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Artwork for Turan Tales
Central Asia
Uzbekistan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Kazakhstan
Russia
Kloop
Turkmenistan
Press Freedom Index
China
Jadid Movement
Sakha People
Tashkent
Komil Allamjanov
Atabek Umarov
Yakutia
Almaty
Colonialism
Reporters Without Borders
Soviet Nuclear Testing

Turan Tales is a weekly podcast covering underreported stories of people, politics and social change in Central Asia by journalist and author Agnieszka Pikulicka turantales.substack.com

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes36Foundeda year ago
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Artwork for Turan Tales

Latest Episodes

This week, we talk about carpets in Central Asia: their history, the differences between various carpet-weaving styles, the roles carpets played in different communities, and how the Soviet Union hijacked the practice of carpet making and transformed... more

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This week, we’re taking a closer look at the Tajik-Afghan border. In the recent months, the area appeared in the media in the context of shootings and armed clashes that costed the lives of at least ten people, according to the AFP.

What do recent i... more

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This week is about change - and the lack thereof. We will be looking at Uzbekistan: how the country was shaped during the post-Soviet period under the regime of Islam Karimov, and what has changed since Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power. How different... more

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Welcome to the first episode of Turan Tales in 2026!

We'll look at the fascinating story of oil and gas in Kazakhstan: the history of the industry, corruption scandals, the environmental damage it likely causes and much more.

Joining us is Paolo S... more

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Over the past few months, Central Asia has witnessed a series of significant developments in the art world, from the opening of the Almaty Museum of Arts, the largest modern art museum in the region, to the launch of the first-ever Bukhara Biennale. more

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On November 30th, Kyrgyzstan went to the polls to elect a new parliament - the first since Sadyr Japarov became president in 2021 following a revolution just a few months earlier.

How exactly has Kyrgyzstan changed under Japarov, who has ruled in t... more

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This week we're joined by Diora Rafieva, an Uzbekistani lawyer and human rights activist who has been at the frontline of the fight to save Samarkand and its architectural and social heritage from the ongoing demolitions - and bad taste.

Get full ... more

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They came to Russia for work, not war. Yet thousands of Central Asian migrants now fight in Ukraine - drawn in by promises, pushed by pressure, and caught in a stark imbalance of power.

This story is part of our new series of audio features - also a... more

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Recent Guests

Asel Doolotkeldieva
Research fellow at the University of Potsdam, critical political scientist
University of Potsdam
Episode: Episode 23: After the elections - Inside the “New Kyrgyzstan”
Diora Rafieva
Uzbek lawyer and human rights activist
Episode: Episode 22: Who will save Samarkand?
Ruslan Myatiev
Turkmen journalist and founder of Turkmen.news
Turkmen.news
Episode: Is Turkmenistan finally opening up?
Daniel Rosenblum
Former U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Episode: Episode 20: The past and present of US engagement with Central Asia
Dr. Anna Cieślewska
A social anthropologist and orientalist with extensive research in Central Asia, focusing on spiritual practices, migration, and the intersection of Islam and local culture.
Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Łódź
Episode: Episode 19: Why is Tajikistan fighting witchcraft?
Dr. Hélène Thibault
Associate Professor of Political Science at Nazarbayev University in Astana, focusing on religious and gender identities.
Nazarbayev University
Episode: Episode 18: Uyat - Shame made in Central Asia
Demirtas Iskakov
A cultural activist and architect trained in Astana, he organizes city walks and writes about Astana's architecture and history.
Episode: The Capital: In search of Astana's soul
Rahat Nurtazin
A DJ and event organizer who was born in Akmola and closely observes the city's transformation.
Episode: The Capital: In search of Astana's soul
Victoria Abdrayimova
A speechwriter and political advisor, she is enthusiastic about her life in Astana and its opportunities.
Episode: The Capital: In search of Astana's soul

Host

Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska
Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska is a journalist and author with expertise in Central Asian politics and culture. She leads discussions that address the complexities of social change and provides insightful analysis on underreported stories. Her background gives her a comprehensive perspective on the region's socio-political landscape.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 23: After the elections - Inside the “New Kyrgyzstan”
Q: How has the Kyrgyz society responded to the growing repression?
While the regime enjoys legitimacy due to ongoing reforms, there is a significant discussion among citizens around the necessity of such repression, often viewed as counterproductive.
Episode 23: After the elections - Inside the “New Kyrgyzstan”
Q: What about the higher percentage of women in this parliament?
The new electoral legislation includes a gender quota, ensuring a third of the parliament consists of women, although concerns exist regarding their progressive representation.
Episode 23: After the elections - Inside the “New Kyrgyzstan”
Q: Can you tell us whether the recent parliamentary elections were any different from the previous ones and what shall we make of the results?
The recent elections showcased a predictable outcome with minimal political competition, contrasting with Kyrgyzstan's history of dynamic political activity.
Episode 20: The past and present of US engagement with Central Asia
Q: What was the most challenging during your time as an ambassador to Uzbekistan?
Rosenblum noted that the human rights portfolio was challenging, but the openness to discuss issues marked a change from earlier years.
Episode 20: The past and present of US engagement with Central Asia
Q: Can you tell us what country did you visit first? And what was your impression of the region?
Daniel Rosenblum responded that his first visit was to Kazakhstan in 1992, and it was eye-opening, revealing the distinct cultural traditions that he had not anticipated.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Turan Tales

What is Turan Tales about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Episodes primarily focus on the intricate socio-political landscape of Central Asia, discussing issues like political repression, human rights, and cultural identity. Frequent themes include the legacies of former leaders, the impact of urbanization on historical sites, and the exploration of unique cultural practices in the region. Engaging interviews with activists, scholars, and journalists shed light on underreported narratives about societal transformations and struggles faced by marginalized communities. Noteworthy discussions on complex concepts such as 'Uyat' in Central Asian societies and the roles of women in politics highlight a commitment to revealing the nuanced realities of this dynamic region.

The podcast stands out for its ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Turan Tales?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Turan Tales:

1. Spotlight on Central Asia
2. In Moscow's Shadows
3. The Naked Pravda
4. The Daily
5. Asia Geopolitics

How many episodes of Turan Tales are there?

Turan Tales launched a year ago and published 36 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Turan Tales?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Turan Tales?

Recent guests on Turan Tales include:

1. Asel Doolotkeldieva
2. Diora Rafieva
3. Ruslan Myatiev
4. Daniel Rosenblum
5. Dr. Anna Cieślewska
6. Dr. Hélène Thibault
7. Demirtas Iskakov
8. Rahat Nurtazin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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