Uzbekistan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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Art and Culture

Life After the Water: Uzbekistan Brings the Aral Sea Story to Milan

Uzbekistan made its debut at Milan Design Week 2026 on April 20, with When Apricots Blossom, an immersive exhibition at Palazzo Citterio exploring how craft and design can respond to environmental crisis. Running through April 26, the project is organized by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), commissioned by its chairperson, Gayane Umerova, and curated by Kulapat Yantrasast, founder of WHY Architecture. It marks the country’s first major presentation at one of the world’s leading design platforms. At the center of the project is Karakalpakstan, a region in northwestern Uzbekistan that has experienced one of the world’s most severe environmental crises. Over the past six decades, the shrinking of the Aral Sea has transformed the area’s landscape, economy, and way of life. Once a vast inland body of water, the sea has largely disappeared, leaving behind desert, salt plains, and struggling communities. [caption id="attachment_47478" align="aligncenter" width="926"] The Garden Pavilion at Palazzo Citterio, indicative render: Lightweight latticed framework ‘deconstructed yurt’ by Kulapat Yantrasast. When Apricots Blossom, Milan Design Week 2026. Courtesy of ACDF and WHY Architecture[/caption] When Apricots Blossom traces this transformation while also looking ahead. “The Aral Sea is both a cautionary tale and an opportunity to offer a blueprint for other regions facing extreme environmental change,” Umerova said ahead of the opening. She emphasized that design and craft are not separate from these challenges, but part of the response. “They begin with people and knowledge.” Inside Palazzo Citterio, the exhibition unfolds as a journey through the region’s past, present, and possible futures. The main gallery features an installation of reed-like structures that evoke the landscapes of Karakalpakstan. Within this setting, visitors encounter objects and ideas connecting everyday life with broader environmental questions. A key focus is on three traditional practices: bread-making, yurt-building, and textile crafts. These are presented not as relics of the past, but as systems of knowledge shaped by generations of adaptation. [caption id="attachment_47534" align="aligncenter" width="8192"] Bethan Laura Wood at Palazzo Citterio - When Apricots Blossom - commissioned by ACDF. Image courtesy of ACDF[/caption] Twelve international designers have worked with Uzbek and Karakalpak artisans to create new pieces inspired by these traditions. Among them are custom bread trays and stamps (chekich), reflecting the central role of bread in Uzbek culture. Made from materials such as wood, felt, ceramics, and reeds, the works reinterpret familiar forms while remaining rooted in local techniques. Alongside these contemporary designs are artifacts selected by participants of the Aral School, an international postgraduate program that treats the region as a site for creative and critical exploration. The exhibition also premieres Where the Water Ends, a new film by filmmaker Manuel Correa and architect Marina Otero Verzier, offering a closer look at landscapes and communities shaped by the Aral Sea’s decline. [caption id="attachment_47480" align="aligncenter" width="976"] The main gallery interior, indicative render: Reed-link forms by WHY Architecture. When Apricots Blossom - Milan Design Week 2026. Courtesy of ACDF and WHY Architecture[/caption] Together, these elements form a broader narrative about how people adapt to...

TCA Interviews

How Young Professionals from Central Asia Are Building Global Careers

Beyond opportunity, a new generation of Central Asians is learning how to compete, adapt, and fit into global work environments. “I felt like I would understand what real work is much faster by living in the U.S.,” Ruzana Ileuova says. Many people view building a career abroad as an opportunity. However, for Central Asian professionals, it also entails constantly adapting to new identities and expectations. While logging in to work every day from a location that feels both familiar and unfamiliar, Ruzana learns to trust her abilities and adapt to unspoken expectations. She says that pressure increases when working remotely, as it requires a high level of self-discipline. “I always feel like I have to do more to prove myself,” she says. Despite strong language skills and academic preparation, she describes an ongoing sense of self-doubt, particularly in high-performance environments. “Even the language barrier still gives me imposter syndrome,” she adds. “And I’m the youngest on my team.” Her narrative highlights a crucial aspect of this generation: success overseas requires constant negotiation of confidence, identity, and location, in addition to opportunity. Reinventing the Path For others, the path to an international career begins not with a plan, but with chance. Originally from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Aman Arykbaev did not imagine a global career. His journey began when he was unexpectedly selected for the green card lottery. “I used to think the green card was not a real thing until I saw that I was selected,” he says. His early years were characterized by uncertainty, as he arrived in the United States with little money and no guidance. “I worked almost two years installing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. At that time, my English was very weak,” Arykbaev recalls. After attending a six-month IT boot camp, he was able to enter a new field and land his first tech job in a matter of weeks. “I had several interview stages, and by the end of the week, I got an offer.” Arykbaev, who is currently a senior quality engineer, exemplifies a characteristic of this generation: the ability to change course. Careers are now rebuilt, sometimes from the ground up, rather than fixed. Breaking Into Global Systems The route was more regimented, but no less difficult, for Aldiyar Bekturganov, an Amazon software engineer. He followed a well-known path of internships, networking, and applications after relocating to the U.S. for college. However, the process was anything but easy. “I failed my first interview completely,” he says. That setback accelerated his learning curve. Even after landing a job, entering the workforce was not without its challenges. The shift from university to professional life, he explains, was immediate. “You suddenly realize the work actually matters,” he says. “If something is delayed, people are waiting on you.” Unlike academic settings, where mistakes are part of the process, professional environments demand results that affect teams and timelines. While Bekturganov represents a more traditional corporate trajectory, Dameli Bozzhanova offers a contrasting perspective shaped by entrepreneurship and flexibility. Working in...

