Stories about Kazakh
War, words, and worries in Central Asia
Each state responded differently to the war: ignoring it altogether, incorporating their own national interests, and adapting to the changing course of war, while trying to withstand Russian pressure.
‘Your’dle: Wordle is now available in many of the world’s languages
Wordle is a fun way to flex your brain, but the open-source code behind the free game has also been adapted to work in different languages, including indigenous ones.
A 2019 Kazakh song about Nur-Sultan reads like news commentary in January 2022
A three-year old song describes in prophetic tones the violence that rocked Kazakhstan in January 2022 and speaks about the state of mind of many Kazakhs.
Global Voices seeks an editor to lead our Greater Central Asia coverage
Global Voices is seeking a Greater Central Asia editor with strong English-language editing skills and in-depth knowledge of the region. Knowledge of local languages and Russian would be an asset.
The myth of a stable Kazakhstan is shattered within a day as neighbours watch anxiously
In one day Kazakhstan dismissed its government, shut down the internet, and imposed a national curfew. People destroyed or took over key government buildings and even the airport in Almaty.
‘Kazakh language is perfect for rap': Interview with cultural commentator Yevgeniya Plakhina
Sung in a mix of Kazakh and Russian, played with traditional nomadic and new musical instruments, contemporary alternative music from Kazakhstan offers an eclectic and rich environment.
A disappearing cross-border river becomes the subject of a Central Asian documentary
With River of Nomads, the Adamdar/CA team narrates the environmental problems of the river Chu, which crosses Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. This is the first interview about their documentary.
Blogger gets prison sentence for branding Kazakhstan's language policies “russophobic”
According to Taichimbekov, the Kazakh state has been "sourcing Russian individuals who speak out in favor of banning Russian television, banning Russian language, excluding it from the Constitution."
New homophobic attacks in Kazakhstan rally support behind activists
Over the course of three months, LGBTQ+ activists were targeted three times by conservative mobs in various cities across Kazakhstan. An artist was bullied online for drawing same-sex kisses.
Street art protest in Kazakhstan becomes routine
Since Nazarbayev’s resignation in 2019, new protest movements in Kazakhstan have chosen street art as their preferred tactic. In this case, the target is a public utility hut in Almaty.
How Sinophobia is instrumentalized in Kazakhstan as a form of oppositional politics
In Kazakhstan, Sinophobia is often a tool instrumentalized by protest organizers to mobilize people as a form of criticism of governmental policies
A hip-hop band plays exclusively on traditional instruments to forge a new Kazakhstani identity
An experimental musical project is trying to reverse the widespread disregard for rural traditions by taking contemporary music and performing it on traditional instruments.
Freedom of expression in Kazakhstan still a distant prospect, says prosecuted activist
Aynur Ilyashev was prosecuted in connection with his criticism of Kazakhstan's ruling party. The country may have a new president, but thirst for real change is growing, says the activist.
How Kazakhstan's youth are forging their own national identity
A feud between a lesbian activist and a boxer has galvanised a new generation's interest in pushing at the boundaries of Kazakh national identity
Decolonising and demystifying Central Asian literature through translation
"Central Asian literature is still exotic; people appreciate its rareness more than its literary merits. I want readers to move away from thinking 'how unusual!' to thinking 'how beautiful!'"
Keeping it in the family: Kazakhstani president Nazarbayev resigns, but leaves little hope for real reform
Despite the surprise transition, all signs suggest that the new regime will look very much like the old one.
‘Man returns to his native Xinjiang and disappears’ — a story too common for the headlines
Nurbolat Shalayit is one of hundreds of thousands of Xinjiang minorities whose current whereabouts are uncertain.
‘I won't stop': Kazakh man seeks justice for family caught in China's Xinjiang crackdown
UN experts say over a million people may be interned in Chinese "re-education" camps. But how many have died inside the facilities?
No Shame: How an online initiative in Kazakhstan is helping youth protect their sexual health
UyatEmes.kz is out to tackle the stigma that surrounds sex education in the former Soviet republic.
Meet ‘Uyatman’, the Kazakh Superhero out to Stop Women Behaving Indecently
"Uyat in Kazakhstan...can be creative and destructive. In the first instance, it is to educate children. In the latter, it is about harassment and aggression."
How Does Your Name Look According to Kazakhstan's New Latin Alphabet?
Don't be surprised if it is covered in apostrophes.