsky Collection accessible to a broad international audience for the first time.
RRP: £35.00
Available on Amazon Now!
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story
Olympic Memories:
Kazakhstan’s London Olympic Volunteers
Preparations
The Olympics are truly massive and the largest sporting
event in the world. In the London Olympics volunteers
took on many functions from showing people to their
seats, acting as guides, as drivers, as first-aid helpers,
and assisting the athletes and their delegations. In
London there were a total of 204 Olympic and 170
Paralympic delegations. The smallest size delegation
had only four people and the biggest had almost 800.
That meant a total of over 20,000 athletes and officials
to be assisted! Ability to drive, to speak different
languages, to commit time, and to use initiative and
common sense were all the skills required to fulfil the
“assistant” role.
Our journey as Olympic volunteers started back in 2010
when the London Organising Committee of Olympic
Games (LOCOG) opened the registration process for
potential volunteers around the country. Over the
next 2 years we were selected and trained for our jobs.
Out of 250,000 applications received, about 2,500
were selected to work directly with the delegations.
We underwent substantial training that lasted many
months and were fully prepared for our roles at the
Games time. It was an incredible opportunity to
meet interesting people and give something back
to the community while gaining invaluable skills,
experiences and memories to last a lifetime. We both
considered ourselves very fortunate to be selected to
work alongside the team of Kazakhstan.
Our training started with the heritage of the Games
and gave some insights into how actual working
days would look like with interviews with the
contractors, organisers, former Olympic champions
and experience from previous Games. We learned
the different components of the Games, and how we
should be looking after the athletes and the delegations.
Transport was provided between all Olympic venues,
so our job was limited to special missions to help the
Kazakhstan delegations. Above all, we were taught
that our job was to ensure the athletes performed to
the best of their abilities in their events.
With the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games coming up in 2016, we take a look back to the
Olympic Games which took place in London in 2012, and which were judged by many as the
most successful. Many people also said it was thanks to the thousands of volunteers. With the
Kazakhstan team at the Games supported by 7 volunteers, we tell the stories of 2 of them,
Alexandra Ivanova and Jeff Temple.
Alex is originally from Yakutsk, Russia, studied and worked in the United States for 12 years
and moved to London in 2008 where she works at a large Investment Management Company
as a fixed-income investment analyst overseeing institutional client portfolios. Jeff lived in
Shymkent from 2001 till 2009 where he was a manager in PetroKazakhstan, and now returns
to Shymkent to support new business.
Alex and Jeff now tell their story.
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During the games we were based in the Olympic village
– that was one of the greatest perks of the job! When
the Kazakh delegation arrived, the assistants were
to help with transportation, guiding the delegations
through the village, and making sure each and every
room was fully equipped. We learned that the Athlete’s
Village would be much like an independent residential
area with its own post office, hair dressers, jogging
area, restaurants, cafes, and its own emergency and
fire fleet, but above all was to be an area where the
athletes could relax, away from public attention, their
sanctuary. To give you one piece of information which
sums up the size of the Games - the main Olympic
dining hall is the largest on the planet, holding 5,000
seats and serving up to 60,000 meals a day.
The Delegations Arrive
Our first official shift as Olympic volunteers started
on Sunday, 15th July, two weeks before the start of the
Games, with the arrival of the first official members of
the Kazakhstan delegation. We met the representatives
at around 7pm, and helped them settle into their
residence. One of the tasks for us was to help out
with the inventory check-in where every room, piece
of furniture, key, bed, towel, even hanger, had to be
checked and signed off. That’s a lot of counting!
The delegations of athletes, trainers and officials
slowly started to arrive during the coming days, and
our lives built up into a hive of activity. Although most
athletes stayed in the Village, the Minister of Sport,
Mr. Talgat Yermigiyayev rented a private residence
near the Tower of London for the most gold-hopeful
athletes in weightlifting and their coaches, where they
had free accommodation and personal chefs cooking
special dietary meals for them. This included Zulfia
Chinshanlo, Maya Maneza, Svetlana Podobedova and
the legendary Ilya Ilyin. It was our job to drive these
legends to and from their house, and what an honour
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story
and a pleasure it was! We learned from these athletes the
science of weightlifting, and how to play strategically
with the starting weight to psychologically influence
the opponents. To spend time chatting with world
renowned athletes and who ultimately went on to win
gold medals makes all the work and effort we put in
worthwhile. Zulfia is a very young girl who seems to
not quite comprehend what an extraordinary athlete
she is. Alex remembers one journey when she needed
to have someone sit in the back of the 7-seater with all
the luggage one day, Zulfia quickly told her two lightweight weightlifter colleagues to play ‘rock, paper,
scissors’ to decide who will be lucky enough to ride
with all the bags. Also, living at a private residence, with
all its amenities, she longed to stay with other athletes
in the Olympic Village, and when finally she won her
gold-medal she was all smiles all the way to her new
accommodation where she could communicate with
other athletes and just experience dynamic life of the
Village.
The day before the Road Cycling competition, after
helping Alexander Vinokurov and his team-mate with
the set-up of the GPS, so they could head into the right
direction the next morning, Alex helped the coach
with fixing the bikes on the racks. At the technical
meeting, she also helped with translating the details of
the race, logistics, and timelines of the Road Race the
next day. On the way back she asked the head coach
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what were our chances of winning, and he confessed
that he considered Team GB as the main contender for
the gold, but said it all depended on what happened
on the day of the race. “The chances are there - it is
whether we will be able to use them or not.” Vinokurov
did use his chances, winning the first gold for the
Kazakhstan team on the first day of the Games.
From the very first days we were busy with our
translating tasks, doing the inventory check in,
accompanying the athletes and officials to the Rowing
Village, helping familiarise the athletes with the
Village, and ensuring that all the equipment was in the
right place at the right time, not always easy! Another
of the translating tasks was to help the sport officials
and coaches during their technical meeting which
took place a day before the actual competition. Jeff also
had to make sure that the correct flag was being used,
as well as the correct national anthem was played at
ceremonies. We had to help out the artistic gymnastics
coach with translation, helping find out which mats
the athletes could use for warming up, which training
hall apparatuses were available for competitors and
when they could use them. All these activities were
new to us volunteers, but with our training we felt we
had the required competence.
The Olympic spirit was present all around us, with
friendship and a shared feeling of camaraderie. To
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encourage the athletes to see other sports, each day
we applied for free tickets for the athletes to see sports
other than their own, and each day we passed these
tickets to the administrators for distribution.
After winning a Gold medal, it was again our turn to
pick up the gold medal winners from the anti-doping
tests, and to drive them with their entourage to the
Kazakhstan press centre. Alex and Jeff both had their
share of having Gold medallists sit in their cars!
The day of the closing ceremony was the greatest event
anticipated by the Kazakhstan delegation - the final
competition day in boxing. There were three medal
hopes in three difference weight categories. It was
one of the best days for the Kazakh team since they
won three medals, a bronze in Super heavy weight by
Ivan Dychko, a silver in light heavy weight by Adilbek
Niyazymbetov, and a gold in welter weight by Serik
Sapiev, who was also named the Best Technical Male
Boxer of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
first-hand. The whole experience was truly inspiring
and very emotional. The Kazakhstan delegation made
also very clear to all of us assistant volunteers that
we had played a part in their team’s very successful
performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games
and that we have also ‘won’ a part of their gold medals
along with them.
The last day of the Games, after the excitement of the
final medals, we had to assemble the athletes for the
closing ceremony. Once they had gone off to the stadium, we came back to an empty office space, and at that
moment, sitting in an empty room with only the TV
on, we suddenly realized it was all over. It was sadness
combined with physical exhaustion but with emotions of great accomplishment all bundled together.
Someone said after the Olympics: ‘tiredness passes but
memories last’. We were so grateful to the LOCOG for
giving us this unbelievable opportunity to be a part of
something great and everlasting, and to the Kazakhstan Olympic Team for allowing us to be a part of their
team’s greatest Olympic performance ever!
Alex and Jeff both think the best part of being a
volunteer was being able to see first-hand how worldclass athletes get ready for their competitions and
being able to share their joy in winning their events.
We were fortunate enough to be present at five
events where “our” athletes won gold medals, and we
witnessed world records being made by Zulya and Ilya
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By Jeff Temple
31
story
the extra one that’s usually served to help the steeping. He gives us a befuddled look, then hurries away.
My date slips me a devilish smile then slowly shuts her
eyes, letting the music slide over her as my arm slides
around her waist.
I scan the room while pouring us two cups. There’s
a pair of men to our left, three tables over. Hulking
shoulders and biceps that strain the fabric of their
fake designer blazers, and jaws much too square for
a joint like this. A vague tension permeates the way
they’re leaning back in their chairs, not to mention the
distinct lack of any kind of beverage on their table. No,
these gentlemen are not here because of their love of
jazz. Their gazes, steady and predatorial, are fixed on
Swerdlow.
A Sound Outlook on Life
As long as there is democracy,
there will be people wanting to play Jazz
It’s 11:30 PM, Bishkek. A muggy Thursday night in a
scorching hot August. The streets sing with this city’s
lullaby – the rattle of patched-together Soviet-era Ladas, the rumble of immense tractor trailers heavy with
cheap Chinese goods, and the hum of the glitterati’s
sleek Lexus SUVs.
The night breeze scratches my throat with the rockdust of the Alatoo mountains, which radiate a serene
menace under the stark moonlight. These nights,
though, there’s another sharp edge in the air.
Parliamentary elections are coming up. The government’s just cancelled a treaty with the Americans and
thrown the country’s fate in with the Russians, signing up for the new customs union. A hard roll of the
die, and the anxious silhouettes in the brightly-lit
windows of the new prime minister’s office know it.
Political gambling’s a dangerous addiction in a city
that likes its frustrations served like a shot of Bohemian-style absinthe – sweet and on fire.
I’m standing outside Studio 247 on Erkindik, waiting
for my date. We’re late for the show, which started half
32
an hour ago. The daughter of a painter from the southern countryside, she’s a born-and-raised city-girl who
still runs on Kyrgyz time. But when she finally arrives,
she doesn’t disappoint – wearing a short black dress
dotted by white grinning skulls, the girl’s a masterpiece. “Am I late?” she asks. I lie and say she’s right on
time.
Inside we’re greeted by dim lights, the soft murmur of
expats and locals huddled around tables, and the deft
melodies of the jazz band on the stage. I immediately
steal a glance at the small ensemble: Eldiyar Bakchiev
seems trancelike as he strums the strings of his contrabass, and Aziz Gapar pours the audience a smoky
12-year-old Lavagulin through his sax. Nourgiz Chekilova, her voice full and velvety, glistens like a shard of
moonlight. And just off to the side, grooving on the
electric piano, is Steve Swerdlow, the real reason I’m
here.
We take a seat at a table in the dead centre of the room.
The waiter, a nervous village boy with Russian worse
than mine, offers us an alcohol menu. We order a
chainik of green chai and three piyalas, not including
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The band is closing out a set with “On the Sunny Side of
the Street”, with Swerdlow giving his best Louis Armstrong. A surprisingly upbeat tune for this downbeat
city, but then, I’ve gathered that Swerdlow’s a surprisingly optimistic kind of guy – that is, despite his day
job as Human Rights Watch’s Central Asia Researcher.
University. While there, he volunteered with civil society organisations that were monitoring xenophobia
and ethnic discrimination against migrants. This was
when he began to learn about Central Asia, as many of
the migrants in that part of Russia came from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
An enthused round of applause and the band bows
out for a break. I catch Swerdlow’s eye just before he
descends from the stage. After a few pumping handshakes and thank-you-so-much-for-coming’s, he pulls
up a chair at our table. My date beams as I introduce
her, and while Swerdlow briefly chats her up, I take
the opportunity to glance over at his fans again. Sure
enough, their eyes are locked onto me with the eidetic gaze of a CCTV camera. Well, this is going to make
renewing my press accreditation with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs an interesting process.
By 2001, Swerdlow was studying international human rights, Central Asian languages, and Georgian at
Columbia University’s School of International Public
Affairs and the Harriman Institute. Along the way he
had managed stints in Ukraine and Russia working for
Project Harmony and the International Organization
for Migration (IOM).
As intended, my date’s charmed the heck out of Swerdlow. He pours himself a cup of tea and downs it with a
boyish shyness. “I focus mainly on Uzbekistan and...”
