Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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Construction

Afghanistan Delivers White Marble to Uzbekistan for Imam Bukhari Complex

Afghanistan has delivered 16 truckloads of white marble from Herat to Uzbekistan for use in the construction of the Imam Bukhari complex in Samarkand, according to the Surkhandarya regional administration. The marble will contribute to the ongoing development of the religious and cultural site dedicated to the revered Islamic scholar. The marble was officially transferred at the Termez International Trade Center during a meeting between Uzbek and Afghan officials. According to Uzbekistan’s state news agency UzA, the first shipment comprises 324 boxes of rare white marble, with each slab measuring 3.5 to 4 centimeters thick. Expanding Bilateral Relations Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have been expanding bilateral relations in recent years. In March, Uzbekistan sent nearly 200 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including flour, pasta, oil, sugar, and other essential supplies. Looking ahead, the two nations aim to boost annual trade to $3 billion. In 2023, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan totaled $866 million.

Central Asian Art

Threads of Power: Women, Heritage, and the Art of the Silk Road

From June 24 to July 10, 2025, the Minerva Association will be presenting the exhibition Weaving the History of Central Asia at the Centre Paris Anim’ Espace Beaujon. This exhibition brings together the artworks of Fatimah Hossaini and the textile creations of Beltepà, paying tribute to the women of the region through the motifs and textile skills inherited from the Silk Road. In Central Asia, weaving, embroidery, and sewing have long been passed down from mother to daughter, practiced within the home and shared among craftswomen. These domestic yet deeply skilled practices embody an often-overlooked heritage, one that is both intimate and monumental. The exhibition sheds light on how art and fashion can transcend cultural and geographic boundaries, revealing stories of resilience, identity, and creativity. The exhibition celebrates women not only as artists and artisans but as powerful custodians of heritage. The handmade garments by the women of Beltepà, paired with Fatimah Hossaini’s striking photographic portraits, convey a sense of strength, dignity, and continuity. Together, these works send a compelling message: that of women’s empowerment and the intergenerational transmission of ancestral knowledge. Fatimah Hossaini’s artwork delves into themes of gender, identity, and cultural resilience. Her portraits of women in Central Asia illuminate lives and traditions that are often rendered invisible, offering a bold visual language that honors their presence and voices. The suzanis featured in the exhibition are rich with meaning. Every motif, color, and pattern tells a story, echoing the layered influences of the Silk Road and the women who continue these traditions today. Beltepà reinterprets traditional Uzbek fabrics — atlas, adras, bakhmal, and suzani — through a contemporary lens. Her collections merge craftsmanship with innovation, turning textiles into wearable artworks that reflect a living, evolving cultural identity.

Ecology

Kazakhstan Warns of Potential Drought Impact on Western and Southern Harvests

Southern and western regions of Kazakhstan are expected to face a shortage of rainfall this summer during the critical ripening period for vegetables and fruits. Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, has urged local authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture to prepare measures for irrigating croplands. Speaking at a government meeting, Nurzhigitov cited forecasts from Kazhydromet, Kazakhstan’s national meteorological service, supported by data from the World Meteorological Organization and the North Eurasian Climate Center. According to the forecasts, a short-term drought is expected in May in the southern part of the Kostanay region, a major grain-producing area in northern Kazakhstan. However, this will likely be alleviated by subsequent summer rains. In contrast, the May drought in other regions is expected to persist. Areas likely to be affected include the southwestern half of West Kazakhstan and Mangistau regions, the northwestern Kyzylorda region, northern parts of the Almaty and Zhambyl regions, southern Karaganda, and various parts of the Aktobe, Atyrau, Abai, and Turkestan regions. Nurzhigitov emphasized that the western and southern regions, located in the Zhayik and Syr Darya river basins, are particularly at risk. He warned that prolonged dry conditions could significantly disrupt the agricultural sector. “It is necessary to develop a set of operational measures aimed at minimizing the consequences of a possible moisture deficit,” he said, highlighting especially severe concerns about water shortages in the Turkestan and Kyzylorda regions. According to Nurzhigitov, water reservoirs in the affected basin are currently at only 75% of average capacity. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan aims to boost its grain exports this year, with an eye on expanding deliveries to Africa.

