Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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Aral Sea

1853 Map of the Aral Sea Published in the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society

An 1853 map of the Aral Sea, published in the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, depicts the vast inland water body at a time when it was near its historical peak. The engraving, created by German cartographer August Petermann, was based on findings from a scientific expedition conducted in 1848-1849, according to historical materials referenced in the project. The expedition, led by Russian naval officer Alexey Butakov, produced one of the first detailed studies of the Aral Sea. Researchers measured its depth, mapped its coastline, and documented its islands, providing a comprehensive picture of a body of water that would later become a symbol of environmental degradation. Although widely referred to as a sea, the Aral is in fact a lake. In the 20th century, it ranked as the world’s fourth-largest lake. Scientific evidence suggests it formed around 17,600 years ago as a result of glacial melt. Initially freshwater, it became increasingly saline over time, while its water levels fluctuated over centuries. From the 1960s, however, the lake began to shrink rapidly. Large-scale irrigation projects diverted water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, primarily for cotton cultivation. Over the following decades, the Aral Sea lost more than 90% of its volume, transforming much of the region into desert and salt plains, and severely disrupting ecosystems and local livelihoods. In 1989, the lake split into two separate bodies. The southern part, largely located in Uzbekistan, has almost completely dried up, forming the Aralkum Desert. The northern section has shown some stabilisation, supported in part by infrastructure such as the Kokaral Dam. This transformation, and its historical context, will be explored in Uzbekistan’s cultural exhibition When Apricots Blossom, which draws on archival materials and contemporary interpretation. The exhibition takes its name from a poem by Hamid Olimjon, written in the 1930s, symbolising hope and renewal. According to organisers, the project will combine history, art, and environmental reflection to present the story of the Aral Sea to an international audience. The exhibition will run from April 20 to 26, at Palazzo Citterio in Milan’s Brera district as part of Milan Design Week.

TCA Interviews

Kazakh Violinist Dinara Bazarbayeva-Sakhaman on Sound, Identity, and the Demands of the Stage

Dinara Bazarbayeva-Sakhaman, a soloist at the Zhambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic, spends much of her time moving between countries and concert halls, performing with international orchestras and collaborating with musicians from different traditions. Behind these appearances lies not only a demanding touring schedule, but also rigorous discipline: long hours of rehearsal, complete dedication on stage, and a constant search for the right sound. Speaking to The Times of Central Asia, she reflects on the Kazakh violin school, the nature of talent, and the enduring pull of her instrument. TCA: Dinara, your career has taken you to many countries. What has that experience been like? Dinara: Not the entire world, of course, but I’ve visited many countries thanks to my profession. The only time I traveled without my violin was when I went to Thailand, and throughout the trip, I felt as if something was missing. It was unusual, waking up on the plane and thinking, “Where is my violin?” TCA: Do you usually travel with an orchestra? Dinara: It varies, but more often I travel alone. There are projects where orchestras are assembled from musicians from different countries. For example, the renowned violinist and now conductor Marat Bisengaliev does this in India. For the Symphony Orchestra of India, he invites musicians from around the world. I have been collaborating with this orchestra for quite some time; it is an excellent ensemble. Working in such groups, sharing cultures, performing for diverse audiences, and collaborating with musicians from different parts of the world is one of the most fascinating aspects of our profession. TCA: Are there any distinctive features of the Indian violin school? Dinara: I performed in Mumbai, where there are several schools. One was founded by Marat Bisengaliev at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, and another by Mehli Mehta. In Bisengaliev’s school, classical violin is taught based on our educational system while incorporating elements of Indian tradition. What surprised me most was the number of self-taught violinists. TCA: And how do they play? Dinara: Surprisingly well. Their path is very different, yet the results are impressive. In our system, if you don’t start learning the violin at the age of five or six, seven at the latest, it is believed that you will not catch up and will likely remain an amateur. However, I know someone who began playing at 33 and now performs in a professional orchestra, knowing first violin parts almost by heart. He has a beautiful tone and excellent intonation. For me, this is a unique case. TCA: At what age did you start playing? Dinara: At five. That means I’ve spent 36 years with the violin and cannot remember life without it. I often joke that it is my lifelong implant—an inseparable part of me, with only its size changing as I grew. TCA: How would you describe the Kazakh violin school? Dinara: The foundation of our school lies in the Russian-Soviet tradition. During World War II, many teachers were evacuated to Kazakhstan and remained...

