Getting Ready for Halloween in UzbekistanResidents of the US, the UK, Canada and other countries celebrate Halloween every year on the night of 31 October to 1 November. On this day it is customary to dress up as creatures of the night: vampires, witches, zombies and horror film characters, figures from myths and scary stories. Children go from door to door in search of sweets, adults hold themed parties, and guests are greeted by decorations in the form of a pumpkin with “glowing” eyes. In Uzbekistan the holiday is not marked on the same scale as in the US, but it is just as much fun. Here is a guide to getting ready for Halloween.Inna Kolpakidi#Guide#Cultural Guide
The Caspian in Decline: What Lies Ahead by 2040The level of the Caspian Sea continues to fall, changing the shape of the coastline, the conditions for shipping and the habitats of unique species. For Kazakhstan this is not only an environmental problem but also a question of the future of its ports, fishing and coastal cities. What processes lie behind the shrinking and how far can this crisis go?Nurlan Munbayev#Ecology and Economics#Ideas & Analysis
Tashkent to Host Chaplin and The Hollywood Reporter Awards CeremonyTomorrow, 23 October, the Palace of International Forums of Uzbekistan in Tashkent will host the Chaplin and The Hollywood Reporter award ceremony, as well as film screenings. The event will begin at 15:30 and will include several cultural programmes, the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan writes.#News#News & Context
The Architecture of Movement: Transport as Part of Urban PlanningEvery morning, Almaty wakes up in motion. Buses set off on their routes, trolleybuses cross the city streets, schoolchildren head to class, and thousands of residents make their way to work, school and appointments. The city’s daily rhythm is sustained by the hard work of transport professionals: drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, engineers and other specialists whose daily decisions keep public transport running reliably.Gulsara Kenbaeva#Ecology and Economics#Ideas & Analysis
FLOW Park: A New Space for Active Recreation in Almaty | A Photo EssayAlmaty is developing a new kind of public space: places where walking, sport and family leisure come together in one location. One such project is FLOW Park, situated at the intersection of Al-Farabi Avenue and Dulati Street, opposite the First President’s Park. This modern sports park is designed to become a popular destination for people who prefer to spend their free time outdoors.Amira Kassenova, Gulsara Kenbaeva#Architecture & Urban Environment#Ideas & Analysis
The Art of Being a ProfessionalIn conversation with Nikolay Tsiskaridze about true mastery, great teachers, leading by example, dramatic theatre and social media as a space for cultural enrichment.Alfiya Kalmaganbetova#Art#Ideas & Analysis
"Shaytonat": The Essential Uzbek Crime Novel That Defined Post-Soviet Central Asian LiteratureA world where law is just a word and fear is the currency. In "Shaytonat", Tahir Malik reveals the unseen side of 1980s Uzbekistan — a realm of criminal clans where honor and life are worth the same price.Мохина Нурсаидова#Literature and Storytelling#Ideas & Analysis
7 Masterpieces of French LiteratureThe history of art convincingly demonstrates that in every era there comes a moment when several bright stars simultaneously ignite in a single sphere—be it literature, music, or painting. It is then that society's attention focuses on these figures; their names become symbols of their time, and their work becomes a sign of spiritual rebirth. French literature is one of the most vivid examples of this phenomenon.Мохина Нурсаидова#Literature and Storytelling#Ideas & Analysis