Joanna Lillis
@joannalillis.bsky.social
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)
Pinned
Joanna Lillis
@joannalillis.bsky.social
· Mar 18
Coming soon: my new book! Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in #Uzbekistan delves into the politics, economics, history and culture, through my 24 years of experience living in/reporting from/travelling there. Pre-order from Bloomsbury, Amazon or bookshops www.bloomsbury.com/uk/silk-mira...
A pleasure to talk about Silk Mirage just out with @bloomsburypol.bsky.social - to Ibrat Safo at last night's lively event hosted by @pushkinhouselondon @greatbritainrussiasociety
November 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM
A pleasure to talk about Silk Mirage just out with @bloomsburypol.bsky.social - to Ibrat Safo at last night's lively event hosted by @pushkinhouselondon @greatbritainrussiasociety
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
I rewarded myself to a Xmas treat. Who else is interested in Central Asia (those countries squeezed in between Ruzzia and China?
I was intrigued by her first book ion Kazakhstan. So this this one is a must. Thanx @joannalillis.bsky.social
Price in Germany 25,-Euro
I was intrigued by her first book ion Kazakhstan. So this this one is a must. Thanx @joannalillis.bsky.social
Price in Germany 25,-Euro
November 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I rewarded myself to a Xmas treat. Who else is interested in Central Asia (those countries squeezed in between Ruzzia and China?
I was intrigued by her first book ion Kazakhstan. So this this one is a must. Thanx @joannalillis.bsky.social
Price in Germany 25,-Euro
I was intrigued by her first book ion Kazakhstan. So this this one is a must. Thanx @joannalillis.bsky.social
Price in Germany 25,-Euro
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
"An unflinching yet humane portrait of a nation still wrestling with its ghosts."
#SilkMirage by @joannalillis.bsky.social is out now!
👉📘 bit.ly/49sAAFA
#SilkMirage by @joannalillis.bsky.social is out now!
👉📘 bit.ly/49sAAFA
Today in the ARB: Joshua Bird reviews “Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan” by Joanna Lillis @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social asianreviewofbooks.com/silk-mirage-...
November 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
"An unflinching yet humane portrait of a nation still wrestling with its ghosts."
#SilkMirage by @joannalillis.bsky.social is out now!
👉📘 bit.ly/49sAAFA
#SilkMirage by @joannalillis.bsky.social is out now!
👉📘 bit.ly/49sAAFA
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
Thoroughly enjoyed the talk between Joanna Lillis and Ibrat Safo in London last night, and look forward to reading Lillis' Silk Mirage. Tashkent has changed a lot since my first visit in 1996.
Tashkent's modernist buildings are being preserved for posterity but Samarkand + Bukhara, jewels in the crown of Uzbekistan's tourist trail, are scarred by destruction of their architectural heritage - read all about it on Substack + in my book Silk Mirage open.substack.com/pub/joannali...
The March of Modernism
Tashkent's once threatened modernist architectural heritage is being preserved for posterity – but elsewhere in Uzbekistan, controversial demolitions are the price of progress.
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Thoroughly enjoyed the talk between Joanna Lillis and Ibrat Safo in London last night, and look forward to reading Lillis' Silk Mirage. Tashkent has changed a lot since my first visit in 1996.
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
I think it is incontrovertible now that everything in Bishkek that pre-dates independence is slated for demolition and then redevelopment
they’ve now drained and flattened the quite pleasant water-features next to the tsum shopping centre in Central Bishkek
they’ve now drained and flattened the quite pleasant water-features next to the tsum shopping centre in Central Bishkek
November 19, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I think it is incontrovertible now that everything in Bishkek that pre-dates independence is slated for demolition and then redevelopment
they’ve now drained and flattened the quite pleasant water-features next to the tsum shopping centre in Central Bishkek
they’ve now drained and flattened the quite pleasant water-features next to the tsum shopping centre in Central Bishkek
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
Bakr, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most popular rappers, was just banned entry to Russia where he was about to go on tour. He’s a huge star in Kyrgyzstan and beloved by the Kyrgyz diaspora in Russia. No explanation was provided, but his tour is postponed. Most of his tracks are in Kyrgyz, not very political
November 19, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Bakr, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most popular rappers, was just banned entry to Russia where he was about to go on tour. He’s a huge star in Kyrgyzstan and beloved by the Kyrgyz diaspora in Russia. No explanation was provided, but his tour is postponed. Most of his tracks are in Kyrgyz, not very political
Coming up later today: a talk about Silk Mirage and all things #Uzbekistan - sold out in person but please join us online for this event
November 18, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Coming up later today: a talk about Silk Mirage and all things #Uzbekistan - sold out in person but please join us online for this event
A look by The Economist at #China's export of security and policing techniques and surveillance tech with my contribution from #Kazakhstan, with interviews with activist Sanzhar Bokayev and digital rights expert Dana Malikova
www.economist.com/internationa...
www.economist.com/internationa...
