Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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Uzbekistan Bans the Use of Animals in Circus Performances

From January 1, 2025, Uzbekistan will ban the use of wild animals in circus performances. This law will affect all circuses, including traveling ones. The ban also restricts individuals' right to keep wild animals at home. The list of animals who must not be allowed to perform in circuses was published on the UzA's Telegram feed. These animals can be kept only in specialized institutions such as zoos, terrariums, and oceanariums established by legal entities with a permit from the Ministry of Ecology. Several countries have laws prohibiting the use of wild animals in circus performances. Corresponding bans are adopted in most European countries, Cyprus, Malta, Hungary, Croatia, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as in many states of the USA and Canada, in Israel, China, Singapore, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Iran, Chile, El Salvador, Ecuador, Australia, India, Taiwan, and many other countries. Kazakhstan will ban petting zoos and dolphinariums from January 1, 2025. In Russia, a bill to restrict the use of animals in circuses was discussed in 2023, but the final decision has yet to be made.

Crime Culture Court Cases Murder incident

Tajik-Born Artist Sabina Rosas Found Dead in U.S. Hotel

Sabina Rosas, a 33-year-old artist also known as Sabina Khorramdel, was found murdered in a hotel room in the Hamptons in the state of New York, according to the British tabloid the Daily Mail. Born in Tajikistan, Rosas moved to the U.S. in 2009. Her body was discovered on October 28 by staff at the Shou Sugi Ban House spa hotel. Police suspect her partner, 56-year-old Thomas Gannon, in the murder. Gannon was later found dead at his Pennsylvania home, with authorities confirming he had died by suicide. The couple had been seen together at a spa in Water Mill, where CCTV captured Gannon leaving alone. Suffolk County police have described Rosas’s murder as a domestic incident. In 2023 Rosas co-founded Ruyò Journal, a platform to support Central Asian cultural dialogue and community. Just before her birthday, she started a fundraiser to travel to Portugal, where she planned to host her first artist residency in November. She hoped it would provide a beautiful and inspiring space for creating new work. Announcing her plans, she had said: “I will also launch my artist website to create the perfect digital space to showcase my art." “As I am about to turn 33, I can’t help but laugh at the fact that 33 is often associated with the age of Jesus when he made his final sacrifice. Although I don’t plan on doing anything dramatic, I consider this year a turning point in my life,” Sabina wrote shortly before her death.

History Cultural Heritage Archaeology Science Culture

Archaeologists unlock Secrets of Ancient Civilization in Turkmenistan

Large-scale archaeological research continues in the Karakum desert at the ancient site of Gonur-Depe. This unique monument, discovered in 1972, is the key to unlocking the mysteries of the ancient civilization Margush, which flourished in the delta of the Murghab River about four millennia ago. The Turkmen-Russian Margush Archaeological Expedition, operating under the international agreement, is nearing the end of another field season. The scientists uniting specialists from the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Turkmen researchers continue painstaking work to study and describe numerous artifacts found at this ancient settlement. The excavation season brought some interesting findings. Among them, a miniature cylindrical seal made of talc-agalmatolite, a fragment of a clay bulla with imprints of a snake-shaped seal, and a unique clay lid from a vessel with imprints of a rope and a cloisonné seal stands out. Of particular interest are sets of semi-precious stone beads found in five burials. The skill of ancient jewelers has astonished modern researchers—some lapis lazuli beads have a diameter of only 1 millimeter. Archaeologists have also conducted research aimed at studying the technologies of ancient builders. For the first time, a gypsum kiln was described in detail, making it possible to reconstruct the technological process of producing building materials in ancient Gonur-Depe. The results of these studies will be presented at an international scientific conference in Ashgabat, where scientists from different countries will discuss the discoveries and their significance as regards understanding the history of the ancient civilization of Margiana. The discoveries made in Gonur-Depe not only shed light on the life of the ancient inhabitants of these places but also emphasize the importance of international cooperation in archaeology and history. Each discovery brings us closer to understanding the rich cultural heritage left by an ancient civilization in the heart of the Karakum desert.

US Embassy World Cultural Heritage Archaeology Culture

U.S. Supports Restoration of Medieval Mausoleum in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan

The 12th Century Khalif Erejep Mausoleum, restored with a $80,000 grant from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), has reopened in Khojayli in Uzbekistan’s northwestern Karakalpakstan region. As reported by the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan, the condition of the site was first assessed using advanced techniques such as geophysics, geodesy, archaeological investigations, structural monitoring, 3D scanning, photogrammetry, and radiocarbon dating. Information boards with interactive elements installed at the site, now offer visitors both detailed insights into the mausoleum’s history and the conservation techniques applied. In addition to the above, an audio guide provides informative commentary accessible via mobile devices, and a dedicated website, www.mizdakhkan.com, has been launched to broadcast the site’s historical background, updates on conservation efforts, and practical visitor information. During his visit on October 15, U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Henick, announced: “Karakalpakstan’s rich history and culture shine through this important monument. It reflects Karakalpakstan’s deep traditions and ancient soul. The preservation of the Khalif Erejep Mausoleum is a testament to the strong partnership between the United States and Uzbekistan. Through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, we are honored to support Uzbekistan’s efforts in preserving its rich history for future generations.” Established by Congress in 2001 and administered by the U.S. Department of State, the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) provides direct grant support for preserving cultural sites, cultural objects and collections, and forms of traditional cultural expression in developing countries worldwide. Since 2001, the Fund has supported 15 projects, with a total budget of $1,300,000 in Uzbekistan focused on the restoration of ancient and historic buildings, the assessment and conservation of rare manuscripts and museum collections, the preservation and protection of important archaeological sites, and the documentation of traditional craft techniques.

Culture Sports CIS International event Delphic Games

Children’s Delphic Games Open in Kyrgyzstan

The First Open Children's Delphic Games for CIS countries has begun in Bishkek. The opening ceremony was held at the Toktogul Satylganov Kyrgyz National Philharmonic. The event strives to revive the ancient Greek traditions of the Delphic Games, which took place in the city of Delphi and were dedicated to art and culture. The competition program this year includes competitions for piano, violin, classical guitar, pop and solo singing, folk dance, and DJing. The festival features folk instruments, arts and crafts, and sign language songs. Asel Chynbaeva, Commissioner for Children's Rights, opened the Games by speaking about the importance of the Delphic Games as a platform for cultural exchange and showcasing talent among young people from Eurasian countries. This year special attention is being paid to the Paradelphi nomination, which includes the performance of works in sign language. This emphasizes the importance of inclusiveness and demonstrates how art can overcome barriers and unite people. The Games will run until October 5.

Documentary TURKSOY Art and Culture Film Festival life and culture Culture

Turkmenistan to take part in Turkic World Documentary Film Festival

Turkmenistan has been announced as a participant in the 9th Turkic World Documentary Film Festival, which will be held in Ankara in October this year. The festival received 300 applications from nine countries, including Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Hungary, and Northern Macedonia. The festival is organized by the Federation of Journalists of the Turkic World with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, the International Turkic Culture Organization (TURKSOY), and other partners. Out of 300 submitted works, 147 films passed preliminary consideration by the jury. The festival’s grand opening is scheduled for October 11 at TURKSOY's headquarters. The competition will include works in the “feature-length documentary,” “short documentary,” and “student documentary” categories. A jury consisting of documentary filmmakers and scholars of the Turkic world will choose the winners. The festival will end on November 15 with a closing ceremony and announcement of the final results.