Almaty-based journalist reporting on Central Asia, author of Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan (2019) and Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan (out in November 2025)https://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mlvkbhzlfc27Looking forward to presenting Silk Mirage at Exeter University next week on Wednesday 20 May at 1400 UK time/1800 in #Uzbekistan - join us in person or tune in online at this link https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/354582007168654?p=fprlHZuUL65Zj4yzHR15 May 2026 14:30 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvkbhzlfc27https://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mlvit4lt622iFour weeks to go before the literary event of the summer - the inaugural Lake District Book Festival! I'll be talking to Nicholas Wood of Political Tours about Silk Mirage + all things Uzbekistan, + more great events. Get your tickets here events.lakedistrictbookfestival.co.uk/.../214634215 May 2026 14:04 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvit4lt622ihttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mlq4pydb322p“Much of what Joanna uncovered across two decades in Uzbekistan is explored in her new book - a remarkable portrait of power, performance, fear and everyday life behind the façade.” Check out a deep dive into Silk Mirage on Substack by a popular travel writer https://withoutmaps.substack.com/p/through-the-looking-glass?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=701713&post_id=196982803&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=awgla&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email13 May 2026 10:45 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlq4pydb322phttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mlq4y4kplk2pComing up soon: The Lake District Book Festival, where I'll be talking about Silk Mirage and #Uzbekistan with Nicholas Wood of Political Tours. Get your tickets here - and check out all the other fantastic events going on too https://events.lakedistrictbookfestival.co.uk/events/thelakedistrictbookfestival/214634213 May 2026 10:49 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlq4y4kplk2phttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mlq4pydb322p“Much of what Joanna uncovered across two decades in Uzbekistan is explored in her new book - a remarkable portrait of power, performance, fear and everyday life behind the façade.” Check out a deep dive into Silk Mirage on Substack by a popular travel writer https://withoutmaps.substack.com/p/through-the-looking-glass?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=701713&post_id=196982803&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=awgla&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email13 May 2026 10:45 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlq4pydb322phttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mlptsyt7wk2iIt’s 21 years today since security forces massacred protesters in #Andijan - what really happened, and why has #Uzbekistan still not faced up to this bloodsoaked past? Read my latest on Substack, and for more read my book, Silk Mirage https://open.substack.com/pub/joannalillis/p/the-uprising-that-rocked-uzbekistan?r=awgla&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true13 May 2026 08:05 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlptsyt7wk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mlb2cpb6n22kThe new political party positioning itself to run in #Kazakhstan's parliamentary election in August has been headed up by the man who was President Tokayev's chief of staff the day before yesterday. No prizes for guessing that it's not opposition https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/aybek-dadebay-vozglavil-novuyu-partiyu-adlet-598745/07 May 2026 10:51 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlb2cpb6n22khttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mks7vblzks2sSix weeks to go! Join us at the Lake District Book Festival in June, where I'll talk about Silk Mirage + #Uzbekistan with Nicholas Wood + lots more brilliant events! Tickets here https://events.lakedistrictbookfestival.co.uk/events/thelakedistrictbookfestival/214634201 May 2026 13:21 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mks7vblzks2shttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mks7vblzks2sSix weeks to go! Join us at the Lake District Book Festival in June, where I'll talk about Silk Mirage + #Uzbekistan with Nicholas Wood + lots more brilliant events! Tickets here https://events.lakedistrictbookfestival.co.uk/events/thelakedistrictbookfestival/214634201 May 2026 13:21 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mks7vblzks2shttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mkhutsgims2pGulnara