 is a product of a cultural research expedition. In May 2021, 

 project’s team of explorers, documentarians, and artists from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan carried out an expedition from the source to the mouth of the Chu river. The expedition was a part of Adamdar/CA's eco-cultural project 

The group traversed over 2,500 kilometers along the winding Chu river, from the source beneath the glaciers in the Naryn region of the Kyrgyz Republic to its mouth in the steppes of Kazakhstan’s Jambyl province. The group gathered many stories about the river, its meaning, its past, present and the future. Some of these stories made it into the documentary film 

, the film premiered in June 2021 at the annual festival in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Recitation from an excerpt of “Manas”, “Ilgeri-Ilgeri” by ZERE, “Sululyq” by Nasiafromasia (written by Kazybek Spanov, JCS), “Bir án salam” by Qonyratbay Fam

 and may not be republished without expressed consent.

Central Asia

River of Nomads

 team traveled far and wide across that steppes pasteurelands and mountains ranges of East Kazakhstan to gather material for 

(2023). The crew interviewed scientists, environmental activists, local farmers and herders to investigate critical questions concerning the health of river systems, key water sources and air quality to learn about what's being done to mitigate concerns about the country's essential natural resources.

The film was shot as part of a joint project with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Kazakhstan and the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. Previous screenings took place in Almaty, Oskemen, and Astana, Kazakhstan. The film is available online on the 

 “Sanamaq” by me and my invisible orchestra

The East: Land, Water, Air

The Naryn is a critical river system not only where it flows through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, but across much of Central Asia. Since the dawn of civilization, it has influenced regional economics, agriculture, ecology, history and modernity, and contributed to the formation and evolution of cultural identity and knowledge that prospered along the ancient Silk Road.

Bubukan Makilova and Kumarbek Talipov live at the source of the great river Naryn in the Kyrgyz mountains, where Bubukan teaches in the village school and Kumarbek protects the ecosystem, researching local flora and fauna and defending the environment from wildfires and poachers.

Year after year, century after century, nomadic tribes and peoples of Central Asia have migrated to the summer mountain pastures known as 

. Accompanied by their children, relatives and neighbors, Kumarbek and Bubukan ascend the green gorges with their herds to their own 

 like their nomadic ancestors before them. But times have changed and Kumarbek and Bubukan find themselves forced to adapt.

Written and Directed by Malika Autalipova and Timur Nusimbekov
Director of Photography: Urmat Tendik
Camera Operators: Malika Autalipova, Timur Nusimbekov
Drone Operators: Urmat Tendik, Danil Usmanov
Editor: Balnura Nusipova
Colorist: Daniyar Armakayev
Music by Ulan Moldoyusupov
Soundtrack: “Kyrgyzym” by Askat Jetigen (recorded by Maanaibar)
Sound Editor: Konstantin Kokhan
Text Editors and Translators: Eliza Balbakova (Kyrgyz), Valentina Michelotti (English)
Special thanks to Mirbek Kadraliyev, Ulan Usoiun, Danil Usmanov, Maanaibar.

The film was created as a part of the JerSu project, a longstanding eco-cultural project of the 

 team focused on the key ecosystems and water sources of Central Asia. The project’s newest series is dedicated to the Naryn river and the people living on its shores.

*Voices of the River: Bubukan and Kumarbek was produced with the support of Arts Everywhere and Musagetes.

Voices of the River: Bubukan and Kumarbek

JerSu (‘LandWater’) is a special project of Adamdar/CA dedicated to the communities and activists striving to protect the rivers and plains, mountains and valleys, steppes, lakes and other ecosystems of Central Asia.