A pause, then an uncomfortable shift in his seat. “I’m
a Central Asia researcher. But I also consider myself a
human rights advocate.” Another pause. “And I’m also
a lawyer by training.”
“But you have this ‘other thing’ you do on the side...”
My date remarks with an exquisitely piqued eyebrow.
Swerdlow leans back in his chair and permits himself
a grin. “Yes, I’m also a Jazz pianist.”
How he found his way to Bishkek playing Jazz and
working in human rights is just the background to
the story I’m here to get. Swerdlow takes us through
it. He studied history and Slavic languages and literature as an undergraduate in Berkeley-California, and
also spent a year in Krasnodar studying anthropology
and ethnic minorities in the Caucasus at Kuban State
“Then I went to law school.” Swerdlow pauses and
laughs, as though still surprised by his own choice so
many years later. He returned to Berkeley-California
and studied more international human rights law,
as well as branched off into migration law, refugee
law. He also made few more furloughs to Russia and
Georgia. However, once Swerdlow had his law degree
in hand, “I took a little detour by working on human
rights in the United States.”
That detour took him to Los Angeles and then San
Francisco, as a law clerk for a federal judge and then as
a civil and consumer rights lawyer for three years representing mostly injured individuals against American
corporations. Swerdlow and his colleagues also took a
case concerning torture of Iraqis in the infamous Abu
Ghraib prison, as well as a case relating to abuses by
multinationals during the apartheid era in South Africa.
“It was a really good experience, but I felt myself wanting to use my language skills and be on the field again,”
he remarks. And sure enough in 2010, along came an
opportunity to work for the Watch in Tashkent. He
leapt at the chance and has been with them ever since,
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33
story
having also worked in Almaty, Berlin, San Diego, and
now Bishkek.
As he talks, Swerdlow checks the chainik. It’s empty,
but he’s still got a lot to pour out. I promptly wave
over the waiter and order another round. My date
puts the first tough question to him, asking why he got
involved with human rights work in the post-Soviet
world to begin with.
“Well, you know, I guess for a kid from West Los Angeles who was searching for meaning, there was something about Dostoevsky that caught my interest. I just
felt there was a wisdom, a depth, and cliché as this
sounds, a true exploration of the question of the soul
in Russian literature that opened a new world for me.”
He takes a moment to meditate upon a tiny puddle of
cooled tea at the bottom of his cup. “I think Dostoevsky’s writings touched on matters of faith but also
politics and the sources of injustice in the world. I had
to understand the milieu that such depth came from.”
The waiter returns and pours Swerdlow a cup of
steaming fresh chai. “A little bit later, there was a recognition. I think it happened when I got to Russia as
a student and was witnessing a society in transition.
I came across activists and dissidents from organisations such as Memorial, and this whole intelligentsia
that was not indifferent to the direction of their country. I think their courage was inspiring, and it became
important for me to get involved, to try to both understand and contribute to the extension of basic human
rights in the former Soviet world.”
After taking another grateful swig, Swerdlow continues. “But even when I was practicing law formally, I
didn’t feel as much like a real advocate as when I got
this position, and now I really do feel like I’ve found
my dream job, you know, found an organisation and
a role that allows one to truly advocate on behalf of
those that could use the help to protect their rights.”
“I think the opportunity to truly advocate for human
rights positions, whether it’s with diplomats or foreign government officials, is more liberating and more
fulfiling than litigation.The realm I’m dealing with
now, like not being beaten and not being tortured, or
being able to cross a border, or being allowed to speak
or write one’s mind, is foundational.”
Swerdlow nods, more to himself than to us. “In the human rights advocacy context, we use the media, more
traditional methods of going to meet the policy-makers, and different methods like making films. We’re
not constrained by the conventions of litigation, and
we’re able to be creative.”
34
There’s my cue. “So, why Jazz?” I ask.
Now Swerdlow lights up. “Jazz musicians are some
of the most interesting, creative thinkers. They’re often socially-minded non-conformists and innovative,
like Charlie Parker or Billie Holiday, and I think the
whole music form rises from a milieu of social disenfranchisement on the part of the African-American
community in the United States, and of course also to
some extent is influenced by Eastern European Jewry
and Roma.”
A veritable cascade of musicians and songs pours out
from Swerdlow like the tea from the pot, and it’s no
surprise to hear Django Reindthart’s name, as well as
Adalgiso Ferraris’ version of “Ochi chyornye” (“Dark
Eyes”) by the Ukrainian poet Yevhen Hrebinka, which
was famously covered by Harry Parry’s sextet in 1941.
certain balance between respect for what comes before and space for what’s new, sort of egalitarian rather than nihilist. There has to be some intergenerational respect, there has to be an acknowledgement of the
achievements of the past, with an openness to what
can come next and to improve upon it. Ideally, that’s
what democracy is: room for innovation, rather than
“I think that Jazz is first and foremost freedom,” he de- exploitation.”
clares with a conviction as clear as a note from his electric piano. “Improvisation is about expressing familiar Chekilova and her boys are back on the stage, prepping
idioms in a creative and new way. It’s about ‘speaking’ their instruments for the next set. It’s time to get back
with other musicians freely in a non-conformist style, at it. Swerdlow takes a final swig of chai and thanks
innovating on the spot. Jazz takes a lot of skill and re- us for coming by to listen to him play. My date nearquires reflection, space, patience, and tolerance, a lot of ly swoons as he leaves. With a surprising smoothness,
qualities that I think are pretty essential to any kind of he weaves his way through the tables and sits back besuccessful human rights work one will engage in. And hind his piano. Just then, Swerdlow smiles and gives
actually, these are necessary preconditions for not only his two ominous fans in the fancy blazers a wink, and
human rights work, but for a flourishing human rights without further ado, starts to play.
Speaking of observing life, I take another quick look at
Swerdlow’s two fans. One of them, the more sullen of
the pair, is bent over and typing into his smartphone
– a bad sign. The other’s got a bead on the pianist. Either Swerdlow doesn’t notice or doesn’t care, because
he downs another cup and really lets his thoughts flow.
environment, too.”
“I think that fusion, especially in New York, of Ashkenazi and African-American music, shows a deep link
musically and spiritually between the post-Soviet region and the United States, and I think Jazz was really
not only popular during the Soviet period but it was
a movement of non-conformism within the Soviet
Union.”
My date tilts her head with surprised fascination.
“Wait, Jazz was here?”
“As long as there is democracy, there will be people
wanting to play jazz because nothing else will ever so
perfectly capture the democratic process in sound.
Jazz means working things out musically with other
people. You have to listen to other musicians and play
with them even if you don’t agree with what they’re
playing. It teaches you the very opposite of racism
It doesn’t attract only Swerdlow. My date leans forward, and anti-Semitism. It teaches you that the world is big
resting her graceful chin in her elegant hand, and locks enough to accommodate us all.” – Wynton Marsalis
eyes with him. For his coda, Swerdlow doesn’t miss a
beat: “But one thing I like about Jazz is that there’s a
Christopher Schwartz
He goes right for it: “What I think is so attractive to
me about Jazz and maybe has a connection to human
rights is just its outlook. We need individuality, creativity, and hope. There’s a strain of Jazz which is very optimistic, and that’s something that attracts me.”
“Definitely! To people like Josef Stalin, Jazz represented a bourgeois capitalist imperialist artform, but to
people who loved it and listened to it, Jazz represented
underground culture, freedom, non-conformity. One
of the really interesting things from the Soviet context
was that you had local iterations of Jazz, like Azerbaijani Caz-muğam, a fascinatingly free and creative artform.”
Swerdlow gets back on track, continuing his story: in
1997, while still an undergrad, he found himself in St.
Petersburg, where he says he looked for jobs playing
piano so he could keep practicing his craft. Remarkably, he got gigs in no-nonsense joints like the Grand
Hotel Europe on Nevsky Prospect and Sadko Restaurant.
He’s got fond memories of St. Petersburg. “During the
Soviet period, Sadko was this free beacon of cosmopolitan music. What it was for me to play Jazz in Russia at that time was to gain entry into situations that
a normal American student or expat couldn’t get. You
know, I was privy to bars and establishments where
the Russian mafia was hanging out. It was a way to observe Russian life, learning about their musical taste.”
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35
history
180 Year Anniversary
Chokan Valikhanov
Great Adventures From The Great Game
So many epithets were used to describe Chokan Valikhanov: the “Columbus of Kashgaria”,
a “brilliant meteor”, “the last prince of the steppe”… And yet, for all their grandiloquence,
at most they only tell us little about all the many facets of the personality of this Russian
officer of Kazakh origin. Valikhankov was a traveller, a writer, an ethnographer, a historian,
a geographer, a soldier, an intelligence agent, an artist, a cartographer, and simply
an adventurer, in the best sense of this word.
Before Kashgar
Being a descendant of the Kazakh khan Abylay (and, hence, of Genghis Khan), Valikhanov
possessed an uncommon talent and thirst for knowledge since his childhood. His father
sent him, aged 12, to the Omsk military school – a place, which made the greatest
impact on Valikhanov’s destiny, whether we speak about connections, friends, opinion
or knowledge. It was there that he met Grigoiy Potanin, and later, Feodor Dostoyevsky.
Here he began not only desk research on Asian history, but, on graduation from the military
school and appointment as adjutant to the governor general of Western Siberia, he became
a field researcher as well.
Central Asia, over the open spaces of which he repeatedly travelled up and down during
his short life, was undoubtedly the main sphere of his interests. The second half of the 19th
Century, the epoch of the Great Game (the period of rivalry between the British and Russian
empires for sovereignty in this rather strategically important region) was an interesting time
for people like Valikhanov. The Xinjiang area of this “Game” was especially difficult, taking
into account that the interests of the vast Chinese empire were also involved. Be as it may,
in the 1850s it was possible to meet intelligence agents, geographers, ethnographers,
geodesists and other lovers of adventure on the mountainous routes of the Pamir,
Karakorum and Kun Lun and in the expanses of the Taklamakan desert, Tibet and Fergana
valley. Valikhanov could not keep himself from joining this legendary galaxy of eminent
adventures.
The journey of his life
The most important element in the career of Chokan Valikhanov, and, probably in his whole
life, was his well-known journey to Kashgaria, the southern part of today’s Xinjiang-Uyghur
Autonomous Region of China. The trip to Kuldzha, during which his first acquaintance
with East Turkestan took place, was a prologue to it. His diaries from that time prove that
Valikhanov was already a serious and observant researcher.
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Travel to Kashgaria was more than dangerous because
almost all foreigners (with minor exceptions like
Kokandi and Bukharan merchants) were forbidden
access to its territory by the Chinese authorities.
Valikhanov, who was already a lieutenant by the age
of 22, went on the risky expedition of the imperial
Russian Geographical Society in the guise of Alimbay,
a Kokandi subject, “an Andizhan merchant”. Such
secrecy, of course, rather hindered Chokan’s work,
in that he could not make his normal diaries, records
and sketches, which is why he later had to write much
from memory.
Valikhanov joined the trade caravan of a merchant,
Musabay Tokhtubaev, at the natural boundary
of Karamula, near modern Taldykorgan. Ahead,
there were more than three months of travel,
full of deprivations and dangers. Kyrghyz Syrt,
with its extensive and severe upland climate,
was a difficult area for travel. Valikhanov wrote
the following: “The considerable cold constantly
dominates, in summertime there are snow falls,
there are long snowstorms which delay caravans
for several days; snowstorms are especially
dangerous, because there is no fuel on the caravans
routes, except dried animal dung,”. Besides natural
difficulties, the caravan was also constantly harassed
by local thieves: the open spaces of Kyrgyzstan were
always dangerous for travellers. Here is an extract
from Valikhanov’s diary: “The ancestors of the Kirghiz
created methodical, time-honoured rules by which
they plunder caravans, but in their own eyes they
plunder lawfully, based on ancient customs and rights
… a caravan, passing through the lands (uluses)
of Kirghiz ancestors, had to pay an obligatory fee
(zyaket) … had to give a ransom for an unimpeded
journey”. On the way to Chinese territory, Valikhanov
buried his first diary at Terekty pass as a precaution,
hoping to recover it on his way back.
There were many times on his travels, including
the time he was in Kashgar, when Valikhanov was
on the verge of failure, but something always helped
him to survive. Having returned to Fort Verniy, he was
finally able to write with relief: “My journey lasted
from the 28th of June 1858 till the 12th of April 1859,
10 months and 14 days”.
