Priority projects in culture and the arts presented

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on projects and initiatives aimed at developing culture and the arts, preserving national heritage, and promoting it widely on the international stage.

First, plans were considered to showcase Uzbekistan’s archaeological and scientific heritage, as well as works of applied art, at leading museums and exhibition venues abroad.

In particular, the exhibition “Uzbekistan: Heritage in Motion” is scheduled to open at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha in September 2026, while the international archaeological exhibition “Global Antiquity”, featuring unique artifacts from Uzbekistan, will open at the Prada Foundation in Milan in November 2026. In 2027, more than 200 archaeological objects spanning the country’s history from the Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages will be displayed at Palazzo Grimani in Venice and at the Nara National Museum in Japan. More than 150 exhibits, including examples of gold embroidery, suzani, ikat, jewelry, and works of applied art, will be presented at Palazzo Reale in Milan.

Plans were also presented to hold an exhibition in Florence dedicated to the life and scientific legacy of Abu Ali ibn Sina, as well as to implement joint projects with leading cultural institutions in Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.

Particular attention was paid to the restoration of cultural heritage sites. A branch of the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan is planned to be established in the Palace of Grand Duke Nikolai Romanov. The historic appearance of the complex will be preserved, and a permanent exhibition of about 300 items will be created.

At the Mukhtar Ashrafi House Museum, the building’s facade and historic interiors are being restored, and the exhibition is being renewed. The museum will be equipped with modern engineering, security, and climate-control systems, as well as multimedia equipment and a recording studio.

During the presentation, the results and upcoming plans for staging the opera Tamerlano at renowned venues around the world were discussed.

This year, the production was presented at Dubai Opera, Vienna’s Musikverein, the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, and the Royal Opera of the Palace of Versailles. In Stefano Poda’s production, George Frideric Handel’s music was performed in Kirill Richter’s interpretation, featuring Uzbek national musical instruments. The project brought together the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, a choir, an orchestra of folk instruments, and renowned soloists.

In March 2027, the opera Tamerlano is scheduled to be staged at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York. This will provide an opportunity to showcase the high potential of Uzbek opera and the national performance school to international audiences.

It was also considered establishing a unified system to coordinate major concerts, festivals, competitions, and exhibitions. A proposal was made to create a National Operator for Cultural Projects under the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, based on the Directorate of International Festivals under the Ministry of Culture.

The National Operator is tasked with organizing major international events, promoting them abroad, commissioning concerts with renowned performers, and preparing for the Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival.

On June 8 this year, a concert featuring renowned singer John Legend took place at Registan Square in Samarkand. Upcoming performances by acclaimed pianist Lang Lang are scheduled for August and September at the Great Wall of China in Beijing and at Registan Square, respectively. In October, composer Max Richter will perform at the Palace of International Forums “Uzbekistan” in Tashkent.

Uzbekistan’s participation in major international cultural events in Venice and Milan this year was also showcased.

At the 61st Venice Art Biennale, Uzbekistan showcases the national pavilion with the project “The Aural Sea”. This initiative examines the Aral Sea and Karakalpakstan through the lens of memory, myths, and stories. To date, the pavilion has attracted over 60,000 visitors.

As part of the Biennale, a solo exhibition by Uzbek artist Vyacheslav Akhunov, titled “Instruments of the Mind”, has been held at Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti. It displays over 200 works from the 1970s to the present, drawing more than 12,000 visitors from over 30 countries.

The national pavilion “When Apricots Bloom”, showcased at Milan Design Week 2026, displays collaborative pieces by 12 global designers and 12 artisans from Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan. The pavilion earned a special jury mention at the Fuorisalone Award 2026. It attracted over 18,000 visitors, and the project garnered an international media reach of 171 million.

The planned events and projects for the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation in 2026-2027 were also reviewed.

The Aral Cultural Summit is scheduled to take place in Nukus from September 11 to 13, where experts in culture, science, architecture, design, and environmental protection will convene to address issues concerning the sustainable development of the Aral Sea region. Additionally, the new season of the international Aral School program, focusing on the climate and landscape of the Aral Sea basin, is set to start in January 2027.

As part of efforts to renew the repertoire of the Alisher Navoi State Academic Grand Theatre of Uzbekistan, plans were reviewed for new productions of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot and Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker. Leading Uzbek and international directors, conductors, choreographers, and stage production specialists are expected to be involved in these projects.

As part of the 2027 Bukhara Biennale, cultural heritage sites are planned for restoration, historic areas and public spaces for improvement, and exhibition venues for preparation. More than 50 international artists and designers, as well as over 300 representatives of the country’s creative industries, will take part in the Biennale.

Additionally, proposals included participating in Milan Design Week and Art Basel, hosting the “Art for Tomorrow” international conference, forming collaborations with Qatar Museums in crafts and design, and establishing an art residency in partnership with an international jewelry school in Bukhara.

The Head of State instructed officials to prepare the projects carefully, ensure strict quality control of restoration work, harmonize national content with modern approaches, and enhance the practical effectiveness of international cultural cooperation.