Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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History

Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpaev: Pioneer, Patriot, and Kazakh Visionary

Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpaev, a Kazakh scholar, politician, and visionary, has returned to the spotlight with the publication of his book The History of the Kazakh People in Kazakhstan. This book, originally written in Russian in 1925 under the title Materials on the History of the Kyrgyz-Kazakh People, was republished in Kazakh in 2023 by AmalBooks. The work explores the origins of the Kazakh tribes, the development of Kazakh statehood, and the nation’s rich history. Tynyshpaev was a towering figure in Kazakh history. Born on May 12, 1879, in the Lepsinsky district of Semirechyenskaya Oblast, he rose to prominence as one of the founders of the Alash movement. Beyond his roles as a historian and scholar, he was Kazakhstan’s first railway engineer, a deputy in the Second State Duma of the Russian Empire, and a leading contributor to the construction of the Turkestan-Siberian Railway. He also served briefly as deputy chairman of the Alash Autonomy government. The Central State Archive of Kazakhstan preserves three unique photographs that capture moments from Tynyshpaev’s extraordinary life. The first photograph, dated around 1900, shows a young Tynyshpaev as a student of the Imperial Institute of Railway Engineers in St. Petersburg, where he studied from 1900 to 1905. This image, taken at the Leibin and Sons photo studio in Verny (now Almaty), reflects his early academic promise. In the second photograph, Tynyshpaev is seen among representatives of the Kazakh student intelligentsia studying at universities in St. Petersburg (he is seated third from the left). The archive dates the document between 1903 and 1909 and includes the following caption: "Dosmukhamedov Kh. (third row, third from the left) - student of the Imperial Military Medical Academy of St. Petersburg; Tynyshpaev M. (second row, second from the right) - student of the Imperial Institute of Railway Engineers named after Alexander I with fellow countrymen." Upon studying this document, we identified Zhansey (Zhihansha) Alimuratovich Seydalin — a student of the Faculty of Law at St. Petersburg University (third row, second from the left). He later became a public figure, lawyer, and member of the national Alash party. Also present in the photograph is the first Kazakh woman to receive higher education at St. Petersburg universities — Gulsum Asfendiyarova (second row, left). Today, Gulsum Asfendiyarova is known as the first Kazakh female doctor with a higher education, an organizer of the healthcare system in the Turkestan region, a medical educator, and the elder sister of Sanjar Asfendiyarov — a renowned doctor, political figure, scholar, and professor, after whom the medical university in Almaty is now named. Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpaev studied at the Imperial Institute of Railway Engineers in St. Petersburg from 1900 to 1905. Kh. Dosmukhamedov studied at the Imperial Military Medical Academy in St. Petersburg from 1903 to 1909. Zh. Seydalin studied at St. Petersburg University from 1900 to 1904. Asfendiyarova studied at the Women’s Medical Institute in St. Petersburg from 1902 to 1908. Based on these facts, it can be assumed that the photograph was taken in 1903 or 1904 when all the mentioned...

Society

Central Asia Ranks Among Least Free in Freedom House’s 2025 Report

Freedom House has released its 2025 Freedom in the World report, which evaluates political rights and civil liberties in 195 countries and 13 territories worldwide. Covering events from January 1 to December 31, 2024, the report is based on the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing that freedom is best safeguarded in democratic societies. Countries are assessed on a 100-point scale, with higher scores reflecting greater political and civil freedoms. Finland topped the ranking with 100 points, followed by New Zealand and Sweden with 99 points each. At the bottom were Tibet (0 points), Syria, and South Sudan (1 point each). Central Asia: All Countries Remain 'Not Free' Despite variations in scores, all five Central Asian states remain near the bottom of the global ranking, reflecting ongoing restrictions on political participation, press freedom, and civil liberties. All of the countries of Central Asia remain classified as “Not Free”: Kazakhstan - 23 points (5 in political rights, 18 in civil liberties) Kyrgyzstan - 26 points (4 in political rights, 22 in civil liberties) Tajikistan - 5 points (0 in political rights, 5 in civil liberties) Turkmenistan - 1 point (0 in political rights, 1 in civil liberties) Uzbekistan - 12 points (2 in political rights, 10 in civil liberties)

Art and Literature

Monument to Kyrgyz Writer Chingiz Aitmatov Unveiled in Rome

A monument honoring Chingiz Aitmatov, the renowned Kyrgyz writer, was unveiled at Villa Grazioli Park in Rome on February 27. Aitmatov (1928-2008) remains the most prominent figure in Kyrgyz literature. A writer, journalist, and diplomat, he gained international recognition for his works, which were written in both Russian and Kyrgyz. The monument’s unveiling was initiated by the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Italy as part of ongoing efforts to promote Kyrgyz cultural heritage. This follows the inauguration of Kyrgyzstan Park in Rome during President Sadyr Japarov’s official visit to Italy in October 2024. The white marble monument, created by Kyrgyz sculptor Alexey Morozov, seeks to capture the philosophical depth of Aitmatov’s literary legacy and his reflections on the fate of humanity. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from Italy’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials from the Rome municipality, members of the Italian media, and representatives from the diplomatic, academic, cultural, and business communities. Aitmatov’s family members were also present, along with representatives of Kyrgyz diaspora organizations from across Italy. During the event, Kyrgyz Ambassador to Italy, Taalai Bazarbayev, expressed hope that the monument would serve as a lasting source of inspiration for future generations of both Kyrgyz and Italians. He emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the unifying power of art in fostering connections between nations.