Then followed five months in Kashgar, during
which Chokan had time to make a rather detailed
study of the life of the whole extensive region. He
also made many trips on its territory, to make many
acquaintances in all possible spheres, to familiarize
himself with a great number of books, hitherto
unknown in the West, and even temporarily to marry
(as was the custom for merchants in those days who
were far from home).
The caravan started back home at the beginning
of March 1859. And even then Valikhanov did
not stop his research, but months of life under cover
and the constant stress had exhausted him and he
fell ill. Undeterred he still wrote about the ancient
caravanserai of Tash Rabat, the fortification of Kurtka
and local customs.
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37
history
Maybe it was his age that allowed Valikhanov to describe in detailed notes relations with women, their
beauty and merits. Who else, except Valikhanov,
would dare to bring such things into traditionally dull
expedition reports?
***
Nowadays, The institute of History and Ethnology
in Almaty is named after Valikhanov, and his tall monument rises up directly opposite the building of the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences as if to remind modern
scientists that “all is as boundless as the steppe – both
desires, and affairs”. His works have been translated
into many languages, several films have been made
about his life, and many books and articles have been
written about him. This attention is the least that posterity can show to thank the brave traveller who expanded the frontiers of man’s knowledge of the world.
by Vitaliy Shuptar
After Kashgar
On his arrival in St Petersburg, Valikhanov was granted
an audience with Tsar Alexander II, was awarded
the order of St Vladimir, and received early promotion
to the rank of staff captain. His report to the Imperial
Russian Geographical Society caused a sensation.
In summary, it was a triumphant period, which was
followed by about a year in St Petersburg, meeting
the intellectual elite of Russia, working in the imperial
Russian Geographical Society on a set of publications
on the history and culture of Central Asia, working
on regional maps in the General Staff, and also serving
in the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
Valikhanov’s stay in St Petersburg was accompanied
by great longing to return to the steppes. Something
of the city bothered him and set him on course for
worse times. Having returned home and witnessing
the lawlessness there, he had great desire to reform
the government system in his homeland and tried
to get involved in politics. He even won election
to the post of senior sultan of Atbasar District;
however, he was not confirmed in this post. Valikhanov
returned to military service, but the capture of Pishpek
(now Bishek) and Aulie-Ata (now Taraz) caused heavy
loss of life in the peaceful population, and he openly
confronted Colonel Chernyaev, after which he left
the army in protest. Then he married and spent half
a year of his life in the foothills of Altyn-Emel and later,
died of tuberculosis (if accepting the official version)
38
at the early age of thirty.
Some say that the role of Chokan Valikhanov
in the “opening up” of Kashgaria was exaggerated
by Kazakh and Russian historians, in comparison
with Adolf von Schlagintwveit, or the outstanding
Francis Younghusband. Valikhanov resolutely wrote
about everything: about the history and politics,
economy and trade, geography and topography, flora
and fauna, geology, climate, linguistics and art. It would
be easier to list the things he did not write about,
since he found a place for everything in his narrative,
even for the description of local cuisine, clothes,
headdress and sexual customs. He also accompanied
the texts with maps, diagrams and drawings.
Poetry instead of Prose
Versus modern expeditions (and all the help they
have from modern technology) Valikhanov’s writing
was utterly uncharacteristic of typical scientists
of the time. His notes are interesting to read as literary
works in which there is much romanticism and poetry.
Just listen to these lines from his Kuldzha diary: “Boundless as the sea, the steppe is covered by a thousand
different grasses. Meagre flowers, delicate and pretty,
are spread like a green cloth. As the wind blows, so
grasses wave evenly and ripple silently. Life if everywhere bees, butterflies wing from flower to flower. I
myself am an inhabitant of the steppe, it is high time
to address the subject”.
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39
nature
The Beauty of the
Bukhara Deer
Large, dense forests, called galleries, riparian forests, extend along the banks of the big and
small rivers in the Central Asia. These woods provide shelter and food for many animals, the
largest among them being the Bukhara deer of Khangul.
This Tugai deer is endemic to the region, is a subspecies of the red deer and the closest to the
ancestral form. In the 19th Century, it lived in the riparian forests across Amu Darya and Syr
Darya rivers, in the reeds to the south of the Aral Sea and in the arid salt desert in the north
of Kyzyl Kum.
The Turkic name khangul means “imperial flower”. This is a slim and graceful animal with an
average height of about 120cm and weight of about 200 kg. Cresting its body is its unparalleled ornament: a powerful set of antlers with five branches placed directly and symmetrically as a sort of crown. These antlers can be 90-110cm long and weigh a hefty 6kg. Antlers start
to grow in the second year of life, and ossify within six months, but without branching. For
this reason they are called “hairpins” or “matches”. The annual shedding of antlers and regeneration increases the number of branches. The most beautiful crowns are at 7 to 13 years.
In contrast, the hinds do not have antlers, but their marking is alike. Light brown or sandy-grey with smoky-coloured bodies and dark feet that help camouflage the animal in wood
thickets. The back of the hips and the underside of the tail are white; this is called a “mirror”. Bordered with a dark stripe, it serves as a “beacon” for the fawns when moving through
woods.
Deer are herbivorous animals; they eat more than 30 kinds of plants which they find in the
woods and adjacent deserts. Their ability to swim well and cross even large rivers helps them
greatly in their search of food or to escape danger. Long, powerful legs allow these animals to
take big strides at an easy pace; and if danger threatens, they can jump two metres high and
a distance of about 6 metres.
In the autumn, during the rut, stags organize their own tournaments. The winner, having
the right to breed, organizes a kind of “harem” of several hind. Pregnancy lasts 34-35 weeks
and the fawn are born, one per hind, at the end of spring and beginning of summer. The
weight of the fawn is typically 5-6kg and it height is hardly more than half a metre. They have
brown fur with yellow-white patches on the sides and a light stripe on the back to hide them
perfectly amongst the undergrowth. The fawn spends the first few days lying down, rising
only when its mother approaches to suckle it. They grow fast and in a week they follow their
mother and a month later they try to eat on their own.
The main enemy of the Bukhara deer till the middle of the last century was the Turan tiger
but nowadays it is wolves and feral dogs. The deer is listed in the Red Book of Central Asian
countries, but the main causes by which the deer became “rare” and exist “on the verge of
extinction” are habitat destruction and hunting by man.
Yuriy Chikin,
Candidate of Science in Biology
40
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41
coming soon
Applications for the video film category will continue
to be accepted until 15th October 2015.
Dates for the Fourth International
“Open Eurasia and Central Asia Book Forum
and Literature Festival - 2015”
(OECABF-2015) are Announced
The British Publishing House “Hertfordshire Press”, with the support of the Yunus Emre
Turkish Culture Centre, will hold the Fourth International Open Eurasia and Central
Asia Book Forum and Literary Festival - 2015 (OECABF 2015) from 6th to 9th November
in London & Cambridge.
The purpose of the forum is to draw the attention of readers and experts on the past and present
achievements of the Central Asian writers; to introduce writers with representatives
of publishing houses and with their readers, libraries, educational institutions and the media;
to promote the development of a multilateral dialogue among contemporary writers,
critics, editors, publishers.
An awards ceremony of the winners in each category of the literary competition will be
held in the framework of the “Open Eurasia and Central Asia Book Forum & Literature
Festival-2015”.
The international literary festival OECABF 2015 consists of three parts:
1. A literary competition among writers in the literary work category, among translators
in the literary translation category, among the artists in the illustration category, as well
as among film directors for films, based on a literary work that took part in any of the previous
OECABFs between 2012-2015, in the video film category.
The total prize fund of the contest “OECABF-2015” is $ 35,000. The main prize of the contest
“Open Eurasia - 2015” is a grant of $ 19,000, which will be put towards publishing the book
of the overall winner with further presentations in London.
In 2015, four prizes have been established:
• Nemat Kelimbetov Prize for the amount of $10,000 for the winner of the video category
and experimental film “Open Eurasia and Central Asia”;
• Marziya Zakiryanova Prize for the amount of $5,000 for the best female work in any category
of the competition, which will be put towards the publishing of the book of the winner.
• Arcadiy Bezrukov Prize for the amount of $1,000 for the best work on the subject
of mountains.
• Generals Award from the Association of Generals “Generals of the World for Peace”.
The Association’s highest award of the “Dove of Peace” medal for the best work on the topic
of strengthening peace, friendship and mutual understanding between peoples.
The “Open Eurasia - 2015” contest received more than 600 applications from 22 countries.
Acceptance of applications in all categories, except the video film category, finished on 15th
September of 2015.
42
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The purpose of the video and experimental film
category is the further popularisation of Central Asian
literature, as well as the promotion of co-operation
BOOK
AND
between
writersFORUM
and directors
in theLITERATURE
region.
About the festival:
The first Central Asian OECABF literary contest was
held on 24th – 25th November 2012 in Bishkek
(Kyrgyzstan), gathering 1300 guests and becoming
the first such event since the declaration of independence of the Kyrgyz Republic. The festival was
FESTIVAL
opened by the former president of Kyrgyzstan, Roza
Otunbayeva, and has been praised by both experts
and the public.
OPEN EURASIA & CENTRAL ASIA
2. The Literary Festival aims to unite famous
and talented young writers belonging to different
literary movements and to revive interest in literature
among wider sections.
The guests of OECABF 2015 will be writers from Britain
(David Parry, Nick Rowan, Hamid Ismailov, Robert
White, Faride Heyat), Australia (Paul Wilson),
Kazakhstan (Kairat Zakiryanov Elena Bezrukova,
Mukhtar Shakhanov), Scotland (Shahsanem Murray),
Canada (Maxim Korsakov), Kyrgyzstan (Sultan Raev)
and many others.
Book readings, puppet performances from Khorezm
Theatre and the first Central Asian Theatre in London,
“ORZU ARTS”, film screenings, an exhibition
of paintings by Christina Glazunova and presentations
of the following authors and works are scheduled
during the festival:
Dawlat Tolibshohi (Cranes in the Spring)
Lenifer Mambetova (My Homeland is Crimea!)
Raushan Bunkitbaeva-Nukenova
(Wormwood Wind)
Mukhtar Shakhanov, Chingiz Aitmatov
(Confession at the End of the Century)
Herold Belger (Goethe and Abai)
Maxim Korsakov (Treasurer)
Kazat Akmatov (Arhat)
Charles van der Lew
(The Iron Curtain: the Battle for Central Asia)
Shahsanem Murray
Corporate Digest (100 Impressions About
Kazakhstan. The second edition)
Sultan Raev (Kara), and others.
3. The Book Forum, which includes seminars,
discussion panels and scientific conferences.
A roundtable of writers from Central Asia will be held
on 9th November 2015 at the headquarters of the BBC
TV and Radio Company.
The festival of 2013 took place from 5th to 9th November in London and Cambridge, providing an opportunity to the British public to get a better idea of the work
of Central Asian artists.
Last year the festival was held from 14th to 17th
November in Almaty, Kazakhstan. OECABF 2014 was
organized by the Publishing House “Hertfordshire
Pressæ in conjunction with the National State Book
Chamber of the Republic of Kazakhstan, “Helen
Bezrukova Center, Training and Consulting”
and with the support of the Ministry of Culture
of Kazakhstan, Administration of Almaty city
and the Kazakh Academy of Sports and Tourism.
In 2014, 38 events were held in the framework
of the “Open Eurasia and Central Asia Book
Forum & Literature Festival”. The festival was visited
by 2,500 people. Reports and presentations were
made by more than 65 writers from 10 countries:
Australia, Great Britain, Poland, Uzbekistan,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Russia, Turkey,
the Netherlands.
The festivals have been marked by the presence of stars
from world literature, such as Janusz Leon Wiśniewski
from Poland, Hamid Ismailov from the UK, Elchin
Safarli from Azerbaijan and others.
Connect with us:
Bishkek – Representation of the festival in Kyrgyztan
40, Manas Avenue
+996555206845
+996555306845
+996312474175
Email: noskova@ocamagazine.com
London – Ann Lari
Suite 125,43 BedfordStreet
CoventGardenLondonWC2E 9HA United Kingdom
Tel.:+44 7479 026 176
Email: konkurs@gorizonti.com
www.ocabookforum.com
HERTFORDSHIRE PRESS
www.ocamagazine.com
43
interview
Around the World in A to Z
Interview with travel writer Paul Wilson
OCA: What would you say to somebody who said that
by writing guidebooks and encouraging visitors, you
are promoting the destruction of the unique and unspoilt region of Central Asia that you write about?
