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BUILDING THE LANDBRIDGE WITH EURASIA
KYRGYZSTAN TOURISM KEEPS EVOLVING INTERVIEW WITH ELENA KALASHNIKOVA
RIPPLES OF CHANGE IN CENTRAL ASIA
THE FALL OF RUSSIA IN CENTRAL ASIA
REPLICATING INDIA’S SOFT POWER STRATEGY IN KAZAKHSTAN
This is the latest collection of short works from the renowned award-winning, Kazakh writer, playwright and storyteller, Dulat Issabekov - ‘The Confrontation’ is a group of short stories and a play - ‘Bonapartes Wedding’
In these tales he weaves the humour, tragedy and history of his beloved homeland. The tales poke fun of the former Soviet era yet also look back fondly with clear descriptions and lyrical prose. There is a fondness for past times but his characters also take us on journeys to the present day as well, highlighting the ludicrous striving for modernity through comical deceit and subterfuge and there are the unattainable relationships between people trying to please someone else or even just themselves.
Dulat Issabekov is the master storyteller, drawing you into the world that creeps out from his pages and transports you to the countryside Dacha or the bustle of a soviet city, the clothing, food, cultures and traditions all become part of his written tapestry, like a Babushka shawl.
Each of the stories has a special meaning and, although he denies they are autobiographical, memories that can only have been written by someone who was there.
They are the kind of stories that can be read over and over again, each time with new details and swirls of description beckoning the reader to go in further.
— Gareth Stamp Chairman Eurasian Creative Guild
When you meet someone whose profession is Astrologer, there is curiosity and scepticism in equal measure. The sceptic in me wants to say ‘prove it!’ And then my curiosity wants to ask - ‘how did you find out?’. This book, graphically, emotionally and frankly tells the story and more than answers my questions. It is a story of a battle to overcome issues that would have broken most people. It is the story of dealing with so called medical professionals more interested in their own worth than their patients and it is the story of relationships and a broken society. Elena has the words and descriptions to engage the reader to side with her, cry with her and will her to overcome her hurdles. At times she tells of an ongoing nightmare which you feel you are part of and want to shout at the characters and at other times she is catches you up in the tenderness of relationships and memories, like an entwined fishing net. The book is an inspiration to humanity and I am grateful for her courage in writing it.
This is the latest collection of short works from the renowned award-winning, Kazakh writer, playwright and storyteller, Dulat Issabekov - ‘The Confrontation’ is a group of short stories and a play - ‘Bonapartes Wedding’
In these tales he weaves the humour, tragedy and history of his beloved homeland. The tales poke fun of the former Soviet era yet also look back fondly with clear descriptions and lyrical prose. There is a fondness for past times but his characters also take us on journeys to the present day as well, highlighting the ludicrous striving for modernity through comical deceit and subterfuge and there are the unattainable relationships between people trying to please someone else or even just themselves.
Dulat Issabekov is the master storyteller, drawing you into the world that creeps out from his pages and transports you to the countryside Dacha or the bustle of a soviet city, the clothing, food, cultures and traditions all become part of his written tapestry, like a Babushka shawl.
Each of the stories has a special meaning and, although he denies they are autobiographical, memories that can only have been written by someone who was there.
They are the kind of stories that can be read over and over again, each time with new details and swirls of description beckoning the reader to go in further.
