***Warning: this post discusses sexual assault, which may be triggering for some readers.*** At what point does art cross the fine line from trailblazing experimentation to troubling uncomfort? This was the question…
Moynaq: The Town the Sea Left
Our trip to Uzbekistan was mainly characterized by pre-Soviet structures. The tours we went on highlighted remnants of fortresses and towns, old mosques, and the old parts of modern cities. The sites…
A Whole New World: The Magic of Uzbek Silk Carpet-Making
You might think the best part of Aladdin is the love story between Aladdin and Jasmine, but after traveling to Uzbekistan, I think the real story might be how a worm’s cocoon…
Remembering the Horrors: ALZhIR Gulag Camp
The Soviet Union was known for many things, communism, Stalin, the color red, but one of the scariest things as a person living in the Soviet Union at the time would have…
Who is Uzbekistan? The Conflict Between Profits and Heritage
Just as labyrinthine and seemingly convoluted as the old cities themselves scattered throughout the desert of Uzbekistan, are the priorities of the Uzbek government when it comes to cultural preservation and the…
Девушка!
The cultural experience of the Uzbek bazaar The bazaars we saw in Uzbekistan were like nothing that I have ever seen back home. The culture, setting, and social expectations of the bazaar…
From Mouth to Memory: A Review of Anuar Duisenbinov’s “Testimonies About Tea”
In American popular culture the phrase “to spill the tea” has been used to indicate the need to discuss a topic of interest with another person, often this topic can be described…
An Ode to Hardworking Worms: Exploring Silk in Uzbekistan
Stretching as far back as 114BC, documentation of the Silk Road describes the vital role of trade routes and the production of silk throughout Central Asia. Although these ancient roads cease to…
“Painted” Rock, “Mulberry” Paper, “Silk” Scissors: The Entertaining World of Ethnic Crafts in Uzbekistan
In America our passion for artisanal workmanship has suffered in the face of growing technology, but in Central Asia ethnic craftsmen provide visitors with the ability to see firsthand how products are…
Remembering the Exiled: A Review to The Gift to Stalin
The year is 1949. It’s been 4 years since the war ended, and the Soviet Union has emerged as one of the most powerful countries on earth. The future of the nation…
