On August 27, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev laid the foundation stone for the construction of the National Museum of Uzbekistan. The museum was designed by the Japanese architectural firm Tadao Ando Architect & Associates in collaboration with the German company Atelier Brückner. The architectural design combines circles, squares and triangles, symbolizing the harmony between Eastern and
Hertfordshire Press is proud to announce the release of Naked Nimbus, the third novel by acclaimed author Shahsanem Murray. This highly anticipated work follows her earlier successes “Cold Shadows” and “Finding the Holy Path”, both available on Amazon and discovery-bookshop.com. In Naked Nimbus, Murray tells the story of Arthur, a young and ambitious artist haunted
This year, the Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art almanac takes on a special resonance. Its pages are dedicated to the anniversaries of two great enlighteners whose legacy bridges cultures and eras — Abai Kunanbaev, the Kazakh poet, thinker, and reformer, and Igor Savitsky, the legendary collector and guardian of Central Asian art. This almanac
The Ajiniyaz Nukus State Pedagogical Institute (NSPI) in Nukus, the capital of Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan autonomous region, is one of the leading higher education institutions in Uzbekistan, especially known for its contribution to teacher education and cultural development in the region. Established in 1934, the institute is named after the famous Karakalpak poet Ajiniyaz, symbolizing its
Kazakhstan, a country with deep agricultural roots, is rapidly emerging as a major agro-industrial hub. This transformation necessitates the development of a new generation of professionals who are knowledgeable in advanced technologies, scientific innovation, and international standards. Within this context, Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University (KATRU, Seifullin University) plays a crucial role in shaping
The city of Ashgabat came alive on July 24 as the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan, in partnership with the State Library of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan, hosted a vibrant Book Fair that celebrated the power of literature and strengthened cultural ties between the United States and Turkmenistan, according to the embassy. The event
In recent years, Central Asia has experienced not merely a surge of interest in music, but a cultural renaissance in which music itself becomes a pivotal element in educational reform, social transformation, and soft power projection. At the heart of this process lies not only the revival of genres once confined to folklore, but also
In recent years, Uzbekistan has become an increasingly important cultural and economic crossroads in Central Asia, attracting diplomats, international organizations, and businesses from around the world. As the country opens its doors to greater international engagement, the need for high-quality Uzbek language education has never been more pressing. Meeting this need is Methodica, a pioneering
Since gaining independence, the countries of the post-Soviet space have focused significant attention on finding and building an optimal strategy for developing their education systems. Dastan Bekeshev, Member of the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyz parliament) and Deputy Chairman of the parliamentary Budget Committee, spoke with OCA Magazine about the main challenges and achievements on this path.
Zhanseit Tuimebayev is a distinguished statesman of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an esteemed diplomat, scholar, Doctor of Philological Sciences, professor, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. In his role as Chairman of the Board – Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University he has the responsibility of guiding this world-class research university through the challenges of modern
The Kazakh national epic Narqyz, created in the early 20th century by the prominent akyn Nurpeis Baiganin and published in English in 2024, has received a personal letter of gratitude from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, William. This marks the first time in history that a work of Kazakh oral literature translated into
Hertfordshire Press is proud to present the captivating children’s book series “Adventures of the Spirit of Time” by the talented Gulchehra-begim Makhmudova, introduced in collaboration with Tomaris Uzbek Ladies Society. This unique series invites young readers to travel through time, exploring the rich tapestry of history, culture, and legendary heroes of Central Asia. With warmth
Late in May, the Library of the Mary Velayat (province) hosted a Book Fair organized by the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan, the Government of Turkmenistan, and Mary American Corner. The Book Fair featured an exhibit of English-Turkmen bilingual editions of American classics and an extensive American literature collection for children and young adults as well as
From May 22nd to 27th, London hosted the 7th annual Eurasian Film Festival, an international celebration of Eurasian cinema. Organized by the Silk Road Media and the Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG), the festival is traditionally held in partnership with the Romford Film Festival, uniting filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals from across the globe. This year,
At the 7th ECG Film Festival, which ended on May 27 in London, several participants from Kazakhstan were awarded prizes. Organized by the Eurasian Creative Guild and serving as a cultural bridge between Eurasia and the British audience, the festival was held at the Lumiere Romford cinema and brought together films and authors from 23
Three films from Uzbekistan have been shortlisted for the 7th ECG Film Festival in London, one of the leading British festivals promoting Central Asian cinema. The screenings will take place on May 26 and 27 at the Lumiere Romford Cinema (The Mercury Shopping Centre, London). This year, the festival received over 100 submissions from 23
The Taliban government has suspended chess in Afghanistan over gambling concerns. It has also suspended the Afghanistan National Chess Federation (ANCF), Chess.com reports. The Afghan online news service Khaama Press reported on Sunday that the country’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has banned chess due to “religious considerations.” Chess-related activities in
The cultural stage of Ashgabat became the venue for the world premiere of the choreographic and digital show RITUALS—a unique artistic project blending the ancient traditions of Turkmenistan with contemporary dance and digital arts. The event on May 10 marked an important milestone in the development of cultural ties between Europe and Turkmenistan, the Delegation of the
Kazakhstan continues its confident cultural offensive on the world stage: two short films and works by an artist from Kazakhstan will participate in the 7th ECG Film Festival in London. The films will be shown on May 26 and 27 at the Lumiere Romford Cinema, The Mercury Shopping Centre. ECG Film Festival promotes films of
On May 1, a grand opening ceremony was held in Khiva for the Arda Khiva International Tourist Center. The new complex is home to 17 hotels and guesthouses, 9 restaurants, open-air and indoor aqua parks, a 3,000-seat amphitheater, 5 cinemas and concert halls, exhibition pavilions, 70 retail stores, 300 market stalls, 11 artisan houses, an
