Realising a photographic reportage in Tajikistan is not easy and requires a good capacity of adaption but, in return, one will live a memorable experience among majestic natural landscapes and a harsh daily life that forged the various peoples living in the country, a place that has always been a crossroads of empires and cultures. Tajikistan is really the throbbing heart of Eurasia, whose beats are characterised by the earthquakes often affecting more remote and isolated areas. In this region you can admire fantastic peaks, but Tajikistan many other attractions, as the area called “of seven lakes” on the slopes of Fann Mountains, not far from the very ancient town of Penjikent, in the past a centre of the Zoroastrianism.
The republic has relied heavily on Russian assistance to counter continuing security problems and cope with the dire economic situation. Russian forces guarded sections of the border with Afghanistan until mid-2005 when their withdrawal was completed and the task handed over to Tajik border guards. Skirmishes with drug smugglers crossing illegally from Afghanistan occur regularly, as Tajikistan is the first stop on the drugs route from there to Russia and the West.
The meetings with Tajiks not leave a person indifferent surely, especially if one will attend to the traditional ceremonies, as the “dance of eagle”. Falling in love of this country is very easy The Tajik language is very close to Persian, spoken in Iran, and to Dari, spoken in Afghanistan. Tajiks are different in History, ethnic origin and religion as well from the other Central Asian peoples. Part of population in Tajikistan practises a different school of Islam compared to neighbouring countries. Tajikistan brings together different worlds; here was the border of Persian Empire, here passed certain routes of the Silk Road. The Uzbek Samarkand and Buchara once were Tajik cities, while today the North of Tajikistan has an important Uzbek population, all legacies of a past here certainly not without unrests. Gazing upon the wonder that is Tajikistan, is a rare privilege indeed, as very seldom do travellers venture into this region. From the breathtaking landscapes of the Fann and Zarafshan Mountains in the northwest, to the diverse and uniquely cultured people of the Murghab Plateau, the endangered fauna in the remotes corners of Bartang and Wakhan Valleys, to thrilling white water rafting and climbing opportunities one will get irreplaceable memories that few places on earth can provide.
Alessandro Niccolai A photographer’s thoughts and notes
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