Mountain Climbing

Asel Baibagysheva Becomes First Kyrgyz Woman to Climb Everest

Asel Baibagysheva has made history as the first Kyrgyz woman to reach the top of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. She reached the 8,849-meter summit on May 11, and safely descended to base camp the following day, planting the Kyrgyz national flag at the top of the world. Baibagysheva’s achievement was swiftly recognized by Kyrgyzstan’s leadership. On May 12, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliyev personally congratulated her via video link. “On behalf of the President, the Cabinet of Ministers, and myself, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this historic ascent,” he said. “Your success is an inspiring example for everyone, demonstrating the ability of Kyrgyzstanis to reach any height. It fills us with pride in our country.” Kasymaliyev praised Baibagysheva for her courage, resilience, and high level of professionalism, noting that completing the climb in 54 hours was not only a personal milestone but also a moment of national significance. Baibagysheva responded by expressing her sense of responsibility in representing Kyrgyzstan on Everest. “I felt a special duty to my country with every step I took toward the summit,” she said. With eight years of mountaineering experience, Baibagysheva has previously summited some of the most challenging peaks in Kyrgyzstan and beyond. Her accomplishments include Lenin Peak (7,134 m), Khan Tengri (7,010 m), and Pobeda Peak (7,439 m) in Kyrgyzstan, as well as Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) in Russia’s Caucasus region. She was also the first Kyrgyz woman to climb Manaslu in Nepal, the world’s eighth highest mountain, reaching its 8,163-meter summit. Baibagysheva now joins an elite group of Kyrgyz climbers who have reached Everest. Eduard Kubatov became the second Kyrgyz man to summit Everest in May 2021, following in the footsteps of Dmitry Grekov, who achieved the feat in 1997.

HPV Vaccination

Kazakh Lawmakers Advocate HPV Vaccination for Boys

Kazakh lawmakers are urging the government to expand its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program to include boys, arguing that the virus poses serious health risks to both sexes. Askhat Aimagambetov, a deputy of the Mazhilis (the lower house of parliament), announced the initiative on his Telegram channel, stating that the proposal reflects the concerns of Kazakhstani parents. Along with fellow parliamentarians, Aimagambetov has formally appealed to the Ministry of Health. “Currently, girls in Kazakhstan can receive free HPV vaccinations. This is a major achievement and a decision that saves thousands of lives. But HPV is not a ‘female virus.’ It can cause not only cervical cancer, but also cancers of the larynx, mouth, rectum, and in men,” Aimagambetov wrote. He emphasized that many countries already offer HPV vaccination to boys on an equal basis with girls. “That is why we have proposed to make the vaccine available voluntarily. It is hard to find in pharmacies, so the state must ensure access for all who want it. Boys are also at risk. Their health should not be overlooked,” he added. Health Minister Akmaral Alnazaraeva recently stated that the ministry is considering expanding the eligibility list for HPV vaccination to include boys and adults. Since September last year, Kazakhstan has offered voluntary HPV vaccination to 11-year-old girls as part of efforts to prevent cervical cancer.

Healthcare

Top Kyrgyz Heart Surgeon Warns of Critical Infrastructure Shortfalls Costing Lives

Prominent heart surgeon Kaldarbek Abdramanov has issued a stark warning about the dire state of cardiac care in Kyrgyzstan, stating that thousands of lives are being lost due to the lack of adequate medical infrastructure. His urgent appeal, posted on Facebook, has sparked widespread public concern. Abdramanov emphasized that while Kyrgyz cardiac surgeons have performed more than 70,000 heart surgeries since the country’s first operation in 1959, systemic failures are now threatening the field’s progress. “Although we do not yet perform heart transplants, which is every cardiac surgeon’s dream, this is due to a lack of proper infrastructure and equipment, not knowledge,” he wrote. The surgeon recalled a fire last winter at the Research Institute of Heart Surgery and Organ Transplantation, which left the facility severely damaged. Since then, staff have been working in makeshift, substandard conditions not suited for complex procedures. He criticized the international aid programs targeted at the center as largely symbolic, offering little real assistance. “We are the students and followers of the great Isa Akhunbaev. We’ve conducted 70,000 heart surgeries and perform nearly all procedures that clinics in Europe and the U.S. do. We have the expertise and the specialists, but not the environment to support our work,” Abdramanov stated. He called for the urgent construction of a new, modern cardiology complex with at least 250 beds. “Yes, such facilities are expensive. But no cost is higher than the lives of hundreds or thousands of citizens who die each year due to the absence of this kind of center,” he warned. Abdramanov also voiced frustration with foreign medical missions, accusing them of offering superficial support. “They come and perform basic surgeries that our young specialists could handle. They don’t teach us new technologies and they don’t leave behind any equipment. This is not real help,” he said. His remarks come amid political fallout in the health sector. President Sadyr Japarov recently publicly criticized Health Minister Erkin Chechebaev for failing to manage the country's hospitals effectively. The president was informed that 24 children with critical heart conditions are awaiting surgery, with three deaths reported in recent days.