I’ve long wondered how research can be wholly accomplished when crucial materials hidden away in a grandparent’s attic might change the course of history–an unusual poem by Whitman or Dickinson, a feisty letter from Lincoln, or a lost speech or novella by Twain. Coming to the small shops in Bukhara or Samarkand revealed a level […]
Author: Anthony Elia
To Be a Literary City in Uzbekistan
There is a remarkable depth and breadth in the visible literary culture of Uzbekistan, at least in the cities we have seen thus far–notably Samarkand and Bukhara. While I have come across a number of libraries, the surprising amount of book stores has been a refreshing discovery which points to a number of possibilities. First, […]
Global Events and Quiet Reforms?
Arriving in Bukhara (Buxoro) this week provided another opportunity to observe and reflect on the society and culture of Uzbekistan–but also its economy. The streets are bustling, the bazaar is full of both people and wares, and restaurants seem to be full in the evenings. But these can’t be really accurate indicators, because from passing […]
Uchinchi Renessans? Limits and Opportunities of Social, Economic, and Cultural Rebirth
Touring through both cityscapes and rural areas of contemporary Uzbekistan, one cannot ignore the vast and dramatic changes that have taken place in recent years. For those who have been here before or who long know how development and change take, some changes are more surprising (and welcome) than others. Even for those of us […]
The Politics of Tea in Samarkand
While tea may be seen as a simple point of hospitality, like with many kinds of food and drink, the presentation and delivery of shared spaces is full of nonverbal cues and actions that indicate more than what can be expected in words alone. (Test post).