Uzbekistan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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Cannes Award-Winning Film, “Anora” Vexes Uzbek Public

American director Sean Baker’s film “Anora” was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for the comedy-drama genre. The film, about a prostitute from Uzbekistan, has sparked discussions in Uzbekistan on social networks. Starring Mikey Madison, Mark Eidelshtein, and Yura Borisov, the film premiered on May 21st, 2024, at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, with the audience applauding the filmmakers for nine minutes after the screening. As a result, the film was awarded the “Golden Palm Leaf” on May 25th. The movie's events take place in Brooklyn, New York, USA. The main character, Anora, introduces herself as Ani, a 23-year-old Uzbek girl working as a dancer and sex worker in a nightclub. Ani meets a Russian, Vanya, in a club and starts a conversation, following which Vanya brings Ani to a luxurious house, where they drink alcohol, play video games, and enjoy the night together. The audience then learns that Vanya is the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch, and suddenly, he offers Ani the chance to fly to Las Vegas and marry him, presenting her with a four-carat diamond ring as proof of his intentions. Ani agrees, but the story does not end happily. Having learned about his son’s plan, Vanya's father and his wife immediately fly from Russia to New York to persuade their son to cancel the marriage. The interpretation of Ani has caused much conversation on the internet in Uzbekistan, and many expressing their displeasure with the movie's portrayal of her. “I didn’t see any image or reality in this film or in the comments about the film that indicate that Anora is Uzbek. I didn't even read such a concept in the review. On the contrary, the comments talk about the novel of an American woman and a Russian man. Russian commentators are currently criticizing the subject of this film as an attempt to confuse Russian life without knowing Russian life. So, the heroes are an American woman and a Russian man, and the word Uzbek comes from the name only,” journalist Chori Latipov said on his Facebook page. Social network users are worried that the film portrays Uzbek girls in a negative light. Lochinbek Amanov remarked that, “This is a complicated issue for an honorable nation.” “There can be various reasons why such a film is developed and won at the festival,” journalist and screenwriter Sarvar Rahimi said. “First of all, they are angry that we are holding onto national and religious values instead of following their lead. Secondly, they have wrong assumptions about our nation.” Shahrukh Abdurasulov, senior researcher in the Department of Theater and Choreography of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Art Studies, told The Times of Central Asia that it is true that some Uzbek girls make a living as prostitutes not only in the USA but in dozens of corners of the world. “This is the tragedy of our nation. However, many of our girls have studied...

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Uzbekistan and Korea Forge New, High-Tech Agenda for Strategic Partnership

On 14 June, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held talks with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. During their meeting in Tashkent, it was noted that the Republic of Korea is among Uzbekistan’s leading trade and investment partners. Last year, bilateral trade turnover reached $2.5 billion, and Korean investments in Uzbekistan now exceed $7.5 billion. Negotiations focused on the formation of a new, high-tech agenda for Uzbek-Korean strategic partnership over the next three years. As a result, the two leaders tasked their governments to prepare a Strategic Program for the creation of a regional high-tech hub in Uzbekistan, with priority given to the following “anchor” areas of the Strategy: Partnership on critical mineral resources with deep processing and creation of a complete added value chain. Strategic cooperation in the field of semiconductors, in which the Republic of Korea is recognized as a global leader, and the implementation of plans to create in Uzbekistan’s first fully-fledged research and production cluster of semiconductor products. Full-scale partnership in the chemical industry, including new projects to produce green hydrogen and ammonia, as well as finished rubber products. Deepening cooperation in mechanical engineering. This spring, an assembly line for KIA cars was launched in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region, to be followed next year, by a plant with the capacity to manufacture over 60 thousand vehicles per year. Transfer of technologies to develop “smart” agriculture, including via the digitalization of the agricultural sector, the introduction of “smart” and “green” technologies. Agreements have already been reached on the creation of modern greenhouses and garden complexes in Uzbekistan’s regions based on renewable energy sources. Infrastructure modernization and a program for urban development, based on the high interest of Korean banks and companies in the modernization of transport infrastructure, and the design and construction of residential and commercial real estate in Uzbekistan on the principles of public-private partnership. With regard to developing potential projects in green energy and increase energy efficiency, strategic dialogue is to be resumed between energy ministers and a meeting organized in Uzbekistan in the near future.

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The Aral Sea: Addressing Water Issues, Crisis, and Striving for a Better Life in Central Asia

