Cultural Heritage - The Times Of Central Asia

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Cultural Heritage

Bukhara Demolitions Resurface as Developer Faces Financial Trouble

Concerns over demolition works linked to the “Eternal Bukhara” tourism project have resurfaced following renewed questions directed at Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage Agency, as the project’s main developer faces financial difficulties. In 2024, The Times of Central Asia reported that construction of the large-scale tourism complex near the historic center of Bukhara had drawn criticism from local residents and UNESCO. The project, located in the buffer zone surrounding the ancient city, was seen as a potential threat to the integrity of one of Central Asia’s most significant cultural sites. According to Uzbek outlet Uzdiplomat, the issue was raised again during a recent briefing, where journalists questioned officials about the consequences of last year’s demolitions. The project’s main investor, Enter Engineering, has since encountered financial problems and is reportedly selling assets to repay debts to banks, the government, and employees. While construction has slowed, concerns remain over the damage already caused to the cultural environment. The demolitions carried out in 2024 sparked strong reactions from the public, architects, and international organizations. Several buildings, including administrative and social facilities in central Bukhara, were reportedly demolished as part of preparations for the tourism complex. At the time, international heritage group Alerte Héritage called for a halt to the process, arguing that it could contradict global preservation commitments. Responding to questions, a representative of the Cultural Heritage Agency said the works were conducted outside UNESCO’s core protected area and instead took place in the buffer zone. According to the agency, all required documentation, including a master plan and impact assessments, was submitted, and UNESCO was informed of the process. Officials also addressed criticism over the demolition of buildings that, while not officially listed as cultural heritage, were considered by some to have historical value. Deputy head of the agency Tursunali Kuziyev said the agency can only intervene in cases involving officially registered heritage sites. He added that granting such status requires a formal scientific review and legal procedure. Questions about whether the agency could take a broader stance in defense of the public interest were met with similar responses. Officials reiterated that decisions regarding non-listed buildings fall under the authority of local governments and urban planning bodies.

Obituary

Olimjon Toshkenboyev, Uzbek Tightrope Master and Cultural Figure, Dies

Olimjon Toshkenboyev, an acrobat from a family dynasty of performers who promoted the Uzbekistani tightrope walking art known as dorbozlik, has died at the age of 81. In a condolence message to Toshkenboyev’s family, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Culture said he was “a famous representative of Uzbek circus art” who made big contributions to national heritage and was a mentor to many students. “Under his leadership, the ‘Uzbekistan Dorbozlari’ group successfully showcased their art in many foreign countries, including Poland, Germany, Egypt, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, and others,” the ministry said on Telegram on March 28. Toshkenboyev, whose son and daughter participated in dorbozlik programs, was also the director of Uzbekistan’s state circus association. The Tashkent circus is housed in a landmark Soviet-era building that some observers have compared to a flying saucer. Dorbozlik has a storied history in Uzbekistan. Some accounts say ropewalkers participated in shows in the palace of Amir Temur, the 14th-century Central Asian conqueror who is also known as Tamerlane. “Dorbozes skillfully demonstrated their stunts (running back and forth; jumping; walking with knives and trays tied to their legs; dancing on one or paired ropes blindfolded and with a sack on their heads, etc.) by holding langar (a balancer or long balancing pole) on a rope, which was installed at the height of 25-30 m,” says a website listing Uzbekistan’s “intangible cultural heritage.” Ropewalkers' performances were combined with those of strongmen, illusionists, dancers, comedians and musicians, according to the account. As the folk art evolved, performances moved from fairgrounds and market squares to indoor circuses, wire replaced ropes, metallic poles replaced wooden ones, and safety belts were introduced. At a UNESCO meeting in Namibia in 2015, a committee noted that boys and men were the traditional practitioners of ropewalking in Uzbekistan, and girls were increasingly getting involved. It said there were more than 40 ropewalking troupes in Uzbekistan and that skills were transmitted from generation to generation within families. However, the committee did not accept Uzbekistan’s proposal that the art be included on the U.N. cultural agency’s list of intangible cultural heritage. It raised concerns about the danger, particularly to children, of ropewalking, as well as questions about the originality of the art, since other countries have similar types of performance.

