Discovery Central Asia #31

Discovery Central Asia #31 National clothes and fashion of Central Asia

Dear Friends,

Human beings wear clothing for a variety of reasons: for temperature control and protection from the environment, for hygiene purposes, for self-expression, for status, for ceremony or special occasion, to uphold tradition, or to honor the past.
Folk clothing, worn in some regions of the world developed out of a need for functional daily wear, clothing for celebrations, and protection from the weather. These traditional costumes may only now be worn to honour one's own heritage or for cultural festivals.
Modern clothing serves multiple purposes - to indicate status (designer clothing vs. non name-brand clothing), for self-expression, to shield the body from the elements and for hygiene purposes (cotton underwear, for example, is healthy, drawing perspiration away from the body), and to uphold society's agreed-upon standards of modesty for both men and women.
Since the 1990's, with the increasing awareness of environmental and cultural ecological protection, many designers have focused on the Orient, Europe, South America and Africa as subjects.
Between 1999 and 2000, ethnic style became the mainstream of fashion. Clear imprints of ethnic style, such as embroidery designs, delicate lace, and bright colours became the fashion on all types of clothing and accessories.
Due to the differences in geographical environments, climates, cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, customs and wealth, ethnic dress displays great diversity. Ethnic style is rich, flexible, and personalised which, fulfills people’s spiritual needs. Thus, in the field of costume design, ethnic style has become a major topic.
This issue of Discovery Central Asia is devoted to the “Fashions of Central Asia”. In its pages you will find the national dresses of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, as well as modern fashion in these countries using ethnic styles. Such dress models ethnic features, pictorial patterns, colour relationships and fabrics. Its style is decorative, romantic and honest, and also reflects the desire to return to nature and back to basics.
The design of ethnic style clothing must be based on contemporary aesthetic requirements and habits; otherwise, it cannot enter the market, no matter how beautiful. Therefore, being aware and capturing modern fashion trends is key to success.
In terms of material selection on national dress, generally we use natural materials, such as cotton, hemp, feathers, woolen, silk, brocade, etc. Besides, synthetic materials and chemical materials are used also, which have good plasticity and wrinkle-free performance, making up for the inadequacy of natural materials. In addition, hand-woven cloth, handmade batik cloth, brocade and lace, are good materials, directly embodying national dress style.
Always yours,
Marat Akhmedjanov
Publisher 

Discovery Central Asia #30

Discovery Central Asia #30 music of Central Asia

Dear Friends,

To many people, in many cultures, music is an important part of their way of life. Ancient cultures used music in their mystical ceremonies, festivals, war dances, and work songs. Later, religion and music amalgamated into a close relationship with each other, which was used in Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. These days, it is even used as medical therapy.

Music also serves as a universal language between nations. Many organisations have implemented numerous programs and music initiatives in Central Asia. Artists often exchange thoughts and collaborate with each other through music. But most important of all, music can be used to heal the world.

Music has long been an expression of people from different cultures around the world.  The oldest artifacts that show people playing musical instruments are found in Asia and are around four thousand years old.  Other archaeological findings suggest that different cultures around the world have always focused on their own special instruments, developing unique methods of playing them.  However, no matter how much music may have differed in different parts of the world, it seems that music has always served a general common purpose:  to bring people together. This is true whether it be at school, in the workplace, in church, in the army, and even during revolutions (such as those in Cuba or Brazil).
Therefore, music can be used not only as a vehicle for expression, but also as a way to mobilise and inspire listeners to think differently and take action. Musical styles change, messages to its listeners change, the world's view changes.
Such a change was necessary in a country at the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, where a revolution took place on April 7th 2010. As with every revolution it brought with it many challenges and obstacles. Following the April events in Kyrgyzstan our SILK ROAD MEDIA office was left in ruins, having been robbed by marauders. It left us without the vital equipment and furniture we need to operate. Moreover, after the bloodshed in the south of Kyrgyzstan, thousands of Uzbeks and Kyrgyz were left without the means for existence. However, every revolution leads to evolution. Therefore, Kyrgyzstan, in such a difficult period of its history, should not lose the opportunity to promote its culture and tourism opportunities throughout the world, and thus make itself and its sufferings heard. We hope that people won’t stay indifferent to these events and make their contributions to heal the world.

In this issue, we want to make yet another revolution, this time in your minds, by presenting “the Music of Central Asia” that is as vast, diverse and unique as the many cultures and peoples who inhabit the region.

Enjoy this issue, as if it is a concert held free of charge, performed by artists from the six countries of Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Always yours,
Marat Akhmedjanov
Publisher