Dance of devils – a new novel by Hamid Ismailov

10.07.2012 12:02 msk Arts Uzbekistan

A new novel by the contemporary Uzbek writer and poet Hamid Ismailov who lives in London today, is entitled “Zhinlar Basmi” (Dance of devils). It is a story of life of a prominent Uzbek writer Abdulla Qadyri, the author of historical novels "Days Bygone" and "Scorpion from the altar”, who was arrested and executed in October 1938. In the short interview for Fergana.ru, Hamid Ismailov talks about his new novel and shares details of its writing process.

“Oriental bazaar”: Rays of Eastern sun in cold Moscow

13.04.2011 11:38 msk Arts Russia

The first international exhibition and fair “Oriental bazaar” has brought together some of the most versatile handcrafts from the Central Asia, China, India, Japan, Northern Africa, south-East Asia, Turkey and Middle East at the “Flakon” design factory between the 8th and 10th of April.

Over 700 movies are prohibited in Uzbekistan

13.12.2010 19:08 msk Arts Uzbekistan

Ferghana learned that Uzbek film fans have no official opportunity to see many masterpieces of the world film art. The list of movies, prohibited by Uzbek state censorship, includes 740 films of local and foreign production, including "300 Spartans", "From Dusk till Dawn", "Borat", "Sex, Lies, and Videotape", "Antichrist"… "Policemen" popular Russian TV series and American "X Files" are also banned. "The black list" is published at the official website of Uzbekkino National agency; it is being frequently updated and reviewed. By the request of Ferghana the document was analyzed by Tashkent-based expert.

Come out of the shade. The photographers from Central Asia and Southern Caucasus are invited to participate in "Documentary photography"

03.11.2010 15:16 msk Arts Central Asia

Open Society Institute announced new project for the photographers from Central Asia, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Pakistan and South Caucasus. The photographers, selected as program finalists, will receive the grant in the amount of 3.5 thousand US dollars; in addition, they will be presented the equipment and software for creation of multimedia projects, led by worldwide known mentors (professional photographers). "Documentary photography" is interested in the projects, covering the rights and life conditions of people from Central Asia and South Caucasus. The details are available in Ferghana.Ru article as well as interview with Valery Kaliev, the funding recipient (2009) and photo correspondent of Karaganda-based Novyi Vestnik.

BBC World Service appoints Hamid Ismailov as Writer in Residence

30.04.2010 22:44 msk Arts Uzbekistan

Gwyneth Williams, Director BBC World Service English, today (April 30, 2010) announces the appointment of critically acclaimed Uzbek novelist and poet, Hamid Ismailov, as BBC World Service’s Writer in Residence. Over the course of the next two years, Hamid will be writing creatively about the news, issues that have dominated the world’s media and, occasionally, about day-to-day life at BBC World Service. Hamid, who now lives and works in London, is Head of the BBC World Service’s Central Asian Service, and will undertake the Writer in Residence duties alongside this position. Gwyneth says: «Hamid will make us laugh and sigh. His observations will surely reflect the unique perspective of the World Service, highlighting our shared humanity as we seek to understand unfolding global events.»

Uzbekistan: The criminal case has been filed against the photographer and documentary film maker Umida Akhmedova

17.12.2009 15:38 msk Arts Uzbekistan

The criminal case has been filed against prominent photographer and documentary film maker Umida Akhmedova in Tashkent. She is accused of slander and insult of Uzbek people. The reason for accusation became "Men and women: from dawn to dusk" album, produced in 2007 under the support of Swiss Embassy Gender Program. The album consists of over 100 pictures, reflecting various aspects of people’s lifestyle in Uzbekistan. "Where is the slander?" question, asked by Akhmedova, remained unanswered.

Uzbekistan: Film Industry Flourishes After a Decade of Post-Soviet Decline

12.10.2009 16:59 msk Arts Uzbekistan

Film industry is flourishing in Uzbekistan as low-budget movies starring famous singers and utilizing heart-wrenching plots are gaining popularity with the Uzbek audiences. However, widespread copyright piracy and shortage of investment remain major roadblocks for the industry’s development.

