Finding Confidence through Dance

While walking through Scotland, it's impossible not to feel a sense of beauty and wonder that seems to exist only when you're wandering its streets. As you stroll, you catch glimpses of stunning architecture and rich history. The sights and sounds captivate you—the melodic hum of bagpipes and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed English tea fill the air. These were the very things that enchanted Ayca when she moved to Scotland from Turkey. Upon arriving to pursue a degree in architecture, she couldn’t resist spending hours outside, mesmerized by the breathtaking scenery around her. Her passion for architecture came alive as she admired the uniqueness of Scotland’s buildings. Inspired by her brother, who had studied in Scotland a few years earlier, Ayca followed in his footsteps after being accepted into her dream program. Unfortunately, shortly after her arrival, her brother left to work for a German company. Though this made the transition harder, Ayca found her footing and met a few kind-hearted friends along the way. She even discovered a Turkish community that celebrated cultural events, helping her feel more at home. Still, she experienced moments of loneliness and homesickness—after all, she had moved to a new country and was studying in a foreign language. Despite the challenges, Ayca often wandered the streets of Edinburgh, reminding herself why she came. The beauty of the architecture continually reignites her dream of becoming a renowned architect. Her passion and creativity have been with her since childhood. She grew up dancing and was soon enrolled in dance classes, mastering the Tango and various Latin styles. Her talent led her to compete internationally, and she became a professional dancer at a young age, winning numerous competitions. As time passed, Ayca discovered a new passion for architecture and eventually stepped away from competitive dancing to pursue it fully. Now, she’s thriving at university in Scotland, loving every moment of her studies. Her determination and resilience have carried her through the toughest transitions. Ayca shines in the face of adversity—and the world should take notice, because the next great architect is on her way!

When you think of Paris, you probably imagine baguettes, crepes, or maybe even escargots. Did you know that you can find Central Asian food here as well? There are multiple restaurants that I checked out while I was there, and all of them were delicious. So, if you’re interested in trying some Central Asian food during your trip to Paris, look no further! In the 11th Arrondissement, there is a small but delicious Uzbek restaurant called Plov and Samsa. Their menu is small, but it has all of the essentials, including plov, samsa, manti, and salads. They also have desserts including baklava and medovik, a honey cake common in Central Asia. I sat outside and enjoyed a pot of tea while I waited for my usual order of plov. Now, I have had a lot of plov since moving to Central Asia, and the plov from this restaurant had the most tender beef of any plov dish that I have had. It was absolutely delicious! This restaurant also does delivery, so if eating out is not your thing, you can order this to your door with a food delivery service. In the 9th Arrondissement, you will find Ouzbekistan, another Uzbek restaurant. This menu has a lot of options for a meal including plov, lagman, manti, samsa, soups, and of course salad. All of the food comes with complementary brown bread that is a standard fare in Central Asia. It is perfect for dipping into soup on a cold day! I had the plov again, this time with a tomato and cucumber salad and of course a pot of tea. All of the dishware here had the traditional Uzbek blue and white designs, which made it feel like I was back in Central Asia. While checking this spot out, I met up with Begimay, a Kygyz woman living in Paris. She completed her bachelor’s degree here in France. From her, I learned more about the differences in Central Asian dishes across the region. Begimay is from Bishkek, which is in the northern part of Kyrgyzstan. Her grandma taught her how to make plov when she was young, and she has made it for years. Here in Paris, she lives with some other Kyrgyz women, one of whom is from southern Kyrgyzstan. They have made plov together for different holidays, and Begimay said that she has learned different techniques from her roommate and now makes more of a north/south fusion plov! If you want to learn more about the different areas of Kyrgyzstan, check out our other articles here . Aside from Uzbek food, there is also Uyghur food here in Paris. Right across the street from Ouzbekistan in the 9th Arrondissement, there is a Uyghur restaurant called Muqam. Not only do they have the Central Asian dishes that I am used to seeing like plov and lagman, but they also have unique dishes from Uyghur cuisine. The staff here were kind and accommodating, and the food was filling and delicious. This is a must try if you are wanting to get a taste of Uyghur food! All of the addresses for these restaurants are listed below! Plov and Samsa: 46 Bd Voltaire, 75011 Paris, France Ouzbekistan: 37 Rue de Trévise, 75009 Paris, France Muqam: 36 Rue de Trévise, 75009 Paris, France

