Exhibition of Irina Dmitrieva-Vann, Serena, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

In Dushanbe, from March 8 to April 8, a solo exhibition of Irina Dmitrieva-Vann is taking place at the Serena Hotel. The official opening ceremony of the exhibition was held on the festive day of March 8. I decided not to miss the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of this remarkable artist and went to this event, especially since I was free at that time. Based on my visit to the exhibition and the opening ceremony, I put together a small photo review, which I am happy to share.

Chapter 12: One's Own Place from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
Five days had passed since Luka and I returned from the bog. Gradually, the putrid aftertaste of the Navka's energy faded away. The most surprising consequence of that event for me was that I didn't want to eat at all. At first, I chalked it up to nausea, but that passed. Luka went around chuckling, explaining nothing in advance. When I finally asked him directly, he deigned to explain.

A Name on the Map of the Pamirs: The Short and Brilliant Life of Alexei Fedchenko

Alexei Pavlovich Fedchenko (1844–1873) was a distinguished Russian naturalist, explorer, and anthropologist. His pioneering research in geology, zoology, and botany largely laid the foundation for the modern scientific understanding of Central Asia’s nature.

Spring Crafts Fair, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

In Dushanbe, on March 3-4, the Tajikistan Craftsmen Union, with the participation of various charitable organizations, is holding the Spring Crafts Fair at the Ismaili Center. I decided not to stay away from this event and visited the fair on March 3. Visiting a crafts fair is interesting because it offers the opportunity to see, in one place, practically all the crafts of Tajikistan and the craftsmen themselves, although here it might be more appropriate to call them artists. Of course, much of what is presented at the fair can be seen in the city's souvenir shops. But here, you have the chance to see and talk with the people who make all these things, which means you can choose or even order something special, to your own taste, that might not be available in a store. That's the practical benefit of this event, but we shouldn't forget that it is also the original and unique creativity of very gifted people.

Chapter 11: The Bog Hunt from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
For three more mornings, Luka made me change my form. He demanded I speed up the process. In the end, the transformation became almost instantaneous. But Luka wasn't satisfied, forcing me to do it again and again — sitting, standing, walking, running.

The Snowman (Ghul) in Tajikistan: Mysteries of the Pamirs and the Hissar Range

The Snowman, also known as Ghul, Yeti, Bigfoot, or Almasty, is more than just a legend – it's a phenomenon that has stirred the minds of researchers and mystery lovers for decades. Tajikistan, in this sense, is a special place. Its harsh mountains, the inaccessible peaks of the Pamirs, and the mysterious gorges of the Hissar Range guard many secrets, and the history of searching for the Snowman here goes back decades.

The Siyoma Gorge in Winter, Varzob, Mountains of Tajikistan

Of course, it's hard to call this trip a hike, but let's do a photo review, as is the tradition. We happened to drive to the Siyama River Gorge and took some photos. In winter, there's nothing to do in Siyama; everything is covered in snow, and right now this snow is also melting during the day. Small avalanches are constantly falling from the sides, but you might be unlucky and get caught in a larger one somewhere. So, it's not worth taking unnecessary risks. In general, we didn't plan anything special, the opportunity just came up, and we went just to have a look. We walked a little way into the gorge, up to the gazebo on the right side.

The Perilous Beauty of Lake Sarez. Pamir, Tajikistan

Some natural landmarks are officially off-limits to the public. One such place is the mysterious and formidable Lake Sarez in Tajikistan. A permit from the Committee for Emergency Situations is required for a visit, though I cannot judge how strictly this rule is enforced—I personally haven't been there yet. But I very much wanted to tell the story of this unique and incredibly beautiful lake. To do so, I have gathered information and photographs from open sources. Its poetic name—"The Sleeping Dragon"—perfectly reflects its pristine beauty and hidden threat.

Chapter 10: Luka's Vixen from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
Of course, Luka was already waiting for me, always knowing in advance when I would arrive. He was sitting on the porch, tinkering with something as usual. When I approached, he lifted his head.
"Well, there you are. Have some kvass after your journey," he nodded towards a jug standing in the shade.
I happily downed a cup.

Gorge with a Waterfall at the 50km Mark, Varzob, Mountains of Tajikistan

Back in mid-October, I had the chance to visit a small but very intriguing gorge near the 50th kilometer of the Varzob highway. I can’t say exactly which kilometer it was—it completely slipped my mind to check. On the way back, I asked the driver; he gave an answer, though he didn’t seem entirely sure, so let’s just say it’s in the vicinity of the 50km mark in the Varzob Gorge. Regardless, the hike happened, which means it’s time for a photo review.

Chapter 9: The Bear Amulet from Bear Metamorphoses

≪ to the previous chapter
I spent a couple of days at Luka's homestead, helping him with chores a bit, but we didn't really talk about anything important. Luka was constantly occupied with some object, fussing over it tirelessly, whispering something to it. I didn't ask questions, deciding that if he wanted to, he would have told me himself. If he was silent, there was a reason. I didn't see the bear during those days; after our memorable meeting, he had gone back into the forest.