PW: I’m glad you asked me this question as it is something I’m quite passionate about. At the moment
we are seeing a real and irrevocable ‘destruction of a unique and unspoilt region’ at the hands
of ISIS in Syria and Iraq. So for guidebooks and guidebook-writers to be equated to this depresses me. Last
year I spent a week in Kazakhstan for the Open Central Asia Literary Festival, and the most important conclusion we all came to is that we need to promote Central Asia, not keep it in the shadows. This involves two
key elements: firstly, we need to ensure that the ‘voice’
of Central Asia’s culture (from literature, to art, to tourism) is heard loudly and clearly on the international
stage. Secondly, we need to treat the people and places
of Central Asia with the respect they deserve, and feature them in credible works on an international stage;
not just Borat movies! I hope my books help achieve
both these aims in some small way.
Paul Wilson is an acclaimed traveller and travel writer. Hailing
from the less well-known town of Macclesfield in the North of England, his
background has always been in history, having studied Ancient and Modern
History for many years. From a young
age he discovered the joys of independent travel, especially to countries
with a rich past. This combination was
the driving force that led him to travel writing, although it has sometimes
been a slow and difficult journey,
as the profession is a much sought after
and difficult one to break into. Nonetheless, hot off the back of his first novel, The Alphabet Game, and after having become the heralded knowledge
on Silk Road travel (with three Trailblazer Travel Guide editions under his
belt), OCA caught up with Paul to find
out more.
OCA: Your new book is a satire on the guidebook
theme - what was your motivation in writing it and who
will it appeal to?
OCA: You’ve written a guidebook
on the silk road, something many
people imagine means you just turn
up and enjoy the location for a few
days before writing a few words about
it. How does a typical day look when
you are working on such a project
in country?
Paul Wilson: The life of a travel writer
is usually very different from the popular misconception. It’s hard to get your
first break if you want to be a full-time travel writer (rather than someone who does the odd holiday article
on the side!), so most people end up doing their initial trips unpaid. I spent eighteen months in the British
Library researching my first guide before I even set off. Once you are out on the road it becomes a lot more
fun, but every day involves as much ‘fact-finding’ as it does sight-seeing. Writing The Silk Roads I’m usually
on the road for three or four months at a time, which I love, but it’s not everybody’s idea of a holiday.
OCA: Why did you choose Central Asia as your area of interest, rather than say Australia where you live?
PW: I’m from the UK and my hometown is Macclesfield, a small town famous for its silk weaving industry. When
they built a new road near my house they called it The Silk Road, and I knew straightaway that this was one
44
route I just had to travel along. There are many different strands making up The Silk Road but they all flow
through Central Asia, as this region is at the heart of all
the ancient trade routes linking East with West, so
in many ways Central Asia chose me! Funnily enough,
until I moved to Sydney I had never been to Australia.
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stan, wedged into The Pamirs between Afghanistan’s
Wakhan Corridor, southern Tajikistan, Pakistan’s
Northern Areas and China’s Xinjiang province (East
Turkestan). Until Xidakistan is formally recognised
we’re still waiting for a ‘winner’! In the meantime I
really want to explore Yemen’s Empty Quarter, which
would put me on 25 ‘caps’.
OCA: What are your next projects we should look
out for?
PW: This year I am lifting the curtain on my first
stage play, Shakespeare Tonight, as part of the Sydney
Fringe festival. I’m also working on a new novel, Sold
Out. But the Silk Road keeps me busy for at least six
months of the year and one of my main commitments
is to the UNWTO’s Silk Road Programme, working
to provide a united voice for tourism in the region.
I also do work with Macclesfield Silk Heritage back
home.
On a personal level, I thoroughly enjoyed cycling
the Silk Road with the guys from Tour D’Afrique, and I
hope to get out in the saddle a lot more once my children are a bit older. I would also love to spend some
time on a Silk Road archaeological dig at some point,
plus climb one of the Silk Road’s highest peaks.
Guidebook-wise, I have been with Trailblazer
for over fifteen years now, and have started to edit
as well as write their books, which in turn has opened
new doors such as being included in Mary Dinan’s
Global Suitcase.
PW: My plan has always been to be a writer, not just
a ‘travel writer’, which means my goal is to write about
what interests me, regardless of the format. Alphabet Game is a mix of Around The World in Eighty
Days and Evelyn Waugh’s Scoop, with a healthy dose
of M*A*S*H thrown in. Hopefully it will appeal to those
with as keen a sense of humour as that of adventure,
plus anyone interested in the ‘politics’ of Central Asia
post 9/11. They say you should write about what you
know, so travel and the world of travel-writing forms
the backdrop of the story, from the early days of Lonely
Planet to our modern desire to race around the world
visiting as many countries as we can.
OCA: How far have you got in your own ‘Alphabet
Game’ [the counting of countries you have visited
starting with each letter of the alphabet] - are you
missing any letters that you’d like to visit?
PW: As you have probably worked out there is only
one ‘O’, Oman, one ‘Q’, Qatar, and a single ‘Y’, Yemen. The letter you can’t ‘do’ is ‘X’ so Alphabet Game
centres the small ‘undiscovered’ kingdom of Xidaki-
ISBN: 978-0-99278773-2-5
Available on Amazon & Amazon Kindle
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45
arts
Adventures of Khorezm
Puppets in Edinburgh
46
out joyfully “Puppet show!, as some of our forefathers
must have done over the centuries. There was nothing
in the world more important than puppets and it was
all for them. I felt as though they were alive and had
minds and identities and it was the puppets who had
come to visit the city.
The next day it was show time. I met the group early
at 8 am for the rehearsal. During the rehearsal the director was working together with technicians to coordinate and synchronise sound and lighting. As a film-
On the 12th of August, on a grey London Wednesday
morning we met at King’s Cross station, rushing to get
to our seats on time. I was going with a theatre group
to film their puppet show from Khorezm at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as part of my documentary about
the Central Asian Theatre Group - Orzu Arts.
day, many artists and craftsmen of Uzbekistan have
preserved the art of making beautiful, traditional puppets with intricately embroidered national clothes.
The heads of puppets are made out of papier-mâché
and are painted in oil, and the clothes are hand stitched
from local materials, such as vibrant atlas cloth.
maker, I am used to the idea that sound design will
come in post-production and the only thing I have
to do is monitor the sound levels while recording. Being in a theater made me realise the anxiety and intensity of having to do everything live. It had to be perfect
and everyone had to be on the same page.
It was surreal to see these people from the ancient
land of Khiva sitting next to me in the train to Edinburgh, speaking in Uzbek, exchanging jokes and taking endless pictures on their phones. I was filming
them in the train, trying to make links between past
and present. Khiva, a city on the Great Silk Road,
is the motherland of the famous dance, Lazgi, and also
the origin of puppetry arts in Central Asia. Puppetry
is one of the oldest performing art forms in Uzbekistan. Puppet performances have been mentioned
in the history records of Central Asia from the first
century A.D. and were always hugely popular among
the people. For a long time the markets of the Central
Asian cities hosted shows by puppet masters. Puppet
shows of the past were known to be subversive as they
parodied the ruling classes and brought forth the issues and wounds of society in a humorous form. Till to-
These puppeteers and their wives have been crafting
puppets for the past 20 years. They were self-taught
and now they are travelling the world, sharing their
stories. I tried to picture dedicating my entire life
to one vocation and mastering it to perfection. That
must take real dedication and passion, not the kind
of passion kids on social media exhibit by posting
endlessly about their favourite topic at that moment,
but a different kind of passion, a real commitment,
the kind that swallows you whole, day after day, year
after year.
The performances took place at Surgeons Hall on Nicholson Street later that evening. The puppets were
a major success with the children. Yuldosh, the Founder and Director of Orzu Arts, had to be the puppets’
personal translator, because the puppets did not speak
English and he had to explain what they were up to:
As soon as we arrived in Edinburgh we were swept
off our feet by the kaleidoscope of bright colors, characters and sounds. The streets were buzzing with life
and excitement. The theatre group changed into their
costumes and we distributed leaflets, screaming
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“It’s the wedding anniversary of an old man
and old woman and beautiful puppet dancers have
come to perform Lazgi. The Lazgi dance originates
from a folktale; there lived a king and he had 41 children and the youngest one of all, was the prettiest
and his favourite. And that’s why the other wives got
very jealous and threw the youngest one off a cliff.
That day she was supposed to dance for her king
and although she had her bones broken, the strong
woman insisted that she still would dance for her
king. And this is how Lazgi, the broken dance, was performed for the first time.”
Although the tale is sad, the performances were fun.
Yuldosh was making jokes and the puppets were dancing and jumping around. I was surprised to realise that
even within the limits of strict coordination and a tight
time schedule, the whole group managed to improvise.
The show was highly interactive, children were invited
on stage to participate and they all loved making chit
chat with Yuldosh throughout the show.
When I found out about the existence of Orzu
Arts and their performance at the festival, I took
it as an opportunity to continue exploring my main interest, Central Asian art, through the medium of documentary film. As Umberto Eco wrote: “to survive we
must tell stories”. I think that stories have the power
to transcend cultural boundaries and create a deeper,
mutual understanding. The film will screen in December 2015.
More excitingly, perhaps, the puppets and their show
are coming to London in November for the Open Central Asia Book Forum and Literature Festival organised
by Hertfordshire Press. So don’t miss out!
Malika Suleymanova
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47
culture
Mangilik Festival Takes Kazakhs
Back to their Roots
There are the dates in every country, which people
love, respect and remember and honour. One
such date is the formation of the Kazakh Khanate,
which occurred 550 years ago. This event served
as a great impetus for the development of Kazakh
ethnicity and identity. And, of course, half a
century later Kazakhs preserve the memory of it.
At the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan,
Nursultan Nazarbayev, a festival has been held as a
tribute to the Kazakh Khanate.
The aims of the festival were the promotion of
national cultural traditions and spiritual-moral
values of Kazakh people. It invoked interest in
ethnic music, national games and the development
of patriotism among the Kazakhs. The festival
was held outdoors in the mountains, the “Huns”,
located a 30-minute drive from Almaty from the
25th to 27th July.
The first day of the festival opened with a parade
of participants followed by lunch in a large yurtlike structure with a shanyrak (the upper dome-
48
like portion of a yurt). After lunch participants
could learn pottery, pick up Kazakh national
instruments: dombra, kobyz, adyrna, jetygen,
etc., and even try to speak in the ancient Turkic
language. The yurt was decorated inside with
amazing handmade carpets (shyrdak), pillows,
wolf skins, leather bags, vests, shields and other
heritage of the Kazakh people. This part of festival
was called “Khan Tengri”.
Visitors were also offered the opportunity to enjoy
ethnic music by the “Alan” group, consisting of
young Kazakh boys, playing the dombra in both
modern and traditional melodies. The festival was
not without foreign musicians – the “Kaya” group,
who came from the distant Altai mountains played.
It is hardly a secret that the Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and
Altai have common roots, which explains their
cultural similarities in music, cuisine, language
and even appearance despite the great distance
between these peoples.
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After spending the night in a yurt as a very real
Kazakh, guests were in a good mood, despite the
rainy weather. The exhibition continued with
master classes on making felt, jewellery, wood,
leather and trying on the Kazakh traditional
clothes.
During the festive dinner, guests enjoyed the
music of the Great Steppe. Neo-Ethno-Folk group
“Arkaiym”, blended traditional instruments
and sounds, with modern beats that attracted a
wider audience to the origins of these modern
performances.
The performance of an extraordinary artist,
shaman Hogavat Tobet Kam, is also worth noting
with his exhilarating soundscapes, mesmerising
imitations of wolf howling and thunder sounds
in his performance, which created a mystical
atmosphere.
After the musical part all the attention of the
audience was transferred to horse-racing games.
There were competitions in “Atpen Audyraspak”,
“Tenge Ilu”, “Kyz Kuu” and “Kok par” national
games. However, the most exciting games were
“Kok par” and “Kyz Kuu”.
