DUSHANBE, August 22, 2012, Asia-Plus – Celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the city of Khorog, the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), which had previously been scheduled for July 21-22, has been postponed until September 6-7, GBAO governor Qosim Qodir told Asia-Plus in an interview.
Asked whether President Emomali Rahmon will attend the celebrations or not, Mr. Qodir said that it was still unknown.
The city of Khorog is the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province. Khorog became the capital of Gorno Badakhshan in 1925 following the fall of czarist Russia and the rise of the Soviet Union. It has a population of some 28,000 people. Khorog is situated 2,200 meters above sea level in the Pamir Mountains at the confluence of the Ghund and Panj rivers. The two rivers merge in the eastern part of the city flow through the city, dividing it almost evenly until its delta in the Panj River on the border with Afghanistan. Khorog is known for its beautiful poplar trees that dominate the flora of the city.
Modern Khorog is one of the poorest areas of Tajikistan, with the charitable organization Aga Khan Foundation providing almost the only source of cash income. However, the city does have its own university (Khorog State University), founded in 1992, twelve schools, and several hospitals. There is a museum and the second highest botanical garden in the world.
Khorog is also host to one of three campuses of the University of Central Asia (UCA). The University was founded in 2000 by the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and His Highness the Aga Khan. It is the world’s first internationally chartered institution of higher education. The UCA currently operates a School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE), with a School of Undergraduate Studies and a Graduate School of Development in the process of being established.
