Uzbekistan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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You Can Now Pay Your Fare on Tashkent’s Subway with the Palm of Your Hand

The Tashkent subway has introduced a pilot project for the “MyID Palm” fare payment system, which uses biometric technology to identify passengers by the unique vein pattern in their palms. This innovative system was developed by local scientists in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, the payment service “ATTO,” and Octobank. It marks a significant advancement in biometric identification for public transportation. The system relies on palm vein scanners to read each passenger's unique vein pattern. According to the developers, this data is securely protected against unauthorized access and forgery. The goal of the technology is to enhance both security and convenience in fare payments. Currently, “MyID Palm” devices have been installed at 12 stations along the Chilanzar line, where they are operating in test mode. Plans are underway to expand this system to all metro stations in Tashkent. To use the service, passengers need an “ATTO” transportation card and the associated mobile application to create a biometric profile. The activation process involves scanning their palm at a designated info kiosk located at one of the stations equipped with the technology. Testing of the palm payment system began in late October 2023, with Druzhba Narodov station becoming the first to enable this feature. Earlier, in September 2023, the Tashkent subway began testing a Face ID payment system, which allows passengers to pay their fare using facial recognition technology. These advancements signal a move toward a more modernized and user-friendly public transportation system in Uzbekistan's capital, with both residents and visitors benefiting from the improved efficiency and security of biometric payment solutions.

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Uzbekistan Sends Food and Medicine to Afghanistan

Uzbekistan has delivered humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. The aid package includes food and medicines, with nine wagons of “Salomatlik” (Health) medical and sanitary products en route to the country. From December 25 to 30, residents of Afghanistan’s Balkh region will receive free medical examinations conducted by qualified Uzbek doctors. This humanitarian initiative follows a request for medical assistance made during a meeting between the governments of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. To further strengthen bilateral ties, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Abibek Usmanov, met with Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Afghanistan's Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, in Kabul on December 24. During the meeting, Usmanov underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation between the two countries across various sectors. He highlighted Uzbekistan’s willingness to deepen economic and trade relations, emphasizing the interest of Uzbek businesses in projects such as establishing health centers, exporting medicines, constructing cement plants, and engaging in coal trade.

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Uzbek-Chinese Team Uncovers Han Dynasty Relics

A joint archaeological team from China and Uzbekistan has unearthed significant cultural relics at the Mengchaktepa site in Uzbekistan. Among the discoveries are silk fragments, coins, and a bronze mirror dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). The excavation uncovered six tombs and two buildings. These findings could provide deeper insights into the Silk Road during the Wei (220-265), Jin (265-420), and Northern and Southern Dynasties (386-589). This marks the first discovery of silk at Mengchaktepa or anywhere in the Fergana Valley in nearly 40 years. The last such finding, in the 1980s, confirmed that the silk was produced in China. Since 2012, the China-Uzbekistan archaeological team has focused on excavating Mengchaktepa, uncovering relics that underscore frequent trade and cultural exchanges in the region. The area excavated in 2024 is located in the northwest corner of the site. Research from 1986 indicated that this part of the site was contemporaneous with the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties in China. Liu Tao, a member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and leader of the archaeological team, noted that silk fragments were discovered near the tibia of a tomb skeleton. These fragments are believed to be remnants of trousers. Further studies are underway to confirm the silk’s origin. Copper coins were also recovered, including one too rusted to identify markings. Researchers determined it to be a Chinese-style coin featuring a circular shape with a square hole, reflecting Chinese cultural influence. Both the silk and coins have been sent to a laboratory for detailed analysis, with results expected in 2025. The six tombs excavated feature unique designs distinct from ancient Chinese tombs. They employed reed coffins, constructed using locally available reed stalks braided and wrapped with wood. This adaptation likely utilized materials sourced near the Syr Darya River. However, the tomb structures resemble those of Central China. They include passages, adobe-sealed doors, and cave chambers. One of the larger tombs measures 3 meters wide, 4 meters long, and 2 meters high. It features an arched ceiling, steps connecting the passage to the chamber, and an adobe gate. Cave chamber tombs first appeared during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and became prominent during the Han Dynasty. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that this team had unearthed seven tombs, two buildings, and numerous artifacts, including silk fabrics, leather goods, bronze mirrors, square-holed coins, and beads at Mengchaktepa. These findings continue to shed light on the rich cultural and trade connections between Central Asia and China in ancient times.

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Exploring Uzbekistan’s Cultural Tapestry – Trio Fadolín’s From Near and Far in NYC