Kok par” involves two teams. Before the game, a
goat carcass is put in a circle, which is drawn in
the centre of the arena. The aim is for each team
to raise it from the ground and take it into their
own net. Needless to say, all of this must be done
on horseback. The winner is the team that does
this the most times and on this occasion the first
placed prize of 150 thousand tenge went to the
team from Kazakhstan.
“Kyz Kuu” is another national game, which literally
means “catch a girl”. In the first half of the game, a
boy pursues a girl, and if he is lucky, he kisses her.
In the second half, they change places and the girl
seeks to catch up with her partner. If she does this,
she beats him with a whip. First place was awarded
to a player from the Almaty region, Valikhanova
Aidariya.
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49
Bringing Central Asia’s
Latest Authors Into View
First Edition of the Literary Almanac “Tvorcheskoe Sorujestvo”
(“Creative Collaboration”) Published
The summer of 2015 for the British publishing
house, Hertfordshire Press, marked the first official release of the almanac of Literary Festival
“Open Eurasia and Central Asia book forum and
literature festival” titled “Tvorcheskoe Sodrujestvo” (“Creative collaboration”). Active participants
of the most recent literary contest and the members of the organising committee of the festival
promoted the idea of creating an almanac to record and reflect on the event as well as promote
the aims of the event further.
The almanac shows contemporary Central Asian
literature, as a rule, created by young writers and
including the winners of the contest, all of whom
represent the post-Soviet countries.
The development of national literature helps to
reduce conflicts, strengthen peace, friendship
and mutual understanding, because this process
introduces to people the culture of their neighboring peoples, their world view, customs and
values. Many years ago the publishing activity of
CIS countries was done in isolation from the international industry. Communication of writers of
these countries with their colleagues from around
the world was purposefully minimised. The publication of this kind of material will enrich literary life and help writers of the post-Soviet space
to take their place among the world’s bestsellers.
Bishkek:
Amaty:
The first presentation of the literary almanac
“Tvorcheskoe Sodrujestvo” (“Creative Collaboration”) was held on 7th July 2015, in Bishkek. The
event was attended by the “Hertfordshire Press”
publisher, Marat Akhmedjhanov, chief editor of
the almanac, Professor of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Alexander Katsev, as well as literary
editor, Catherine Bashmanova.
Another presentation of the literary almanac
“Tvorcheskoe Sodrujestvo” (“Creative Collaboration”) with the support of the “Helen Bezrukova
Center” held on 9th July 2015, in Almaty. The event
was attended by the “Hertfordshire Press” publisher, Marat Akhmedzhanov and a representative of
the Kazakh Chamber of Book, Kyrmyzy Baizakov.
Tashkent:
Shymkent:
The next presentation of the literary almanac
“Tvorcheskoe Sodrujestvo” (“Creative Collaboration”), which also included book readings of Literary Festival OCABF participants, took place on
9th August 2015 in Tashkent. The event was held
in a co-working centre called “STOP” and was organized by the British publishing house, “Hertfordshire Press”. The presentation was attended
by over 30 people.
The British publishing house “Hertfordshire Press”
held a presentation of the first edition of the literary almanac “Tvorcheskoe Sodrujestvo” (“Creative Collaboration”) together with the publishing house “Baspa Samruk” and educational center
«Edu-Gen» on 12th August 2015 in Shymkent. The
presentation was attended by about 40 people.
Artists, participants of the festival Literary OCABF,
aspiring writers, lovers of prose and poetry, and
even artists were among the guests.
Training and Consulting”, as well as the Ministry of
Culture of Kazakhstan, Almaty city Akimat and the
Kazakh Academy of Sports and Tourism.
The almanac contains excerpts from works by festival guests, the finalists and the winners as well as
literary criticism, information about events and
news from the publisher, Hertfordshire Press.
Presentations of this unique literary almanac,
“Tvorcheskoe Sodrujestvo” (“Creative Collaboration”), were held in cities including Bishkek,
Almaty, Tashkent and Shymkent. The purpose of
the events is to unite Central Asian artists, members of the literary festival and share their work
and experiences. Book readings were also held in
the framework of the presentation of the literary
competition “Open Eurasia and Central Asia Book
Forum and Literature Festival”.
“Tvorcheskoe Sodrujestvo” (“Creative collaboration”) is a hardcover edition, consisting of 500
pages, which includes a reporting digest on the
Third International Literary Festival and Book Forum «Open Eurasia and Central Asia book Forum
and Literature Festival - 2014”. The festival was
held on 14th – 17th November 2014 in Almaty
(Kazakhstan), with the support of the National
State Book Chamber of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Association of Publishers and Booksellers of Kazakhstan, “Helen Bezrukova Centre for
50
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51
London
On 3rd September 2015 London hosted the presentation of the almanac “Tvorcheskoesodrujestvo” (“Creative Collaboration”) with the participation of the
guest of honour, a permanent member of all festivals
“Open Eurasia and Central Asia Book Forum & Literature Festival”, the author of such bestsellers as the
“Railway”, “The Dead Lake”, “A Poet and Bin-Laden”,
the head of the Central Asian service of BBC in London, Hamid Ismailov. In addition, the author of “Everyday life in Victorian England”, a member of the
International Union of Writers and Journalists APIA,
Tatiana Dittrich, was also in attendance. The event
was held at the restaurant “Adras” and was organized
by the British Publishing House “Hertfordshire Press”.
The purpose of the event was to strengthen inter-ethnic cultural ties, promoting the growth of creative
manpower, the development of literature in Central
Asia and the entire European Union, sharing their
work and experiences as well as presenting a unique
literary almanac “TvorcheskoeSodrujestvo” (“Creative
collaboration”).
Astana
On 10th September 2015 British publishing house
“Hertfordshire Press” held the book launch of the
almanac «Tvorcheskoe Sodrujestvo» (“Creative Collaboration”) in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event was
organized in conjunction with the Higher School of
Economics and the Department of “Translation Studies” at KAZGUU University.
During the presentation there a number of book readings. The welcome speech was made by the director
of the Higher School of Economics, Dilbar Gimranova, and by the Head of the Department of “Translation Studies”, Aizhan Kashkenova. The students of the
“Translation Studies” department also read the poems
of world-renowned poets.
Samarkand
On 16 August 2015, the Aysel Art gallery located in the
centre of the ancient city of Samarkand, hosted a presentation titled “Creative Collaboration Almanac” for
members of the city’s intelligentsia and connoisseurs
of literature and arts. Alex Ulko, the winner of the OCABF 2014 translation competition, talked about Hertfordshire Press, the OCA Book Forum and the literature competition, while Dmitry Kostushkin, a finalist
of OCABF 2014, described his own experience of being a participant of the literary competition. The audience had the opportunity to read some Hertfordshire
Press and Silk Road publications, including books and
the Discovery and Open Central Asia magazines.
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53
food corner
TheTaste of Central Asia
For too long now, Central Asia has been overlooked as a viable travel destination. Despite
being at the heart of the ancient Silk Road trade for millennia and profoundly shaping
the world we live in today, Central Asia remains one of the earth’s most misunderstood
places. This book seeks to use food to provide you with a unique window into these
fascinating, and largely unexplored cultures, and then equip you with the knowledge
to cook up a little of Bukhara or Mary in your own kitchen. I want to help you use your
taste buds to explore the richness of Central Asian history and tradition, and provide
a gastronomic tour around cities that have played, and will continue to play, a key role
in the region’s drama-laden narrative.
THE
done
entary,
certain
Central
ollision
Taste of Central Asia
epend
pes do
: firstly,
of the
ble, to
re are
e have
is how
Iskender Kebab
You might be thinking, “Hang on, isn’t that
Turkish?”, and given that the dish takes its name
from its Turkish creator, Iskender Efendi, you would
be right. The fact that a dish so quintessentially
Turkish has gained such popularity in Azerbaijan’s
capital says a lot about the extent of the cultural
influence exerted from the west. Make sure you
order this with a frothing glass of Ayran.
Ingredients
450g beef tenderloin/steak
4 medium tomatoes
2 green chili peppers
1 cup tomato sauce (or can of crushed tomatoes)
2 tbsp of melted butter
Salt, pepper and garlic (to taste)
3-4 pieces pita bread
Yogurt
COOKBOOK
THE Taste of Central Asia
COOKBOOK
Method
Season the meat with salt and pepper and fry with
butter on medium-high heat. Leave in the pan
when done.
Turn your grill to medium-high heat (or preheat
the oven to 205°C). Cut tomatoes in half and grill
with the chili peppers. Put canned tomato sauce
in a saucepan, add salt, pepper, one tablespoon of
butter and two finely chopped roasted tomatoes.
Cook over low heat (5 minutes).
Take the meat out of the pan, and slice it as thin
as possible. Place pieces of meat back in the frying
pan and mix well with the residual juice.
Crush the garlic, and mix into the yogurt with salt.
Mix well.
P: £19.95
HERTFORDSHIRE PRESS
02/09/2015 13:41:32
54
www.ocamagazine.com
Warm up the pita and cut into diamonds before
layering on plate. Spread the meat evenly over the
layer of pita. Pour the tomato sauce on top and
place a few spoons of yogurt on the side. Garnish
with the grilled tomatoes and chili peppers.
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55
4th Sabantui Held in London
27th June 2015 in London, the UK Tatar Association held another celebration of Sabantui. This year the festival
was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in 1941-1945. On behalf
of the Republic of Tatarstan, Ravil Akhmetshin, visited the event.
Welcoming remarks were made by Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, Alexander Yakovenko; Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Plenipotentiary
Representative of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, Ravil Akhmetshin and Uzbek Ambassador
to the UK, Otabek Akbarov. Additionally, the Ambassador to UK of Tajikistan, Erkin Kasymov and organizer
of Sabantui, chairman of the Association of Tatars in the UK, Ramil Rifmiruly Minullin, made speeches.
Ravil Akhmetshin delivered the message of the President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, whreupon
the special guests and the organizer of the festival under the national anthem of the Republic of Tatarstan took
part in the Sabantui flag-raising, which marked the official opening of the festival.
One of the events of the evening was the opening of an exhibition titled, “Friendship of Peoples - the Dialogue
of Cultures”, which presented paintings by Rinat Kuramshina and Albina Kuramshina. The themes of these
paintings were devoted to such significant dates as the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War
in 1941-1945., 175 years since the birth of the composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky and the Year of Literature in Russia.
Themes, so stated, clearly explored in my own work and unexpectedly shared by the remarkable
poetess Lennifer Mambetova. In which case, introducing My Homeland, Oh My Crimea in
its first English language edition is not simply an honour, but equally a reminder of our common
human concerns. Moreover, as the first Crimean-Tartar poetry collection ever published in the
English-speaking world, it is an extremely rare privilege to represent her work to my countrymen.
Certainly, Lennifer’s terse and highly evocative style will delight new readerships. Reminding
them through politicized image and lamenting symbol that writer’s “learn” prose, although
they “express” poetry. The latter being an act of healing, along with the possibility of genuine
transcendence.
All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone interested in listening to one of the
leading versifiers from Central Asia translated into our native tongue.
—David Parry
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Coming soon!
57
culture
Afghan Cultural Festival
Invades London
On a crisp, sunny Sunday morning in the middle
of a pleasant British summer, Afghan Association Paiwand opened the gates of its first ever independently-run Afghan Cultural Festival to scores of queuing
families, anxious to get into Allianz Park before midday to witness the official opening of the Festival.
Eight hours of musical performances, family activities
and athletics demonstrations began with speeches
from the Mayor of Barnet, a spokesperson from Stop
the War Coalition and Afghan Association Paiwand’s
Chairman, who welcomed the public to enjoy the array of activities available at this year’s event.
housed nineteen charity and commercial information
stalls, a children’s storytelling and performance
stage and a traditional Ghazal stage, complete
with a rich afternoon of performances by renowned
classical musicians, including Professor John
Bailey and Veronica Doubleday, Milad Yusufi, Khair
Muhammad Chavosh, Karim Haqdad, Clem Alford
and Sirish Manji.
The Festival was the first of its kind in London:
an inclusive event that succeeded in bringing
together singers, actors, classical musicians, fine
artists and photographers of different Afghan
backgrounds to showcase their work – both amateur
and professional, local and international – to 5,000
members of the UK’s Afghan community.