Nauryz

How Nauryz Was Celebrated in Astana: Traditions, Sports, and the Spirit of Spring

Spring in Astana traditionally begins with one of the country’s most beloved holidays, Nauryz. In 2026, citywide celebrations once again brought together thousands of residents and visitors to open-air venues, where ancient traditions, national games, crafts, and family activities combined to create a vibrant festive atmosphere. In recent years, Nauryz has also taken on a broader role in Kazakhstan’s public life, reflecting efforts to reinforce national identity and cultural continuity in a rapidly modernizing society. In Astana, where public space and national imagery are carefully curated, the holiday takes on a particularly structured and representative form. This year, the city’s central squares were transformed into a large ethno-village. Traditional yurts were set up throughout the area, decorated with national carpets, ornaments, and objects reflecting nomadic culture. Inside, visitors could explore elements of the traditional Kazakh way of life. Wooden tableware, textiles with ornamental patterns, fur decorations, and historical weapons created a strong sense of cultural heritage. The air carried the sounds of traditional music and the smell of freshly prepared dishes, adding to the immersive atmosphere. Craft exhibitions attracted particular attention. Artists and artisans presented paintings and decorative panels inspired by Kazakh ornaments and steppe symbolism. Bright compositions, created using techniques ranging from textured painting to decorative ceramics, showed how these patterns continue to find expression in contemporary art. [caption id="attachment_45761" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Image: TCA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_45762" align="aligncenter" width="2365"] Image: TCA[/caption] Traditional games are an integral part of Nauryz. One of the most notable competitions was asyk atu, an ancient Kazakh game in which players use skill and precision to knock down asyks (sheep knucklebones) from a distance. Spectators gathered around the playing area, watching the precise throws of experienced participants. Strength contests were also a major draw. On stages and sports grounds, athletes demonstrated their power and endurance in kettlebell lifting, attracting large crowds. Such competitions have long symbolized the resilience and physical strength associated with steppe traditions. As Nauryz is a family-centered holiday, special attention was given to activities for children. In designated play zones, young visitors could learn about folk customs, take part in workshops, and try on national costumes, alongside more modern раstimes, including digital games and interactive exhibits. Many residents attended with their extended families. Across the festival grounds, elderly people in traditional headwear, parents with children, and groups of young people gathered together, creating a sense of unity tied to the arrival of spring. [caption id="attachment_45763" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Image: TCA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_45764" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Image: TCA[/caption] Nauryz celebrations in Astana in 2026 showed that the holiday is more than a date on the calendar. It remains a marker of renewal and continuity, with traditions passed down through generations still visible in the modern capital, where people of different ages and backgrounds come together to celebrate. In Astana, Nauryz continues to evolve without losing its core meaning, balancing carefully staged tradition with everyday participation. In a city defined by its future-facing architecture, the holiday offers a reminder that renewal is rooted as much in continuity...

Tourism

New Rail Tour Launched Across Silk Road Routes in Central Asia

Rail tourism is gaining traction in Central Asia, offering travelers a slower yet more immersive way to experience the region’s historic Silk Road cities. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have recently expanded their joint Jibek Joly tourist train route to include Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, an initiative that further strengthens regional railway tourism. A new high-end offering has now entered the market. British operator Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has launched The Grand Silk Road, a 22-day luxury rail journey traversing key cultural and historical landmarks along the ancient Silk Road corridor. Spanning approximately 3,862 kilometers, the route begins in Beijing and concludes in Tashkent. It passes through northwest China and four Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Notable stops include Almaty, Bishkek, Lake Issyk-Kul, Dushanbe, and Uzbekistan’s major heritage cities, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Kokand, and Nukus. The inaugural departure is scheduled for September 21 to October 12, 2026. The route is expected to increase high-end tourism to Central Asia. Due to the absence of a direct railway link between China and Kyrgyzstan, a segment of the journey, between Kashgar and Almaty, will be completed by air. Kyrgyzstan’s existing rail network connects to Kazakhstan, extending to Bishkek and Balykchi, near Lake Issyk-Kul. Meanwhile, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are advancing the construction of a new cross-border railway that will directly link the three countries. Once operational, the line is expected to facilitate both freight transit and tourism, providing a critical new artery for regional connectivity.