From the time of the Silk Road to now, the peoples of Central Asia have expressed themselves and their culture through textiles. There are unique textiles of each country in Central Asia, and even within each country, every region has their own specialized techniques and designs. Khulkar, an Uzbek woman living and working in France shared with me her love for Central Asian design. Khulkar is an inter-disciplinary artist, who in 2021, began creating scarves inspired by Uzbek culture and traditional patterns. She often incorporates motifs like pomegranates, motherhood, and folklore into her designs. As she explained some of her designs to me, I could see how she pulls from historic styles while still making her pieces unique and original. During our conversation, I loved seeing how thought out each aspect of her scarves is, from the patterns to the materials used to create them. She partners with a manufacturer in Italy to create high quality 100% silk scarves. Central Asian textiles are full of symbolic patterns; I loved the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of each piece. Khulkar was inspired to make scarves by liberty values. She was also influenced by women like Nurkhon Yuldasheva and Tamara Khanum. Yuldasheva was an Uzbek actress from the early 1900s, who made history as one of the first women to perform publicly without a paranja, a garment similar to a burqa, and who sadly was honor-killed by her brother in 1929. Khanum was an Armenian woman who grew up during the Soviet Union, who made history as the first woman to perform publicly without a veil on. Khanum revolutionized female dance performance in Uzbekistan and the Soviet Union, and her influence can still be seen today in the Uzbek school of national dances. Tamara Khanum was a champion for women’s rights, and she advocated for those rights her whole life. These ideas of liberty and freedom motivated Khulkar to explore and create as well, and eventually led her to France and to her passion of art. Her projects are inspired by the idea of vitaculture, the urgency of joy. One of her projects that began in 2017, is the Insitute of Uzbekistan, which helps to bring contemporary Uzbek art in dialogue with other nations and their art. If you want to see Khulkar’s designs, go check out her Instagram or her website ! Or you can go to her Etsy Shop to purchase her scarves here . If you want to learn more about female artisans in Central Asia, go check out this lookbook made by the Smithsonian here . If you want to learn more about Nurkhon Yuldasheva, you can check out this article . Or if you want to learn more about Tamara Khanum, you can check out this article .

As humans, we all desire community and friendship, especially with those who understand who we are at our core. This is what the Kurdish community in Austria is seeking as well. Today, many Kurds have made a new home in Austria. As more and more Kurds settled in the area, the need arose to start a community center which would serve as a place they could obtain the community and friendships they were longing for. At the Kurdish Association for Culture and Integration in Linz, this is exactly what happens there today. They support and encourage each other as they seek to adapt to a culture that is not their own. At the organization, there are many classes and experiences offered to support Kurdish children who are balancing keeping their own culture while living in another. Kurds from various backgrounds come and celebrate what makes them who they are together. When they celebrate together, especially during Nowruz, they get a taste of home. The air buzzes with rhythmic drumbeats and joyful melodies as dancers perform cultural dances. The dancing and festivities last late into the evening as everyone joins in on the party! If there is one thing the Kurds of Austria haven’t lost, it is their culture. One key component of this culture is endless hospitality. As we walked into the Kurdish Association for Culture and Integration, we were immediately welcomed. New friends sat down with us and shared their inspiring life stories over tea. Even though we were foreigners, Azad Barakat, the founder of the organization, took the time to invite us into their community events and even into his home. In the same day that we met, we felt welcomed as if we were family! At Azad’s home, we met his beautiful family and sipped tea as we chatted about Kurdish culture. We marveled at all the food his wife had prepared for us! We dined on Içli Köfte, Hummus, Sarma, and a special cold soup made with yogurt and spices. We learned so much about Kurdish culture that day, and our eyes were opened to new and interesting details about their heritage. We were struck by the kindness that was shown to us. Even while we were there, Azad and his wife opened their home to more visitors that were seeking to learn about their culture. Kurds, Americans, and Austrians all sat around the table that day as we laughed and ate together. It didn’t matter where we were from, just that we had the chance to experience a welcoming community.