Upon entering the Park, visitors were met
with a dizzying variety of Afghan and Central Asian
food stalls scrawled across the Piazza, and were
wooed by enthusiastic restauranteurs into deciding
which dish to consume, many of which reminded
the elder attendees of their childhood meals taken
with families back home in Afghanistan. After feeding
the family, guests were invited to wander through
the indoor portion of the Festival, a massive hall which
58
Across from the stage, three fine artists displayed
and sold their works in an elegant exhibition space.
Afghan illustrator, Sadaf Ahmadi and Afghan painter,
Mr. Hadid, showcased their pieces alongside Iranian
photographer, Shahriar Khonsari, whose work depicts
the plight of Afghan refugees in Iran.
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Meanwhile, throughout the rest of the park, children
flew kites, played on fun fair rides and circus
equipment, had their faces painted and watched
falconry displays, while 350 Afghan footballers played
an all-day, seven-a-side tournament.
volunteers who did a great job. It was the first time
that my children told me they had enjoyed an Afghan
event in 20 years.’
As performances on the main stage progressed,
the crowd on the pitch grew into a massive sea
of dancing, eating and celebrating audience
members. Three well-known presenters led the crowd
through children’s choir and theatre performances,
and a number of opening acts, including Uzbek singer
Khair Muhammad Chavosh, Scottish-born Clem
Alford, Bahir Amiri, Arash Barez, London-based Elaha
Sroor, Tawab Arash, rapper Bejan Zafarmel and Bashir
Maidani. Finally, the beautiful Mozhdah Jamalzadeh,
a Canadian-Afghan singer and activist waltzed onto
the stage in a striking yellow dress before a cheering
crowd of young girls and long-time fans, performing
a number of her well-known favourites. As the sun
began to set, headliner Sediq Shabab appeared onstage
to close the festival with an hour-long performance
of his best hits.
Veedda Mall
The cheery faces of children and adults alike beamed
throughout the day as they enjoyed what was on offer
at the event. One Festival-goer from the community said,
‘The venue, the music, the food, the stalls, the security
and overall the environment was very enjoyable.
Thank you to the hard-working and responsible
www.ocamagazine.com
59
book review
book review
paranoia among the general public in the Americas
and Western Europe. But there is also a nascent
anti-movement taking shape, consisting of analysts
and commentators trying to resist the Washingtonorchestrated brainwash and trying to find, mostly
through online channels, its way to public opinion.
The book offers a rich anthology of samples how
media play into the hands of the US-led “war party” as
well as those who try to expose such manipulations.
Special attention is given to the civil war in Ukraine
and the way it is exploited by the west for its own
geopolitical goals, and to Kyrgyzstan which remains
at risk of attempts to topple Central Asia’s sole
parliamentary democracy and replace it by a US
“client regime”.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cold War II:
Cries in the desert,
or how to counterbalance
NATO’s propaganda
from Ukraine to Central Asia
by Charles van der Leeuw
NEW BOOK SHEDS LIGHT ON WESTERN MEDIA
CAMPAIGNS TO CREATE ANTI-RUSSIAN WAR MOODS
Charles van der Leeuw was born in The Hague, The
Netherlands, in 1952. He started working as an
independent reporter on cultural issues in a wide
variety of publications back in 1977. Ten years
later, he settled down in war-torn Beirut as an
international war correspondent, following a first
experience in Iraq in 1985 which resulted in his
first book on the Iraq-Iran war. After his kidnapping
and release in 1989, his second book “Lebanon the injured innocence” came out, followed, in early
1992, by “Kuwait burns”. Later in the year, he settled
down in Baku, Azerbaijan, as a war correspondent.
“Storm over the Caucasus” on the southern Caucasus
geopolitical conflicts, came out in 1997 in the Dutch
language and two years later in the first English
edition. It was followed by “Azerbaijan - a quest
for identity” and “Oil and gas in the Caucasus and
Caspian - a history”, both published in 2000, and
“Black&Blue” published in Almaty in summer 2003
(second edition published in 2007) about the stormy
rise of Russia’s present-day oil and gas companies.
It was followed in 2011 by a study on Kazakhstan’s
mega-fraudsters who deprived the country’s banking
system both of more than ten billion in US dollar
and if its investors’ confidence. His latest publication
before this work was a bipartite book about the
histories of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
The
Wormwood
Wind
This candid collection is clearly the literary outpouring
of a planetary citizen. A woman equally at home
on the Steppes of Central Asia as much as the Capital
cities of Europe. To my mind, a far from trivial
verity once we recognise the innate femininity
of her versification. Similarly to Sappho (5th
Century BC), Nukenova allows everyone access into
a woman’s world, wherein seductive complexities
of thought becomes manifest through wit and rhetoric.
Admittedly, her images are often sharp—carefully
elaborated for their own jovial sake. Moreover, she
has the habit of quoting conversations (imaginary
or real) to gain an almost naked immediacy in front
of her readers. Yet, in a myriad of manners dissimilar
to the Greeks (who apparently prized an unbalanced,
one-sided, or exaggerated, mode of perfection),
Nukenova stands shoulder to shoulder with Viking
peoples when they contend only heroic lives can deal
with apparent antinomies. For us, “To Be” is “To Do”
and “To Do” is “To struggle” ….. a sense of fated destiny
we apparently share with our Kazakh brothers. Either
way, Nukenova seems to believe battling for an honest
personal “Becoming” is the hardest of all wars to win.
— David William Parry
Illistrations by Kristina Glazunova
Raushan Nukenova
poetry
edited by David Parry
The English publishing house Hertfordshire Press is
pleased to announce the publication of the new book
by the Dutch author Charles van der Leeuw “Cold
War II: cries in the desert – or how to counterbalance
NATO’s propaganda from Ukraine to Central Asia”.
“Cold War II” is the result of almost two years of
intensive monitoring and collecting information and
comments from various angles concerning US-led
campaigns to surround the Russian Federation with
enemies. The author signals an initial successful
mass-mobilisation of western news media, including
traditionally critical ones, to create anti-Russian
60
ISBN 978-1-910886-07-6
HERTFORDSHIRE PRESS
Hertfordshire Press
9 Cherry Bank, Chapel Street
Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5DE
www.hertfordshirepress.com 9 781910 886076
www.ocamagazine.com
www.ocamagazine.com
61
ORZ
ARTS FESTIVAL
OPEN
CENTRAL ASIA
First Central Asian Arts Festival
Finds Plenty of Followers
On 20th September 2015 ORZU Arts and their partners, brought the sights and sounds of the Central Asian
republics to their local community in South East London in an all-Central Asian Arts Festival.
Fortunately the rain clouds parted and the sun shone through a blue sky on the TeachSport Community Centre
Fields in Catford, London SE6. A Kazakh yurt, kindly lent by SOAS at London University, beautifully decorated
in the Central Asian style was the eye-catching focal point. It provided a traditional space to greet guests,
with tea, Uzbek bread, typical sweets and have conversations. Her Excellency Gulnara Iskakova, the Ambassador
of Kyrgyzstan, was the guest of honour at the event.
Later a crowd settled on the carpets inside the yurt to listen to Dr. Rachel Harris from SOAS giving an illustrated
lecture about her research into Uyghur culture. Otherwise, the cosy yurt quickly became a favourite place
for children to play.
Throughout the afternoon, the fields outside rang with music from distant lands and many festival visitors
danced. From Uzbekistan, the soulful voice of Guljahon Baiz, who had flown in from Sweden specially to perform;
from the London the Uyghur ensemble who played traditional music, accompanying Rahima Mahmut who
sang and danced. There was music and singing from a Kazakh dutar group and from Sevara Yakubova who
performed a captivating Tajik dance, dressed in a glittering traditional silk costume and headdress. Nazgul
Zhuzumova & Aizada Israilova danced to traditional Kyrgyz music adorned in their colourful national costumes.
The London Gypsy ensemble also performed, as did Verdat Kafkasyali’s duo with vigorous music from Azerbaijan.
Surrounding the yurt were stalls presenting more of the cultures of Central Asia, including Pasha Restaurant
serving delicious traditional food all afternoon, London’s Uyghur community group had a stand presenting
cultural information and selling traditional crafts. OCA Magazine, in conjunction with Hertfordshire Press,
presented a host of reading material on Central Asia.
The good news is that second, larger, festival is also planned to take place in September 2016 across a number
of Central London venues.
62
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63
Latest events from
The European Azerbaijan Society
events
As an encore, the audience were rewarded with variations on
the main theme of the Azerbaijani traditional dance Shalakho,
written in the challenging time signature of 6/8. This saw Alexandre’s saxophone take on the role of the traditional balaban
flute, before wildly entering the realms of free jazz and calland-response dialogue with the percussion of Raphaël.
Initially, Emil’s pianistic skills were solely heard in the borders
of his home country. However, this changed in 2011, when he
received the Public Prize at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and in
2012 he went to study performance and composition at the
Berklee College of Music in the US, where he now resides.
The second half of the concert comprised a performance by the
septuagenarian jazz-rock pioneer Aldo Romano and the other
members of his trio.
The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) is a UK-registered
pan-European foundation dedicated to raising awareness
of Azerbaijan and fostering closer economic, political and cultural
links between that country and the nations of Europe.
In addition to promoting the positive aspects of Azerbaijan,
TEAS also highlights the plight of the 875,000 refugees
and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within the country.
These people are unable to return to their homes and lands
due to the illegal occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven
surrounding regions by Armenia’s armed forces – in defiance
of four UN Security Council resolutions.
TEAS was launched in November 2008, having initially been
established as the London Azerbaijan Society four years
earlier. The organisation now has offices in the UK, Belgium,
France, Germany and Turkey, along with a representative office
in Azerbaijan.
The sensational Emil Afrasiyab demonstrated remarkable synergy
with the other members of his quartet – Antoine Katz (bass guitar), Alexandre
Madeline (tenor saxophone) and Raphaël Pannier (drums) (Photo: Stylin’CO)
Emil Afrasiyab headlines
the Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The concert came in the middle of a three-date French festival
tour by Emil’s quartet that began on 27th May with a performance at the inaugural Sunnyside Festival in Reims, attended
by around 150 people, including Pascal Labelle, Deputy Mayor
of Reims in charge of Culture and Ayaz Gojayev, Cultural Advisor
to the Azerbaijani Embassy in France. The tour concluded on 7th
September with the opening concert of the Colmar Jazz Festival.
TEAS France sponsored Emil’s participation in all three festivals.
To see and hear Emil performing Aziza at the 2013 Baku International Jazz Festival, go to http://bit.ly/emilaziza.
Leading Azerbaijani jazz pianist Emil Afrasiyab has dazzled 380
jazz aficionados in Paris with his dexterity and innovation on
the second night of the prestigious 15th Festival Jazz à SaintGermain-des-Prés. On 29th May, the audience included H.E.
Elchin Amirbayov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to France; bass guitarist Kyle Eastwood, son of legendary film star Clint; author
Michel Contat, a leading literary and jazz critic; and Alain Kassimatis, the renowned jazz producer. TEAS France sponsored the
concert, having done so at the previous edition of the festival,
when the spotlight was directed towards pianist Isfar Sarabski.
friends of Azerbaijan. The reception was organised by TEAS and
hosted by Lord Addington.
During the Games, which ran from 12–28 June, Baku hosted
more than 6000 athletes from over 50 countries, competing
in more than 20 sporting disciples. Of these, 16 sports offered
qualification opportunities for the Rio2016 Olympic Games.
Tale Heydarov, Chairman and Founder, TEAS, said: “The fact that
the first European Games were granted to Azerbaijan proves that
the country is worthy to host them. During the past decade, the
economic level and infrastructure of my country has developed
considerably. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has chaired the
Azerbaijani Olympic Committee for some years, which has given
a great boost to the development of sports in Azerbaijan. We are
now reaping the fruits of these developments.”
In a video address, Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer, Baku
European Games Operations Committee (BECOG), said: “We have
had to compress all that is required to host a Games into just 30
months – this normally takes seven years. This has been an immense undertaking, and resulted in a coming together of both
the expat community and the talented people of Azerbaijan.”
Lord Addington commented: “Games are a celebration of sport,
and provide a valuable opportunity for the cross-fertilisation
of ideas and cultures. Azerbaijan has given a new platform for
Games to Europe; this will be a festival of sports, and will be
something very special.”
TEAS has three main facets to its operations:
Culture – TEAS raises awareness of Azerbaijan’s rich and vibrant
culture to a worldwide audience by organising cultural events
and operating as a networking centre.
