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Tigers to Return to Kazakhstan

The Ministry of Ecology of Kazakhstan and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF International) are set to reintroduce tigers to the republic by settling the animals in a new reserve. Following an agreement signed by the two parties in mid-July, the Ministry of Ecology stated: "This memorandum is a continuation of successful and fruitful cooperation, which has already led to significant achievements in the restoration of biodiversity and infrastructure of the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve. The tiger's return to Kazakhstan is an ecologically important project and a symbol of our efforts to restore the natural heritage." The project has been many years in the making. In 2021, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed reintroducing tigers to Kazakhstan with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Referencing the fact that the last Turanian tigers were spotted in Kazakhstan in the 1930s, he explained: "These are steppe tigers. In ancient times, they were sabre-toothed, so now we are developing an international project to restore the population of these tigers." The long-awaited tigers will arrive this autumn and as reported by the Ministry of Ecology, two tigers, a male and a female, will be delivered from the Netherlands at the expense of the Dutch side in September. In addition to these animals, in 2023, environmentalists announced plans to release a group of Amur tigers from Russia within five years, following an agreement signed by Russia and Kazakhstan at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in 2022. It was assumed that the first generation of the population would consist of Amur tigers, including those from Primorye. Turanian, otherwise known as Transcaucasian tigers, which used to live in Central Asia, northern Iran, and the Caucasus, are genetically close to Amur tigers but slightly smaller. The intention to recreate the tiger population in the country was first declared at an international forum dedicated to preserving tigers in 2010. Kazakhstan announced its readiness to embrace the initiative and since then, has been rigorous in its preparations. In September 2017, a memorandum was signed between the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the government of Kazakhstan on implementing the program and in 2018, the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve was established, where work to restore the ecosystem is in full swing. The tiger reintroduction program is planned to span over 35 years and comprises three phases: habitat preparation, predator release, and monitoring the growth of the tiger population. In the Ile-Balkhash reserve, boundaries have been established, communication systems have been set up, and comprehensive territory protection measures have been implemented. "The reserve territory is a natural complex that includes a variety of natural ecosystems from semi-desert, floodplain, and saxaul forests to wetlands. Such a favorable geographical location and rich forage create favorable conditions for the breeding of wild animals and a large number of birds. Biodiversity of the reserve includes about 40 species of mammals, 284 species of birds, and more than 420 species of plants, many of which are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan," the Ministry of Ecology explained. Since 2019, the reintroduction...

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Stay or Go? Uzbek Students Ponder Studies at Home, Abroad

Like many Uzbek students, Nigina Poziljonova left Uzbekistan to study at a university abroad. She doesn’t regret her decision. “Unlike the teachers I personally saw in Uzbekistan, professors are happy when students say, ‘I don’t understand, please explain again,’” said Poziljonova, who is studying for a bachelor’s degree in business economics with data science at the University of Cassino in Italy. “If necessary, they are willing to spend two hours after class for that student. If I fail one exam, I can take it 5 times a year for 3 years for free,” said the Uzbek student, who nevertheless describes her Italian experience as “more challenging than I anticipated.” --- The perceived shortcomings of higher education have long been a preoccupation in Uzbekistan, which has a large population of young people and is the most populous country – with about 35 million citizens – in Central Asia. Authorities are trying to fix the problem. Last month, Minister of Higher Education Kongratbay Sharipov said 20 underperforming universities will be closed because only 5-10% of their graduates are employed. Uzbekistan has more than 200 universities - 114 are state-run, 65 are private and 30 are foreign university branches, according to 2023 data. Uzbekistan had the fifth largest number of “tertiary” students (students who have completed secondary school) studying abroad – 109,945 – among countries around the world that were surveyed, according to UNESCO data in 2021. Around that time, more than 570,000 students were studying in higher education institutions in Uzbekistan. As in many countries, a lot of Uzbek students believe a quality education lies abroad and their increasing command of English and openness to the world can bring that goal within reach. Additionally, Uzbekistan’s El-Yurt Umidi foundation, a state agency launched in 2018, covers tuition fees and living expenses of talented people who want to study abroad. The foundation signs a contract with scholarship holders that requires them to return to Uzbekistan and work for three years. Many students study at universities in neighboring countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and then, after one or two years, transfer to universities in Uzbekistan. According to Kyrgyz data, some 38,857 Uzbek students studied in higher education institutions in Kyrgyzstan in 2022 and the figure reached 40,282 in 2023. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting in May at which officials discussed the 306 majors available at the bachelor’s level in Uzbekistan, and the 625 specialties at the master’s level. They acknowledged that some don’t meet international standards and labor market requirements and explored ways to revise them. Opening new courses in areas of high demand was also discussed. Another problem in Uzbek universities is an excessive focus on specializations. At one journalism university, specialists taught multiple sub-topics, including TV, international news, public relations, the internet, as well as military, travel, art, economic and sports journalism. Progress has been made. More people have access to higher education. Starting this year, state grants are given for one year, and in the remaining years of...

