Whose History Is It? Kamila Narysheva on Memory and Empire in Central Asia
In this episode of Yurt Jurt, host Diana Kudaibergen sits down with Kamila Narysheva, artist and curator from Almaty. Together, they explore Kamila’s personal and academic journey from studying in Russia to researching the imperial legacies embedded in Kazakhstan’s history and historiography.Kamila shares how her work, which challenged dominant imperial narratives, was often met with bias and even poor grades from professors unable to evaluate her research objectively. The conversation moves beyond academia to the personal - what it means to be a Central Asian woman navigating postcolonial identity, how artificial borders created by empire continue to shape belonging, and why people in the region often identify more with cities and places than with national constructs.Diana and Kamila also reflect on how lived experience remains undervalued in academic discourse, especially when confronting uncomfortable truths such as the colonial nature of the USSR. The episode is a candid reflection on memory, identity, and the ongoing struggle to reclaim historical narratives in and about Central Asia.
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Rethinking Politics with Asem Zhapisheva: Oyan, Qazaqstan and The Kazakh Spring
In this episode of Yurt Jurt, host Diana Kudaibergen sits down with Asem Zhapisheva, journalist, activist, and a founding member of the civic movement Oyan, Qazaqstan (“Wake Up, Kazakhstan”). Together, they explore the themes of Diana’s book The Kazakh Spring and reflect on the demands of young Kazakhs for political change, transparency, and accountability.The conversation dives deep into the need for institutional transformation in Kazakhstan, the evolving role of new political actors, and how shifts in leadership affect the narratives of reform and “New Kazakhstan.” Asem also unpacks the complex dependencies of Central Asia on Russia and China, examining how this geopolitical reality fuels pressure on local politicians to silence activists and restrict civic space. They discuss how the war in Ukraine has sharpened debates across the region, with many wondering if the war’s outcome will profoundly reshape policy directions and political freedoms in Central Asia. This dialogue highlights the tension between entrenched systems of power and the rising voices of a younger generation determined to demand change, and the uncertainties of what lies ahead.
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Between Borders: Intizor Otaniyozova on Being Uyghur in Central Asia
In this episode of Yurt Jurt, host Diana Kudaibergen sits down with Intizor Otaniyozova, a multidisciplinary artist based in Central Asia, whose work moves between performance, film, and cultural memory. Together, they unpack the layered questions of identity and belonging: What does it mean to be stateless? What does it mean to be Uighur - both globally and within the Central Asian context?Intizor reflects on her creative journey, from producing a documentary about Uyghur experiences in Central Asia to the influence of Beyoncé on her path. Through her art and storytelling, she opens up a dialogue on how Uyghur identity is lived, remembered, and reimagined today.
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Oral Culture, Identity, and Storytelling Today: Aisulu Toyshibek
How does oral culture shape identity in Kazakhstan today? In this episode of Yurt Jurt, host Diana Kudaibergen sits down with Aisulu Toyshibek to explore the living traditions of Kazakh oral culture from the sharp wit of aitys (improvised roasting duels) to the humor of tamasha (Kazakh comedy shows).Aisulu also opens up about her own journey: what it means to be a Russian-speaking Kazakh, and how producing podcasts at BulBul Studio became a way to reclaim and reimagine her identity. Together, they reflect on how storytelling, laughter, and dialogue remain powerful tools for navigating culture, language, and belonging.
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No Longer Post-Soviet: Madina Tlostanova on Art, Academia, and Identity
What does it really mean to be “post-Soviet”? And is it time to leave that label behind?In this episode of Yurt Jurt, host Diana Kudaibergen speaks with Madina Tlostanova - decolonial thinker, writer, and Professor of Postcolonial Feminisms at Linköping University. Tlostanova is the author of What Does It Mean to Be Post-Soviet? and Postcolonialism and Postsocialism in Fiction and Art, and one of the leading voices on decolonial thought in Eurasia.They explore how Central Asian identities are still framed through the “post-Soviet” lens, the role of the nation-state in shaping self-understanding, and how indigenous sustainable ways of living resist extractive state logics. The conversation also asks why academia so often reproduces colonial structures - and why art, rather than universities, has become a space for powerful decolonial expression.
Yurt Jurt - a podcast about decolonizing Central Asia and Beyond produced by Central Asian activists. Hosted by Dr. Diana Kudaibergen, Yurt Jurt dives deep into the decoloniality and decolonization of Central Asian and North Asian nations. Each episode brings insightful conversations that challenge historical narratives and reimagine futures for the region. Whether you're a scholar or simply curious about decolonial movements, Yurt Jurt unpacks the complex histories and cultures —all in English. Join us for thought-provoking discussions on heritage, colonialism, propaganda, identity, and transformation.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yurtjurt
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