The photo above is Iskanderkul Lake. It is one of the most famous bodies of water in the region due to its beauty and history. Iskanderkul means “Lake of Alexander,” as in Alexander the Great, the famed ruler and warmonger. One legend I heard states that there used to be a village at the location of the lake. The people of that village strongly resisted the army of Alexander the Great, and, in retaliation, Alexander had his soldiers divert a river, drowning the village and creating Iskanderkul.
In Tajikistan, dogs are plentiful. The majority of them are strays or farm dogs tasked with protecting livestock. I typically appreciate them from afar; however, this puppy we found on the shores of Iskanderkul was incredibly sweet. When we first saw him, he was in a pile with two other pups and their mother. A young local girl was lying among them holding a rabbit.
At first glance, the photo above appears to be a group of Tajik men simply taking a ride in a truck. In reality, this is a funeral procession, and they are transporting a coffin to the cemetery for burial. In this neighborhood of Dushanbe, there is a beautiful cemetery that spans several miles of rolling green hills. It was a favorite among my classmates and me for afternoon strolls.
Tajikistan is an excellent destination of lovers of horses. Nearly everywhere you go, there are opportunities for horseback riding, even in the capital city of Dushanbe. In Victory Park, there are children who run a horseback riding business in which you can explore the green hills on the outskirts of the city. This photo in particular was taken in Safed Dara, Tajikistan’s only ski resort.
Title VIII Fellowship Recipient
Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP)
Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Spring 2024 & Summer 2024