TCA Interviews - The Times Of Central Asia

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Özgecan Kesici-Ayoubi

Özgecan Kesici-Ayoubi on How the Alash Movement Is Studied in the West

Özgecan Kesici-Ayoubi is a poet and academic whose work bridges literature and Kazakh intellectual history. Though born and raised in Europe, her writing and scholarship show a deep affinity with the Kazakh people. Her early poetry earned attention and acclaim, and during her university studies she began researching the Alash Movement, work that culminated in a PhD completed in Ireland. We recently spoke with her in a short but insightful interview. TCA: Your academic research focuses on the Alash Party. How did you come to choose this topic while studying in a Western country? Özgecan: Growing up as a Kazakh in Germany, I was always interested in the formation of my identity and cultural heritage. I studied Political Science at both undergraduate and master’s level, and for my master’s thesis, I explored the process of Kazakh nation-building after independence. I then wanted to delve deeper into the foundations of the modern Kazakh nation, which I believe were significantly shaped by the Alash movement in the early 20th century. In Sociology, there's a major subfield focused on the historical sociology of nations and nationhood, which I used as a framework to study the Alash movement. TCA: In developed countries, academic standards are typically very high. What kind of support did your supervisor provide? Özgecan: My supervisor, Professor Siniša Malešević, is a Full Professor of Comparative Historical Sociology at University College Dublin. He was extremely supportive of my research. His expertise in historical sociology and theories of nationalism gave me the academic guidance I needed. Moreover, Ireland’s own colonial past means that its universities have research profiles that aligned well with my work on the Alash movement. TCA: Conducting research on the Alash movement from abroad must have presented challenges. How did you overcome them? Özgecan: It’s important to note that my research was sociological, not purely historical. I wasn’t aiming to discover new archival materials but rather to position the Alash movement within the broader sociological field of nations and nationalism and explore its theoretical implications. That said, I did require primary sources, which I accessed during fieldwork. I connected with local Kazakh scholars who helped me find the necessary materials and books, and I’m very grateful for their support. TCA: Are Western scholars aware of the Alash intellectuals' civic ideals and national identity struggles? Has the topic been studied where you lived? Özgecan: In Ireland, where I was based, the topic hadn’t been studied. However, the Alash movement has been examined by a number of Western scholars. When I began my PhD, several articles and dissertations had already been written in English, many by Kazakh scholars themselves. TCA: You previously mentioned you're working on a book. Can you tell us more about it? Özgecan: Since completing my PhD, I’ve been writing a novel based on my grandparents’ migration from the Altay region in China during the 1930s to Turkey and later the West. The novel is written from a female perspective. TCA: I've read your poems. What inspired your shift...

TCA Interviews

La Tregua: A Bridge Across Wars and Worlds – An Interview with Director Miguel Ángel Vivas

