“Central Asia” Style: New Local Forms of Knowledge, Art, and Practice

Department of Anthropology, Technology and International Development and Central Asian Scholarly Space invite your participation in the hybrid conference at the American University of Central Asia on April 28-29, 2023

The conference is devoted to the 30^th Anniversary of AUCA

In 2023, Central Asia is a region that produces unique local trends in art, knowledge, business and socio-cultural practices. Some of them are rooted in the ancient regional philosophy and culture, some emerged under the influence of Soviet, Western, Middle Eastern and East Asian cultures. In addition, new patterns have emerged from local experimentation, creativity and innovation. This conference invites scholars and practitioners to reflect on what makes contemporary Central Asia unique, what defines its style and what specific forms this local creativity has produced.

Conference Program

9.00 - 9.20 Registration

9.20-9.30 Opening ceremony and welcoming words by Nurgul Ukueva, the Vice President of AUCA

9.30 - 11.15 Plenary session (moderated by Cholpon Turdalieva) (room CH, zoom link)

Aksana Ismailbekova (Leibniz - Zentrum Moderner Orient, Germany)
Alima Bissenova (Nazarbaev University, Kazakhstan)
Marianne Kamp (Indiana University, USA)
Eleri Bitikchi (Esimde, Kyrgyzstan)

11.15 - 11.30 Coffee break

11.30 – 13.00 Parallel sessions - A

A1. Scholarly Tradition (moderated by Ruslan Rahimov) (room CH, zoom link)

Alexandra Filatova (independent researcher, Kyrgyzstan) “Самоэкзотизация: Неоколониализм или поиск своей уникальности?” (in person)
Daniyar Karabaev (AUCA, Kyrgyzstan), “Oral Histories as a Research Method” (in person)
Avdinabi Kadyrov (Aigul-Too Museum, Kyrgyzstan), “Борбор Азиядагы билим берүүнүн тарыхы жана тажрыйбасы” (in person)
Liyakat Ahmad Bhat (University of Kashmir Srinagar India) "A Path from Labor Market to Knowledge Hub: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead in Kyrgyz Education System" (in person)
Rustam Suhrob (Ural Federal University, Russia), “Young Scientists of Central Asia: Strong, Independent and Creative” (online)

A2. Art (moderated by Yumi Takahashi) (2nd building, room 105, zoom link)

Akihisa Haraguchi & Nargiza Erkinbaeva (OVOP, Kyrgyzstan) “One Village One Product” (in person)
Yu Beavers (JICA, Kyrgyzstan) “Volunteering with art and design” (in person)
Snezhanna Atanova (Nazarbaev University) "Weaving Soviet History: Non-conformist Art and Turkmen carpets from 1920 until 1980s" (in person)
Aigerim Kapar (Artcom Platform) “Community care for collective memory, culture, and environment in a pursuit of Central Asian sustainable futures” (online)

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch

14.00 – 15.30 Parallel Sessions – B

B1. Socio-Cultural Processes (moderated by Mucaram Toktogulova) (room CH, zoom link)

Evgenii Varshaver (Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Russia) “Как непоследовательная государственная национальная политика может повлиять на восприятие простыми людьми природы этничности? (Случай Дагестана)” (in person)
Elira Turdubaeva (International Ala-Too University, Kyrgyzstan) "Mapping the Media and Communication Landscape of Central Asia" (in person)
Syrgak Kydyraliev and Anarkul Urdaletova (AUCA, Manas University) “Метод аль-Хорезми: от древности к современности” (in person)
Shukhrat Mukhamedov (Институт развития туризма, Узбекистан) “Центральная Азия – перекресток цивилизаций” (online)
António Eduardo Mendonça (IGOT - Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal) "The Eurasian Migration System and the war in Ukraine" (online)

B2 – Art (moderated by Aida Abdykanova) (room 410, zoom link)

Asel Rashidova (Esimde) “Память в визуальном отражении” (in person)
Adrien Houguet (IFEAC) New forms of transculturality in Kyrgyz arts. Support for contemporary arts in Kyrgyzstan through the project of the Franco-German Cultural Institute in Bishkek (in person)
Dilda Ramazan (EHESS) “Interpretation of traditional Central Asian art heritage through contemporary art: the case of DAVRA” (online)

15.30 – 17.00 Parallel Sessions – C

C1 – Activism (moderated by Aikokul Arzieva) (room CH, zoom link)

Nurzada Kupueva (Bishkek Feminist initiatives, Kyrgyzstan) “Как активисты в Кыргызстане продвигают современное образование о сексуальности” (in person)
Maxime Corron (AUCA Technical School of Innovation, Kyrgyzstan) “Tarbia, Vospitanie, Civic Engagement: Variations On The Theme of Social And Moral Up-Bringing in Contemporary Central Eurasian Education” (in person)
Syinat Sultanalieva (independent researcher) “Номадность бытия или в поисках выхода из тупика колониальности” (in person)
Xeniya Prilutskaya (Tuebingen University, Germany) “Citizen science in Central Asian cities: Activism between Lay and Expert knowledge” (online)
Shokirjon Mahmadov (Kobe University, Japan) “Кросс-дебатный формат, как инструмент активации молодежи к решению актуальных социально-экономических проблем” (online)

C2 – Poetry and Radio (moderated by Cholpon Turdalieva) (room 410, zoom link)

Mucaram Toktogulova, Gulzat Ibraeva (AUCA) “Invisible Epic Reciters: Struggles for Recognition of Female Manaschis in Kyrgyz Society” (in person)
Julien Bruley (AUCA Technical School of Innovation) “Manasology, a folkloristic science from Soviet origin?” (in person)
Mariya Rybakova (Nazarbaev University) Karaganda text: Th Early Poetry of Regina Derieva (in person)
Tenlik Dalayeva (Abai University) “Kazakh Soviet radio: whose voice is on the air?” (online)
Aida Alymbaeva "Narrations of Manas and Cultural Production of Ethnic Boundaries: The case of Kalmaks" (online)
Zhenishbek Duisheev (International University after the name of K.SH. Toktomamatova) “Элдик илимдин негиздери жана багыттары” (online)

C3 – Geography (moderated by Mahendran Chokkalingam) (room 405, zoom link)

Katerina Zäch (University of Fribourg) “Insights into socio-political trends in the everyday water politics of At-Bashy” (in person)
Yéléna Mac-Glandières (AUCA Technical School of Innovation) “‘Unlocking’ Caspian connectivity ? A critical examination of the Middle Corridor as a locally-led logistical project” (in person)
Cholpon Turdalieva (AUCA, Kyrgyzstan) “Развитие мобильности как науки в Центральной Азии” (in person)

17.00-18.30 Ethno-fashion show (room CH, zoom link)

Mirrahim Oposh, the founder of “SHERDEN BRAND”
Burulkan Mambetova, As. Prof., designer, The Kyrgyz State Technical University named after Iskhak Razzakov
Ilima Ruslanova, a fashion designer and founder of “SULUUSUN” and “ILI BRAND”
Omurkan Begmatova, a fashion designer and founder of “TILLA BBRAND”
Gulmira Zhalalova, designer, “TILLA BRAND”

18.30-19.00. Closing Ceremony (room CH, zoom link)

April 29, 2023

10.00-12.00 Trip to Ata-Beyit Museum

Thank you to all our friends and partners for their generous support and courage! We could not have done the conference without you, Janylsynzat Turganbaeva (Shoro Company); Azamat Akeleev (Olive Hotel); Burulkan Mambetova (Magic Felt Firm); Kubat Orozaliev (the private artist).