Future? Now!

Diplomatic relations have linked Germany and the Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for 30 years. But what has happened culturally during this time? How do young artists from these countries deal with their own traditions, their own history and processes of change? And what prospects do they see for themselves and their homeland in the future?

Particularly in politically and socially difficult times, platforms are needed that enable people to get to know each other in a respectful way, with an awareness of similarities – but also differences. At FUTURE NOW, young artists address the traditions of their home countries in a forward-looking way and enter into a dialogue with young German artists. Yesterday, today and tomorrow are viewed realistically and sustainably and the possibilities of a common future are negotiated.

Sounds, transitions, futures

The histories and cultures of Central Asia share a very close relationship with nature, and many traditions have their origins in the world of natural elements. The regions of Central Asia are also affected by the current global climatic changes, which have an indirect impact on the cultural practices and customs of the countries.

What does nature sound like? Together, young musicians from the five Central Asian countries and Germany will explore the question of how wood, air, fire, earth, metal and water sound in their musical traditions and present the results at the opening concert of FUTURE NOW on 12 November at the Berlin Philharmonic (Chamber Music Hall). A central component of FUTURE NOW is the musical academy, in which the young musicians can rely on the expert support of Mathias Hinke, composer and pedagogue, who has been part of the artistic management duo of the Young Euro Classic youth orchestra festival since 2024.

Six trios – one from each Central Asian state and one from Germany – come together to compose the transitions between traditional and contemporary works from their homeland, all inspired by the elements of nature. The Kazakh musical tradition of Kuy, contemporary works by young Tajik composers, the sounds of Kyrgyz national instruments and other surprising elements merge into an impressive musical symbiosis. Cultural idiosyncrasies and subtleties are revealed and serve as the basis for a broader exchange across music.

Of teenage conflicts, matches and white ships

From childhood to youth, from the countryside to the metropolis, from myth to reality – in the five films shown as part of FUTURE NOW, young filmmakers also capture transitions of various kinds through their lens. What all the films have in common is that they present and comment on the cultural subtleties and peculiarities of their respective country. Stylistically, they cover a wide range – from moving coming-of-age stories to fictionalised historical epics.

On the Edge (Kazakhstan) shows the entanglements of several young people who grow up in the same city but in different circumstances. In Istarin Inslisce (Turkmenistan), a teacher literally immerses himself and his class in the world of the poet Mahtumkuli Firakis, in which 18th-century stories and history intermingle. Shambala (Kyrgyzstan) also deals with the blending of reality and fiction. The seven-year-old protagonist grows up with the legends and myths of his homeland in the mountains, which are disregarded as meaningless by the adult characters.  The Tajik film Fortune shows the friendship between Kahhor and Mannon, which ultimately breaks down due to the difficult and seemingly hopeless conditions under Soviet occupation.  Sunday from Uzbekistan tells the story of an old couple who are left behind by the modern world and whose way of life will be lost in the future.

Discover the programme