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Kyrgyzstan

Explore in a sustainable way the most beautiful trails of the Tian Shan mountain range and experience the hospitality of the Kyrgyz nomads.

Uzbekistan

Unlock the secrets of the Silk Road and immerse yourself in its unique traditions and way of life of the ancient civilizations and rich culture of Uzbekistan.

Tajikistan

Disclose the gems of Tajikistan and explore the hidden corners of the Pamir and Fan mountains while respecting the fragile nature.

Turkmenistan

Create your own trip and uncover the authentic life of the Turkmen people and their rich history in the heart of the Great Silk Road.

Kazakhstan

Enjoy your unique tailor-made journey exploring the endless steppes and snowy peaks of Kazakhstan. Immerse yourself in the nomadic traditions.

China

In private group, unlock the secrets of ancients civilizations of China and immerse yourself in its unique traditions with a tailor-made program.

Nepal

Experience our hiking programs off the beaten track and discover the magic life of Nepal while supporting local sustainability initiatives.

Mongolia

Find your adventure in Mongolia and experience the rich nomadic culture and stunning landscapes, in immersion with local communities.

Pakistan

Discover in a sustainable way the heart of the Indus civilizations and the Karakoram mountains, in total immersion with local traditions and cultures.

Afghanistan

Explore safely the rich culture and stunning landscapes of Afghanistan, like never before with local communities and preserving the incredible nature.

News

Culture

Behind the scenes of the documentary "Gerard Depardieu: My Uzbek Dream"

After  the documentary  "Gerard Depardieu : My Uzbek Dream" was shoot, Arnaud Frilley reveals Uzbekistan, which fascinates with the beauty of its landscapes and cultural richness. Novastan was particularly interested in the role of Uzbeks in the creation of this documentary.

Within the framework of the international Festival of Asian cinema, which took place in Vesule from 1 to 8 February, Arnaud Frilley, director of the documentary "Gerard Depardieu : my Uzbek dream", was able to present his film to the general public. The film premiered in Paris in October 2020 years without film distribution.

Originally conceived in collaboration with Uzbek director Ali Khamraev, the documentary film eventually had to be thought in a different way. " From the first day, Khamrayev and Depardieu did not come to terms  on the film. Ali wanted to make a feature film, and we wanted to make a documentary. In addition, he wanted to shoot Depardieu, as in the era of the New Wave film, but Gerard did not want to shoot like 40 years ago," says Arnaud Frilley to Novastan. Unable to use Ali Khamrayev's script, Arnaud Frilley rethought it and decided to leave more space for spontaneity. The director wanted to show the audience a beautiful story telling about Gerard Depardieu's journey through Uzbekistan. The film takes the viewer to the main tourist points of the country: Khiva, Samarkand, Bukhara, known for their Silk Road past, and at the same time touches on such problematic topics as the situation in Muynak, located next to what remains of the Aral Sea. Nuanced facets throughout the film, Gerard Depardieu gets acquainted with the population Uzbekistan, its culture, customs, religion and traces left by previous civilizations. Accompanied by local guides, he traveled from city to city, introducing the viewer to the little-known history of this country. This documentary highlights the tourist advantages of the country, revealing its diversity: its cultural wealth, its mythical cities and historical relics, the diversity of its landscapes. Although for some the film may seem like an advertisement for tourists, but for Arnaud Frilley this wealth is a reality. Why not show it? How long will it be possible to save this extremely fragile balance? The director refers to the numerous layers of civilizations that have taken root in Uzbekistan with its Sufi Islam, the philosophy of which is used by the authorities to create a new political model. Arnaud Frilley asks, "How many people actually practice Sufi Islam? Today, traditional Islam is much more widespread among the less educated population.

The independence of the country was marked by the searching of spiritual alternative

of Soviet ideology. In this context, Sufism was declared an "exceptional heritage", political leaders wanted to find an alternative to the aggressiveness and terrorism that political Islam seemed to be approaching. In addition, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, since coming to power in 2016, has made important changes to the new model of society - the "new" Uzbekistan. This development strategy includes various directions, such as reforms in the spiritual and educational spheres aimed at developing a more enlightened society.

Culture in China China

This chapter is devoted to the cultures of Xinjiang where the current dominant people are represented by the Uyghurs. The name Xinjiang means "new frontiers" and was adopted by Qing Manchuria. But history has made this region a mixture of peoples and cultures. During prehistoric times, cultural influence came from the northwest and moved east until the 3rd century AD when Buddhism appeared in the region. The Scythian empire gives way to the Kouchan empire which left many pictorial traces especially in the caves of Kizil and marks the beginning of the Silk Roads. Then in the 7th century, it is the Tang culture which dominates the region but for a short time, because in the 8th century the Tibetan Empire controls the region before the Tang with the help of the Uyghurs regain control. From 840, the Uyghurs were pushed back to the south by the Kyrgyz, they will remain there to this day.
The Uyghur people are therefore an ancient Turkish people who greatly influenced Asian civilizations. The Uyghurs were the first sedentary among the Turkic peoples. Influenced by Manichaeism and then by Buddhism, whose heyday extends from the 9th to the 10th centuries, and was a highlight in the history of the region in artistic and literary terms. Subsequently, the Uyghur Islamic era gave birth to famous works of the 11th century such as the "Compendium of Turkish languages" by the philosopher and lexicographer Mahmoud Al-Kachgari and "The Science which brings happiness" by the philosopher Yusuf Balasagun, prides literary works from all over the Turkish world. The place of Uyghur civilization is as important there as the Greco-Roman civilization for the Western world.

Blog

Partners

Boule de Neige Association

A Union for the enjoyment of winter sports and the development of young people.

In a harmonious blend of winter sports enthusiasm and social awareness, Nomad's Land is proud to collaborate with the Swiss Association "Boule de Neige." Born from the shared passion for mountain adventures in Central Asia, "Boule de Neige" has become a conduit for fostering lasting connections between Swiss mountain enthusiasts and communities in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Samuel Maret, a key figure with deep roots in Kyrgyzstan, has been instrumental in cultivating these connections, linking Swiss schools, sports clubs, and winter sports aficionados with their counterparts in Central Asia. The focus on shared interests like snowboarding, skiing, and other winter activities has created a bridge between these communities.

At Nomad's Land, we recognize the importance of intertwining environmental responsibility with our love for exploration and adventure. To support this shared vision, we offer travelers the opportunity to not only compensate for the carbon footprint of their journey but also contribute to "Boule de Neige's" meaningful projects. A donation of 25 CHF can offset around 2 tons of CO2 (flight included) emitted during your travel, aligning your alpine adventures with a commitment to sustainability.

Embark on a journey with Nomad's Land, where every step taken in the pristine snow is a stride towards environmental conservation and community upliftment. Join hands with "Boule de Neige" and us as we carve the path for a winter wonderland that embraces both joyous recreation, children's happiness and conscientious stewardship.

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