World Nomad Games

Horses, Eagles, and Fire: The Steppe Awakens as the 2026 World Nomad Games Return to Kyrgyzstan

On the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, where mountains drop sharply into the water, and horses and cars are found in almost equal measure, Kyrgyzstan will host the World Nomad Games 2026 from August 31 to September 6, with The Times of Central Asia reporting from the ground. Since their launch in 2014, the Games have grown well beyond their origins, drawing competitors and audiences from across the world. This year’s emblem, the snow leopard, captures that idea with unusual precision. It has been adopted as the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan in recent years and has long been central to the country’s conservation diplomacy, including its role in establishing October 23 as International Snow Leopard Day. Presented as a representation of strength, clarity, and endurance, it reflects both the terrain and the mindset that fortifies the event. [caption id="attachment_46882" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games[/caption] The Games have expanded beyond the region, but are now returning home again. Kyrgyzstan hosted the first three editions before they went to Turkey in 2022 and Kazakhstan in 2024. Their homecoming now carries greater international weight, reinforced by UNESCO’s support, recognizing their role in preserving intangible cultural heritage. This year’s experience is mostly set in the Issyk-Kul region, around three hours from Bishkek, where the mountainous landscape will form the backdrop to the lakeside venues. The opening and closing ceremonies are scheduled to take place in the capital’s Bishkek Arena. In Cholpon Ata, the hippodrome will host horse racing and Kok Boru, while the nearby sports complex stages wrestling competitions. The Rukh Ordo Cultural Center brings together strength events and traditional tournaments alongside parts of the cultural program. In Kyrchyn, the Ethno Village will become the core of the experience, where archery, falconry, crafts, performances, and food sit within a setting that reflects nomadic life. [caption id="attachment_46886" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Kok Boru at the Bishkek Hippodrome, 2014; image: Stephen M. Bland[/caption] Forty-plus sports disciplines will be spread across competitive and demonstrative formats, with more than 100 medals at stake. Kok Boru is fast and unforgiving, played on horseback as riders grapple over what was traditionally a headless goat carcass (now a synthetic dummy or serke), surging and colliding before hurling it into the opponent’s goal. [caption id="attachment_46885" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games[/caption] Horseback archery demands precision under movement, with riders standing in the stirrups or twisting at full gallop to fire arrows at distant targets. Eagle hunting illustrates a partnership between human and bird refined over generations, as trained golden eagles launch from the arm to track and strike prey across open ground. [caption id="attachment_46887" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Woman with a bird of prey, World Nomad Games, Astana, 2024; image: Stephen M. Bland[/caption] Wrestling styles such as Alysh and Kurash emphasize balance and control rather than brute force, with fighters gripping belts and using timing, leverage, and footwork to unbalance their opponent. The Times of Central Asia spoke with the International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games to...

Chess

Chess: Sindarov Wins Candidates Contest, Will Face World Champion

Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan has won the eight-player FIDE Candidates Tournament, earning the opportunity to challenge world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India later this year. Sindarov drew a game against Anish Giri at the tournament venue in Cyprus on Tuesday, “and with one round remaining, Sindarov holds a commanding two-point lead over the rest of the field,” said FIDE, the international governing body of chess. On the women’s side, Bibisara Asaubayeva of Kazakhstan defeated Ukrainian Anna Muzychuk on Tuesday to move into a tie for first place with India’s R. Vaishali. The women’s final round on Wednesday “will determine whether there will be an outright winner or a tiebreak will be required,” FIDE said. “Up to six of the eight players still have a theoretical chance to win the event.” Sindarov, who won the 2025 World Cup in Goa, India, was one of Uzbekistan’s youngest national champions in history, achieving that goal at the age of 13. He is now 20 years old. Magnus Carlsen of Norway currently doesn’t play in the candidates tournament format even though he is the top-ranked classical chess player in the world.