Baikonur

Cargo Spacecraft Heads for Space Station in First Baikonur Launch of 2025

Three tons of food, fuel and other supplies are on their way to the International Space Station after a Russian spacecraft lifted off on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It was the first launch from the space facility this year. The Roscosmos Progress MS-30 cargo spacecraft, which is unpiloted, was launched early Friday and the trip to the station will take about two days. NASA refers to the space freighter as Progress 91 because it’s the 91st Russian resupply craft to launch in support of the International Space Station since its construction began in 1998. The Progress spacecraft will deliver equipment for scientific experiments, clothing and hygenic items for the crew, potable water, refueling propellant and nitrogen to replenish the atmosphere aboard the station, Russia’s state news agency Tass reported. It said the spacecraft is also carrying a new spacesuit, the Orlan-ISS No. 6, for the spacewalks of Russian cosmonauts. “Currently, Russian cosmonauts use Orlan-ISS No. 4 and Orlan-ISS No. 5 spacesuits for extravehicular activity outside the space station,” Tass said. On the X platform, space journalist Anatoly Zak posted a photograph of what he said was a “rare view” of the Orlan spacesuit being loaded onto the spacecraft before launch. There are three Russians and four Americans on the space station at this time. NASA and Roscosmos have a “cross-flights” deal involving travel to and from the station for three Russian cosmonauts on the U.S. Crew Dragon spacecraft and three U.S. astronauts on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The joint missions have been one of the rare areas of collaboration between Russia and the United States during the Ukraine war. “Delivery!” NASA declared after the launch on Friday. The U.S. space agency provided launch coverage on various platforms and will do the same for the arrival and docking of the Russian spacecraft at the station. Docking is scheduled at 6:03 p.m. EST on Saturday. “The Progress 91 spacecraft will remain docked to the space station for approximately six months before departing for re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere to dispose of trash loaded by the crew,” NASA said.

Culture

Uzbek Artifacts from Italian Museums and Private Collections to be Exhibited in Tashkent

A collection of Uzbek cultural heritage masterpieces housed in Italian museums and private collections will be showcased at an upcoming exhibition in Tashkent. The event coincides with the opening of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. As part of the preparations, a delegation from the Center for Islamic Civilization, led by its director Firdavs Abdukhalikov, visited Italy in mid-February. During the visit, negotiations were held with representatives of several museums and private collectors, who expressed support for the international exhibition. Over the centuries, Uzbek artifacts have become part of prestigious museum and private collections worldwide. “Collections of Uzbek relics housed in Italian museums were published in the 35th volume of the multimedia project Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of the World. This initiative, supported by the state and business sector, has already resulted in the publication of 80 volumes documenting Uzbek cultural monuments abroad,” said Elmira Gul, the project’s scientific coordinator. Several renowned Italian institutions have contributed artifacts to the exhibition, including: University of Bologna Library - home to a Hebrew manuscript by Abu Ali ibn Sina (Avicenna). Giuseppe Tucci National Museum of Oriental Art (Rome). Museum of Asian Art (Turin). Stibbert Museum (Florence). Mudec Museum of Cultures (Milan). Antonio Ratti Textile Foundation (Como). Private collection of Milanese collectors Alberto and Anna Levi. According to the Center for Islamic Civilization, the exhibition will feature Afrasiab ceramics with epigraphic inscriptions, Medieval metalwork from Khorasan and Maverannahr, including a legendary bowl of the Karakhanid rulers, and Uzbek textile masterpieces from the 19th and early 20th centuries. This exhibition marks a significant step in promoting Uzbekistan’s rich cultural history on the international stage.

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Develops New Ala-Too Sheep Breed

Kyrgyzstan has officially approved a patent for the new Ala-Too sheep breed, a meat-producing variety developed through selective breeding. The Ala-Too breed is now formally recognized as an independent breeding achievement, paving the way for patenting and potential commercialization. A New High-Value Sheep Breed The Ala-Too sheep was developed by crossing local Kyrgyz sheep with Tajikistan’s Hissar sheep, a well-known meat breed. “The Ala-Too sheep is a new meat-producing breed. A single breeding sheep costs between $5,000 and $10,000, with some specimens fetching up to $30,000,” said Professor Abdugani Abdurasulov of Osh University. Developing artificial breeds is a key priority in scientific research, university officials noted. Earlier, the blood and wool samples of the new breed were sent to Tarim University in China for DNA testing. A History of Sheep Breeding Innovation This is not the first time Kyrgyzstan has successfully developed a new sheep breed. Five years ago, the Arashan breed was registered by the Ministry of Agriculture. It was created by crossing Hissar sheep from Tajikistan with local coarse-wool sheep. Today, Arashan sheep are exported to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, with individual large specimens selling for as much as $60,000 at exhibitions.