Aral Sea

1853 Map of the Aral Sea Published in the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society

An 1853 map of the Aral Sea, published in the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, depicts the vast inland water body at a time when it was near its historical peak. The engraving, created by German cartographer August Petermann, was based on findings from a scientific expedition conducted in 1848-1849, according to historical materials referenced in the project. The expedition, led by Russian naval officer Alexey Butakov, produced one of the first detailed studies of the Aral Sea. Researchers measured its depth, mapped its coastline, and documented its islands, providing a comprehensive picture of a body of water that would later become a symbol of environmental degradation. Although widely referred to as a sea, the Aral is in fact a lake. In the 20th century, it ranked as the world’s fourth-largest lake. Scientific evidence suggests it formed around 17,600 years ago as a result of glacial melt. Initially freshwater, it became increasingly saline over time, while its water levels fluctuated over centuries. From the 1960s, however, the lake began to shrink rapidly. Large-scale irrigation projects diverted water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, primarily for cotton cultivation. Over the following decades, the Aral Sea lost more than 90% of its volume, transforming much of the region into desert and salt plains, and severely disrupting ecosystems and local livelihoods. In 1989, the lake split into two separate bodies. The southern part, largely located in Uzbekistan, has almost completely dried up, forming the Aralkum Desert. The northern section has shown some stabilisation, supported in part by infrastructure such as the Kokaral Dam. This transformation, and its historical context, will be explored in Uzbekistan’s cultural exhibition When Apricots Blossom, which draws on archival materials and contemporary interpretation. The exhibition takes its name from a poem by Hamid Olimjon, written in the 1930s, symbolising hope and renewal. According to organisers, the project will combine history, art, and environmental reflection to present the story of the Aral Sea to an international audience. The exhibition will run from April 20 to 26, at Palazzo Citterio in Milan’s Brera district as part of Milan Design Week.

World Nomad Games

Horses, Eagles, and Fire: The Steppe Awakens as the 2026 World Nomad Games Return to Kyrgyzstan

On the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, where mountains drop sharply into the water, and horses and cars are found in almost equal measure, Kyrgyzstan will host the World Nomad Games 2026 from August 31 to September 6, with The Times of Central Asia reporting from the ground. Since their launch in 2014, the Games have grown well beyond their origins, drawing competitors and audiences from across the world. This year’s emblem, the snow leopard, captures that idea with unusual precision. It has been adopted as the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan in recent years and has long been central to the country’s conservation diplomacy, including its role in establishing October 23 as International Snow Leopard Day. Presented as a representation of strength, clarity, and endurance, it reflects both the terrain and the mindset that fortifies the event. [caption id="attachment_46882" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games[/caption] The Games have expanded beyond the region, but are now returning home again. Kyrgyzstan hosted the first three editions before they went to Turkey in 2022 and Kazakhstan in 2024. Their homecoming now carries greater international weight, reinforced by UNESCO’s support, recognizing their role in preserving intangible cultural heritage. This year’s experience is mostly set in the Issyk-Kul region, around three hours from Bishkek, where the mountainous landscape will form the backdrop to the lakeside venues. The opening and closing ceremonies are scheduled to take place in the capital’s Bishkek Arena. In Cholpon Ata, the hippodrome will host horse racing and Kok Boru, while the nearby sports complex stages wrestling competitions. The Rukh Ordo Cultural Center brings together strength events and traditional tournaments alongside parts of the cultural program. In Kyrchyn, the Ethno Village will become the core of the experience, where archery, falconry, crafts, performances, and food sit within a setting that reflects nomadic life. [caption id="attachment_46886" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Kok Boru at the Bishkek Hippodrome, 2014; image: Stephen M. Bland[/caption] Forty-plus sports disciplines will be spread across competitive and demonstrative formats, with more than 100 medals at stake. Kok Boru is fast and unforgiving, played on horseback as riders grapple over what was traditionally a headless goat carcass (now a synthetic dummy or serke), surging and colliding before hurling it into the opponent’s goal. [caption id="attachment_46885" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games[/caption] Horseback archery demands precision under movement, with riders standing in the stirrups or twisting at full gallop to fire arrows at distant targets. Eagle hunting illustrates a partnership between human and bird refined over generations, as trained golden eagles launch from the arm to track and strike prey across open ground. [caption id="attachment_46887" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Woman with a bird of prey, World Nomad Games, Astana, 2024; image: Stephen M. Bland[/caption] Wrestling styles such as Alysh and Kurash emphasize balance and control rather than brute force, with fighters gripping belts and using timing, leverage, and footwork to unbalance their opponent. The Times of Central Asia spoke with the International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games to...