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Teacher Alua Zhanatova Outlines the Growing Popularity of the Kazakh Language Amongst Young People

Despite the country gaining independence from the Soviet Union back on 16 December 1991, the predominant language in Kazakhstan has long remained Russian. To address the issue, the government set a somewhat ambitious target that by 2020, 95% of the population would be fluent in Kazakh, and more recently, in late 2023, mooted a “Concept for the Development of Language Policy for 2023-2029". Meanwhile, there are encouraging signs of an increasing interest in the Kazakh language among young people in Kazakhstan. TCA talked to Alua Zhanatova, a teacher and bachelor of TARGU University, about the rejuvenation of the country’s native tongue and its importance for society. TCA: What are your thoughts on the current popularity of studying the Kazakh language? In recent years I have observed significant changes in our young people's attitude towards their native language. For a long time, the Kazakh language was generally perceived as formal and cumbersome but nowadays, young people are becoming more interested in learning and using it in everyday life. TCA: What factors have contributed to the revival of interest in the language? There are several key factors. First, is the noticeable, growth in cultural patriotism, which has led to young people embracing their roots, culture and ancestral language. Second, is the significant impact of contemporary media and social networks on popularizing the Kazakh language. The emergence of bloggers using the Kazakh language, the creation of Kazakh content platforms and active discussion in Kazakh in social networks all contribute to making the language more accessible and appealing. TCA: What role do educational institutions and teachers play in this process? I think educational institutions play a major role. It is important that schools and universities provide good tuition in both the Kazakh language and culture. Many educational institutions have started to develop new curricula that make learning the language more exciting and practical, and the expansion of classes taught in Kazakh in schools and universities is facilitating and spurring students’ desire to learn in their mother tongue. TCA: What is the reaction among young people to new initiatives regarding the use of the Kazakh language? Reactions are mostly positive. Young people who previously dismissed Kazakh, are now showing an interest in learning the language, encouraged by the availability of better resources and new teaching methods. I receive a lot of feedback on how useful and enjoyable it is to learn the language through more engaging activities such as games, quests or even social activities. TCA: How do you see the further development of the Kazakh language among young people? I am optimistic about prospective developments. If existing initiatives continue to develop and new forms and methods of teaching emerge, I am confident that the Kazakh language will become not only an important part of cultural identity, but also an active element of modern life. It is important that efforts continue to keep the Kazakh language alive and engaging for young people. In addition to Alua, TCA also talked to young people from different...

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Eurasian Creative Week Held in Uzbekistan

From 22 to 29 June, Uzbekistan hosted the first international World Coaching Championship, as part of the 8th international festival, Eurasian Creative Week. The festival events spanned three cities: Tashkent, Khiva, and Nukus, marking an expansion in scope from previous editions. The festival program commenced in grand fashion at TEAM University in Tashkent with a charity ball hosted by Silk Road Media Ltd. Over a hundred guests from various countries attended, highlighting the festival's role in fostering international connections. The charity ball began with a warm welcome from Andrew Wachtel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TEAM University, and continued with insights from Marat Akhmedjanov, founder of Silk Road Media Ltd. The event celebrated the festival's 20th anniversary and showcased the charitable projects of the holding. Noteworthy figures such as artist, Alinur Rashidov, and composer, Tolibkhon Shahidi were part of the guest list, demonstrating strong support for promoting creative endeavors in the Eurasian region. The festival also saw the inauguration of the World Coaching Championship, a unique competition organized by Silk Road Media in collaboration with the Elena Bezrukova Center. The championships culminated in an awards ceremony where the winners were recognized for their excellence and innovation in coaching. As the festival unfolded, attendees were immersed in cultural experiences, from poetry lessons to animated video presentations on ecology. The journey through Tashkent, Khiva, and Nukus showcased the artistic talents of the region and underscored the importance of fostering international dialogue and cooperation in the creative industries. Overall, the Eurasian Creative Week served as a testament to the power of art and collaboration in bridging cultural divides and nurturing a sense of unity among diverse communities. Through initiatives like the World Coaching Championship and the immersive exhibitions at the Savitsky Museum, participants were able to exchange ideas, showcase their talents, and celebrate the vibrant heritage of Eurasia.