ISBN: 978-1-913356-64-4
RRP: £12.95
BOOK AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.CO.UK & WWW.DISCOVERY-BOOKSHOP.COM
ISBN: 978-1-913356-63-7
RRP: £14.95
BOOK AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.CO.UK & WWW.DISCOVERY-BOOKSHOP.COM
Guild
— Gareth Stamp Chairman Eurasian Creative
OPEN CENTRAL ASIA MAGAZINE
#48 / 2023
Cover: Elena Kalashnikova
President Of The Kyrgyz Association
Of Tour Operators (KATO) See p.6
MAGAZINE PUBLISHED FOR EURASIAN CREATIVE GUILD
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NICK ROWAN
PUBLISHER MARAT AKHMEDJANOV
EDITOR’S ASSISTANT ANNA NIKOLAEVA DESIGN
ALEXANDRA REY
EDITORIAL TEAM
GARETH STAMP
RAZA SAYED
TAINA KAUNIS
DR. AL ARTAMAN (UAE & C. A)
CONTRIBUTORS
DR. THOMAS A. CELLUCCI
GARETH STAMP
DANIELE-HADI IRANDOOST
VIKTOR OBYDENNOV
MATHEW TRAVER
ANDREI ZAPSA
ASET KAKIMZHANOV
SERGEY ANPILOGOV
KAZUSHI YAMAMOTO
ECG BOARD
GARETH STAMP - CHAIRMAN
MARAT AKHMEDJANOV - VICE CHAIRMAN
ADVISORY BOARD
ELENA ASLANYAN, ARMENIA
ANATOLY LOBOV, GEORGIA
VICTORIA LEVIN, ISRAEL
ELENA BEZRUKOVA, KAZAKHSTAN
AZIM AKMATOV, KYRGYZSTAN
MARINA PODLESNAIA, MOLDOVA
JONATHAN CAMPION, UK
NATALIE BAYS, UK
LIUDMILA LARKINA, AUSTRALIA
BRUCE GASTON, CANADA
MARINA SHKROBOVA-VERNALIS, RUSSIA
LARA PRODAN, USA
ADAM SIEMIENCZYK, POLAND
MICHAEL KUNITSKIY, BELARUS
BAKHTYGUL MAKHANBETOVA, KAZAKHSTAN
MARGO GAMBURSKAYA, UZBEKISTAN
ANNA DEMINA
MARIA ZHUMAGULOVA
PAVEL KOSSOVICH
TAINA KAUNIS
DISTRIBUTION
TIMUR AKHMEDJANOV
WEB
NAIMATT BUTT
Dear Readers,
From The Editor
In addition to this momentous occasion, we turn our gaze to the current events shaping Central Asia. The region continues to be a melting pot of cultural, political, and economic dynamism. From the shifting geopolitical landscape to the advancements in technology and infrastructure, Central Asia is at the forefront of transformation and progress. In these pages, as ever, we delve into insightful analyses, thought-provoking interviews, and captivating stories that shed light on the multifaceted facets of our ever-evolving region.
Open Central Asia magazine remains committed to fostering understanding, promoting dialogue, and embracing the spirit of openness. Our mission is to create a platform that transcends borders, connecting individuals who share a passion for Central Asia and its extraordinary heritage.
I extend my sincere gratitude to our talented contributors, dedicated staff, and most importantly, to you, our valued readers. It is your curiosity, engagement, and unwavering support that drives us to continuously bring you the best of Central Asia.
Warm regards,
Disclaimer
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The information contained in this publication is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by OCA Magazine and while we endeavour to ensure the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of the information, products, services, or related graphics represented for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
All authors provide their own material and any opinions contained within are solely those of the authors and do not neccessarily represent the views or opinions of OCA Magazine.We publish these views as part of our provision of a forum for discussion and readers should be aware that the views may contrast each other in the pursuit of this aim. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of material contained within this publication.
Special gratitude for cooperation and support to:
Embassy of Azerbaijan to the UK
Embassy of Belarus to the UK
Embassy of Kazakhstan to the UK
Embassy of Kyrgyzstan to the UK
Embassy of Russian Federation to the UK
Embassy of Tajikistan to the UK
Embassy of Turkmenistan to the UK
Embassy of Uzbekistan to the UK
CATBIG
It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the latest edition of our esteemed publication. As Editor-in-chief, I am thrilled to present you with the usual captivating blend of stories, insights, and cultural revelations that highlight the diverse tapestry of Central Asia and the wider Eurasia.
First and foremost, I am excited to share news about the recent Eurasian Creative Guild Film Festival, an event that embodies the spirit of artistic innovation and cultural exchange. As usual, the festival found its home in the picturesque town of Bromley, where filmmakers, artists, and visionaries from across Eurasia gathered to celebrate the power of storytelling through the magic of cinema. We are proud to be part of this remarkable festival and bring you exclusive coverage of the creative brilliance from this extraordinary event.
Nick Rowan Editor-in-Chief
Open Central Asia Magazine
* ps - the above is written by ChatGPT, the AI language model. As I was short on time this month, I decided to give it a try as an experiment. Although it writes bold and inspiring prose, it remains somewhat generic and with little ability to understand current events and opinion. For now, at least, I think I, and our other contributors, still have a role. But with AI expanding exponentially, I wonder how long for? Your magazine may come from an AI bot near you in the not so distant future. Watch this space…we certainly will be!