Chess

Chess: Sindarov Wins Candidates Contest, Will Face World Champion

Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan has won the eight-player FIDE Candidates Tournament, earning the opportunity to challenge world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India later this year. Sindarov drew a game against Anish Giri at the tournament venue in Cyprus on Tuesday, “and with one round remaining, Sindarov holds a commanding two-point lead over the rest of the field,” said FIDE, the international governing body of chess. On the women’s side, Bibisara Asaubayeva of Kazakhstan defeated Ukrainian Anna Muzychuk on Tuesday to move into a tie for first place with India’s R. Vaishali. The women’s final round on Wednesday “will determine whether there will be an outright winner or a tiebreak will be required,” FIDE said. “Up to six of the eight players still have a theoretical chance to win the event.” Sindarov, who won the 2025 World Cup in Goa, India, was one of Uzbekistan’s youngest national champions in history, achieving that goal at the age of 13. He is now 20 years old. Magnus Carlsen of Norway currently doesn’t play in the candidates tournament format even though he is the top-ranked classical chess player in the world.

Islamic Civilization Center

Uzbekistan’s Islamic Civilization Center Enters Guinness World Records as Largest Museum

The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan has been officially recognized as the world’s largest museum dedicated to Islamic civilization, receiving a Guinness World Records title on April 13. The recognition was confirmed by Guinness World Records adjudicator Şeyda Subaşı Gemici, who attended the ceremony alongside project architects, designers, and members of the Center’s Scientific Council. The award followed a detailed verification process. The recognition comes as Uzbekistan continues to invest in large-scale cultural infrastructure as part of a broader effort to present its historical narrative and reshape its international image. “As an official Guinness World Records adjudicator, I can state that every corner of the museum and every exhibit possesses its own uniqueness and cultural value,” Gemici said. “The evaluation process strictly followed established procedures… every exhibit was recorded and verified by specialists in Islamic archaeology, art, and science.” She added that the scale and depth of the project left a strong impression, describing it as “an outstanding achievement” and, in Guinness terminology, “Officially Amazing.” The Center is a large-scale scientific, educational, and museum complex initiated in 2017 under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and completed on March 17, 2026. It was conceived as a platform combining research, cultural heritage, and modern technologies, aimed at showcasing the history and contributions of Islamic civilization. The project reflects a wider policy under Mirziyoyev of positioning Uzbekistan not only as a historical center of Islamic scholarship but as a modern platform for its study and interpretation. Chief architect, Abdukakhor Turdiev, said the project reflects Uzbekistan’s historical and cultural legacy. “The uniqueness of the Center lies in the fact that its architecture reflects the rich culture and heritage of Uzbekistan,” he said, adding that the country is increasingly positioning itself as an active participant in global cultural dialogue. Across Central Asia, governments have increasingly used large cultural projects to reinforce national identity and attract international attention, but Uzbekistan has placed particular emphasis on linking heritage with scholarship and global engagement. According to officials, the complex has quickly become one of the most visited cultural sites in the region, receiving up to 5,000 visitors daily, including both locals and international tourists. That scale suggests the Center is intended not only as a museum, but as a flagship institution shaping how both domestic and international audiences understand the region’s intellectual and cultural history. Director Firdavs Abdukhalikov described the award as recognition of years of work by hundreds of specialists. He said the Center’s primary goal is to support scientific and educational projects while preserving and promoting Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage. Beyond its record-setting size, the Center reflects Uzbekistan’s broader effort to reclaim and reinterpret its place in the history of Islamic civilization. By combining scholarship, state backing, and public accessibility, it positions cultural heritage as both a foundation of national identity and a tool of international engagement.