Toimastov Sur'at

Photographer Toimastov Sur'at was born in Dushanbe on April, 19, 1961. His mother was a teacher of music and his father a policeman.

He was educated at Tajik State University (1978 - 1983) with a degree in biology (zoologist).

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Tajik civil war he worked at the Tajik Academy of Science (Institute of zoology, Conservation Department), and later for the Forestry Ministry (National Department of Hunting and National Wildlife Protected Reserves).

He left Tajikistan in 1993 during the civil war and lived in Almaty (Kazakhstan) for 8 years. He worked for different companies and organizations mostly involved in the travel industry (Asia Tourism Ltd, manager). He also worked as a photographer.

Returning to Dushanbe in 2001, he organized a private business, the travel adventure agency, Pamir Adventure.

His other interestes include Cooking, Hunting (guiding with Pamir Marco Polo Sheep safaris since 1992), Mountaineering (guiding with 16 years experience leading more than 100 expeditions and travel trips in the area of Pamir & Tien-Shan Mountains). He was a member of the Tajik National Youth Basketball Team (1976-1978) and captain of the Tajik State University Basketball Team (1979 - 1983). He speaks fluent Russian, Persian (Tajik), English and Shughnani (a Pamiri dialect). He is married with 2 sons (ages 17 and 14).

Sur'at started in photography in 1975 and has particiapted in some international contests (2nd place In Eco-Expo 2000, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Prize For Excellence in ACCU Contest, Tokyo 2001; and others). He has exhibited in Dushanbe.