July 16 Farewell to Ilyas and Hello to Erkin in Tajikistan

7/16

Farewells to Ilyas and Rahat (our driver) accompanied jokes from Ilyas about his dream trip of women ending. Truly, the two of them were patient, helpful, and wonderful. 

Tajikistan awaited us next. We flew to Dushanbe from Almaty. 

Dushanbe is the capital and largest city and is situated at the confluence of two rivers, Varzob and Kofarnihon, and surrounded by mountains.  Dushanbe means "Monday" in the Tajik language. It was so named because it grew from a village that originally had a popular market on Mondays. Until 1929, the city was known in Russian as Dyushambe and, from 1929 to 1961, as Stalinabad. As of 2014, Dushanbe had a population of 778,500. 

A main square in Dushanbe shows the country’s hero, Ismael Somoni. I’m

1999 this statue was built. Lenin’s statue was here before. Somoni is believed to be the founder of the Tajiks, and his crown represents how they think of themselves as also crowned people, or noble people. 

The scepter is made from local Tajik gold. Military guard this statue and do not allow you to get too close. 

Tajikistan’s geography is dominated by the spectacular Pamir Mountains, earning it the nickname "the roof of the world." The country boasts breathtaking landscapes, including deep valleys, rugged peaks, and glacial lakes. Tajikistan's culture reflects a rich heritage influenced by Persian, Turkic, and Russian traditions. The Tajik people are known for their warmth, hospitality, and artistic expression through music, dance, and handicrafts. Historically, Tajikistan was part of the ancient Persian Empire and later experienced various conquerors, including Alexander the Great and the Mongols. It became a part of the Soviet Union in the 20th century and gained independence in 1991. Tajikistan's history and culture are intertwined with the ancient Silk Road, which passed through its territory, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges. Today, the country stands as a gateway to Central Asia, offering visitors a glimpse into its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural traditions, and historical significance.

7 historical regions of Tajikistan are shown in the middle part of the flag. This flag was one the largest in the world, but other countries in this region and the Middle East then made bigger ones. It is fourth or fifth largest now. 

Rudaki, the famous poet, 858-941. 

More photos of the beautiful city of Dushanbe 

The national library

Below are photos at a beautiful mosque we visited, which has been renovated. 

Ibn Sina, the great Islamic doctor, who wrote a canon of medicine was from here. Toledo, Spain, is where it was translated into Latin and was used 500 years for curriculum.  

The president of Tajikistan, last name of Rachman, has been president for almost 30 years and is popular because he ended the civil war here, which raged for over five years after independence. 

It is clear this is not democratic. This palace was built for him with the equivalent of $100 million US dollars, plus a lot of contract bribes. He also has a large dacha along the river outside Dushanbe, and so does his daughter. His son is the mayor of Dushanbe and is being groomed for the presidency, they say. 

Examples of his photo’s everywhere:

Bringing light to the people reminds me of Louis XIV of France, the Sun King. 

His framed photo available for purchase in a shop. 

In a museum entrance. And I could post hundreds more. 

Anyway, on to more Tajik adventures!