Earlier this month, the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center resonated with the vibrant sounds of From Near and Far, a new musical project by the New York-based ensemble Trio Fadolín. The performance, part of the New York Public Library’s cultural programming, captivated audiences with its rich exploration of Uzbek musical traditions and beyond. Suspense, melancholy, and drama were interwoven with personal stories shared by Ljova (Lev Zhurbin), a member of the ensemble and virtuoso of the fadolín — a one-of-a-kind string instrument custom-made for him — blending the tonal depth of the violin, viola, and cello. The program featured compositions by Ljova, Uzbek composer Dmitry Yanov-Yanovsky, and Ljova’s father, the renowned Soviet-era composer Alexander Zhurbin. Adding a poignant layer to the evening, Alexander Zhurbin attended the concert in person, providing a tangible connection to the ensemble’s exploration of cultural and familial roots. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guMv_IRHstg[/embed] Alexander Zhurbin, 1985 Much of Ljova’s career has been dedicated to uncovering and performing music from underrepresented regions, introducing audiences to sounds often unfamiliar in the West. Born in Moscow, he immigrated to New York in 1990 with his parents, quickly immersing himself in the city’s multicultural and musical landscape. As a composer, arranger, and bandleader for his ensemble, Ljova and the Kontraband, he has collaborated with globally acclaimed groups including the Yo-Yo Ma-founded Silkroad Ensemble (now called Silkroad). Ljova’s work defies boundaries, blending Eastern and Western influences to honor and innovate musical traditions. The trio's members — Ljova, violinist Sabina Torosjan (born in Estonia), and cellist Valeriya Sholokhova (born in Ukraine) — found a shared connection to Uzbekistan through their personal histories, which became the foundation for From Near and Far. TCA spoke with the trio about their musical and familial ties to Uzbekistan. TCA: Can you share how your personal histories connect you to Uzbekistan? Ljova: My father, Alexander Zhurbin, wrote the Soviet Union's first rock opera, Orpheus and Eurydice, in 1975. It played in stadiums and was in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-running musical in Russia. He was born in Tashkent and lived there until his mid-20s when he moved to Leningrad — now St. Petersburg — to study, and then to Moscow to work as a composer in film, TV, musicals, and the concert stage. Sabina: Just like many people from the former Soviet Union, I have a mixed background. I grew up in Estonia. My mother’s side of the family was Ukrainian Jews and my father’s side was Armenian. The interesting connection to Uzbekistan is that it is where my father was born. His father was sent to work there as a veterinarian at the time, in Biruni, Uzbekistan. But shortly after my father was born, his family returned to Yerevan. Valeriya: My grandfather’s family sought refuge there during World War II and survived those difficult years in Uzbekistan. However, they returned to Ukraine as soon as they were able. There are pictures of my grandfather as a child wearing an Uzbek tyubeteyka, and I am...

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How Christmas is Celebrated in Central Asia

In predominantly Islamic countries, celebrating Christian Christmas reflects a spirit of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. On December 25, people of all backgrounds are welcome to join the celebrations. Catholics and Protestants are minority Christian groups in Central Asia. Catholicism was introduced to the region as early as the 12th century, but Christianity was eradicated during the Timurid era and later revived under the Russian Empire. Today, Catholics and Protestants in the region are largely descendants of German and Polish immigrants, as well as employees of foreign embassies and international companies. Kazakhstan In Kazakhstan, unlike Orthodox Christmas on January 7, December 25 is not a public holiday. There are no large-scale national festivities, but many Kazakhstani people extend warm greetings to their Catholic neighbors. According to the 2021 census, Catholics account for 0.57% of the population (about 19,000 people) and Protestants 0.28% (approximately 9,500) within a total Christian population of over three million. Despite the small number of adherents, festive services are held in major cities. The Church of the Holy Trinity in Almaty hosts Midnight Mass and other celebrations, and St. Joseph's Church in Astana also offers services. Both cities organize organ music concerts that attract many non-Catholic attendees. Other cities, including Karaganda, Atyrau, Pavlodar, Petropavlovsk, Kostanai, and Ust-Kamenogorsk, also have Catholic parishes. Kazakhstan’s Catholic communities observe traditions that appeal to many, regardless of religion. Christmas fairs, nativity scenes, and festive dishes such as roasted goose, ducks, pies, and Christmas cookies add to the celebrations. Carols and children’s theatrical performances are also a highlight. Christmas services are conducted in Russian, Polish, and English, reflecting the region’s diversity. Kyrgyzstan Catholic communities in Kyrgyzstan are notably multi-ethnic. At the Roman Catholic parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Bishkek, attendees include professionals and students from India, Pakistan, and other nations. According to estimates, the Catholic population in Kyrgyzstan is approximately 1,500, with numbers growing due to newcomers. A unique tradition in Kyrgyzstan is the preparation of twelve fasting dishes on Christmas Eve, symbolizing the months of the year and the twelve apostles. This tradition marks the end of the four-week Advent fast and the beginning of the festive mass on the evening of December 24. Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan The Catholic community in Tajikistan is small, numbering about 100, mostly foreigners. The two parishes in the country include one in Dushanbe, while missionaries manage a kindergarten at a correctional labor colony in Nurek. In Turkmenistan, the congregation in Ashgabat is also small, with Christmas services conducted in Russian, English, and Turkmen. In Uzbekistan, Christmas celebrations are held in Tashkent and Samarkand, with services occasionally conducted in Korean. The Catholic communities in these countries, while small, maintain vibrant celebrations, with Protestants and some Orthodox Christians also participating. A Time for Unity and Celebration In Central Asia, Protestant and Orthodox Christians often join Catholic Christmas celebrations. The festivities on December 25, featuring Santa Claus and other traditions, mark the beginning of winter holidays and are cherished by people of all faiths.

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Uzbekistan Proposes 5-Day Paid Paternity Leave

Uzbekistan is taking steps to introduce new labor standards that support fathers and advance gender equality. A draft law submitted to parliament proposes granting men five days of paid leave within a month after the birth of their child. Deputy Nodir Tilavoldiyev stated that the proposal aligns with the country’s ongoing gender reforms. Currently, Uzbekistan’s labor laws do not include provisions for paternity leave, leaving many men to balance work and family responsibilities or rely on unpaid leave during this period. The draft law also seeks to enhance workplace protections by addressing discrimination, harassment, and violence. Employers would be empowered to transfer or dismiss employees found guilty of violence or abuse against colleagues. Additionally, the legislation focuses on supporting victims of domestic violence. It proposes including them in the list of socially vulnerable groups eligible for state-guaranteed employment assistance. These measures aim to foster a safer and more inclusive working environment for all. In neighboring Kazakhstan, fathers can already request unpaid leave upon the birth of a child, with some financial support provided through social payments.