In the misty green heart of Bizkaia, where mountains rise like ancient sentinels and the air carries the scent of rain and earth, a remarkable filmmaking journey unfurled. This is where director Miguel Ángel Vivas Moreno, known for Money Heist (La Casa de Papel), Cicatriz, Desaparecidos, and Secuestrados, reconstructed one of the most haunting landscapes of the twentieth century: a Soviet gulag on the distant Kazakh steppe. His new film, La Tregua (The Truce), invites viewers into a story based on actual events that unfolded far from Spain, but holds deep ties to its history. It traces the ordeal of Spanish prisoners during World War II who fell into Soviet hands and were compelled to endure the harsh, frozen conditions of a labor camp. Their struggle becomes a bridge between past and present, between countries and cultures, and between two men who must learn to recognize each other beyond the uniforms that once made them enemies. [caption id="attachment_40358" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] All images courtesy of the production[/caption] The project is an unprecedented Spanish-Kazakh co-production from Spassk 99, AIE, Amanat Capital, LTD, and Umaifilm, LLP. This partnership gives the film a reach that feels genuinely cross-continental. It is a motion picture passport that opens a window onto a forgotten corner of global history. At the center of the story are Miguel Herrán and Arón Piper, who step into the roles of Reyes and Salgado. The characters appear as ideological enemies; having fought on opposing sides during the Spanish Civil War, both carry heavy psychological baggage. Inside the camp, their former certainties fall away. What begins as uneasy coexistence becomes an inward journey shaped by hunger, fear, and the starkness of their new reality. Executive producer César Benítez recalls searching for two actors capable of expressing both the physical exhaustion of imprisonment and the spark of hope that keeps a person standing. He says that the moment he saw Miguel and Arón together, he recognized that rare blend of fragility and fire. Miguel Ángel Vivas talked to TCA to break down the challenges and highlights behind the production. [caption id="attachment_40356" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] All images courtesy of the production[/caption] TCA: The story is fictional, but it is based on real events in Kazakhstan. Can you explain the historical context and how it inspired La Tregua? Miguel: The story begins with a documentary about Spaniards in the Soviet gulags. That’s where we discovered that republicans and fascists shared the same prison two years after the Spanish Civil War ended. It struck us as a fascinating starting point for a human story about the relationships that formed between them. [caption id="attachment_40357" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] All images courtesy of the production[/caption] TCA: The premise is intriguing: how two fighters on opposite sides of the Spanish Civil War end up in a gulag in Kazakhstan. In an increasingly polarized world, is there a lesson in the film to help heal the wounds that divide Spain, or even the world in general? Miguel: That was the idea! In such a...

TCA Interviews

The Future of Kyrgyz Tech – Scaling Global Companies, Attracting Foreign Capital

In the second installment of our exclusive two-part interview, The Times of Central Asia continues its deep dive into Kyrgyzstan’s evolving tech landscape with Elena Nechaeva, Head of Communications at the High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic (HTP). Last week, we explored the startups and entrepreneurs who are currently building and scaling global businesses. If you missed it, you can read the first part of the interview here. This week, we focus on policy reform, cross-border cooperation, investor outreach, and the path ahead for Kyrgyz entrepreneurs in an increasingly globally competitive market. [caption id="attachment_40428" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: The High Technology Park, Kyrgyz Republic[/caption] TCA: In terms of regulation and policy, what improvements or reforms would you like to see to better support innovation? Elena Nechaeva: There are several policy improvements that could really accelerate innovation in Kyrgyzstan, and many tech leaders have been very open about them. One of the biggest needs is a clearer national strategy for startups. Now, it’s not fully defined who exactly drives startup development and what the government’s long-term role should be. A coordinated approach with clear ownership would help the ecosystem grow much faster. Another important area is venture legislation and a stronger legal framework. Founders and investors often mention the need for a proper venture law, elements of English common law, and better protection of intellectual property. These changes would make it far easier to attract long-term capital and for investors to feel confident working with local companies. There’s also a lot of focus on the importance of modernizing higher education and expanding international partnerships. Strong engineering programs and links between academia and industry are essential for deep-tech development. And finally, Kyrgyzstan needs policies that help retain and attract talent. The digital nomad visa is already showing positive results, but it can be expanded. TCA: How does the Kyrgyz Republic's tech ecosystem compare to others in Central Asia or the wider region? Nechaeva: If you look at the region by population size, Kyrgyzstan is much smaller - about 7 million people, compared to nearly 20 million in Kazakhstan and over 36 million in Uzbekistan. And yet, with a far smaller talent pool and fewer resources, the country already exports more than $130 million in IT services, almost entirely to global markets. Whilst Kyrgyzstan’s tech ecosystem is smaller than some of our neighbors, it is one of the fastest-growing. What makes it different is that it is being developed from the bottom up - driven by founders, engineers, and communities rather than large state programs. That’s why the ecosystem is very agile, open, with a real-world focus on exports. Another difference is the mindset: Kyrgyz startups grow with a “global from day one” approach. They don’t build for a domestic market - they build for the U.S., Europe, and the wider world from day one. That creates a very different culture and pushes teams to compete internationally right from the start. So, while our ecosystem is smaller in size, it’s fast, flexible, and...

