Things have been disturbing in Kyrgyzstan lately. After the forced ousting of president Bakiyev, which did a lot of damage to the capital Bishkek, the Kyrgyz and Oezbeks in the south of the country were engulfed in heavy ethnic clashes. Living along a Soviet imposed border, tensions have been high for decades. Up until today nobody's really sure what or who fueled the terrible riots in the south of this stunning mountainous country. The sad results: over two thousand people killed.

Since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, politically things have been difficult in Kyrgyzstan. But the riots in the summer of 2010 were the ugliest so far. On Freedom Square the black building in the background is a silent but visible witness of recent eruptions. Still, people have returned to the square to enjoy their sunny saturday afternoon. Taking photos of the kids running around, playing with the water and being treated to cotton candy.

The square also is a very popular place for wedding photos. During my time here I've seen many couples come and go. They still choose Freedom Square to immortalise their love for one another. Even though the background is scarred. Life goes on.