Meet Akinai and Adiya, two inspiring women from Central Asia who met at the International Institute of Geneva while pursuing their degrees in International Relations. Despite coming from different countries - Akinai from Kyrgyzstan and Adiya from Kazakhstan - their shared passion for global affairs and a love for their cultural roots brought them together in Switzerland. As they approach their graduation, these two friends reflect on the incredible journey they've had over the past three years, navigating their studies, internships, and personal growth in a city that has become their second home. Akinai, who initially studied at the International Institute, switched to the Geneva School of International Relations. She has a love for adventure and new experiences, which led her passion for travel. Whether it’s exploring new places or trying out a new Pilates routine, Akinai thrives on discovering what the world has to offer. She’s excited to take the next step in her career with an internship at the Kazakh embassy in Switzerland. Adiya has always been fascinated by languages and cultures. She taught herself French, a testament to her curiosity and determination to understand people from all walks of life. Her love for painting and the arts is another way she connects with the world around her. Adiya has obtained an internship at the United Nations, growing her experience in the field she’s passionate about. Both women have cherished their time in Geneva, where they’ve discovered that with the right people, life can be unforgettable. Their shared experiences - from late-night study sessions to exploring Geneva's beautiful lakeside views - have created lasting memories. Both Akinai and Adiya love to share the richness of their Central Asian culture with others. From wearing traditional designs and patterns to telling stories about their countries, they’re proud to share about the beauty of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. It's one of the ways they keep their roots close while navigating life abroad. As they approach graduation and step into their professional futures, Akinai and Adiya are excited for what lies ahead. But no matter where their journeys take them, they will always carry the experiences, lessons, and friendships they’ve built in Geneva - a city that helped shape them into the women they are today.

Right off the Piazza del Popolo, I met with Ulya, an architect from Azerbaijan, living and working in Rome. Ulya is from Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, which sits on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Baku sits at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. It is a city full of history, while also looking towards the future. The city hosts many international events, including environmental forums, Formula 1 races, and finance and technology expositions. In addition, there are many amazing museums, like the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Baku Museum of Miniature Books, and many more. If you visit the city, you can see classical Azerbaijani architecture by going to the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, which dates back to the 15th century and the Maiden Tower or Qız Qalası, dating back to the 12th century. If you are interested in history, Baku would have lots with which to entertain you! Ulya’s journey to Rome started when she was 13, when she decided to become an architect after touring the university where her father worked. Since that time, she has been determined to accomplish her dream. After completing secondary school in Azerbaijan, she moved to Turkey for her bachelor’s degree, and then she decided to pursue a master’s degree here in Rome, a city full of classical architecture. She moved to Rome during COVID time, which for many would have made it extremely difficult to adjust, but Ulya did not let that stop her. She used that time to focus on language learning, so that when COVID restrictions began to lift, she was able to more easily join Italian society. Speaking Italian also helped her immensely when she was applying for jobs here. Ulya wanted to stay here in Rome to gain experience and learn from their rich history of beautiful architecture. Her specialty is luxury hotels and business, but she has learned about many types of architecture, both commercial and residential. Even though Ulya loves Rome, she does not plan to stay here forever. Her dream is to start an architecture firm based in both Azerbaijan and Italy, integrating the two cultures and types of architecture. She has loved learning about different cultures during her time abroad and hopes that in her future company, she will be able to create an environment that merges aspects of different cultures.

