On the eve of Nowruz, the British Library will receive copies of the new Voices of Friends Poetry & Art Almanac 2026, published by Hertfordshire Press. This edition is dedicated to the 180th anniversary of Kazakh thinker Abai Qunanbaiuly and the 110th anniversary of artist and collector Igor Savitsky (Uzbekistan). On that day, Burabay,
China-Central Asia economic and trade cooperation made considerable progress in 2025, with the total value of trade in goods reaching $106.3 billion, an increase of 12% compared to the previous year, Xinhua news agency reported citing the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. The trade volume between China and Central Asia exceeded the $100-billion mark for the
The first cross-Caspian Sea China-Central Asia freight train from north China’s Tianjin Municipality to Baku, Azerbaijan, departed on January 19, carrying goods such as stainless steel pipes and household appliances, Xinhua reported. The train, operated by China Railway Beijing Group, will leave China via Khorgos Port in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, traverse Kazakhstan,
The prestigious business magazine Business Holistic in Uzbekistan has published an article entitled “Marat Akhmedjanov: Building bridges between Eurasia and the world.” The article features Marat Akhmedjanov, a publisher, public figure, cultural diplomat, and the founder and head of the British media holding Silk Road Media – the only media group in the UK that
The official opening ceremony of the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron wind power plant, constructed by Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, was held on January 8 in Baku, Azerbaijan’s state news agency AZERTAC reported. Approximately $340 million in foreign investment has been attracted for the project. The plant’s annual electricity generation is expected to reach 1 billion kilowatt-hours,
Saltanat Khamzeeva is a remarkable woman who has successfully merged a creative nature with a practical mindset. During a difficult period of her life, it was precisely this combination—talent, inner discipline, and marketing intuition—that helped her not only find her footing and confidence but also forge a path that today allows her to support other
In 2026, Kazakhstan has assumed the chairmanship of the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). The role was held by Azerbaijan last year. The transition of the chairmanship took place during the 3rd General Assembly of the TCCI, held on January 8 in Astana. This shift coincided with a period of steady
In an interview with local TV channels, published on the official presidential website, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said that an important achievement in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy in 2025 was the country’s election as a full member of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. “From a geographical point of view,
In 2025, Afghanistan’s foreign trade significantly increased compared to the previous year, despite challenges and restrictions on trade routes, TOLOnews reported. According to the country’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the total value of Afghanistan’s exports and imports reached $13.932 billion, including $1.807 billion in exports and $12.125 billion in imports. Akhundzada Abdulsalam Jawad, spokesperson
A 45-container China-Europe freight train loaded with photovoltaic modules belonging to the China Energy Engineering Group has departed from the city of Xi’an, Azerbaijan’s AZERTAC state news agency reported. This is the first train to depart from China via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the Middle Corridor, in 2026. The train, which departed on
Eurasian Star wishes its readers peace, good health, and new opportunities in 2026. In the new year, we will continue to help you explore the political, economic, and cultural diversity of the vast Eurasian region.
A delegation from Iran, led by Jabbar Ali Zakeri, head of the country’s railway administration, has visited Afghanistan to explore connecting Iran’s railway network to China through Afghan territory, TOLOnews reported. The primary focus of the project is the Herat–Balkh railway corridor, considered a vital transit route that would link Central Asian countries and China
A China-built modern railway was put into operation last week in Georgia, a key transit country for cargo and passenger transport between Asia and Europe, Xinhua reported. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili, Director General of Georgian Railway Lasha Abashidze and about 150 guests attended the inauguration ceremony
One of the highlights of the departing year for Marat Akhmedjanov, the founder of the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press, was his participation in the official launch and inaugural forum of Eurasia Policy Council in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in November. Hertfordshire Press is the only British publishing house dedicated
On December 20 in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi welcomed the Presidents of the five Central Asian countries as she hosted the first Summit of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue (CA+JAD) at the leader’s level. Prime Minister Takaichi highlighted the importance and potential of the Central Asian region, including its geopolitical significance as
Hertfordshire Press, the UK’s leading publisher dedicated to translated literature from the post-Soviet space, announces the release of Imprisoned Souls: Poems of Uyghur Prisoners in China, a powerful new anthology translated and compiled by acclaimed Uyghur poet, scholar, and human rights advocate Aziz Isa Elkun. At a moment when Uyghur cultural expression faces systematic erasure,
An event dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the prominent Uzbek art collector Igor Savitsky took place in London on December 16. Organized by the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press, which has specialized in translating and publishing works of classic and contemporary authors from Central Asia for nearly 20 years, the event was attended by
On December 16, London hosted an event commemorating the great Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov. Organized by the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press, which has specialized in translating and publishing works of classic and contemporary authors from Central Asia for nearly twenty years, the event was attended by over 80 guests from England, Kyrgyzstan, Scotland, Australia,
On December 16 in London, the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press organized an international event dedicated to Kazakhstan’s Independence Day and the 180th anniversary of Abai Qunanbaiuly’s birth. More than 80 guests from around the world, from the UK to Australia, participated, expressing their support for Kazakh culture. Hertfordshire Press, which has specialized in translating
The cover story of the latest issue of OCA Magazine’s special edition, OCA People, features Mariiam Tobokelova, an outstanding Kyrgyz musician and komuz player, and a veteran member of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London). OCA Magazine is a quarterly magazine published in London since 2009 by Silk Road Media Group with the support of the Eurasian Creative Guild. After