TCA Interviews

Why Regional Connectivity Is Reshaping Central Asia: Insights from ISRS Director Eldor Aripov (Part Two)

The Times of Central Asia presents the second part of an interview in Washington, D.C. with Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan. Dr. Aripov sat down with our Washington Correspondent, Javier M. Piedra, to discuss Uzbekistan’s geoeconomic and geopolitical strategic thinking. The conversation focused on Uzbekistan’s and the region’s efforts to cooperate diplomatically to maintain peace and stability with neighbors, irrespective of historical “hotspots,” cultural sensitivities, or the all-important matter of water resources. Aripov comments on Afghanistan, Chabahar Port (Iran), Ferghana Valley, and business development – key for U.S. investors thinking about Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region. TCA: What message do you have for businesses and private investors who do not have any experience in Central Asia? Many companies are sniffing around at this time – what do you want to tell them? Aripov: Uzbekistan is ready for committed investors - those who deliver lasting benefits, quality jobs, and shared prosperity. A decade of reforms has strengthened our fiscal discipline, boosted SMEs, and anchored stability. Coupled with our focus on good relations and a secure, integrated Central Asia, we offer a reliable platform for long-term, sustainable investment. While we have more work to do, we invite you to be part of our momentum. TCA: What are the risks that companies might face when considering long-term investment? Aripov: No country is immune to downside risks – not only in the developed but developing world. Having said that, downside risks, including trade shocks, commodity price volatility, tighter external financing, and contingent liabilities from state-owned enterprises, are mostly exogenous factors driven by global conditions. Risks are mitigated through political stability, diversification of the economy, prudent macroeconomic management, and reforms to state-owned enterprises and governance. For more in-depth commentary, I refer you to recent IMF, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank assessments about our economic conditions and trends. TCA: Let me move on to more regional issues. The first Ferghana Peace Forum was held in October 2025. How can it serve as a replicable model for other regions seeking sustainable peace? Aripov: First of all, I’d like to put this important forum on everyone’s radar. I’d like to underscore that peace is possible when hard work, respect for others, and a commitment to understanding guide our actions, despite historical memories and past differences. Someone should write a case study about our ability to bring consensus into an otherwise challenging region. In any event, the inaugural Ferghana Peace Forum brought together over 300 participants from more than 20 countries — representatives of Central Asian governments, international organizations, leading think tanks, research institutions, and local communities. A joint communiqué was adopted, confirming the intention to institutionalize the Forum as a permanent platform with rotating hosts. This broad participation highlighted an important reality: the Ferghana Valley is no longer viewed as a fragile zone; it is now viewed as a model of pragmatic peacebuilding. The Forum demonstrated how regional leadership — particularly the openness and...

