Putting A Stop To Kyrgyz Bride Kidnapping

With marriage on his mind, a man in his twenties chooses a young woman and arranges her kidnapping. He then seizes the woman in the streets, and takes her to his home, where she is pressured to consent to the marriage by the man’s family…[READ MORE]

In case you missed our Friday Photos From…Facebook gallery.

Friday Photos From…Prague

The photos showcase the talent of Suiorkul Doorov, a Kyrgyz artist who first exhibition is being shown at the Morna Art Gallery in Prague, a new gallery that strives to provide a platform for young artists. The gallery opened in July 2011 and Doorov’s exhibit,”The Firstling”, opened January 6, 2012. 

In an interview with Venera Djumataeva, Director of Radio Azattyk, Suiorkul said that he identifies with Vasily Vereschagin (1842-1909), the great Russian painter who brought the very first pictures and portraits from Central Asia to Russia and Europe, introducing a whole new audience to the beauty and traditions of Central Asia, and especially Ferghana Valley. Suiorkul believes his paintings bring to new European audiences a fresh vision of everyday life in Central Asia. 

Suiorkul, 27, was born and grew up in the town Isfana, in the remote Batken region on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border. In his paintings, Suiorkul reflects the richness of his own multicultural background, combining features of Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Tajik culture and allowing people of various ethnicities to live together in his art. 

All pictures were taken by our RFE/RL colleague Torokul Doorov, Suiorkul’s brother. 

Read more news from Radio Azattyk.

25-Year Old Kyrgyz Broadcaster Wins Regional Awards

Janarbek Akaev just turned 25, but he’s already earning plaudits from around Central Asia for his impressive work in broadcast journalism. On December 13, Akaev — a television broadcaster for RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service, Radio Azattyk — was voted Kyrgyzstan’s best TV presenter for 2011.[READ MORE]

“People in our country don’t want the situation in Russia to develop like it did in Kyrgyzstan and, not so long ago, in Ukraine. Nobody wants chaos.”

First Person: Life In Russia As A Non-Russian Child

Aida Kasymalieva reports from Moscow for RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service. This summer, she brought her 5-year-old daughter, Bermet, to Moscow from the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, where she had been living with her grandparents. This is Kasymalieva’s account of her daughter’s experience of life in Russia.

…On that day we went home and I grabbed Emma — a doll that I had bought in New York City. Emma is an African-American doll, made of cloth, with dark, curly hair, and the same height as Bermet.

And the three of us — Emma, Bermet, and I — took a walk in the Field of Miracles. It was our kind of silent protest in support of tolerance and against xenophobia…

Read the rest of Aida Kasymalieva’s compelling account of her daughter’s experience of life in Russia.

Friday Photos From…Kyrgyzstan

You can see the rest of the photos on our Facebook “Friday Photos From…” gallery.

Horse riding is not just a recreational pastime in Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz, traditionally semi-nomadic herders, have always largely relied on horses. One ancient proverb refers to them as “The wings of the Kyrgyz” because they represent a friend, worker as well as a source of food. The nomadic heritage is in the culture present until today, as many herding families seasonally move from lower valleys in winter to higher pastures in summer. Horses are indispensable for agriculture and transportation in Kyrgyzstan. In the country’s mountainous region horses can reach areas that would hardly be accessible for vehicles without consuming costly fuel. Additionally, horse milk is an irreplaceable component for the national drink Kymyz. 

These pictures offer a tour of the Kyrgyz national sport which is - what else than - horse games. All photos were taken by RFE/RL Kygyz Service, Radio Azattyk photographer Vlad Ushakov on November 9, 2011.

Atambaev Sworn In As Kyrgyz President

Former Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaev has been sworn in as Kyrgyzstan’s new president in a ceremony in Bishkek notable for its lack of drama in a country that’s become more accustomed to handovers brought on by crisis, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reports…[READ MORE]

Kyrgyz Mama’s Boy Wins ‘Czecho-Slovakia’s Got Talent’ 

See video and read more here…

Caption: RFE/RL News Director Jay Tolson congratulates Khadija Ismayilova of RFE/RL’s Azeri Service on her award for one of the five best stories of 2011. Ismayilova’s story on public corruption in Azerbaijan led to changes in government policy.

Whether it was uncovering state cronyism in Azerbaijan, documenting systematic rape in Kyrgyzstan, remembering genocide in the Balkans, live-tweeting from a charged courtroom in Russia, or broadcasting the desperate story of Georgian sailors, RFE/RL’s journalists profoundly affected the world of their listeners in 2011…[READ MORE]