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Former Son-in-Law of Azerbaijan’s President to Build Tourist Center in Uzbekistan

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed plans for an international tourism center to be constructed in the Bostanlyk district of the Tashkent region, signaling continued investment in the area’s tourism infrastructure. In recent years, Bostanlyk district has seen significant state-supported development. Resorts such as Amirsay and “Beldersay-Chimgan-Nanay” have been established, bolstered by investments exceeding 2 trillion UZS (approximately $155.57 million). Over the past five years, 59 new tourist facilities offering 13,000 accommodations have opened in the district. Azerbaijani businessman Emin Agalarov has proposed the creation of “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan,” an international tourism center near the Charvak reservoir. The ambitious project is set to involve collaboration with several major foreign companies. The “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” project envisions a comprehensive facility featuring recreation areas, swimming pools, and sports facilities. Plans include hotels, cottages, and residential spaces, as well as retail outlets, restaurants, and services offered by international brands. The center will also host festivals, concerts, and cultural events, while a bridge connecting the reservoir's two banks will improve accessibility for visitors. Mirziyoyev has endorsed the proposal, emphasizing a phased approach to design and construction that incorporates international expertise. Emin Agalarov, the former son-in-law of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, married Aliyev’s eldest daughter, Leyla Aliyeva, in 2006 before divorcing in 2015. In addition to his business ventures, Agalarov is a singer and the son of Azerbaijani-Russian oligarch Aras Agalarov. The Agalarov family owns Crocus City Hall, a prominent venue in Moscow that hosted the 2013 Miss Universe pageant, once owned by Donald Trump. During Trump’s visit to Moscow that same year, Emin filmed a music video featuring Trump and the pageant contestants.

Central Asia Life & Culture Kazakhstan Life & Culture

New Train Connects Astana and Borovoye Resort in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s national railways company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has announced the launch of a new electric train connecting the capital, Astana, and Borovoye, one of the country’s most popular year-round resorts. Borovoye is the widespread and commonly used Russian name of the Burabay National Park, located just 250 kilometers north of Astana. The new train will take passengers from Astana to Borovoye in just 2 hours and 26 minutes, without any stops. The train, consisting of six modern domestically manufactured carriages for a total of 574 passengers, will run five days a week. It is equipped with USB sockets, Wi-Fi, and bicycle racks. For passengers with disabilities, it has lifts and places for wheelchairs. Nurtas Karipbayev, Chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, commented: "The launch of a new tourist train is an important step in the development of domestic tourism and the creation of new opportunities for travel in Kazakhstan. We are confident that this train will become a favorite way for residents and guests of our country to get to one of its most beautiful resorts". According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, over the first nine months of 2024, the number of domestic tourists traveling inside Kazakhstan increased by 562,000 and reached 6 million. The number of foreign visitors was 11.5 million, almost twice as much as in the same period in 2023.

Home Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan

Government Approval Becomes Mandatory for New Mosques in Kyrgyzstan

The Kyrgyz government has introduced a new regulation requiring government approval for the construction of mosques. Azamat Yusupov, the director of the State Commission on Religious Affairs (SCRA), announced the policy during a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament. Yusupov revealed that over 1,000 religious institutions in the country are currently operating without proper authorization. Of these, around 800 have been officially registered, while approximately 120 mosques remain unregistered. “In the past, mosques were often built first and registered later. Going forward, construction must be pre-approved by state authorities to ensure legal compliance. We will evaluate the necessity of building a mosque in any given area before granting permission,” Yusupov stated. The Kyrgyz parliament is also deliberating a draft law entitled “On Freedom of Religion and Religious Associations.” Prepared by the SCRA, the bill aims to address inconsistencies in existing legislation. The proposed law consists of six chapters and 40 articles, covering a range of issues related to religious freedom and regulation. Key provisions of the draft law include: Mandatory registration of religious sites. A prohibition on combining public service with religious activities. Restrictions on wearing clothing that hinders personal identification. Regulations governing the operations of religious organizations. A ban on interference by religious groups in state affairs. President Sadyr Japarov has engaged with government officials and religious leaders to discuss the draft law, stressing the importance of balancing the interests of all societal groups while safeguarding national security and citizens’ rights. The finalized version of the draft law will soon be presented to the Jogorku Kenesh for consideration and approval. If enacted, these changes are expected to significantly reshape how religious organizations operate in Kyrgyzstan It is not yet clear how ordinary believers will react to the innovations. For example, last year, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan, which is in line with state policy, reacted sharply to an attempt to initiate a bill banning burkas and beards. Since 2021, the country's authorities have been attempting to strengthen the secular foundations of the state by trying to establish control over various religious organizations. However, this has not prevented certain politicians from harnessing the growing religiosity of the population for their own purposes. In terms of the number of mosques per believer, Kyrgyzstan is ahead of all Central Asian countries, with 3,593 throughout the country. The largest number of mosques is in Osh Province (1,063), the smallest in Naryn Province (194). There are 46 mosques registered in Bishkek and 89 in Osh. Kyrgyzstan also has 220 religious educational institutions, most of which operate in Osh Oblast. Such data is provided by the State Commission on Religious Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Central Asia Turkmenistan Life & Culture Life & Culture Turkmenistan