Karimova on trial in absentia in #Switzerland on money-laundering charges. Read more about the dizzy rise + precipitious fall of late president Islam Karimov's daughter, now in prison in #Uzbekistan on corruption charges, in my book Silk Mirage https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/swiss-money-laundering-trial-uzbekistans-karimova-lombard/27 Apr 2026 10:37 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkhutsgims2phttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mk65cltr3c2yFive years in prison in #Kazakhstan for a peaceful anti-China protest for Guldariya Sherizat (pictured), whose husband is in prison in #China, and 10 others. My piece is out in this week's Economist - read online or buy in shops from Friday. https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/04/23/an-anti-china-protest-lands-kazakhs-in-prison23 Apr 2026 13:42 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk65cltr3c2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mk65cltr3c2yFive years in prison in #Kazakhstan for a peaceful anti-China protest for Guldariya Sherizat (pictured), whose husband is in prison in #China, and 10 others. My piece is out in this week's Economist - read online or buy in shops from Friday. https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/04/23/an-anti-china-protest-lands-kazakhs-in-prison23 Apr 2026 13:42 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk65cltr3c2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mk5pyg3crc2cIt's World Book Day today - a great day to pick up a copy of Silk Mirage, my portrait of the politics, economics, history and culture of modern-day #Uzbekistan23 Apr 2026 09:43 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk5pyg3crc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mk5fv5plvs25It's World Book Day today - the perfect day to pick up tickets for The Lake District Book Festival! Join us in June to talk about my book Silk Mirage with Political Tours + many more great events. https://events.lakedistrictbookfestival.co.uk/events/thelakedistrictbookfestival/214634223 Apr 2026 06:43 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk5fv5plvs25https://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mk5cdk3f6s2lIt's World Book Day today - celebrate by reading one of my books! #SilkMirage #DarkShadows #Uzbekistan #Kazakhstan #CentralAsia23 Apr 2026 05:39 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk5cdk3f6s2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mk3fs7wfks2fSome of Tashkent's best known restaurants - Palove Muzeyi, Caravan - up for sale as owner complains that investment risks and attitudes towards private property make doing business tough in #Uzbekistan https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2026/04/22/timur-musin/22 Apr 2026 11:36 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3fs7wfks2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mk3fhekmic2jBrother of Karakalpak activist-in-exile jailed in #Karakalpakstan for 7 days on charges of breaching public order. Separately Karakalpak lawyer + journalist Dauletmurat Tajimuratov faces extension to his 16 year jail sentence on undisclosed charges #Uzbekistan https://www.azattyqasia.org/a/33736179.html22 Apr 2026 11:30 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3fhekmic2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mk3crbymmc2hPlease join us in June at the inaugural Lake District Book Festival, where I'll be in conversation about my book Silk Mirage and #Uzbekistan with former NYT correspondent Nicholas Wood of @politicaltours. Tickets here https://events.lakedistrictbookfestival.co.uk/events/thelakedistrictbookfestival/214634222 Apr 2026 10:42 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3crbymmc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mk3brqe2lk2hIf you missed it, tune into my interview with the Wayfinder travel podcast, where we talk about what makes #Uzbekistan in general and #Samarkand in particular such fantastic places to visit. And read my book Silk Mirage to get a taste for more! https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-wayfinder-life-changing-t-303344067/episode/samarkand-uzbekistan-where-strangers-become-wedding-330164330/22 Apr 2026 10:24 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3brqe2lk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mjmlrcrohs26The sights, sounds and sensations of Samarkand make it an incredible place to visit, as I found out on my first trip in 2001. I took a deep dive into the city with the Wayfinder travel podcast - tune in, it will make you want to go, or go back! #Uzbekistan https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/samarkand-uzbekistan-where-strangers-become-wedding/id1849139692?i=100076128871216 