China’s creepiest export surge
Countries are queuing to buy the tools and techniques of the CCP’s security state
www.economist.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:54 AM
A look by The Economist at #China's export of security and policing techniques and surveillance tech with my contribution from #Kazakhstan, with interviews with activist Sanzhar Bokayev and digital rights expert Dana Malikova
www.economist.com/internationa...
www.economist.com/internationa...
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
This is essential reading for those navigating #Uzbekistan in the post Karimov era. Great to see so many references to the work of @uzbekforum.bsky.social and colleagues at @hrw.org and @cottoncampaign.bsky.social. Congratulations, @joannalillis.bsky.social ! 👏🏼
Join me for Silk Mirage launch events in London, Oxford and online
November 17, 2025 at 3:42 PM
This is essential reading for those navigating #Uzbekistan in the post Karimov era. Great to see so many references to the work of @uzbekforum.bsky.social and colleagues at @hrw.org and @cottoncampaign.bsky.social. Congratulations, @joannalillis.bsky.social ! 👏🏼
Join me for Silk Mirage launch events in London, Oxford and online
November 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Join me for Silk Mirage launch events in London, Oxford and online
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
Join us next week for this Politics and Sociology seminar with author @joannalillis.bsky.social to hear about her new book 'Silk Mirage' @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social.
🗓️ 27 November at 5pm
📍 UCL SSEES
➡️ www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanit...
🗓️ 27 November at 5pm
📍 UCL SSEES
➡️ www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanit...
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Join us next week for this Politics and Sociology seminar with author @joannalillis.bsky.social to hear about her new book 'Silk Mirage' @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social.
🗓️ 27 November at 5pm
📍 UCL SSEES
➡️ www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanit...
🗓️ 27 November at 5pm
📍 UCL SSEES
➡️ www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanit...
Silk Mirage, my newly-published book on #Uzbekistan, reviewed by @jonathancampion.com in The Times of Central Asia: "clear-eyed and meticulously researched" and an "absolutely fearless book" timesca.com/new-book-rev...
New Book Review: ‘Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan’ by Joanna Lillis - The Times Of Central Asia
“Vibrant” and “brutal” are words that British journalist Joanna Lillis uses to describe Uzbekistan in her new book Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in
timesca.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Silk Mirage, my newly-published book on #Uzbekistan, reviewed by @jonathancampion.com in The Times of Central Asia: "clear-eyed and meticulously researched" and an "absolutely fearless book" timesca.com/new-book-rev...
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
My @timesca.com review of @joannalillis.bsky.social new book 'SILK MIRAGE: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan' (@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social) – a fearless, meticulous account of life in Uzbekistan this century:
timesca.com/new-book-rev...
timesca.com/new-book-rev...
New Book Review: ‘Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan’ by Joanna Lillis - The Times Of Central Asia
“Vibrant” and “brutal” are words that British journalist Joanna Lillis uses to describe Uzbekistan in her new book Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in
timesca.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:30 AM
My @timesca.com review of @joannalillis.bsky.social new book 'SILK MIRAGE: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan' (@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social) – a fearless, meticulous account of life in Uzbekistan this century:
timesca.com/new-book-rev...
timesca.com/new-book-rev...
A pleasure to talk to Peter Leonard about my newly-published book Silk Mirage at the brilliant Clifton LitFest
November 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM
A pleasure to talk to Peter Leonard about my newly-published book Silk Mirage at the brilliant Clifton LitFest
Gearing up to talk about Silk Mirage at Clifton LitFest with @peterleonard1.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Gearing up to talk about Silk Mirage at Clifton LitFest with @peterleonard1.bsky.social
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
Check out our #nonfiction books and authors that are hot this week!
📚💙 bit.ly/4jM73YT
@joannalillis.bsky.social #NewBooks #Bookworm #BookCommunity
📚💙 bit.ly/4jM73YT
@joannalillis.bsky.social #NewBooks #Bookworm #BookCommunity
November 14, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Check out our #nonfiction books and authors that are hot this week!
📚💙 bit.ly/4jM73YT
@joannalillis.bsky.social #NewBooks #Bookworm #BookCommunity
📚💙 bit.ly/4jM73YT
@joannalillis.bsky.social #NewBooks #Bookworm #BookCommunity
Tashkent's modernist buildings are being preserved for posterity but Samarkand + Bukhara, jewels in the crown of Uzbekistan's tourist trail, are scarred by destruction of their architectural heritage - read all about it on Substack + in my book Silk Mirage open.substack.com/pub/joannali...
The March of Modernism
Tashkent's once threatened modernist architectural heritage is being preserved for posterity – but elsewhere in Uzbekistan, controversial demolitions are the price of progress.
