Culture

Changing National Symbols or Preserving Tradition? Kyrgyzstan at a Crossroads with Its National Anthem

Many countries, regardless of social and political changes, prefer to keep their national anthems, seeing them as enduring symbols of national identity.

2 November 2024

Aziz Pirimkulov

Culture

Tbilisoba 2024: Warm Celebration in Tbilisi's Old Town

Despite Tbilisi’s relatively modest percentages of ethnic Armenian and Azerbaijani populations, these communities retain their identities while coexisting amicably in shared areas of the Georgian capital. At festivals like Tbilisoba, both groups come together to celebrate their shared country of birth.

11 October 2024

Onnik James Krikorian

Culture

One Caucasus Festival in Georgia Bridges Regional Divides

The One Caucasus Festival in Georgia unites diverse communities, fostering peace and cultural exchange among Armenians, Azerbaijanis, and Georgians.

30 August 2024

Onnik James Krikorian

Culture

Changing National Symbols or Preserving Tradition? Kyrgyzstan at a Crossroads with Its National Anthem

Many countries, regardless of social and political changes, prefer to keep their national anthems, seeing them as enduring symbols of national identity.

2 November 2024

Aziz Pirimkulov

Culture

Where in the World? Nukus and the Incredible Savitsky Museum

Uzbekistan is ever more popular with tourists thanks to its trio of majestic Silk Route cities, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. But what about the far west of the country? Mark Elliott heads to Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan.

11 December 2023

Mark Elliott

Culture

Khiva – A 21st-century Visitor’s Experience

Khiva, Uzbekistan is the Silk Route’s most memorable city claims veteran travel writer Mark Elliott who first visited back in 1994 when he counted a mere 7 foreign visitors in town. These days it’s an understandable tourist magnet. Here are Mark’s tips for making the most of a visit.

30 November 2023

Mark Elliott

Culture

How Did Iranian Folk Music Become Viral in India?

Iranian folk music is always at the forefront of global top charts; find out why it did in 2023.

12 June 2024

Alexandra Wrigley

Culture

Happy Sadeh

Today is Jashn-e Sadeh, an Iranian winter festival celebrated each year on the 10th of Bahman in the Iranian calendar and of Mehr in the Zoroastrian, which falls on 30 January.

30 January 2024

Mark Elliott

Culture

Maragheh/Maraga, Iran: Once home to Eurasia’s greatest astronomical observatory

Even frequent visitors to Iran rarely think of visiting Maragheh, yet its tomb towers and historical observatory site retain distant resonances of a magnificent history.

26 December 2023

Mark Elliott