The Moon-Faced, a film by Nazym Abbasov, is conquering the world

23.06.2009 10:38 msk Arts Uzbekistan

The XVIII Asian, African, and Latin American Film Festival took place between June 9 and 16 in Innsbruck, Austria. Prominent Uzbek film director Nazym Abbasov presented his "Oidinoi" or "The Moon-Faced" there. The film won two awards. Abbasov himself was rewarded "For Contribution to the Festival". Marjona Shavkatova, 8, who starred in "Oidinoi" received a Special Prize. Here is an interview with Abbasov about the festival, his film, and his plans for the future.

Art photo in Uzbekistan: Negative outweighs positive

02.06.2009 10:02 msk Arts Uzbekistan

Photo festival "Edge of Ages" took place at the Metenkov's House (Museum of Photography) in Yekaterinburg on the eve of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit slated for June 15-16. Photos on display picture nature, culture, and everyday life in Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, China). Five photographers form Tashkent and Bukhara represented Uzbekistan - Umida Akhmedova, Ernest Kurtveliyev, Leonid Kudreiko, Shavkat Boltayev, and Zilola Saidova. Ferghana.Ru correspondent approached them for comments on the state of affairs with photography in Uzbekistan.

Russia: No two runs in a row

21.04.2009 09:38 msk Arts Russia

The second Moscow show of scandalous "Russia 88" movie, dedicated to Russian skinheads, was cancelled. According to the executive director and producer of the movie, Pavel Bardin, the reconsideration decision was made by the management of movie theater and not by the administration of Kinoteatr.Doc film festival, sponsoring the show. We contacted Pavel Bardin and agreed to take interview that will be posted in the next few days. For now, Ferghana.ru presents the article from Kultura newspaper, issued on April 16.

The bloody right of the first night. «The Burden of Virginity» documentary is filmed in Uzbekistan

11.03.2009 15:48 msk Arts Uzbekistan

On March 5, 2009 expecting the International women’s day, the director of Tashkent Cinema Museum, film-maker Oleg Karpov and his wife, art photographer Umida Ahmedova, presented the new joint documentary – “The Burden of Virginity”. This is the first Uzbek movie, raising important issue not only for Uzbekistan, but also for all oriental countries. The film focuses on preserving the virginity by the wedding ceremony. The controversy of the topic promised higher attention of the public.

For the first time the works of Abdulkhamid Chulpon are published in Russian language

09.02.2009 13:00 msk Arts Uzbekistan

During his life outstanding Uzbek writer and poet Abdukhamid Chulpon was named «morning star of Uzbek poetry», «the most outstanding event of the century in the Uzbek literature», «pure poetry of Uzbek language». The omnibus of selected works of the Chulpon is translated by Khamid Ismailov. This book was prepared for edition by one of the main publishing houses of Uzbekistan already in 1988. The Open Society Institute and Voskresenie publishing house decided to revive the book of Abdulkhamid Chulpon for Russian reader.

Uzbekistan: The authorities circumvented a French and German film show at the Museum of Cinematograph in Tashkent

15.12.2008 09:48 msk Arts Uzbekistan

An event organized by the Hugo Center (France) was the first to be circumvented at the Museum of Cinematograph in Tashkent. Days of German Cinematograph were treated at the facility in a similar manner barely twenty-four hours later. This treatment is attributed to the sudden attention to the Museum of Cinematograph from the police and firefighting service that banned "mass events" without permit from the powers-that-be and sealed the projection booth. The Museum of Cinematograph is as good as paralyzed. Its shutdown will become a major loss for the local intelligentsia and a blow at the image of Tashkent. Very many both in Uzbekistan and abroad keep regarding it as a center of culture - probably out of habit.

Sean Kao: “Music, Not Politics is More Effective in Struggle for Peace”

25.09.2008 08:54 msk Arts Central Asia

Ancient Minguruk Settlement to be Temporarily Closed

21.08.2008 21:39 msk Arts Uzbekistan

As capital Tashkent is getting prepared for 2200 anniversary celebrations next year, one of its historical sites, an ancient settlement of Minguruk, from which Tashkent developed several centuries ago, is now being temporarily closed. However, Tashkent residents are worried about the way operations at the site are being frozen. In order to preserve Minguruk for further archeological explorations, authorities ordered to build a wall around the site. However, the bricks for the wall are produced out of clay from the site. Moreover, the area of Minguruk has shrunk significantly and now constitutes only 23,680 square feet, while in the 19th century it was almost 4 million square feet.