TCA Interviews

The New Geoeconomics of Uzbekistan: Insights from ISRS Director Eldor Aripov

The Times of Central Asia presents a two-part interview in Washington, D.C. with Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan. Dr. Aripov sat down with our Washington Correspondent, Javier M. Piedra, to discuss Uzbekistan’s strategic thinking regarding its diplomatic posture, regional integration, and relations with Central Asian and global partners. The conversation includes commentary on “Great Game” geopolitics, U.S.–Uzbekistan relations, trade, the meaning of “Uzbekistan First,” the historically explosive Ferghana Valley, and water management. Recognizing the link between investment, a stable geopolitical ecosystem, and the need to de-risk potentially conflictive issues, Aripov further sheds light on Tashkent’s practical approach to internal governance and business development. [caption id="attachment_40284" align="aligncenter" width="2360"] Central Asia on the Front Lines; image: Defense.info[/caption] TCA: “America First” refers to U.S. policies prioritizing national interests, often associated with non-interventionism, nationalism, and protectionist trade. Given Uzbekistan’s pragmatic foreign policy, can we speak of an “Uzbekistan First” policy? It is certainly not isolationist — but how is it manifested on a day-to-day basis? Aripov: What you describe as “Uzbekistan First” is, in our understanding, fundamentally about prioritizing national interests – stability and predictability for the people of Uzbekistan. Yet Uzbekistan’s uniqueness lies in the fact that our national interests are closely intertwined with those of the entire region – this means shared upsides at the transactional and strategic levels and thinking long-term. We border every Central Asian country as well as Afghanistan, and therefore any issue — security, trade, transport, or water management — directly depends on the quality of our relationships with neighbors. From his first days in office, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev — with his strategic vision and deep understanding of regional dynamics — declared that regional unity and mutual benefit stand at the core of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy. The essence of his doctrine is to resolve agreeably any historically or materially problematic issues with neighbors, remove barriers to understanding, and create predictable, stable conditions for mutually beneficial cooperation and the free movement of goods, ideas, and people. That is the true meaning of “Uzbekistan First”: not isolation, but openness, predictability, and regional consolidation. TCA: How are you realizing “Uzbekistan First” in practice? Aripov: Uzbekistan is strengthening its economy domestically and global track - putting in place the building blocks for internal sustainable development and accelerating accession to the World Trade Organization. The latter means expanding the geography and composition of exports and increasing the country’s investment attractiveness. This approach is rooted in the logic of sustainable development within the broader international context: long-term national interests are best served by Uzbekistan integrating into global value chains and markets. The results speak for themselves: in 2024, Uzbekistan’s GDP grew by 6.5%, foreign direct investment increased by more than 50% to reach $11.9 billion, and the target for 2025 is to attract $42 billion. This performance is also a tribute to our style of diplomacy, grounded in respect and having a constructive attitude towards others. Thus, “Uzbekistan First” represents a modern model...

Startups

How the Kyrgyz Republic’s High Technology Park is Quietly Building a Digital Powerhouse

In an exclusive two-part interview with The Times of Central Asia, Elena Nechaeva, Head of Communications at the High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic (HTP), offers a rare and detailed look into one of Central Asia’s most underreported digital ecosystems. While much attention has been given to the tech potential of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan is quietly and deliberately attempting to build a globally connected digital economy, and, in recent years, it has gone from strength to strength. With deepening links to Silicon Valley and a new generation of ambitious startups and entrepreneurs, the country’s tech talent is emerging as some of the most competitive in the region. In this special series, The Times of Central Asia reveals the start-ups, entrepreneurs, and trends shaping Kyrgyzstan’s regional innovation space and why international investors should start paying attention. TCA: Can you briefly describe the mission and strategic goals of the High Technology Park (HTP)? Elena Nechaeva: The High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic is built on a simple belief: the internet is our ocean. For a landlocked country, digital technologies open limitless space, a borderless world where geography no longer defines opportunity. The High Technology Park was created to help Kyrgyz companies export their talent and products and integrate into the wider global technology economy. As a government-backed organization, our mission is to accelerate the country’s economic growth through IT and to create global opportunities for local talent whilst developing the Kyrgyz Republic as an emerging hub for innovation. In the long term, our strategy is focused on three clear priorities. Firstly, we want to reach $1 billion in annual revenue generated by HTP resident companies. We aim to scale Kyrgyz IT exports by supporting companies with a favorable tax regime. This means 0% VAT, 0% corporate income tax, 0% sales tax, 5% personal income tax, to help them grow internationally. Then, we want to enable the first unicorn startup founded in the Kyrgyz Republic. The High Technology Park supports startups through international programs, accelerators, and a number of global partnerships, allowing them to access networks in Silicon Valley, Europe, and Asia. We have also set an ambitious target to train and empower 50,000 software developers. Developing these skills is perhaps the most important thing that we do. We are working closely with universities, schools, bootcamps, and private EdTech companies to cultivate a new generation of engineers and digitally savvy professionals. [caption id="attachment_40039" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image courtesy of The High Technology Park, Kyrgyz Republic @ the 2025 Gitex Expo in Dubai[/caption] TCA: How has the High Technology Park evolved since its inception? What have been the most significant milestones to date? Nechaeva: Since its inception, the High Technology Park has evolved from a small initiative into a fast-growing IT hub. The Kyrgyz tech ecosystem began developing in 2008, originally with the founding of the Kyrgyz Association of Software and Service Developers - the first professional organization uniting the country’s tech companies. This laid the foundation for a specialized IT regime. The...