Sovietistan

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Embark on an unforgettable journey through Central Asia, a region steeped in mystery and history. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan reveal their rich cultural heritage and unique landscapes. Traveling solo, Erika Fatland embodies the spirit of adventure, offering a compassionate and insightful exploration of how Soviet legacies shape these nations, where governments navigate between democracy and dictatorship. In Kyrgyzstani villages, she encounters victims of bride snatching and visits Kazakhstan's desolate Polygon, a site for nuclear bomb testing. She meets shrimp gatherers along the dried Aral Sea and witnesses the fall of a dictator. Traveling incognito in Turkmenistan, she connects with weary human rights activists in Kazakhstan, survivors of the 2010 Osh massacre, and German Mennonites who settled in Kyrgyzstan two centuries ago. The narrative highlights the clash between ancient customs and modern gas production, alongside the tensions between ethnic Russians and the local majority. Once the Soviet Union's frontier, life unfolds at a different pace here. Amid the splendor of Samarkand and stark Soviet architecture, this journey through Central Asia offers a rare and unforgettable adventure.