Featured stories about Kyrgyzstan
Stories about Kyrgyzstan
30 April 2019
3 March 2019
#MeTooSebat: Kyrgyz take to social media to debate controversial ‘Gulen schools’
The schools are among the best in Kyrgyzstan but have powerful enemies, including Turkey, and a reputation for secrecy.
31 January 2019
Dota 2 stormed Kyrgyzstan's state opera house and left a trail of destruction in its wake
A theatre boss looked to a cybersport tournament to generate much-needed revenue and got sacked for his troubles.
17 January 2019
Has Kyrgyzstan's new fine for spitting violated the country's ‘social contract'?
"If you don't touch us, we won't touch you."
18 September 2018
Kyrgyz artist calls on girls to ‘create our own freedom’ in breakout song, *drops mic*
Zere's debut hit 'Kyz' comes after years of debate over how women in the Central Asian country should dress and behave.
4 July 2018
Authorities blame air conditioning as Azerbaijan plunges into darkness
"As soon as he got on the phone, all he could talk about was the heat inside the jail."
7 December 2017
Kyrgyz Children's Author Remakes Old Fables, Drives New Narratives
“There are no fairytale weddings in my stories and no handsome prince. None of my characters are especially waiting for him, either.”
18 November 2017
In Kyrgyzstan, Sheep Sacrificed to Stem Car Crash Scourge
"We gave meat to everybody that passed, explaining that the food was from God."
13 November 2017
How a Female Scientist Became a Symbol of Resistance to Sexism in Kyrgyzstan
"Take that patriarchs! A woman scientist is saving lives while you make judgements on how to correctly collect dirty socks!"
28 October 2017
Kyrgyz Media Outlet's Report Shows President-Elect's Campaign Gained Access to Private Data
"What we have shown is that government servers that process and handle the data of citizens of Kyrgyzstan … was hosting an election campaign website that was collating similar data."
27 October 2017
Kyrgyz People of Central Asia Shocked to Be the Bad Guys in New Japanese ‘Tokusatsu’ Movie
In Japanese, the 'kyr' in 'Kyrgyz' sounds a lot like 'kill'.
15 October 2017
14 Tweets from Kyrgyzstan's Colourful, Competitive and Concerning Presidential Vote
A real election in a region where that doesn't usually happen.
13 October 2017
The Viral Video that Sent Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Relations into a Tailspin
Seasoned autocrat Nursultan Nazarbayev is finally participating in a competitive presidential election. (Just not in his own country).
19 September 2017
Steven Seagal Rediscovers Celebrity in Central Asia, and the Implications Are Alarming
Is there a Genghis Khan film starring Seagal in the pipeline? Let's hope not.
13 September 2017
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan: Once Deadly Foes, Now BFF?
"The sensation is in the goodwill of the Uzbek leader. Mirziyoyev is so open, friendly, and well-wishing. It can only bring us delight."
8 September 2017
Muslims in the Former Soviet Union Rally Behind Myanmar's Besieged Rohingya

"They are experiencing what we cannot even imagine! #Rohingyawearewithyou"
31 July 2017
Young Kyrgyz Music Star Rejects Appointment to Head Museum After Online Backlash
"We are tired of officials’ spouses and kids who get into managing positions.”
29 July 2017
The Kyrgyz “Dancing Kelin” Protests Early Marriage By Calling Attention to the Harsh Realities of Rural Brides
“Life in the village is round-the-clock work. Brides finish one chore and start another. They work 24/7.”
21 July 2017
Kyrgyzstan Blocks Archive.org on ‘Extremism’ Grounds

Russia also moved to block the website and its popular 'Wayback Machine' two years ago.
19 July 2017
Lost in Translation in Central Asia: Keep it in the Family
'Tuuganchylyk' has already jettisoned two Kyrgyz leaders and their kin into lives of exile. The Trumps clearly weren't paying attention.