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Tashkent's modernist buildings are being preserved for posterity but Samarkand + Bukhara, jewels in the crown of Uzbekistan's tourist trail, are scarred by destruction of their architectural heritage - read all about it on Substack + in my book Silk Mirage open.substack.com/pub/joannali...
Tashkent's modernist buildings are being preserved for posterity but Samarkand + Bukhara, jewels in the crown of Uzbekistan's tourist trail, are scarred by destruction of their architectural heritage - read all about it on Substack + in my book Silk Mirage open.substack.com/pub/joannali...
The March of Modernism
Tashkent's once threatened modernist architectural heritage is being preserved for posterity – but elsewhere in Uzbekistan, controversial demolitions are the price of progress.
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Tashkent's modernist buildings are being preserved for posterity but Samarkand + Bukhara, jewels in the crown of Uzbekistan's tourist trail, are scarred by destruction of their architectural heritage - read all about it on Substack + in my book Silk Mirage open.substack.com/pub/joannali...
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
Silk Mirage is out today! I talked to @thediplomat.com, which writes that the stories of #Uzbekistan – "are woven together beautifully in Joanna Lillis’s new book" - read all about it! thediplomat.com/2025/11/uzbe...
Uzbekistan: A Silk Mirage
An interview with Joanna Lillis on the contrasts between “new” and “old” Uzbekistan.
thediplomat.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Silk Mirage is out today! I talked to @thediplomat.com, which writes that the stories of #Uzbekistan – "are woven together beautifully in Joanna Lillis’s new book" - read all about it! thediplomat.com/2025/11/uzbe...
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
Silk Mirage is a "compelling and deeply reported account of a nation in flux", writes the Asian Review of Books.
Out today with @bloomsburypol.bsky.social
asianreviewofbooks.com/silk-mirage-...
Out today with @bloomsburypol.bsky.social
asianreviewofbooks.com/silk-mirage-...
“Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan” by Joanna Lillis
Silk Mirage is veteran Central Asia correspondent Joanna Lillis’s compelling and deeply reported account of a nation in flux—one emerging from decades of suffocating authoritarianism yet still stru…
asianreviewofbooks.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Silk Mirage is a "compelling and deeply reported account of a nation in flux", writes the Asian Review of Books.
Out today with @bloomsburypol.bsky.social
asianreviewofbooks.com/silk-mirage-...
Out today with @bloomsburypol.bsky.social
asianreviewofbooks.com/silk-mirage-...
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
Silk Mirage in Forbes: "the first comprehensive English-language account of [Uzbekistan's] journey from Soviet satellite to post-dictatorship reformer—charting the optimism, contradictions and backsliding that have defined the rule of current president Mirziyoyev" www.forbes.com/sites/daniel...
Joanna Lillis On Seeing Uzbekistan Through The Looking Glass
As Kazakhstan-based journalist Joanna Lillis—who reports for outlets including The Economist—publishes her new book, Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan
www.forbes.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Silk Mirage in Forbes: "the first comprehensive English-language account of [Uzbekistan's] journey from Soviet satellite to post-dictatorship reformer—charting the optimism, contradictions and backsliding that have defined the rule of current president Mirziyoyev" www.forbes.com/sites/daniel...
Silk Mirage spotted in the wild! Excited to be in Bristol for Clifton LitFest - in illustrious company!
November 14, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Silk Mirage spotted in the wild! Excited to be in Bristol for Clifton LitFest - in illustrious company!
Excited to be in Bristol for @cliftonlitfest - in illustrious company!
November 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Excited to be in Bristol for @cliftonlitfest - in illustrious company!
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
President Japarov just came out with a public statement condemning the harsh crackdown on restaurants and cafes. Says officials have been to “ardent” in their efforts. Only night clubs and wedding halls should be closed.
Part of the ruling tandem’s good cop/bad cop routine
Part of the ruling tandem’s good cop/bad cop routine
Bishkek and Osh are now effectively under a nighttime curfew in an effort to save electricity amidst an energy crisis. An Instagram influencer got detained and questioned by Kyrgyz security services for publicly criticizing the draconian measures. Dark times ahead, both figuratively and literally
November 14, 2025 at 10:11 AM
President Japarov just came out with a public statement condemning the harsh crackdown on restaurants and cafes. Says officials have been to “ardent” in their efforts. Only night clubs and wedding halls should be closed.
Part of the ruling tandem’s good cop/bad cop routine
Part of the ruling tandem’s good cop/bad cop routine
Reposted by Joanna Lillis
Happy publication day to our author @joannalillis.bsky.social 🥳
Get your copy of #SilkMirage now wherever books are sold!
#Uzbekistan
Get your copy of #SilkMirage now wherever books are sold!
#Uzbekistan
November 13, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Happy publication day to our author @joannalillis.bsky.social 🥳
Get your copy of #SilkMirage now wherever books are sold!
#Uzbekistan
Get your copy of #SilkMirage now wherever books are sold!
#Uzbekistan