Business – TEAS supports its membership of European
and Azerbaijani businesses.It provides a platform for organisations
to establish links and strengthen their existing business
relationships via a programme of networking opportunities
across the regions.
Public Affairs – TEAS works to increase awareness about
Azerbaijan amongst key opinion-formers, key decision-makers
and other political, academic and civil society stakeholders.
For more information on all TEAS events, both past and future,
go to www.teas.eu
64
Born in Baku in 1982, Emil is a major artist amongst the new
generation of Azerbaijani jazz performers. He specialises in the
synthesis of jazz with Azerbaijani mugham, both of which feature a high degree of improvisation and provide great scope for
personal expression. His work is notable for its contrasts in intonation, and fluctuating harmonics and rhythms, more commonly
found in classical music.
The set began with Emil’s self-penned Two Worlds. After a delicate and rhapsodic solo introduction, Emil increased the tempo,
running up and down the piano keyboard, his music incorporating the Eastern harmonies and microtones found in mugham,
being carried along by the propulsive polyrhythmic drumming
of Raphaël Pannier. This was followed by a version of Azerbaijani jazz-mugham pioneer Vagif Mustafzadeh’s March, which
included Alexandre Madeline on tenor saxophone. Emil then
performed Aziza, his own composition, dedicated to Vagif Mustafazadeh’s daughter of the same name, who is renowned as a
jazz singer/pianist in her own right.
www.ocamagazine.com
Tale Heydarov, Chairman, TEAS opened the reception, watched
by Bob Blackman MP, Secretary, Azerbaijan APPG and H.E. Tahir Taghizadeh,
Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK (Photo: Andrew Wiard)
UK Parliament showcases Baku2015
The Baku2015 European Games were celebrated during an official reception for around 120 people in the Churchill Room of
the UK Parliament on 3rd June. Attendees included Baroness
Uddin, Lord Addington, Lord Kilclooney, Lord Risby, Lord Foulkes,
Lord German, Lord Brookhaven, and the MPs Judith Cummins,
Stephen Hammond, Christopher Pincher, Bob Blackman, Roger
Godsith, Damien Green, Mike Gapes, together with diplomats,
representatives of UK and Azerbaijani sports federations and
Saida Zulfugarova and Sahib Pashazade blended Azerbaijani and western
musical traditions across a range of musical styles
(Photo: Philippe Afantchawo)
European and Eastern musical traditions brought together at the Sorbonne University
Azerbaijani classical pianist Saida Zulfugarova, who is no
stranger to the stage of the Sorbonne, has duetted with
Sahib Pashazade – a leading exponent of the Azerbaijani
tar – to dazzle more than 200 Parisian musical connoisseurs with a concert entitled Les Traditions en mode classique. The concert took place on 8th June in the historical
Amphitheatre of La Sorbonne.
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65
Following the concert, Sonia Mendieta de Badaroux,
Former President of the Executive Board of UNESCO,
and Member of the Association of Friends of Azerbaijan,
wrote: “We would like to congratulate you most sincerely
for the extraordinary and wonderful concert… we had the
privilege of listening to the great pianist Saida Zulfugarova and Sahib Pashazade, performing on a traditional
instrument acknowledged as part of Intangible Cultural
Heritage by UNESCO. Thank you – Azerbaijan has a gold
mine of artists – and we are discovering this by virtue
of the collaboration between TEAS and the Embassy of
Azerbaijan in France.”
These two diverse instruments performed duet arrangements of Astor Piazzolla’s languorous Oblivion, Georges
Bizet’s evocative Carmen Overture and Vittorio Monti’s
exhilarating Czardas. They also played some works from
the Azerbaijani classical repertoire, including Farhad Badelbeyli’s Shusha and Ramiz Rzaev’s Chahargah Rhapsody. Ms Zulfugarova concluded with Beethoven’s Sonata
No.17 ‘The Tempest’ and Liszt’s Grande Etude Campanella,
and the concert received a standing ovation.
about the Khojaly Massacre to be published in the West
in English.”
ritories of Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven surrounding
regions.
He went on to say that: “Armenia has refused to accept
responsibility for what happened, going as far as to say
that Azerbaijanis killed their own people in order to make
the international community turn against Armenia. This
is why it was so important for us to produce as much
evidence as we could. The book includes interviews with
witnesses of the events in Khojaly, materials published in
the international press, the views of foreign researchers,
reports from international organisations and rare pictures taken by international photographers.”
The renowned German photographer Philipp Rathmer
said: “In July 2012, I spent one week visiting IDPs and
refugees in the Azerbaijani towns of Takhtakorpu and
Guzanli, near the Armenian border, and Darnagul and
Gizigum, located north of Baku. Throughout, I aimed to
represent the suffering of these people by focusing on
their faces in extreme close-up. Each subject was shot in
exactly the same way, against a black background, lit in
indirect sunlight, emphasis being placed on capturing the
faces, sufferings and stories of the people. You can see the
problems in their eyes and wrinkles.
H.E. Tahir Taghizade, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK,
said: “There are people who share military, moral and legal responsibility for what occurred in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Until they are brought to justice, we
will have no guarantee that something like this will not
happen again in the future.”
Fiona Maclachlan, joint editor of the book, sadly passed
away last year. Alastair Maclachlan, her husband, spoke
on her behalf. He said: “When Fiona came back from having interviewed the survivors of Khojaly, she said she was
honoured and very moved. Fiona genuinely hoped that
this book would make a difference to the people who had
suffered and that it would do the same for those who
read it.”
“The focus was on the human situation – I noted each
subject’s name, age, occupation, name of the camp in
which they lived and the town from which they had been
displaced. They also spoke of their experiences, some very
candidly, some with reticence. These photos show one
side of the conflict – the side that had to flee and give
up their homes. They therefore represent all those who
are displaced in the world’s many wars. One aspiration
was common to all – they wanted to take one of the five
roads leading back to the occupied regions – one of the
Five Roads Back Home.” To date, Five Roads Back Home
has been exhibited to wide acclaim in Berlin, Paris and
Istanbul.
to the composer’s wife (and his favourite dog); Triunfal,
one of his earliest compositions, dating back to his studies in Paris under the tutelage of Nadia Boulanger; the
languorous Oblivion, composed for the soundtrack of the
film Enrico IV; and the four sections of the Angel Suite,
written to accompany a phantasmagorical play set in an
apartment building in Buenos Aires.
The concert also included works by the contemporary
Argentine composers Gustavo Beytelmann – including
the titular Encuentro – and Ramiro Gallo. The Belgian
composer Frédéric Devreese also contributed two atmospheric works from his rich canon – the quirky Passage
à 5 and Final Game IV. Following a standing ovation, the
Ensemble performed two glorious encores – a lullaby
by Montsalvatge entitled Canción de cuna para dormir
a un negrito, featuring the tenor Neil Latchman, and the
evocative 1930s tango Che Bandoneón, composed by Anibal Troilo. To order Encuentro, go to www.decoensemble.
com/music.
The set concluded with one of Isfar’s most popular compositions – G Man – which began with a Bachian introduction, before developing a funky bassline that gave rise
to Isfar’s evermore inventive and octave-jumping improvisations.
Despite screaming and whistling for more, the transfixed
Ronnie Scott’s audience was disappointed, as the scheduling of the evening gave no opportunity for encores.
However, their rapturous response left no doubt that he
will soon return to the club.
Future Events
Co-editor Ian Peart explained the justification for the new book
Landmark book on Khojaly Massacre launched
in the UK Parliament
On 1st July, the book Khojaly Witness of a War Crime: Armenia in the Dock was launched in the House of Lords.
The event was hosted by Lord Kilclooney and organised
by TEAS. Those attending included Lord Foulkes, Lord
Addington and Bob Blackman MP.
The book launch commemorated the victims of the Khojaly Massacre in 1992, the worst single atrocity of the
Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
On the night of 25–26 February 1992, 613 civilians were
brutally murdered. The death toll included 106 women,
63 children and 70 elderly people.
Ian Peart, Project Co-ordinator, TEAS, who co-edited the
book, stated: “The book, Khojaly Witness of a War Crime:
Armenia in the Dock, is the first independent publication
66
Leading photographer Philipp Rathmer outlines his experiences in the IDP
camps alongside Marc Verwilghen, Director, TEAS Benelux
Stark photos of Azerbaijani IDPs and refugees
come to the Belgian Senate
Following a landmark decision by the President of the
Belgian Senate, the stark photos of Azerbaijani IDPs and
refugees went on display for one week amidst the neoclassical surroundings of the Belgian Senate in Brussels
on 16 June in commemoration of UN World Refugee Day.
This emotionally-charged exhibition, organised by TEAS
Benelux, served to capture the ongoing plight of some of
the refugees and IDPs from the Armenian-occupied ter-
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Sabina Rakcheyeva and the Deco Ensemble captivated the audience
with tracks from their début album (Photo: Lepton Productions)
Encuentro launched in London
The début album by the critically-acclaimed Deco Ensemble, comprising Azerbaijani violinist Sabina Rakcheyeva
alongside Bartosz Glowacki (accordion), Ricardo Gosalbo (piano), Rob Luft (guitar) and Elena Marigómez (double bass) was launched at the Purcell Room in London’s
Southbank Centre on 9th July with the support of TEAS.
The programme focused on the ‘tango nuevo’ genre, particularly concentrating on pieces by Astor Piazzolla, including his romantic Mumuki, written in 1984 and dedicated
14th October - TEAS Business Forum Brussels: Azerbaijan through the eyes of international investors Diamant
Conference & Business Centre, Auguste Reyerslaan 80,
1030 Brussels, Belgium
RSVP to aygun.ismayilova@teas.eu before 15 September.
This business forum will comprise the following sessions: energy, agribusiness, infrastructure and ICT.
Companies from Azerbaijan, Belgium, the Czech Republic,
France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain and the UK will be in attendance.
21st October - Geostrategic Maritime Review: The
Caspian Sea – geopolitical and geostrategic stakes for
the wider region (Paris) L’Hôtel de l’Industrie, Société
d’Encouragement pour l’Industrie Nationale, 4 Place
Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
RSVP by 10 October to paris@teas.eu or communications.
assistant@obgms.org
www.ocamagazine.com
67
events
events
London Hosts Roundtable on Water for Life
On 25th June 2015, the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in London
organised a round table to discuss the outcomes of High-Level
International Conference on the implementation of the International
Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015. The Ambassador
of Tajikistan in the UK gave an overview on the main results
of the conference, outlined the provisions of the Dushanbe Declaration
adopted at the Conference and spoke about the initiative of the President
of the Republic of Tajikistan on a new “Decade for Actions” and “Water
for Sustainable Development”.
The Second Secretary of the Embassy reviewed, in his presentation,
the global water initiatives of Tajikistan that have been implemented
during the last decades. Along with actions of Tajikistan
on an international level, special focus has been given to the important
role of the country in regional water cooperation. Mr.Richard Taylor,
Chief Executive of International Hydropower Association then talked
on the subject of climate change and sustainable development. Mr.
Taylor provided detailed analysis of the impact of climate change
on the preservation of water resources and energy generation by hydro
power stations. At the end participants discussed related topics
and evaluated the outcomes of the conference and the role of Tajikistan
in promoting the international water agenda. The event was attended
by the representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
embassies accredited in London, experts and the media.
CATBIG Hosts Central Asian Ambassadors
On 6th of July 2015 the British Expertise International hold a meeting
dedicated to the economic, political and commercial situation in Central
Asian countries. The guests of honor at the event were the British
Ambassadors to Georgia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
Alexandra Hall has been British Ambassador to Georgia since September
2013. Alexandra spoke to CATBIG members last May when she gave her
initial impressions of Georgia and this time was able to give a mid-posting
update as well as compare to her previous postings in Bogota (Deputy
Head of Mission) and prior to that in New Delhi, Washington and Bangkok.
Dr Carolyn Browne has been British Ambassador to Kazakhstan
since January 2013. She has spoken to CATBIG a number of times, and her
insights into the politics, economy and commercial opportunities in this
key emerging market, a critical player in energy supplies to Europe,
68
are always most sought after. Sanjay Wadvani OBE has been British
Ambassador to Turkmenistan since December 2013. CATBIG has worked
closely with Sanjay and his team on a range of commercial initiatives,
including the Turkmenistan-UK Trade & Industry Council (TUKTIC),
and focus events on technical and vocational education and business
resulting from Ashgabat holding the Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games
in 2017.
