Uzbekistan is making bold moves to establish itself on the global contemporary art scene with two major cultural initiatives that showcase the Central Asian nation's ambitious plans to build a new economy centered on arts and culture. The country's Art and Culture Development Foundation has launched both the inaugural Bukhara Biennial and announced plans for a groundbreaking Center for Contemporary Arts, marking a significant turning point for the region's cultural landscape.

The first Bukhara Biennial officially opened on September 5th under the theme "Recipe for Broken Hearts," beginning a 10-week cultural journey in the historic city of Bukhara, which once served as a thriving center of exchange, scholarship, and pilgrimage along the ancient Silk Road. The biennial represents a major milestone for both the city and the country as a whole, placing Bukhara on the global contemporary cultural map for the first time while creating opportunities to reconnect with the international community.

"The Bukhara Biennial is a significant legacy-building milestone for the city of Bukhara and Uzbekistan more widely, with the city's first placement on the global contemporary cultural map and a moment to reconnect with the rest of the world," said Gayane Umerova, commissioner of the Bukhara Biennial and chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation.

Under the artistic vision of Diana Campbell, the biennial has created an innovative platform that weaves together diverse cultural elements from around the world. The exhibition brings together international and local artists through collaborative partnerships, resulting in over 70 unique works involving more than 200 participants from 39 different countries. Rather than simply displaying contemporary art alongside historic architecture, the biennial integrates these works directly into Bukhara's UNESCO World Heritage landmarks across a 500-meter area that has been newly restored by architect Wael Al Awar.

The artistic installations demonstrate remarkable creativity in their integration with historic sites. "Cut From the Same Cloth" (2024-2025), created by Aziza Kadyri of Uzbekistan and England in collaboration with Yulduz Mukhiddinova of Uzbekistan, exemplifies this innovative approach. Another striking installation, "Salt Carried by the Wind" (2024-2025), was created by Indian artist Subodh Gupta using tableware designed by Uzbek artist Baxtiyor Nazirov, constructed with mass-produced enamelware commonly found in Uzbek homes.

This particular installation responds directly to its architectural setting next to Magoki Attori, the oldest standing mosque in Central Asia. The work goes beyond traditional art display by incorporating live performance, with Gupta cooking and serving food in the pavilion, transforming the act of cooking into a performative ritual that engages visitors in a multisensory experience.

"We already have too many galleries and white cubes in the world," Campbell explained to reporters while showcasing the site and artwork. Campbell, who is best known as the founding artistic director of the Dhaka Art Summit in Bangladesh from 2013 to 2023 and has served as artistic director of the Samdani Art Foundation, brings extensive experience in creating culturally significant exhibitions.

"'Recipes for Broken Hearts' has been about so much more than making artworks or making an exhibition; it is an attempt to heal from preconditioned, painful and often outdated ways that we were told to think about art in hierarchical terms. We turned to collaboration as a tool to work together to dismantle these outdated frameworks and build new ones through our contributions to the inaugural Bukhara Biennial," Campbell explained.

While Bukhara establishes itself as a biennial destination, the capital city of Tashkent is simultaneously working to build permanent infrastructure for contemporary art. The Center for Contemporary Arts, which represents the first permanent center for contemporary art in all of Central Asia, launched its artist residency program last year for both Uzbek and international artists, designers, and researchers. The five-person cohort for 2025 began their residencies this month, marking another significant step in the country's cultural development.

Under the leadership of artistic director and chief curator Sara Raza, the center is preparing for its full public opening in March 2026 with an inaugural exhibition titled "Hikmah," which means "wisdom" in Uzbek. The exhibition will feature an impressive roster of international artists including Korea's Kimsooja, Ali Cherri, Nadia Kaabi-linke, Nari Ward, Muhannad Shono, and Tarik Kiswanson, alongside prominent Uzbek and Karakalpak artists such as Shokhrukh Rakhimov, Vladimir Pan, Daribay Saipov, and Bakhtiyar Saipov.

"Even though efforts to foster a contemporary art scene on the global stage seem relatively new, Uzbekistan has a full, rich cultural legacy – from film and architecture to craft traditions," Raza explained during an interview at the Namuna and Khast Imom artist residencies on September 4th. "Architecture and culture are so synonymous with Uzbekistan. Uzbek artists have been practicing in their homes and private studios for a long time, and this creates a more centralized support system for networking and imagination – it really supports that."

The driving force behind these ambitious cultural initiatives is the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, which facilitates international collaborations, historical restorations, and comprehensive cultural programming designed to strengthen the country's cultural ecosystem and drive its creative economy forward. The foundation's work represents a systematic approach to cultural development that extends far beyond individual events or exhibitions.

Umerova, the foundation's chairperson, serves as a central figure in shaping Uzbekistan's evolving cultural landscape, working closely with Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the presidential administration and the eldest daughter of Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This high-level political support demonstrates the government's commitment to cultural development as a national priority.

"Uzbekistan is a young nation with more than half of its people under 30. For us, it is essential to nurture the interests of our youth in art and culture. Their energy, their ideas and their creativity will shape the country we hand to the future," Mirziyoyeva declared during her speech at the opening ceremony of the Bukhara Biennial on September 5th, highlighting the demographic imperative driving these cultural investments.

The Bukhara Biennial will continue through November 20th, providing an extended opportunity for visitors to experience this groundbreaking integration of contemporary art with historic architecture. Together with the upcoming Center for Contemporary Arts in Tashkent, these initiatives position Uzbekistan as an emerging cultural destination that honors its rich historical heritage while embracing contemporary artistic expression and international collaboration.