Gayane Umerova

Commissioner of the Bukhara Biennial
Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation

‘The establishment of the Bukhara Biennial marks an important milestone in the development of contemporary culture and heritage preservation in Central Asia. Conceiving it as one of the largest cultural initiatives in the region, we aim to position Bukhara – a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art – as a dynamic platform for engaging with Uzbekistan’s rich artistic and cultural heritage. This Biennial emerges at a moment when Bukhara, historically a global hub of trade, arts, crafts, and scholarship, is undergoing a major conservation and revitalization effort.’

Our goal is to create a space for interdisciplinary and intercultural collaborations, bringing together artists, artisans, architects, designers, chefs, musicians, and other creatives. By spearheading this initiative, we aspire to establish a vibrant setting where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary artistry, and where the stories of our glorious past inform and inspire the narratives of the future.

Gayane Umerova is dedicated to developing the culture sector in Uzbekistan.

As chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF)