The history of Andijan goes back almost 2,000 years, with its location in the heart of the Fergana Valley on the border with Kzyrgyzstan making the city a strategic intersection of trade routes, with deep historic routes to the Silk Road. Andijan is also an important city in religious terms, but Andijan was unfortunately razed by a major earthquake in the early 20th century, and very little remains of the city's past glory.
However, the greatest tragedy that is still a topic of conversation took place in May, 2005, when government forces opened fire on a demonstration against corruption that was taking place. The result was indisputably a bloodbath, with estimates of up to 1,000 deaths. I therefore found that, during my brief stay in Andijan, the atmosphere was still highly tense, and this could make an extended stay quite uncomfortable.
The history of Andijan goes back almost 2,000 years, with its location in the heart of the Fergana Valley on the border with Kzyrgyzstan making the city a strategic intersection of trade routes, with deep historic routes to the Silk Road. Andijan is also an important city in religious terms, but Andijan was unfortunately razed by a major earthquake in the early 20th century, and very little remains of the city's past glory.
However, the greatest tragedy that is still a topic of conversation took place in May, 2005, when government forces opened fire on a demonstration against corruption that was taking place. The result was indisputably a bloodbath, with estimates of up to 1,000 deaths. I therefore found that, during my brief stay in Andijan, the atmosphere was still highly tense, and this could make an extended stay quite uncomfortable.