When we walked into “Kebabkhan Kurdistan,” a Kurdish restauraunt in Stockholm, we expected a tasty meal but also ended up making new friendships! We stumbled upon this inviting and delicious Kurdish restauraunt and decided it would be worth a try. As we entered, we noticed the proud display of Kurdish culture. Beautiful pictures of cities in Kurdistan adorned the walls alongside Kurdish flags. Immediately, we were greeted with a smile from the waiter. We were amazed at how delicious the food was as we enjoyed kebabs, salads, bread, rice, and much more! After finishing our meal, we had the chance to meet several workers at Kebabkhan. They invited us to sit with them and served us complimentary çay and Kurdish desserts. This was a true sign of hospitality. As we sat down with a worker and his cousin, they shared stories about their lives. Both of our new friends were Kurdish and had moved to Sweden around 2008 to live and work near their families. However, they frequently travel to Kurdistan to stay connected to their homeland. They spoke about their hometowns, Erbil and Shaqlawa, with immense pride. They were passionate about using their restaurant to showcase Kurdish culture and cuisine. One aspect of this culture is celebrating Ramadan, an Islamic holiday, together! Our new friend mentioned that even in Sweden, this religious holiday is celebrated with dedication. He said that if we returned in the evening, we would see the restaurant filled with people celebrating Ramadan by eating and drinking together. This was a refreshing experience of hospitality as we came for a good meal but also made new friends.

On the second Sunday in August our Eurostan crew celebrates Turkmenistan’s national holiday to celebrate the melon. Beginning in 1994, this national holiday quickly became a Eurostan favorite. Turkmenistan clais to have 500 types of melons [1]. A former Turkmen president went so far as to proclaim, “Let the life of every Turkmen be as beautiful as our melons.” We stumbled upon this just in the early stages of Eurostan, researching what we wanted to do and see. Obviously, we felt the need to join in the holiday. What greater thing than a day that allows you to eat as much melon as you can. Here in Central Asia, we don’t have all of the same melon options as in the US. Though watermelon of course, is a must for Melon Day in any country. But we also have дыни, a long yellow melon that is sweet and delicious. We have yet to go to Turkmenistan ourselves on this day. For now, we decide to celebrate wherever we happen to be, relaxing and eating plov, desserts, and of course, melons. This year we even took it up a notch and had watermelon slushies. Friends, old and new, joined us with people celebrating in Bishkek, Samarkand, Jalalabad, and Raleigh, North Carolina. We even had t-shirts to mark the occasion. We are sure we deviate from the traditional celebration, but we still feel like part of a unique and fun day. The dream is be to be in Turkmenistan to actually celebrate the day there, but for now we are content with our t-shirts and our day to eat too much melon. [1](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/8/14/turkmenistan-celebrates-melon-day)

Architecture is a demanding field of study. Anyone who has pursued this degree or knows someone who has pursued it can tell you that. Yerkezhan, a Kazakh student studying architecture in Milano knows this well. Her days are full of group projects, designing buildings, making building models, and even going on site visits all around the country. In most universities in Italy, to begin a bachelor’s degree program, students need to have completed twelve years of combined primary and secondary school. In Kazakhstan, most secondary schools finish at eleven years. So, for many international students, a foundation year of university is required before they officially begin their bachelor’s programs. This foundation year typically consists of general education courses that will set the base for future studies. This was the case for Yerkezhan, so last year she completed her foundation year of university in Como. Then in 2024, she began her bachelor’s program in architecture at the Politecnico di Milano. Despite her busy university schedule, Yerkezhan takes time for her real passion: dance! She began dancing at a young age and learned traditional folk dances from many different countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and the Caucasus. In high school, Yerkezhan took a break from dancing to focus on other interests, but since beginning university, she has taken the time to rediscover her love for this art form. Now, she teaches classes once a week in Milan. She loves the accomplishment that she feels after dancing. How she can see improvement in her movements and feel tiredness in her muscles. Dancing is art, but there are a lot of technical aspects to it, and Yerkezhan works hard to refine her skills over time and feels achievement when she sees improvement. For Yerkezhan, dance is more than just an individual hobby; she has met great people through dancing. Her students are fun and engaging, and she loves to watch their dance skills improve over time. Although there are many people who come for just one or two lessons, Yerkezhan has many consistent students that she has gotten to know during her time as an instructor. She teaches different types of dance, but her favorite style is Jazz Funk, a subgenre of jazz that has gives a lot of room for improvisation. I loved getting to hear about Yerkezhan’s life, and I’m excited to see how Yerkezhan can continue to share her culture and her passion for dance with others!