Chai and Chat, a stunning collection of photographs of Central Asia by Mary O'Connor

ASTANA. KAZINFORM A dazzling new portfolio of images of the Silk Road is hot off the presses, as renowned Irish artist Mary O'Connor publishes her second book of breath-taking photographs from the heart of Central Asia.
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Chai and Chat follows on from the runaway success of Mary's last book, Head over Heels (a sell out after its publication in 2013), and contains more photos framed by Mary's perceptive eye during her travels through the five enchanting lands of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, www.maryoconnorart.com reports. "I simply adore spending time with the lovely people of Kazakhstan and Central Asia celebrating their magic moments, laughing and chatting and capturing this energy with my camera," said Mary, who has lived in Almaty since 2003 (see her biography below). As an artist, her work is inspired by her life in Kazakhstan, from the awe-inspiring landscapes to the day-to-day pleasures - like a cup of chai (tea) and a chat with a friend. Mary has collected an eclectic and talented team of writers with strong bonds to Central Asia to add context to the images. Since most of the writers hail from outside the region the book is subtitled Central Asia Through the Eyes of Foreigners. The accompanying texts are in two languages: English and Russian. Paul Bartlett, Nadine Kassas and Joanna Lillis evoke life on the Silk Road ancient and modern, from the yurts of the steppe to the bustling bazaars and pristine alpine slopes. Birgit Brauer, Lucy Kelaart and Laline Treherne Pollock look at traditions associated with wishing, dowries and offspring, while Hamid Ismailov and Philip McDonagh contribute poems inspired by the charms of Central Asia. Kairat Abusseitov, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to the UK, wrote the foreword; Dr Carolyn Browne, the UK's Ambassador to Kazakhstan, penned the introduction; and Peter Foster, president of Air Astana (one of the book's sponsors), contributed the overview. Chai and Chat came about thanks to the generous support of the sponsors: Shymbulak Ski Resort, Air Astana, SEVEN private member's club, Arba Wine and Caravan Beverage Group. It is initially available in a limited print run of 1,000 copies, obtainable from Shymbulak Ski Resort. The book is published in aid of the Dara Foundation, an Almaty-based non-profit charity that serves under-privileged children by supporting medical institutions and organisations for orphans and children with disabilities. "We are all at Dara delighted to see the publication of Mary's amazing book," said Madina Bakieva, Executive Director of the Dara Foundation. "Not only does it provide a beautiful picture of Central Asian countries and their people, it also serves a very good cause to help disabled children in Kazakhstan." "I am happy we can give something back to the community through the Dara Foundation," added Mary.

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