At the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea on July 25, a decision was adopted to inscribe the “Rock Mosques and Associated Sacred Sites of Mangystau” on the UNESCO World Heritage List, according to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry. The newly inscribed UNESCO World Heritage property comprises five rock-cut mosques: Beket Ata, Shopan Ata,
The organizers have announced filmmakers whose works have been selected for the Burabay International Short Film Festival (BISFF) 2026. BISFF was founded by the Silk Road Media holding (London) in partnership with Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and is part of an international network of festivals and screenings covering the UK, Europe, and Latin America. The
The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has adopted the Resolution of July 8, 2026, “On Supporting the Broad Implementation of a System to Enhance the Tourism Attractiveness of the Republic of Uzbekistan Through Cinema.” The resolution introduces two major initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s tourism appeal through the film industry, according to the Tourism
Some events are remembered not only for the book being presented, but also for the people gathered in the room. It was a pleasure to attend the recent launch of From Dependency to Freedom: The Birth of Modern Kazakhstan, a new biography of Nursultan Nazarbayev, held at the historic Reform Club in London. London has
The more time passes after the Issyk-Kul Forum held in Kyrgyzstan in June, the more I realize that its greatest value was not found in the official sessions or ceremonial speeches. It was found in the people, the ideas, and the honest conversations that continued long after the formal programme had ended. Chingiz Aitmatov’s legacy
Music truly knows no borders. During his visit to Paraguay, Marat Akhmedjanov, the founder of the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press and patron of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London), had the pleasure of meeting one of the country’s most distinguished musicians and one of the leading figures in Latin American classical music, Maestro Diego Sánchez
One of the most moving and symbolic moments of the Issyk-Kul Forum earlier this month was the unveiling of a memorial bust dedicated to Murat Auezov, an Honorary Member of the Eurasian Creative Guild, in the garden of the House-Museum and Library of his great father, Mukhtar Auezov, in Cholpon-Ata. For me, this was far
The Third International Uyghur Forum was held in Berlin from 11 to 13 June 2026, bringing together Uyghur scholars, writers, human rights advocates, policymakers, and representatives of Uyghur organizations from around the world. The event was organized by the World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur Center for Democracy and Human Rights. Representing Uyghur PEN, renowned
One of the most memorable events of my Latin American journey was the meeting with Paraguay’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, in the capital city of Asunción. Ramírez Lezcano is one of the country’s most influential diplomats and has served as Paraguay’s Foreign Minister since 2023. This visit became my first official trip
Forty years after its establishment, the legendary Issyk-Kul International Forum is returning to Kyrgyzstan. The 40th-anniversary Issyk-Kul International Forum will take place from June 18 to 21 in Bishkek and on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Founded in 1986 by legendary writer Chingiz Aitmatov, the forum has brought together outstanding scientists, writers, philosophers, public figures
The English-language edition of an anthology of poems and ballads, “God and Love,” by Kyrgyz poet and composer Atantai Akbarov was presented at the MEGA Fest 2026 international festival in London. The book was published and brought to an international audience by the British publisher Hertfordshire Press. “God and Love” introduces English-speaking audiences to one
British publisher and public figure Marat Akhmedjanov has been awarded a medal from the International Organization of Turkic Culture, TÜRKSOY, which unites the states of the Turkic world and is dedicated to preserving their shared historical and cultural heritage. The award was presented in recognition of Akhmedjanov’s long-standing contribution to the development of literature, culture,
The first concert of Aseman band and the come-back of its establisher Arash Barez took place in Paris on June 5, introducing Afghanistan music to Europe. Aseman is a multicultural ensemble formed by distinguished artists from Afghanistan and Japan, who live in Paris, created to bring Afghan music (silenced in the only country where music
A traditional Kazakh chapan presented to British publisher and cultural entrepreneur Marat Akhmedjanov, founder of Hertfordshire Press and co-founder of the Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG), during commemorative events marking the 275th anniversary of the renowned spiritual leader Beket Ata in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region, has become an unexpected symbol of cultural diplomacy in the United Kingdom.
After many years of working with writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and creative professionals from across the world, I have noticed one thing: the most inspiring discoveries often come from the most unexpected places. Imagine this. A public servant from Kyrgyzstan. A member of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) for two terms. An engineer by education, later
The MEGA Fest 2026 international cultural forum, a joint effort between the Open Eurasia Literary Festival & Book Forum and the ECG Eurasian Film Festival, concluded in London last week. The festival brought together writers, filmmakers, artists, poets, publishers, and public figures from dozens of countries, becoming one of the largest international platforms for promoting
In recent years, the international film industry has increasingly talked about diversity, cultural multiplicity, and the need for new voices. However, in reality, the global screen remains quite hierarchical: some countries are automatically considered “providers of great cinema,” while others are still relegated to the cultural periphery. When Western audiences hear about films from Central
When we watch a cult movie, we usually remember the actors, the director, or the studio behind it. But behind every great film stands an entire team of professionals without whom real cinema simply could not exist. A few years ago in Hollywood, I had the chance to meet exactly such people. In this photo
Kazakhstani artist Asel Kadyrkhanova’s installation “Machine,” dedicated to the Red Terror and Stalinist repressions, was removed from the Kazakhstan pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale. The Kazakhstan National Pavilion at the Venice Biennale opened on May 6. The Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information removed the installation from the exhibition one day before the opening.
Buenos Aires once again reminded me how important personal meetings remain today. Especially when the conversation is not only about diplomacy, but also about culture, books and human connections between continents. It was a great pleasure to meet with Yulia Ilyina, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Belarus in Argentina, who is actively involved in