The two-day Samarkand Auto Fest 2026 is taking place in the tourist center of Samarkand. The event attracts participants from various countries who are showcasing their vehicles.
According to a Sputnik Uzbekistan correspondent, within the framework of Samarkand Auto Fest 2026, an exhibition of modern and retro cars, tuning demonstrations, and a drift show are being held in Samarkand. The festival started on July 18 and continues on July 19.
The event is organized on the territory of the Silk Road Samarkand tourist center. Over 400 cars of various models and years have been gathered at the festival. Among the visitors and participants are car enthusiasts from countries such as Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Guests are invited to view the exhibition of modern, retro, and tuned cars. The program includes shows dedicated to car sounds, as well as a drift show involving 80 cars.
The Iranian Academy of Arts is organizing an online exhibition featuring selected works by Akmal Nuriddinov, a prominent Uzbek artist who also serves as the President of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan.
More than 27 of Nuriddinov's works will be presented on the website of the Iranian Academy of Arts. This virtual exposition aims to strengthen cultural and artistic diplomacy, introduce the public to contemporary Uzbek art, and reinforce scientific, research, and artistic interaction between the two countries, while expanding cultural ties with Central Asian states.
According to IRNA, showcasing the work of one of Uzbekistan's leading contemporary artists lays the foundation for mutual recognition of artistic abilities, exchange of experience, and establishing connections between artists and researchers from both nations. The program is designed to foster sustainable cooperation, mutual presentation of Iranian and Uzbek masters, and create a platform for displaying Iranian art in Central Asian countries and regional art in Iran, thereby deepening cultural relations and elevating the status of art in regional engagement.
Akmal Nuriddinov, aged 67, is considered one of Uzbekistan's most renowned artists. He graduated from the Republican Art School named after P. Benkov in 1978 and the Tashkent State Institute of Arts named after M. Ugur in 1984, beginning his career in the top art studios of Tashkent. In 1997, Akmal Nuri became an academician and active member of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, and in 2003, he was awarded the title of People's Artist of Uzbekistan.
Regarding his artistic approach, the artist notes that his art is formed at the boundary between the visible and the hidden, between the material reality of the human body and its inner, spiritual experience. He emphasizes that he is more concerned with revealing states that go beyond form and outward appearance—such as silence, passion, love, loneliness, memory, and the human striving for the Absolute—rather than simply depicting the external world. According to the painter, his works are rooted in a dialogue with the philosophical and cultural heritage of the East, especially the Sufi understanding of love, serving as a path to self-knowledge.
The tenth edition of the International Arbaeen Theatre Festival will feature a wide range of live performances along the pilgrimage route, emphasizing the significance of art as a spiritual and cultural service.
This was announced during a press conference held at the Arts Bureau in Tehran on Monday. Attendees included festival secretary Kurosh Zarei, executive secretary Seyed Mostafa Motorchi, and members of the press.
Kurosh Zarei stated his commitment to improving the quality of the annual event. He reported that out of numerous applications received from various Iranian cities, 13 theatrical works were selected. These pieces cover different genres, including Tazieh (Iranian passion play), Nakkali (traditional narration), street theatre, and puppet theatre.
The performances are scheduled to be shown at ten key points along the Arbaeen walking route, as well as in the cities of Najaf and Karbala from July 25 to August 5. Furthermore, the festival will deploy a mobile Mukeb to deliver theatrical performances directly to pilgrims.
Zarei noted a significant change in institutional support this year: for the first time, the General Directorate of Performing Arts of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance is participating. The Cultural and Artistic Organization of the Tehran Municipality has also joined as a partner.
A notable feature of the festival is the cultural oath taken by the participating artists. Zarei clarified that all creative groups agreed to participate without receiving payment, viewing their presence as a spiritual offering. Nevertheless, the best group will be presented with a special gift at the closing ceremony.
Addressing logistical difficulties, the festival secretary pointed to a significant increase in transportation and logistics costs in Iraq, which requires support from various collaborating institutions to ensure the viability of the event. He also highlighted the distinct nature of the Iranian productions: while many programs along the route are recorded by Iraqi troupes, all Iranian groups perform live on stage.
Regarding international participation, Zarei explained that there will be no foreign groups in the tenth edition. He explained that although high-quality international applications were received in previous years, the current submissions did not meet the required technical and artistic standards.
He added that the goal is to establish a presence among theatre figures of the Islamic world to expand theatrical communication and interaction between Islamic nations. Forming such a network can pave the way for collaborative creation, experience exchange, and joint production of dramatic works, thereby strengthening the theatrical potential of the Muslim world.
Motorchi, for his part, noted that the festival's repertoire is updated annually to reflect current events in the Islamic world. He emphasized that the current edition represents a quantitative leap in terms of the number and distribution of venues compared to the previous nine editions.
Although plays were previously staged at the festival in English, Turkish, and Arabic, performances this year will be limited to Persian and Arabic due to regional military conditions and financial constraints. He expressed the festival's long-term aspiration to create works that resonate with pilgrims of all languages and cultures, fostering global artistic connection on the path to Karbala.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Iranians travel to the Iraqi city of Karbala to commemorate the sacred day of Arbaeen at the shrines of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam, and his brother, Hazrat Abbas (AS). This pilgrimage is one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world, attracting millions of devotees from around the globe to the heart of Iraq.
Arbaeen, which is observed this year on August 4, marks the end of the 40-day mourning period following the martyrdom of the Imam and his loyal companions on Ashura. Beyond rituals of grief, this event serves as a profound demonstration of unity and brotherhood, as millions of people from different segments of society gather in a shared expression of faith. The route to Karbala transforms into a landscape of hospitality, where volunteers provide food and shelter, reflecting the selfless values taught by the Imam himself.
The 23rd meeting of the culture ministers of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) concluded in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. Heads of the participating delegations, including Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Seyed Abbas Salehi, signed a final statement.
The statement, signed by all members, emphasized that the use of force is unacceptable. It also noted the significance of the SCO statement from March 2, 2026, concerning attention to the situation around the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Signatories expressed sincere grief and condolences to the families of victims of attacks on Iran carried out by the US and Israel. They declared full support and solidarity with the government and people of Iran, as reported by the IRNA agency.
Participants also expressed deep concern about military attacks on the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. These attacks affected cultural and humanitarian centers, as well as monuments, historical sites, and the ancient heritage of this country.
The meeting of culture ministers of SCO member states is the main mechanism for multilateral cooperation in the field of culture. The organization's work is focused on intercultural exchange, as well as the preservation and promotion of rich material and intangible cultural heritage.
In accordance with the Agreement between the governments of SCO member states on cultural cooperation from 2007, the parties interact in areas such as music, theater, and fine arts; cinema; archival, library, and museum affairs; protection of cultural heritage sites; folk crafts and applied arts; amateur, popular, and circus arts, as well as other creative activities.
During his trip to Kyrgyzstan, Seyed Abbas Salehi participated in various events. These included meetings and discussions, as well as a dinner with Iranianologists, professors of Persian language, and lecturers from Kyrgyz universities. He also held bilateral meetings with the culture ministers of the participating countries and attended the awards ceremony of the SCO International Film Festival, as well as an official dinner organized by the Minister of Culture of Kyrgyzstan.