By Arindam Banik and Muhtor Nasirov The world is currently grappling with the devastating impact of climate change, as rising temperatures have become an undeniable reality. In January 2024, the global temperature exceeded normal levels for the second consecutive month, pushing the global average temperature over the 1.5-degree threshold for the first time. Many human activities, such as unplanned water use, excessive groundwater extraction, and climate change, are thought to be contributing to this situation. One poignant example is the case of the Aral Sea in Central Asia. This once breathtaking and teeming endorheic lake, nestled between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, was not just a body of water. It was a symbol of life, a testament to the beauty and resilience of nature. Its azure waters and diverse marine life were a source of sustenance and livelihood for the region's people. It was a vibrant ecosystem, nourished by the almost entire flow of the two main rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya, in the upstream region of Central Asia. Interestingly, the Amu Darya River used to flow into the Caspian Sea through Uzboy Channel. However, a significant shift occurred during human settlement when the flow of these rivers was redirected into the Aral Sea, marking a crucial turning point in the region's hydrological history. Despite its former glory as the third-largest lake in the world, covering an area of 68,000 km2 (26,300 sq miles), the Aral Sea began shrinking in the 1960s after the rivers that fed it were diverted to support large-scale irrigation for cotton production intended for export. The irrigated area in the Aral Sea Basin has now expanded to eight million hectares. By 2007, it had decreased to only 10 percent of its original size, dividing into four lakes. By 2009, the southeastern lake had vanished, and the southwestern lake had shrunk to a thin strip at the western edge of the former southern sea. In the following years, occasional water flows partially replenished the southeastern lake. In August 2014, NASA satellite images revealed that the eastern basin of the Aral Sea had completely dried up, leading to the formation of the Aralkum Desert. This dramatic change has severely impacted the ecology, risking the survival of numerous fish subspecies and three endemic sturgeon species. The loss of these species disrupts the natural balance and affects the livelihoods of the local communities that depend on fishing. The herring, sand smelt, and gobies were the first planktivorous fish in the lake, and their decline led to the lake's zooplankton population collapse. Consequently, the herring and sand-smelt populations have not recovered. Except for the carp, snakehead, and possibly the pipefish, all introduced species survived the lake’s shrinkage and increased salinity. In an attempt to revive fisheries, the European flounder was introduced. This situation is urgent as the delicate balance of this ecosystem is on the verge of collapse. The region's once-prosperous fishing industry has been devastated, leading to unemployment and economic hardship. Additionally, the diverted Syr Darya River...

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Uzbekistan Set to Maximize Tourism

On 3 June, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a government meeting to review plans for the forthcoming year to attract 11 million foreign tourists and increase revenue from tourism to $2.5 billion. It was stated that every dollar currently invested in tourism generates 3-4 dollars for the industry’s future and each new job created in the tourism sector spawns two jobs in related industries. Officials reported that to encourage growth, procedures for running tourism businesses have been simplified and specialized policing created to ensure the safety of tourists. Given the year-on-year increase in extreme tourism, Uzbekistan is developing a program to meet demand for access to its wilder regions. To expand tourism around the country’s natural lakes, a decision was made to auction land for the construction of water parks and other attractions around these scenic shores. Triggered by the pandemic, the demand for medical and recreational tourism has soared and last year alone, over 60 thousand foreign visitors were treated in Uzbekistan’s sanatoriums and medical institutions. In response and based on practices in South Korea, Turkey, and India, the government has launched a “Medical Hospitality” initiative. From now on, costs incurred by private clinics for international certification and participation in overseas exhibitions to promote their services, will be covered by the state. In addition, VAT will be refunded on payments made by foreign patients attending Uzbekistan’s clinics. To maximize its potential, the president recommended the launch of a global advertising campaign to demonstrate to the full, the diversity of Uzbekistan’s tourist industry.

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Uzbekistan Park Managers Arrested for Mass Distribution of Toys

The director, deputy, and head of marketing of the Ashgabat Park in Tashkent have been arrested and detained for 15 days for violating the rules of mass events. According to Gazeta.uz reports, the arrests were made after some 40,000 people had gathered in the park in the hope of receiving free toys. The throng had responded to an advertisement circulated on social media announcing the free distribution of 20,000 soft toys and ice cream at noon on 1 June. However, according to the Department of Internal Affairs, the park's management had been pre- warned and then instructed to cancel the event because of the risks posed by a mass gathering within the park's territory and the event's non-compliance with traffic and citizen safety guidelines. By failing to comply, the park's administration created a danger to citizens and traffic jams at the park's entrance and exit, on some internal routes, and roads leading to the park. The Yashnabad District Department of Internal Affairs drew up an administrative protocol against the park director, deputy director, and head of the advertising department, followed by a sentence of 15 days of administrative arrest imposed by the District Court. The Department of Internal Affairs also published a reminder that according to the requirements of the Cabinet of Ministers resolution of July 29, 2014 (#205), permission to hold mass events must be submitted one month in advance.

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New Flights Launched between the Capitals of Qatar and Uzbekistan

On 2 June, Qatar Airways’ first scheduled flight from Doha landed at Tashkent Airport. According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, the airline will initially operate four flights a week between Doha and Tashkent before introducing daily flights. The opening of regular flights will make a significant contribution to the growth of tourism between the two countries as well as benefitting the development of multifaceted cooperation between the Persian Gulf and Central Asia. In his presentation at the opening ceremony of the new air service at Tashkent International Airport, reported by Novosti Uzbekistana , Marwan Koleilat Senior Vice President, East Asia & South West Pacific at Qatar Airways, stated: “Tashkent has become a new point in the geography of our route network. We are confident that this new route will not only strengthen ties between Qatar and Uzbekistan, but will also open doors for business, tourism and cultural exchange. Passenger flights on the route Doha-Tashkent-Doha will be carried out four times a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays — on Airbus A320 aircraft. In the future, we are considering both increasing the frequency of flights to Tashkent and launching flights to Bukhara and Samarkand.”