Stories about Tajikistan from March, 2014
Tajikistan Celebrates the Beginning of Spring
On March 20-21, people in Tajikistan celebrate Navruz (Nowruz), an ancient festival that marks the beginning of spring and is often referred to as the “Persian New Year”. Icekandar congratulates [ru] the readers of his blog: Here comes Navruz, the best and most cheerful holiday! This holiday is not like...
Tajik MP Comes Out Against Cousin Marriage
Saodat Amirshoeva, a female MP in Tajikistan, has a passion for trying to regulate marriage. She is now urging the parliament to ban cousin marriage.
Letters From Tajikistan: We Are Different, But We Have Much In Common
A unique book has been published in Tajikistan. Loki explains [ru] how the book, Letters from Tajikistan, differs from everything else that has been produced in the country: The book is a collection of letters written by people who either live in Tajikistan or have visited the country. The authors...
Voices Against Women's Day Remain Rare in Tajikistan
As Tajikistan celebrates the International Women's Day (re-branded as Mother's Day in the country in 2009), social media help amplify the rare voices that speak against the holiday. Writing on his personal website, prominent religious leader and politician Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda urges [tj] Tajiks not to celebrate on March 8: Celebrating Mother's Day or...
Tajik Human Rights Activist Named a Woman of Courage
Oinikhol Bobonazarova of Tajikistan wins the International Women of Courage Award.
“Hands Off Russian-Language Press” in Tajikistan
Is Russian-language print media in Tajikistan a "threat" or is it "under threat"?
Winter in Tajik Capital, the “Worst City in Asia”
An expat blogger writes about how she spent winter in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. I spent most of the coldest times huddled next to the space heater (pechka), cup of tea in hand. Some mornings everything in the kitchen froze. I once tried to pour hot water into a...
Expensive Plants for a Poor Country: Tajikistan Spends Millions on Belgian Trees
Tajikistan where more than a third of the population is poor has spent 4,5 million US dollars on chestnut trees for the capital city.