Images of Dushanbe, Tajikistan

The past few days I was in Tajikistan with a couple of colleagues to conduct focus groups with university students on what they have/want/need in terms of student life programming.  Tajikistan does share some similarities with Kyrgyzstan (poor, mountainous), but it is also very different.  Kyrgyzstan is still closely tied to its Russian/Soviet past, while the Tajiks have done much to shed their Soviet remnants.  For example, in urban Kyrgyzstan the default language is Russian, while it is Tajik in Tajikistan.  What little Soviet architecture that existed has been pretty much replaced in Tajikistan.  The Kyrgyz have been strongly influenced by Mongol invaders while the Tajiks spent much of their time under Persian control and this "Persianness" which only exists in Southern parts of Kyrgyzstan, is not apparent where I live in Bishkek in the north.  Tajikistan is a bit more socially conservative and is controlled by President Rahoman, now in his 22nd year of rule and appearing to have an indefinite term of office.  His image and likeness are ubiquitous and governmental control extends even to social media as Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter cannot be accessed. Finally, Kyrgyz people in the capital almost all wear Western clothes, while the majority of Tajiks in Dushanbe, especially women, wear traditional dress.

Below are images of Dushanbe, the capital city (pronounced Doo-Shawn-Bay), where I spent my time in Tajikistan.  It was unseasonably warm and beautiful during my visit--78 degrees and sunny.

Monument to Somoni, leader of the Samanids (10th Century).  Considered to be the "father"  of all things Tajik.

National Monument in Radaki Park, central square of Dushanbe

View of Radaki Park

Monument to Radaki, greatest ancient Tajik poet

Women shredding carrots and selling goods in the Dushanbe Green Market

Restaurant in Dushanbe:  typical architecture

Two college students chatting on a sidewalk in Dushanbe