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Almaty’s Aspan Gallery Champions Central Asian Art at Home and Abroad

“It’s difficult to be a point, but it’s easy to be a line, as everything in our world is moving.” The quote by Soviet avant-garde artist Sergey Kalmykov became the title of a 2020 show by Kazakh artists Almagul Menlibayeva and Yerbossyn Meldibekov, the first exhibition by Almaty-based gallery Aspan to be staged in the UK. This concept of continuous movement aptly describes the nine-year trajectory of the Aspan Gallery, founded and directed by Meruyert Kaliyeva. Maintaining its focus on contemporary Central Asian art, the gallery is constantly expanding and adapting to the dynamic of the international art world. [caption id="attachment_20211" align="aligncenter" width="776"] Dilyara Kaipova @Aspan[/caption] The story of how the gallery came into being is unconventional. Meruyert Kaliyeva studied art in the UK, with the intention of practicing as an artist. She soon discovered, however, that the life of an artist was not for her and explained to TCA: “To be an artist, you must sacrifice your social and family life. You must disconnect from it all, and I was not willing to do that.” At the same time, she noticed that unlike her, many individuals at art school seemed destined to become artists. "Some people don’t have the luxury of choice,” she recalls. “I felt that these people needed to focus solely on creating art, and I realised I could help unburden them from some practical preoccupations.” After four years and a half working in auction houses in the UK, Kaliyeva finally decided to return to Kazakhstan. Having quickly realised the importance of supporting artists in a region where institutional support for contemporary art is extremely limited, she opened what is now the Aspan Gallery. Kaliyeva’s mission was twofold. In tandem with developing the Central Asian art scene locally, through staging important historical exhibitions, publishing books and catalogues, and commissioning artists, she also concentrated on disseminating knowledge of Central Asian art abroad. A case in point is Aspan’s recent, significant donation to the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. The donation was curated by Robbie Schweiger, based on research conducted in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, and with input from Kaliyeva, connections were drawn between Central Asian artists and the Stedelijk’s permanent collection. The Times of Central Asia spoke to Kaliyeva about both the donation and the growth of the Kazakh art scene over the past few years. TCA: Why did you choose the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam for such a significant donation? MK: We were keen to have some of our artists represented in major institutions and identified three museums as contenders. The first on the list was the Stedelijk, which already held a collection of Central Asian art. The donation comprised 22 works by 13 artists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, spanning almost fifty years, from 1974 to 2020. Works from the 1970s and 1980s, created by artists associated with the underground art scene of the former Soviet republics, were complemented by work made after these republics gained independence in the early 1990s., in which artists explored national...

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Uzbekistan: Bukhara Administration Denies Relocation of “Eternal Bukhara”

Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported in an article titled "Land Cleared for Tourism next to Old Bukhara; UNESCO Urges Pause" that the construction of "Eternal Bukhara," a tourist facility in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan, had sparked protests from locals and UNESCO alike. Recently, rumors spread on social media claiming that the "Eternal Bukhara" project is proceeding on the city's outskirts despite public objections. However, the Bukhara city administration has now provided official information to clarify the situation. According to the regional administration, these reports are false. They assert that the construction of the cultural ethnographic park "Eternal Bukhara" is progressing systematically. Most of the old and dilapidated buildings in the area have been dismantled, and the construction site is now 90% ready. Additionally, the Bukhara regional administration have stated that previous dismantling work was completed without affecting the population or surrounding structures, whilst adhering to technical safety regulations. Nearly 70% of the work has reportedly already been completed. The administration also noted that the project documents for "Eternal Bukhara" are being finalized in collaboration with renowned historians, scientists, cultural heritage experts, and international project organizations.