The Committee for Tourism, in collaboration with the Handicraft Association and the Academy of Arts, has announced the launch of the Uzbekistan Souvenir Contest. The goal of this initiative is to promote national handmade products as modern tourist souvenirs.
The contest aims to support the creative potential of regional designers and experienced masters. It is designed to assist in creating compact, high-quality, and affordable souvenirs, as well as developing a modern product line capable of presenting Uzbekistan's national culture to foreign tourists.
The event will take place in two stages. The first stage, dedicated to idea and design development, will run from July 24 to August 16. During this phase, designers, artists, and young creative specialists will present sketches, design solutions, and concepts for modern tourist souvenirs based on traditional craft art.
Submission requirements include a combination of national color with modern design, compactness, attractiveness, and convenience for tourists, as well as confirmation of suitability for practical production by masters.
The second stage, concerning the production of finished products, is scheduled from August 20 to September 20. Masters who are members of the Handicraft Association will participate in the contest. They will manufacture the final souvenirs based on the best sketches and design projects selected in the first stage.
The evaluation of works will consider the quality of execution and craftsmanship, adherence to the national style, compactness, ease of transport, and the product's price accessibility.
Designers, artists, young creative specialists, and members of the Handicraft Association are invited to participate. Online registration is required. The deadlines for submitting applications are until August 16 for the first stage and until September 20 for the second stage. Each contest winner will receive a cash prize of 5 million soms.
The contest marks a step towards forming a new generation of tourist souvenirs that combine Uzbek handicraft traditions, modern design, and practicality. In the long term, such projects should expand the range of souvenir products and increase the recognition of national cultural heritage in the international tourism market.
The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was briefed on a presentation dedicated to initiatives and projects aimed at developing the arts and culture sector, preserving Uzbekistan's national heritage, and promoting it internationally.
The President was presented with plans to organize exhibitions showcasing Uzbekistan's archaeological, scientific, and applied heritage in leading global museums and cultural institutions. For instance, the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha is scheduled to host the exhibition 'Uzbekistan: Heritage in Motion' in September 2026. Furthermore, the Prada Foundation in Milan will hold an international archaeological exhibition titled 'Global Antiquity' in November 2026, featuring artifacts from Uzbekistan.
In 2027, over 200 archaeological items illustrating the country's history from the Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages are planned for exhibition at the Palazzo Grimani in Venice and the Nara National Museum in Japan. Additionally, more than 150 samples of decorative and applied arts, including Suzani, gold embroidery, textiles, and jewelry, will be displayed at the Palazzo Reale in Milan.
Officials also presented a project for an exhibition dedicated to the life and scientific legacy of Avicenna (Ibn Sina) in Florence, as well as joint endeavors with cultural institutions from Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.
As part of the cultural heritage preservation projects, there are plans to open a branch of the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan in the palace of Grand Duke Nicholas Romanov, where a permanent exhibition of about 300 exhibits will be housed while maintaining the historical appearance of the building. Restoration work continues on the Mukhtar Ashrafi House Museum, including facade renewal, restoration of historical interiors and museum exhibits, and installation of modern engineering and multimedia systems.
Mirziyoyev was also informed about the international tour of the opera 'Tamerlane'. This year, the production was staged at the Dubai Opera, Musikverein in Vienna, Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, and the Royal Opera House in Versailles Palace. The premiere is scheduled for Carnegie Hall in New York in March 2027.
The creation of a National Cultural Projects Operator, based at the State Administration of International Festivals under the Ministry of Culture, was discussed. This new body will coordinate major international cultural events, organize concerts featuring world-renowned performers, and oversee preparations for the International Music Festival 'Sharq Taronalari'. Planned events include performances by pianist Lang Lang at the Great Wall of China in Beijing and in Registan Square in Samarkand, as well as a concert by composer Max Richter at the Palace of Uzbek International Forums in Tashkent.
The President was updated on how Uzbekistan participates in international cultural projects. The country's national pavilion, 'Marine Echo,' at the 61st Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art, dedicated to the Aral Sea and Karakalpakstan, attracted over 60,000 visitors. The solo exhibition 'Instruments of Reason' by Uzbek artist Vyacheslav Akhunov in Venice was visited by over 12,000 people from more than 30 countries.
At Milan Design Week 2026, Uzbekistan's national pavilion, 'When Apricots Bloom,' received special mention from the jury of the Fuorisalone 2026 award. According to the report, the exhibition gathered over 18,000 visitors and achieved an international media reach of 171 million.
Projects scheduled for the 2026–2027 period include the Aral Cultural Summit in Nukus from September 11–13, 2026, a new season of the 'Aral School' program, preparations for the Bukhara Biennial 2027, and new productions of the operas 'Turandot' and the ballet 'The Nutcracker' at the Alisher Navoi State Academic Grand Theatre of Uzbekistan.
The presentation also included proposals for Uzbekistan's participation in Milan Design Week and Art Basel, holding the international conference 'Art for Tomorrow,' and expanding cooperation with Qatar Museums in the fields of crafts and design, as well as establishing a residency for artists and an international jewelry school in Bukhara.
Upon conclusion of the presentation, Mirziyoyev instructed officials to ensure high quality in the implementation of all projects, strengthen control over restoration works, maintain a balance between national traditions and modern approaches, and enhance the practical significance of international cultural interaction.