Gilded Vessel

Seventeenth-Century Gilded Vessel Joins Permanent Exhibition at Uzbekistan’s Islamic Civilization Center

A rare gilded decorative vessel dating to the seventeenth century has been added to the permanent exhibition of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, the Center announced. Acquired from the British auction house Christie’s at the initiative of the president, the artifact is being presented to the public for the first time in Tashkent. According to the Islamic Civilization Center, the vessel is notable for its refined form, gold-leaf ornamentation, and exceptional craftsmanship, offering insight into the aesthetic sensibilities of its time. Experts describe it as a rare luxury object intended for elite or courtly use, rather than for everyday function. Rustam Jabborov, Scientific Secretary of the Center, said the vessel is approximately 400 years old and features a carefully balanced design. “The object has a spherical body with cylindrical workmanship. The lower section is adorned with a braided floral ornamental band, while five blooming yellow lotus flowers are arranged above it in a circular pattern to create compositional unity,” Jabborov explained. He noted that the surface of the vessel was polished and gilded, with gold-leaf decorations that have retained their artistic appeal over centuries. “The gilding enhances both the sense of splendor and the impression of antiquity. The yellow lotus flower, used as the central decorative motif, adds both symbolic and aesthetic meaning to the overall composition,” he said. According to Jabborov, the manufacturing technique, ornamental style, and state of preservation all attest to the object’s historical significance. The Islamic Civilization Center stated that the inclusion of the vessel in its exhibition reinforces its status as a rare cultural artifact recognized at the international level. In February last year, the Center announced plans to host an international exhibition in Tashkent featuring Uzbek cultural masterpieces housed in Italian museums and private collections. The event is scheduled to coincide with the opening of the Center for Islamic Civilization. As part of those preparations, a delegation led by the Center’s director, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, visited Italy, where they held talks with museum representatives and private collectors who expressed support for the project. Elmira Gul, scientific coordinator of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of the World project, noted that collections of Uzbek artifacts in Italian museums have already been documented in published volumes, reflecting the global reach of Uzbekistan’s cultural legacy.

Archaeology

Chinese Uzbek Archaeologists Uncover Ancient City Walls at Kuva Silk Road Site

A team of Chinese and Uzbek archaeologists has uncovered a well-preserved section of city walls at the ancient settlement of Kuva in eastern Uzbekistan, dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 10th century CE, according to a report published by Xinhua. The discovery was made by the joint Luoyang-Ferghana archaeological expedition. Researchers say the find offers critical physical evidence for understanding the historical development of a Silk Road city and the enduring cultural exchange between East and West. The team also hailed the excavation as a key achievement of international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Located in the Ferghana Valley, a historic hub along the ancient Silk Road, the ruins of Kuva cover an area of approximately 110,000 square meters. Xinhua noted that the valley has maintained close ties with China for over 2,000 years. Preliminary findings indicate that the city’s fortifications were rebuilt multiple times and remained in use across several historical eras from the Parthian Kingdom and the states of Dayuan and Sogdiana to the Samanid dynasty. Liu Bin, head of the Chinese delegation to the joint expedition, said the evolving construction techniques used in the walls provide valuable insights into the architectural practices, building materials, and cultural influences of different periods. He added that such features help trace the diffusion of cultural traditions along major trade routes. The Luoyang-Ferghana team was established in 2023 as a collaboration between the Luoyang Archaeological Institute in China’s Henan Province and Ferghana State University in Uzbekistan. Since then, archaeologists have identified palaces, city gates, fortifications, residential structures, streets, and craft workshops at the site. Liu Bin noted that systematic excavations of the palace areas are planned for next year, which will further clarify the city’s layout and functional zones. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, similar Chinese-Uzbek archaeological partnerships are underway in Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Ferghana, and Khorezm. These projects have led to discoveries of ancient settlements, urban infrastructure, and even an Iron Age city-state, underscoring the growing scope of bilateral archaeological cooperation in Uzbekistan.