Citizens of Turkmenistan Can Apply for Simplified Entry to Russia

Citizens of Turkmenistan are now eligible to apply for a single-entry electronic visa (e-visa) to travel to Russia. This opportunity became available following an order by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, which expanded the list of countries eligible for simplified entry. The list now includes 64 countries, with Turkmenistan among the latest additions. The e-visa allows entry to Russia for purposes such as tourism, business, humanitarian activities, or visiting relatives and friends. The application process is conducted online through the official portal of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Notably, applicants are not required to provide invitations, hotel bookings, or additional documentation justifying the purpose of their travel.

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UAE Embracing the Silk Road Narrative: Central Asia at Art Abu Dhabi 2024

More than at any other time in recent history, the entire art world is this year tackling geopolitical identity issues. And while we usually delegate Biennales and non-commercial art events to take the pulse of our contemporary reality, this time an art fair took up this task: Art Abu Dhabi. This year the fair was bigger than ever and had a hugely relevant Central Asian and Caucasus section, curated by Elvira Eevr Djaltchinova-Malec, which was aptly called “Drifting identities.” Founder of the Warsaw Institute for Modern and Contemporary Asian Art (WIMCAA) Foundation - based on the spreading of Asian and global art – Djaltchinova-Malec was invited by the fair's artistic director, Dyala Nusseibeh, to curate a section that presented different aspects of the rich cultural tapestry of the region without shying away from the political concerns and instability which often characterize this part of the world. [caption id="attachment_26543" align="aligncenter" width="928"] From left to right, Abdelmonem Alserkal - prominent art patron based in Dubai, founder of the Alserkal Avenue, Alserkal Foundation, Elvira Eevr Djaltchinova-Malec, Almagul Menlibayeva, and Danagul Tolepbay image: Elvira Eevr Djaltchinova-Malec[/caption] Djaltchinova-Malec has been working on this concept of the Silk Road in different shows – namely Silk Road 2.0 - Artists re-loaded conference in Warsaw, Silk Road 2.0 - New Opportunities panel for art for 021 Art fair in Shanghai - adapting it to the changing geopolitical landscape of the region. "Our foundation was established in 2016, and already, eight years ago, we started to explore the topic of the Silk Road,” Djaltchinova-Malec told TCA. “We wanted to understand the desire of China and countries who joined Chinese projects for the New Silk Road, and we invited artists and art professionals from Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Germany, Tibet, France, and Ukraine for the foundation’s first conference.” The Belt and Road Initiative, sometimes referred to as the New Silk Road, is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations. [caption id="attachment_26545" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Tapestry by Almagul Menlibayeva; image: Elvira Eevr Djaltchinova-Malec[/caption] It’s the first time that the curator is presenting these artistic geographies in the context of the Gulf. On one hand, this is opening up Central Asian narratives to an Arab public that might be curious to learn more about art in this region. On the other hand, it is helping to open markets and create access to a different pool of new collectors. Thanks to an individual outreach which started well before the fair, the experiment proved successful. "Fortunately, many collectors from the Gulf already know artists from Central Asia, as there are a few art galleries in the UAE which represent them, as well as institutions like the Sharjah Foundation,” Djaltchinova-Malec stated. In addition, many collectors and artists from Russia who are knowledgeable about Central Asian narratives and sensitive to colonization issues, are now based in the UAE. “We tried to involve as many collectors from other circles as...

Central Asia Uzbekistan Life & Culture Kazakhstan Life & Culture Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Second Train Tour Launched Between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has announced the launch of its second train tour, Jibek Joly (Silk Road) 2.0, connecting major cities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The inaugural journey on this new route will depart from Almaty on January 2, 2025, and return on January 7. The itinerary includes stops at some of the most iconic and culturally rich destinations in the region: Turkestan, Kazakhstan: Passengers will spend a full day exploring this ancient city, including a visit to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique architecture. Tashkent, Uzbekistan: The tour will highlight the historical landmarks of the Uzbek capital, along with modern attractions such as the Magic City theme park. Samarkand, Uzbekistan: Travelers will visit landmarks including the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square, and the Ulugbek Madrasah. Shymkent, Kazakhstan: The final stop on the tour is Kazakhstan’s third-largest city, known for its dynamic urban culture. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, this initiative follows the success of the first four-day train tour launched in November, which connected Almaty, Turkestan, and Tashkent. The Jibek Joly 2.0 train route underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to enhancing regional tourism and strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.