Modern Art Center in Tashkent is Preparing for Opening; First Day Program Announced

School bazaars have started operating in Tashkent as part of preparations for the beginning of the new academic year. These specialized trading zones have been established in various locations across the capital, including general education schools, dehqan markets, and large shopping complexes.

City residents and visitors can now purchase everything necessary for students, such as textbooks and stationery, at these fairs.

Fair Locations

The school goods fairs are set up in extensive areas of city shopping centers. Among them are the 'Aviasozlar', 'Askia', 'Mirabad', 'Navruz', 'Yunusabad' food markets, as well as the 'Chilanzar', 'Chorsu', and 'Urikzor' trade complexes.

At the 'Chilanzar' market, trading points are located at the intersection of Bunedkor and Farhad streets. Meanwhile, at the 'Eski Zhova' market, they are situated near the large octagonal staircase, in the TIM-1, TIM-2 zone, and near the open metro.

Furthermore, the school bazaars operate at the 'Sergeli' market, covering the territories of Sergeli-2, Sergeli-6, Sergeli-7, the underground passage area of the Sergeli-4 massif, the Sergeli-1 branch, and the vicinity of the Kuylyk-5 massif markets. At the 'Farhad' market, trading points operate on the opposite side of the fair and near the main entrances, while at the 'Karakamysh' market, the fair is located in the 'Tansikboyev' branch.

The official opening of the cultural and gastronomic complex 'Plov Museum' took place in Tashkent, which has now fully accepted visitors after a year of operating in technical mode. The founders, representing the holding 'Caravan Group Restaurants,' stated that the project was implemented according to the original concept and are open to constructive criticism.

Over the past year, 'Plov Museum' has established itself as a significant element of Tashkent's gastronomic scene. Here, eighteen varieties of plov are prepared, sourced from different regions of Uzbekistan, including Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Fergana regions, utilizing the skills of renowned chefs-oshpazes. The complex serves about a thousand guests daily, among whom are often foreign delegations and city officials for whom a visit is part of an educational program. Furthermore, to support and promote national culinary traditions, master classes and cultural events dedicated to plov preparation are regularly held at the complex.

On the occasion of the anniversary and full launch of the complex, a solemn ceremony was held during which new initiatives were presented. One of the key events was the technical launch of the Wine Museum, located on the territory of the 'Plov Museum.' This new facility will allow visitors to study exhibits related to the history of winemaking in Uzbekistan and to taste products from modern vintners.

Timur Musin, Senior Managing Partner of 'Caravan Group' and main founder of 'Plov Museum,' noted that wine culture in Uzbekistan is still underdeveloped due to low public awareness and previous restrictions on alcoholic beverages. In his opinion, the opening of the Wine Museum will help popularize wine culture among the residents of Uzbekistan, draw attention to local brands, and create conditions for healthy competition in this sector.

Numerous Uzbek wineries participated in the launch of the new project. Among them is the 'MSA Family Winery,' which produces premium wines and holds international awards. Anastasia Pogrebnyak, a sommelier with thirteen years of experience and brand ambassador for 'MSA Family Winery,' emphasized that the winemaking history of Uzbekistan is very ancient, as shards of pitchers with wine traces dating back two to two and a half thousand years have been found in the country. Despite long stagnation, winemaking is currently reviving in various regions of the country.

Anastasia added that she considers the current moment a new stage of development and spoke about their winery's work: they strive to combine technologies, importing French corks, yeast, and equipment from Europe, to unlock the potential of the Uzbek terroir in their beverages.

Parallel to the launch of the Wine Museum, 'Caravan Group' decided to resume the production of its own sparkling wine brand named 'Affresco.' This wine was first created fifteen years ago from six grape varieties, and according to Timur Musin, there are now grounds to bring it to the market so that it can be aged in cellars for decades.

Another important area of 'Plov Museum's' activity is expanding the range of 'I Love Palov'—products for preparing plov, available directly at the complex. A new addition to this line is the sale of amukhta from leading oshpazes, which is a mixture of vegetable oils used in plov cooking. Timur Musin explained that each master-oshpaz prepares their unique amukhta by mixing up to ten different oils, reflecting their individual culinary style. He noted that this signature product could interest the public and support interest in the tradition of plov preparation.

Musin also reported that 'Plov Museum' will store oil from approximately eight oshpazes, with plans to increase this number, which he said is an unprecedented step in the history of plov, as amukhta was previously prepared at home but never formalized as an author's product from a renowned master.

The most ambitious project presented at the event was the plan to build an ethnographic kishlak. This complex, which will combine functions of a hotel, sports and wellness center, and entertainment venue, is envisioned by 'Caravan Group' as a place where guests can not only relax but also deeply immerse themselves in the national culture and traditions of Uzbekistan, including culinary ones. The kishlak is planned to be located in the Bostanlyk district of the Tashkent region on a fifteen-hectare plot. According to Timur Musin's estimates, the project will require another three to four years and hundreds of millions of dollars, but he considers this significant investment promising for domestic and international tourism.