Stories about Kyrgyz
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.
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.
Is anti-Chinese sentiment in Kyrgyzstan strong enough to freeze a key Belt and Road Initiative project?
A logistics project in Kyrgyzstan, part of China's BRI infrastructure program, was poised to become a commercial hub in the heart of Eurasia. Despite the hype, it now seems stalled.
What is the Kurultai: Kyrgyzstan's political body based on an ancient nomadic tradition
In an effort to strengthen control over the political process, the Kyrgyz leadership brought back the Kurultai, an institution centered around traditional values.
In Kyrgyzstan, an ultranationalist group thrives on rising anti-Chinese sentiment
Chinese enterprises are making home for themselves in Kyrgyzstan. Some parts of the Kyrgyz population see this trend as a threat.
What Kyrgyzstan’s hasty transition to presidential governance says about the state of its democracy
Since its government fell last October, Kyrgyzstan has experienced a political whirlwind, with January elections consolidating the interim leader's position and a referendum that changed its system of governance.
Interview with Bektour Iskender, co-founder of Kyrgyz outlet under attack for corruption investigation
The story's whistleblower was shot dead in Istambul in November, and Kloop.kg battles a defamation lawsuit.
Lost in Translation in Central Asia: My Tokol's Car Is a Toyota
A Kyrgyz or Kazakh man's 'younger wife' is like 'a cow without horns'. She suffers social stigma and enjoys few rights.
In Kyrgyzstan, Gender Discrimination and Violence Get a Boost from Popular Culture
A popular new reality TV show and an advert for a construction company have enraged feminists by trivialising abuses against women.
Please Drink in and Inhale These Unusual Superstitions Before You Visit Kyrgyzstan
Pour tea sparingly, wave money at a full moon, burn plenty of pine needles and tell your nightmares to running water.
A Recipe for the Perfect Kyrgyz Advert: Horses, Mountain Scenery and a Beautiful Woman
"After all, as our ancestors always said, do not ask for a quick horse, ask for a safe journey."
Kyrgyz Language Is Part of Google Translate!
The world's most popular multilingual statistical machine translation service has a new addition: the Kyrgyz language.
Taxicab Confessions, Kyrgyz Style: Lawmakers Get Behind the Wheel to Chat With Voters
A public relations move, probably, but it's significant in the context of Central Asia, a region characterized by authoritarian politics.
Kyrgyz Laugh, Cry, Fume After British Miner's Crass Horse Penis Joke Goes Horribly Schlong
Michael Mcfeat will soon learn whether or not he will face criminal proceedings for falsely claiming the Central Asian country treats horse penis as a delicacy.
How Kyrgyzstan's Favourite Fermented Drink Became a National Symbol
'I started to save money for a car, but couldn't resist the temptation to buy Shoro.'
Nationalist Vigilante Group in Kyrgyzstan Targets Chinese Expatriates and Suspected Sex Workers
A vigilante group with apparent ties to Kyrgyzstan's weak government is unrepentant after its members physically intimidated and lectured girls they believed were selling themselves to Chinese businessmen.
Kyrgyzstan's First President Dreams of Returning to His Homeland. He Should Keep Dreaming.
Kyrgyzstan's 70-year-old former president Askar Akaev, overthrown in 2005, is among the most gifted academics in his country's history. He was also unquestionably corrupt. Should he be allowed home?
Kyrgyzstan's First Full Length Animation to be Released
Neweurasia.net report on the upcoming release of Kyrgyzstan's first animated film, Aku, drawn by Tolgobek Koichumanov. Judging by the trailer Koichumanov's illustrations will offer the perfect introduction to Kyrgyzstan, capturing both the republic's startlingly beautiful nature as well as the less startlingly beautiful aesthetic of its capital city, Bishkek. According...
Kyrgyzstan's Anti-Gay Bill Preserves “Historical Values”, Violates Constitution
Kyrgyz lawmakers will soon vote on "mystical" legislation set to make life even more challenging for the country's harassed LGBT community. But don't they have more important things to do?
Exclusive: “We Will Start a War” – Kyrgyz Thugs Threaten Canadian Gold Miners
An explosive new video, exclusively translated into English by Global Voices, appears to show local criminals haggling for a cut of Kyrgyzstan's gold with a foreign company.
Kyrgyz Press: Shocking Titles, Latest Tattle
Kyrgyz newspapers are hotbeds of hearsay. Thanks to Gezitter.org, a blog translating their pages into Russian, non-Kyrgyz readers can also enjoy - or endure - the barrage of gossip.