Tajikistan: The Ancient Center of Civilization with Dr. Nina Wieda

As a hub of the Silk Road, Tajikistan welcomed merchants and travelers from as far away as China, India, and the Mediterranean. They brought material treasures, as well as cultural influences and ideas, making Tajikistan a cultural hub that rivaled and surpassed contemporary Europe. Tajikistan is the birth place of Rumi - America's favorite, and best-selling poet. Many other celebrated authors and philosophers of the era lived in its cities and created their immortal works there. Tajikistan is also home to the main stretch of the legendary Pamir Highway, a millennia-old road traversing the Pamir mountains and one of the world's most celebrated road trip destinations. Today, Tajikistan's Persian-speaking population lives in predominantly traditional ways, offering a time-travel opportunity to its visitors.

Led by an expert on the post-Soviet space, Nina Wieda, this course illuminates Tajikistan's rich history and present-day life. Designed to inspire curiosity and future travels, participants will come away with an increased fascination for Tajikistan and an understanding of its unique cultural and political landscape.