An Unusual British-Iranian Experience
On 30th of July 2015, Hertfordshire Press publishing house held
an author talk on the book, “Land of forty tribes” by British-Iranian author,
Dr.Farideh Heyat. The event took place at the Society for Co-operation
in Russian and Soviet Studies. Numerous guests attended, including
students from SOAS University of London. The author made
an interesting presentation of her new book and shared her experiences
of travelling in Central Asia, good and bad. Her “Land of forty tribes”
book was published in 2015 by British publishing house “Hertfordshire
Press” and this latest talk is one of a number by the author. The first
presentation was held on May in London. And in July was held one more
presentation in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kazakh Khanate’s 550th Anniversary Celebrations
On 10th of June 2015, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and British
company, Silk Road Media, held an author talk on the book, “Vanished
Khans and Empty Steppes” by English writer, Robert Wight. The event
took place at Yunus Emre Institute London Turkish Cultural Centre
and was devoted to the 550th Anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate.
The welcome speech was made by the First Secretary of the Embassy
of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland, Askar Zhiymbayev.
Numerous distinguished guests attended, including participants
of the first Kazakh delegation from South Kazakhstan (Shymkent),
which was visiting Stevenage on the occasion of celebrating the 25th
anniversary of the establishment of twin cities status between Shymkent
and Stevenage.
The event was also attended by British publisher, Marat Akhmedjanov,
who told the audience about the work of his Hertfordshire Press
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publishing house.The company specializes in publishing books by authors
from Kazakhstan and Central Asia. There was also an exhibition of books
about Central Asia published by Hertfordshire Press. “Vanished Khans
and Empty Steppes” was published by Hertfordshire Press in London
in 2014.
British Chamber of Commerce Launches in Astana
On 14th September 2015, the British Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan
was officially launched in Astana during the visit of Lord Maude, the UK
Minister of State for Trade and Investment to Kazakhstan. The British
Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan is a member of the international
network of British Chambers of Commerce and is a business association
supported by UKTI (UK Trade and Investment) with close ties to the British
Embassy in Astana. The aim of the British Chamber is to facilitate trade
and investment between Kazakhstan and the UK as well as to support
the commercial, economic and financial interests of the British business
community in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The official launch was
attended by the Honorary President of the British Chamber of Commerce
in Kazakhstan, Professor Charles Hendry, as well as representatives
of the government of Kazakhstan and the British business community
working in Kazakhstan.
Iran After the Nuclear Deal: ­Looking to the Future
A special session on Iran titled, “Looking to the Future” was chaired
by the chairman of the South Asia and Middle East Forum, Khalid
Nadeem, on 17th September 2015 in the House of Commons, London.
Keynote speakers included: Mr Richard Bacon ­ Conservative MP, Mrs
Tasmina Ahmed­Sheikh ­Scottish National Party MP, Dr Jack Caravelli­
Special adviser to President Clinton on nonproliferation policy, Mr
Jonathan Paris ­Political Analyst, Ms Nazenin Ansari ­Journalist, and Ms
Sharan Tabari ­Analyst. Guests came from a host of countries across
the world and the session covered a range of topics both associated
with the nuclear deal and the new opportunities arising from it.
The conclusion of the session suggested that there seems to be an impetus
for greater trade relations between the West and Iran, and the U.K.
in particular. This can be personified by British Foreign Secretary, Philip
Hammond’s recent trip to Iran to reopen the British embassy in Tehran,
accompanied by a business delegation. The reopening of embassies
has been predicted to spur tourism to Iran, which will also create
business and trade opportunities for companies both inside and outside
of the country. The gradual release of money back to Iran in accordance
with the international agreements now signed is anticipated to help
the country relieve the majority of its debt and to rehabilitate its economy
which has been crippled under the sanctions regime. Yet, there is still
some cause for concern over the lack of transparency over how these
funds will be split and spent. General consensus among the speakers
of the forum was that the nuclear deal provides a great opportunity
not only for Iran, but for Western countries whom may be interested
in opening up diplomatic and trade relations with the country. However,
they claim that this is wholly dependent on whether Iran upholds
the agreement.
Almaty Hosts KITAPFEST Again
On 5th September 2015, the Charitable Fund “Baurzhan”, the Eurasian
Franchise Association and the Department of Culture of Almaty
organised the biggest book festival in Almaty. This was the second
Almaty KITAPFEST book festival and was dedicated to children’s
literature.
The aim of the festival was to grow the popularity of book reading
among children and young people and raising the status of literature.
The program included an illustrated book exhibition, a book fair
of the largest Kazakh publishing houses and bookshops, book launches
of several Kazakh writers, master classes, live concerts, competitions
and book readings.
During the festival there was a book fair, which was attended
by publishing houses and bookshops. There were also numerous
lectures and master classes with Kazakh poets and writers.
As part of the KITAPFEST book festival the Charitable Fund “Baurzhan”
held a charity campaign to collect books for children suffering
from leukemia and cancer. At the end of the festival the books were
given to patients of the Scientific Centre of Pediatrics and Pediatric
Surgery.
The first KITAPFEST Book Festival was held in 2014, on the Academy
of Sciences of Kazakhstan alley in Almaty. The event was attended
by numerous guests, Kazakh writers and publishing houses of the city.
Embassy of Kazakhstan, Pavel Miheev, OCA
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events
Russian Embassy Counselor Hands Over Post
On 5th of August 2015 a farewell party was held for the Russian
Embassy’s Counselor in the UK, Sergey Nalobin. Nalobin has been
conscientiously performed his duties for the last five years. The event
was attended by representatives of the diplomatic community. Sergey
Nalobin has supported Open Central Asia magazine throughout his stay
in London and we wish him all the best for the future.
The 43rd ICTM World Conference
The biggest international forum on art and culture was held between
July 16th – 22nd 2015 at the Kazakh National University of Arts in Astana,
Kazakhstan. This conference is the largest international meeting point
for professionals from all over the world, where participants can present
their research, and experience and emerge with new initiatives on music,
dance, national art and culture.
More than 800 delegates from over 70 countries such as Kazakhstan,
USA, China, Portugal, Turkey, Russia visited the event. During these
days some 30 parallel sessions discussed the following themes: Music
and New Political Geographies in the Turkic-speaking World and Beyond;
The Creators of Music and Dance; Music, Dance, the Body, and Society;
Sound Environments: From Natural and Urban Spaces to Personal
Listening; Visual Representation of Music Cultures.
Kazakhstan became the first Central Asian country to host an event
like this. Dr. Razia Sultanova was main driving force behind the event
and made a significant contribution. “We have seen beautiful dances
and heard wonderful music of Asia. It was a magnificent experience
for us to explore Kazakhstan and get to know Asia better,” said the ICTM
President Salwa El-Shawan Castelo-Branco.
The next conference will be held in Ireland in 2017.
2015 Paul Bergne Memorial Lecture
On 13th of May 2015, the Paul Bergne Memorial Lecture was given
by Professor Marlene Laruelle on the subject: “Central Asia In and Out:
Globalizing Factors”. The event took place at St Antony’s College, Oxford.
Professor Marlene Laurelle is Director of the Central Asia Programme
and a Research Professor of International Affairs at the Institute
for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES), Elliott School
of International Affairs, George Washington University. The event was
attended by numerous distinguished guests.
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National «Silk Road Fair» Shymkent
On 18th September 2015 the Akimat of the South Kazakhstan region
held a national tourist Silk Road Fair. The main purpose of the event was
to develop domestic tourism, promote the tourist destinations of South
Kazakhstan region and support the Kazakh tourism organisations.
The main participants of the fair were representatives of other regions
of Kazakhstan, tour companies, hotels, resorts, national parks and nature
reserves and higher and secondary special educational institutions that
train specialists in the field of tourism.
The event was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakh Tourism Association, JSC “NC” Astana EXPO - 2017 “, representatives of leading European and Kazakh tourism companies and the National Chamber
of Entrepreneurs.
As part of the fair, a forum was held that explored “The role of regional
tourism in the conduct of the Expo - 2017” and included a presentation
on the “Convention Centre of Shymkent”. There were also learning seminars for tour operators and representatives of the hotel industry, which
addressed the importance of marketing activities, the development
of domestic tourism, and the formation of tour packages at the international exhibition EXPO - 2017.
Popovich Student Prepares For Success
Tamila Salimdjanova delighted her audience at Bloomsbury Square
on 20th August 2015 when she played a piano recital at the Equipes
de Sogdiana concert, with pieces from Haydyn, Schubert and Debussy.
Salimdjanova is one of only a handful of pianists who have managed
to participate in two of the three major big competition held this year:
Tchaikovsky, Leeds and Chopin. She is the last student of the legendary
Tamara Popovich, who produced many laureates and top prize winners
of Tchaikovsky and Chopin, the most famous of them being Alexei Sultanov. At present she is studying both at the Moscow Tchaikovsky State
Conservatory with Irina Plotnikova and at the Royal College of Music
with Dmitry Alexeev. She is supported by the Future for Russia Scholar
and the Lee Abbey Award and in the past received grants from the International Charitable Fund of Vladimir Spivakov and the Russia Performance Art Fund.
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In Memoriam
Kazat Akmatov
1941 - 2015
Prominent Kygyz writer and friend of Silk Road
Media, Kazat Akmatov, who co-chaired the
Kyrgyzstan Democratic Movement patry in the
1990s, died on 13th September 2015 at home in
Kyrgyzstan at the age of 73.
Born in 1941 in the Kyrgyz Republic under the
Soviet Union, Akmatov had first -hand experience
of extreme political reactions to his work, which
was deemed anti-Russian and anti-communist
and resulted in censorship. Akmatov was a gifted
storyteller, whose writing was imbued with a passion
for his homeland and concern over the oppression
of his people. His determination to fight for basic
human rights in oppressed countries led him to play
an active and prominent role in the establishment of the Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan. Even
in the post-Soviet era, he continued, through his writing, to highlight the many problems faced by the
Central Asian countries.
Although he has written many books, his book “Thirteen Steps Towards the Fate of Erika Klaus” was
translated into English and published by Hertfordshire Press in 2013. It was written in Russian in
2007 and concerns the recent past of 1995, telling the story of a naïve Norwegian girl who volunteers
to teach English in a remote Kyrgyz village within the vicinity of a frontier military outpost that
ultimately leads to her shocking demise.
“Munabiyya” was Akmatov’s second book to be translated into English and published by Hertfordshire Press in 2014. It tells of two love stories set in rural Kyrgyzstan, where the natural environment,
local culture, traditions and political climate all play an integral part in the dramas that unfold. Akmatov presents an interesting insight into a rural community, the power relations between men and
women, and a gripping human drama.
Writer and Diplomat, Chingiz Aitmatov, once said of Akmatov, “Despite being prohibited from
publishing under Soviet rule, Kazat Akmatov never gave up, and through his writing, takes his own
stance on highlighting the need to protect the rights and liberties of small nations from the powers
that be. His novels thus focus on the life and fate of oppressed colonial peoples, including Kyrgyz,
Tibetans and Chechens, who have been seeking their freedom and independence for centuries.”
Open Central Asia’s Editor-in-Chief, Nick Rowan, who met Akmatov on his last visit to London said,
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Kazat Akmatov’s passing. His drive and determination to get his
important messages across through his writing, irrespective of the huge personal risk to himself, are
contributions we should admire, respect and follow.”
Friendly Steppes: A Silk Road Journey chronicles an extraordinary adventure that led
intrepid traveller Nick Rowan to some of the world’s most incredible and hidden places: from
Venice through Eastern Europe, still recovering from brutal warfare; on to Turkey, the gateway
to Asia, and much-misunderstood Iran; across the exotic steppes of Central Asia, emerging from
Soviet domination; and finally into a rapidly developing yet still mysterious China. Intertwined
with the majesty of 2000 years of Silk Road history, Friendly Steppes recounts not only the
author’s travels but the remarkable impact that this trade route has had on modern culture.
Containing colourful stories and characters, wrapped in the local myths and legends told by
the people who live along the route today, this is both an entertaining travelogue and inspiring
introduction to a part of the world that has largely remained hidden from Western eyes for
hundreds of years but is on the verge of retaking its central role on the international stage.
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OPEN EURASIA & CENTRAL ASIA
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2015