Islamic Civilization Center

Uzbekistan’s Islamic Civilization Center Enters Guinness World Records as Largest Museum

The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan has been officially recognized as the world’s largest museum dedicated to Islamic civilization, receiving a Guinness World Records title on April 13. The recognition was confirmed by Guinness World Records adjudicator Şeyda Subaşı Gemici, who attended the ceremony alongside project architects, designers, and members of the Center’s Scientific Council. The award followed a detailed verification process. The recognition comes as Uzbekistan continues to invest in large-scale cultural infrastructure as part of a broader effort to present its historical narrative and reshape its international image. “As an official Guinness World Records adjudicator, I can state that every corner of the museum and every exhibit possesses its own uniqueness and cultural value,” Gemici said. “The evaluation process strictly followed established procedures… every exhibit was recorded and verified by specialists in Islamic archaeology, art, and science.” She added that the scale and depth of the project left a strong impression, describing it as “an outstanding achievement” and, in Guinness terminology, “Officially Amazing.” The Center is a large-scale scientific, educational, and museum complex initiated in 2017 under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and completed on March 17, 2026. It was conceived as a platform combining research, cultural heritage, and modern technologies, aimed at showcasing the history and contributions of Islamic civilization. The project reflects a wider policy under Mirziyoyev of positioning Uzbekistan not only as a historical center of Islamic scholarship but as a modern platform for its study and interpretation. Chief architect, Abdukakhor Turdiev, said the project reflects Uzbekistan’s historical and cultural legacy. “The uniqueness of the Center lies in the fact that its architecture reflects the rich culture and heritage of Uzbekistan,” he said, adding that the country is increasingly positioning itself as an active participant in global cultural dialogue. Across Central Asia, governments have increasingly used large cultural projects to reinforce national identity and attract international attention, but Uzbekistan has placed particular emphasis on linking heritage with scholarship and global engagement. According to officials, the complex has quickly become one of the most visited cultural sites in the region, receiving up to 5,000 visitors daily, including both locals and international tourists. That scale suggests the Center is intended not only as a museum, but as a flagship institution shaping how both domestic and international audiences understand the region’s intellectual and cultural history. Director Firdavs Abdukhalikov described the award as recognition of years of work by hundreds of specialists. He said the Center’s primary goal is to support scientific and educational projects while preserving and promoting Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage. Beyond its record-setting size, the Center reflects Uzbekistan’s broader effort to reclaim and reinterpret its place in the history of Islamic civilization. By combining scholarship, state backing, and public accessibility, it positions cultural heritage as both a foundation of national identity and a tool of international engagement.

Motoring

Kazakhstan to Introduce AI in Driver’s License Exams

Kazakhstan plans to introduce artificial AI technologies into both the theoretical and practical components of driver’s license exams. At the same time, citizens will be allowed to take the exams an unlimited number of times without having to repeat training at driving schools. The initiatives were presented by Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, together with representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to the proposed changes, augmented reality (AR) technologies will be used in the theoretical exam, while computer vision systems will monitor practical driving tests. These measures are intended to increase transparency and prevent the use of prohibited devices. “These measures will make it possible to minimize the use of prohibited technical tools and to record violations,” the government press service said. A pilot project is set to be launched at a branch of the National Testing Center under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in Astana. The project will test technologies aimed at ensuring academic integrity, as well as conduct psychometric analysis of exam questions to verify their reliability and alignment with safe driving standards. The new rules provide for the possibility of an unlimited number of exam attempts on a paid basis, with a mandatory interval of at least 10 calendar days between attempts. Currently, applicants are granted three free attempts, two with a one-day interval and a third after 30 days. After exhausting these attempts, retraining at a driving school is required. According to the government, the new approach will make the process more accessible and reduce corruption risks by eliminating incentives to obtain licenses illegally. Plans also include strengthening the information security of digital systems used in the licensing process by classifying them as critical information infrastructure. This would introduce stricter liability for unauthorized interference, including criminal penalties. Administrative liability will also be introduced for individuals who assist in illegally obtaining driver’s licenses. Violations such as the use of micro earpieces, hidden cameras, and other transmitting devices will be punishable by fines and disqualification from taking the theoretical exam for up to one year. The reforms will also affect driving schools. Licensing requirements are expected to be introduced, and their performance will be evaluated based on training quality and public feedback. Licenses may be revoked in cases of consistently poor standards. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Senator Gennady Shipovskikh had earlier proposed restoring state oversight of private driving schools.