Cup of Life: Tbilisi's Last Chaikhana
In what could be the last of its kind in the city, one teahouse close to the historic sulphur baths in the Georgian capital continues to embody the multi-cultural nature of the surrounding neighbourhood. It welcomes a diverse clientele to play backgammon, share news and memories, and, of course, drink tea.
25 April 2024
Onnik James Krikorian
Aliyev and Putin Mark the 50th Anniversary of Siberia’s ‘Other’ Great Railway Line
23 April 2024
Mark Elliott
Tajik Migrants Find Unlikely Success Acting in Turkish Films, Soap Operas
Farangis Najibullah, Shahlo Gulkhoja - RFE/RL
NilCeutica: A New Skincare Brand by Azerbaijani-American Dr. Nilufar Rahimova
Leila Mekhdi
Caucasus
View allCup of Life: Tbilisi's Last Chaikhana
In what could be the last of its kind in the city, one teahouse close to the historic sulphur baths in the Georgian capital continues to embody the multi-cultural nature of the surrounding neighbourhood. It welcomes a diverse clientele to play backgammon, share news and memories, and, of course, drink tea.
Onnik James Krikorian
Aliyev and Putin Mark the 50th Anniversary of Siberia’s ‘Other’ Great Railway Line
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was in Moscow on 22 April 22, where he met with Vladimir Putin to celebrate the anniversary of the BAM Railway, the construction of which involved many Azerbaijanis, not least the president’s father, Heydar Aliyev.
Mark Elliott
NilCeutica: A New Skincare Brand by Azerbaijani-American Dr. Nilufar Rahimova
How a Doctor of Pharmacology decided to open her own skincare brand after ten years of creating skincare products for herself, friends, and family.
Leila Mekhdi
Central Asia
View allTajik Migrants Find Unlikely Success Acting in Turkish Films, Soap Operas
Despite facing unemployment in Tajikistan and abroad, three Tajik migrants have found success as stuntmen and extras in Türkiye.
Farangis Najibullah, Shahlo Gulkhoja - RFE/RL
Tajikistan: Education Collapse Shattering Dreams
Schools are thousands of teachers short of requirement; Salaries are dismal, educators are demoralized, children are bored.
Eurasianet
“Worse than Chernobyl”: Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site and Its Legacy
As Russian President Vladimir Putin continues threatening the West with the possibility of nuclear war after revoking Russia’s ratification of the 1996 global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests, Kazakhstanis living close to the former nuclear test site say, “Let our suffering be a lesson to others.”
Leila Mekhdi
Iran
View allNazrin Aghamaliyeva on Hadis, AnimaFilm Festival, & Vaginismus
The animation artist behind a successful short animation film, Hadis, talks about the struggles of Azerbaijani Turks in Iran and the censorship of taboo topics in Azerbaijan.
Leila Mekhdi
Mirza Hasan Roshdiyyeh: The Architect of Modern Education in Iran
Vahid Qarabagli explores the remarkable life of Mirza Hasan Roshdiyyeh, who revolutionized Iranian education by challenging religious norms to establish modern schools and promote public mother-language-based education.
Vahid Qarabagli
Ardashir’s Palace and Circular City—Iranian Firsts
Visitors to southeastern Iran tend to focus on the city of poets, Shiraz, and the nearby ruins of Persepolis, the ancient Persian capital destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330BC. However, around 100km further south is a lesser-known series of ancient remains.
Mark Elliott
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25 March 2024
Onnik James Krikorian