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
Uzbek writer, cultural figure, and storyteller Gulchekhra-begim Makhmudova invites young readers on a breath-taking journey through time, legend, and imagination with her four-part children’s book series, Adventures of the Spirit of Time, now available in English from Hertfordshire Press. Originally published in Russian between 2021 and 2022, the series quickly won the hearts of readers
On the 5th and 6th of April, the heart of Karakalpakstan — the city of Nukus — hosted the inaugural Aral Culture Summit, a landmark event bringing together intellectuals, artists, environmentalists, and representatives of international organisations to rethink the role of culture in the age of climate challenges. Where the waves of the Aral Sea
Lusine Aleksanyan is a maxillofacial surgeon and a young author from Armenia. Her book, “And a Butterfly Soared,” was published in 2024 in the UK, following her victory in a literary competition organized by the Eurasian Creative Guild. Here below is an article about this talented person, originally published by OCA Magazine: The best investment
On April 6, the British holding Silk Road Media and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan signed a cooperation agreement aimed at developing the international tourism brand of this autonomous region in northwestern Uzbekistan. The signing ceremony was held as part of the Aral Culture Summit in Nukus, emphasizing the importance of
The French Alliance in Bishkek presents the Francophone Week in Bishkek from 4 to 12 April 2025. This week of events is organized jointly with the Embassies of France, Switzerland, the Delegation of the European Union, the Embassies of Belgium, Canada, and Morocco. The program includes educational, cultural and entertainment events. This year’s festival theme
A presentation of the book “Why Kyrgyzstan?” was held in Seoul on March 25 with the assistance of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Republic of Korea and the Secretariat of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Forum. The book tells Korean readers about the beauty, culture and tourism potential of Kyrgyzstan. The event
