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Russia, with its vast territory and multinational population, has historically been a space for interaction between various cultures, including the cultures of the peoples of Central Asia. Support for national diasporas from this region — Uzbeks, Tajiks, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs and Turkmens — and their traditions is an important aspect of the country's domestic and foreign policy. This process includes cultural, educational and social initiatives aimed at preserving the national identity of migrants and strengthening interstate ties. This article analyzes the mechanisms for supporting Central Asian diasporas in Russia, their contribution to cultural diversity and Russia's role in preserving the traditions of the region, based on specific data and facts, the press service of the CIS Executive Committee reports.
Central Asia, comprising Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, has deep historical ties to Russia dating back to the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Since the collapse of the USSR in 1991, migration flows from these countries to Russia have increased significantly. According to the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) for 2023, about 4.5 million Central Asian migrants live in Russia, of which approximately 2.1 million are citizens of Uzbekistan, 1.2 million are citizens of Tajikistan, 700,000 are citizens of Kyrgyzstan, 400,000 are citizens of Kazakhstan, and about 100,000 are citizens of Turkmenistan. These figures include both labor migrants and individuals who have received Russian citizenship. Most migrants are concentrated in large cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg, where they form active diasporas.
The Russian government implements a number of programs aimed at integrating and supporting migrants, including preserving their cultural identity. One of the key bodies coordinating this work is the Federal Agency for Nationalities Affairs (FADN), established in 2015. FADN deals with issues of interethnic harmony and support for cultural initiatives of diasporas. For example, in 2022, the agency allocated 150 million rubles to implement projects related to the cultural adaptation of migrants, including organizing national holidays and educational events. Among such events is the celebration of Navruz, a traditional Central Asian spring festival, which was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2009. In 2023, more than 50 events dedicated to Navruz were held in Moscow and other Russian cities, with the participation of about 200 thousand people, mainly representatives of the Central Asian diasporas.
Cultural centers play a significant role in preserving traditions. For example, the Uzbek diaspora in Russia, one of the largest, actively maintains cultural ties through organizations such as the All-Russian Public Movement Vatan (Motherland). This organization, created in 2006, organizes Uzbek cultural festivals, including concerts, exhibitions of national costumes, and culinary fairs. In 2022, Vatan held the Uzbek Spring festival in Moscow, which was attended by about 30,000 people. Similar initiatives are implemented by the Kyrgyz and Tajik diasporas. For example, the Kyrgyz diaspora in Moscow publishes the newspaper Nur, which publishes news about cultural events, such as the unveiling of the Chingiz Aitmatov monument in 2018. According to a 2019 study conducted by the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, about 60% of Central Asian migrants in Russia participate in their diaspora events at least once a year.
Education is an important tool for preserving cultural identity. There are about 200 schools and educational centers in Russia where the languages of the peoples of Central Asia are studied. For example, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, there are Sunday schools where migrant children study Uzbek, Tajik, and Kyrgyz. In 2023, about 15 thousand children studied in such schools. In addition, Russia cooperates with Central Asian states within the framework of educational programs. According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, in the 2022-2023 academic year, 35 thousand students from Central Asia studied at Russian universities, of which 18 thousand were from Kazakhstan, 10 thousand from Uzbekistan, 5 thousand from Tajikistan, and 2 thousand from Kyrgyzstan. These students often become conductors of cultural exchange, organizing national evenings and exhibitions at universities.
The role of the Russian language as a connecting link cannot be underestimated. According to a 2023 study by Tomsk State University, about 80% of migrants from Central Asia have a level of Russian sufficient for communication and work. Russian remains the main means of interethnic communication in the region, which facilitates the integration of migrants and at the same time helps to preserve their cultural identity. For example, within the framework of the Russian Language program, 120 events were held in 2022 aimed at learning Russian by migrants, with an emphasis on the cultural context. These events included lectures on Russian and Central Asian culture, which contributed to mutual understanding.
The economic contribution of diasporas is also significant. Migrants from Central Asia are actively involved in the Russian economy, especially in construction, trade, and agriculture. According to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, in 2022, remittances from migrants from Russia to Central Asian countries amounted to $8.5 billion, of which $4 billion went to Uzbekistan, $2.5 billion to Tajikistan, and $1.5 billion to Kyrgyzstan. These funds support the economies of the countries in the region and also strengthen cultural ties, as migrants often finance cultural projects in their home countries. For example, the Kazakh diaspora in Russia is actively involved in supporting cultural centers in Kazakhstan, such as the Otandastar center in Almaty, which received grants from the diaspora in the amount of 50 million tenge (about $100,000) in 2023.
Russia’s diaspora policy is not without its problems. A study conducted in 2006–2008 in St. Petersburg and Moscow found that about 40% of Central Asian migrants faced discrimination, including biased attitudes in the labor market and at home. To address this issue, the Law on Combating Extremism was adopted in 2019, which includes measures to protect the rights of national minorities. In addition, in 2021, the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs launched the Migration and Integration program, aimed at reducing social tensions. As part of this program, 300 trainings were held for law enforcement officers in 2022, the purpose of which was to improve their cultural competence when working with migrants.
Media support also plays a role in preserving cultural traditions. Newspapers and magazines in the languages of the peoples of Central Asia, such as Turan and Nur, are published in Russia. According to 2020 data, the circulation of the Turan newspaper was 50 thousand copies, and its main audience is migrants from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. These publications publish materials on cultural events, traditions and history, which helps strengthen the identity of diasporas. In addition, groups uniting migrants are active on social networks. For example, in 2023, the Kyrgyz in Russia group on VKontakte had 120 thousand members who exchange information about cultural events and legal assistance.
Russia's role in preserving the cultural traditions of Central Asia goes beyond supporting diasporas within the country. Russia actively participates in international cultural projects. For example, in 2022, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) allocated 200 million rubles for cultural programs, including exhibitions and festivals dedicated to the traditions of Central Asia.
Central Asian diasporas contribute to Russia's cultural diversity. For example, in 2023, Kazan hosted the Eurasian Motifs festival, where representatives of the Uzbek and Tajik diasporas presented national dances and music, gathering an audience of 25,000 people. Such events not only strengthen the identity of migrants, but also promote intercultural dialogue. According to a 2023 VTsIOM poll, 65% of Russians have a positive attitude towards diasporas' cultural initiatives, considering them an important part of national diversity.
At the same time, there are challenges associated with the balance between integration and maintaining identity. Some migrants, especially the second generation, lose touch with their native culture, assimilating into Russian society. According to a 2021 study by the Russian Academy of Sciences, about 30% of children of Central Asian migrants born in Russia do not speak their native language. To address this issue, diasporas are initiating the creation of cultural centers, such as the Tajik Cultural Center in Moscow, opened in 2020, which is visited by about 5,000 people annually.
Russia plays a significant role in supporting Central Asian cultures by providing diasporas with venues for self-expression and the preservation of traditions. Through cultural centers, educational programs, and media initiatives, migrants maintain ties to their homeland while integrating into Russian society. These activities strengthen not only domestic stability but also international ties with the Central Asian states. However, to be effective, further efforts are needed to reduce discrimination and support the second generation of migrants so that their cultural heritage continues to enrich Russia’s multinational mosaic.