Apr 2026 14:13 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjmlrcrohs26https://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mjh43fysxk2pJailing of anti-#China protesters in #Kazakhstan: "Peaceful protest, even when perceived as politically sensitive or provocative, should not be treated as a criminal offence” - @iphr.bsky.social https://iphronline.org/articles/kazakhstan-convictions-of-atajurt-activists-reflect-misuse-of-criminal-law-to-silence-dissent/14 Apr 2026 09:49 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjh43fysxk2phttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mjh3pwtbmc2pMore details about harsh sentencing of anti-#China proters in #Kazakhstan: Guldariya Sherizat (below, whose husband is in prison in China) + Gulnar Shaymurat have 5-year custodial sentences, but deferred because of under-age children. 11 people will serve prison time over this political protest. [contains quote post or other embedded content]14 Apr 2026 09:42 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjh3pwtbmc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mjgmebf2qc2hGreat reviews of Silk Mirage in the press down under: "will whet your appetite" for #Uzbekistan https://nbr.co.nz/book-review/uzbekistans-silk-road-is-paved-with-gold/, "an uncompromising view of Uzbekistan" https://www.queenslandreviewerscollective.com/2026/03/13/silk-mirage-by-joanna-lillis/ https://www.nbr.co.nz/book-review/uzbekistans-silk-road-is-paved-with-gold/14 Apr 2026 05:07 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjgmebf2qc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mjfcdn5jnk2jHarsh sentences handed down in trial of anti-#China protesters in #Kazakhstan: nine #Xinjiang-born Kazakhs jailed for 5 years, 10 (including Guldariya Sherizat, pictured, whose husband is detained in China) get non-custodial sentences https://www.azattyq.org/a/33731140.html?fbclid=IwdGRjcARJ9bxjbGNrBEn0zmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHo9_pk4tQBX3QoC1J6LwdrF9cqAvsaRDQZb3RE6yh4H3pFUOlOECzF0p7NBN_aem_UIWf-msn09EBuWZqVOIIgw13 Apr 2026 16:35 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjfcdn5jnk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mje5pce4ac2vTwo journeys and two versions of #Uzbekistan - as presidential daughter and chief of staff Saida Mirziyoyeva courts Mar-a-Lago, political prisoner Dauletmurat Tajimuratov faces a massive prison term extension - @peterleonard1.bsky.social on his Havli Substack https://havli.substack.com/p/uzbekistans-double-act-sunny-abroad?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2446111&post_id=193883550&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=awgla&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email13 Apr 2026 05:40 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mje5pce4ac2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mj5b5fbtcs2hPrison term extensions were commonly used against political prisoners in #Uzbekistan under Karimov. Now jailed Karakalpak activist Dauletmurat Tajimuratov is on trial on a charge that could see 10 years added to his 16-year term. Background @eurasianet.bsky.social http://eurasianet.org/uzbekistan-karakalpakstan-trial-ends-with-heavy-sentence-for-accused-ringleader10 Apr 2026 11:53 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj5b5fbtcs2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mixhq4yk4c2iJoin me at the Lake District Book Festival on 13 June in conversation about Silk Mirage, my book on #Uzbekistan, with former NYT correspondent Nicholas Wood. Tickets here, using code PB2026 https://events.lakedistrictbookfestival.co.uk/events/thelakedistrictbookfestival/214634208 Apr 2026 04:34 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mixhq4yk4c2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mizzvibi6k2yTrial of anti-#China protesters in #Kazakhstan about to finish, prosecutors requested five-year prison sentences for some of 19 Kazakhs on trial, non-custodial sentences for others. Background in my @eurasianet.bsky.social story, including interview with a defendant https://eurasianet.org/kazakhstan-anti-china-demonstrators-face-long-prison-terms-after-fiery-protest09 Apr 2026 05:05 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mizzvibi6k2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannalillis.bsky.social/post/3mixhrtwptc2iJoin me at the Lake District Book Festival on 13 June in conversation about Silk Mirage, my book on #Uzbekistan, with former NYT correspondent Nicholas Wood. Tickets here, using code PB2026 https://events.lakedistrictbookfestival.co.uk/events/thelakedistrictbookfestival/214634208 Apr 2026 04:35 +0000at://did:plc:ftc6vavurj3aaqsj76umtnt7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mixhrtwptc2i