With an average age of just 27, Kyrgyzstan's largest demographic group consists of those who have come of age in the post-Soviet era. These young individuals are on a mission to challenge prevailing norms and seek their unique identities amid a backdrop of rapid change and escalating geopolitical tensions.
Once celebrated as an oasis of democracy in a region dominated by autocratic regimes, Kyrgyzstan is now struggling with a worrying shift towards authoritarianism. A diminishing sense of freedom and the rise of increasingly conservative values make it difficult for young people to express their true selves.
Photo's: © Thijs Broekkamp
