Landlocked countries have no access to the sea. Double landlocked countries only border with countries that have no access to the sea, one of these is Uzbekistan and here starts my (mostly) land trip through Central Asia and Caucasus. In this geographical context, the history and culture of the Region have been shaped by contact with the Far East, Persia, and Russia. Three great religions have passed through these lands: Zoroastrianism (the veneration of fire), Buddhism, and Islam, while the last major belief system to arrive along the same routes was Communism. Religion today still runs deep yet quiet. Islam is present across Central Asia but takes many forms: from Sufi shrines in Uzbekistan to Shia traditions in Azerbaijan, blended often with older, pre-Islamic customs. In Armenia, Christianity shapes national identity through centuries of resilience; monasteries became strongholds of memory during empire and war.
Despite the similarities that characterize the Region it is is impossible though to summarize them all under one single statement and ignore the great diversity in culture, history and destiny of these countryes. That´s why, free from any impression or opinion, the aim of this series is simply to share with other eyes all that has filled mine on different occasions.