2019 â„–21 Beri in Uzbekistan 12 Ritu
Your Personal Travel Magazine Influencers Cover Story: Congress Azizkhodjaeva 20 World 42 Nigora
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2019 | №21
EDITOR’S FAVOURITE Founded by
We decided to experiment with traditional Editors’ letter and share some travel tips from Dinara Dultaeva.
Editor-in-chief Dinara Dultaeva Editor Maftuna Usmanova Graphic designer Abdullaev Davron
Favourite City Tashkent is definitely the best city to live for me. Only 6 hours flight to London, 4 hours to Istanbul, 2 hours to Delhi, you are well connected with any part of the world for business or leisure. Cosmopolitan, vibrant and not too hectic as other megapolises Tashkent has an incredible amount of hidden treasures, I especially enjoy while sharing with guests of Uzbekistan, creating curated art itineraries. Starting from page 42 you may find distinct must-experience activities that will make your trip to Tashkent exceptional.
Discovery of the Year Kokand, a noble city of great Emir in Ferghana Valley, happened to be my family town, now is emerging as a craftsmanship capital. Hosting the First International Festival of Handicrafts Kokand 2019 the city gained UNESCO status of World Craft City. Ferghana Valley was always the off-the-bitten-track destination for applied art discoveries and the new Festival gives an excuse to take a longer journey via Kokand every other year. Find out more on page 48.
Favorite Coffeeshop
Whatever your itinerary is, stay open to surprises and enjoy your journey. Because life itself is a beautiful journey. @dultaeva
PR Department Zarnigor Usmonova Contributors Sevara Dultaeva, Brave Humility, Valeriya Galikhanova, Nigora Kosimova, Alena Gorbacheva, Alina Hasanova, Ritu Beri Sophie Ibbotson, Madina Turdieva, Farangiz Salokhojaeva, Irina Perova, Guljamal Uzakbergenova Proofreader Malika Mukimova Photography Farrukh Isamukhamedov, Marleen Tutenel, Mukhiddin A Lee , Alokhon Abdullaev, Andrey Arakelyan, Baha Dju Visit Uzbekistan magazine N20, 2019 Official partner The State Committee of the Republic of
Uzbekistan for Tourism Development
Tashkent is booming with new coffee-shops and all sorts of gastronomic experiences. I especially love small places made with big hearts. Two of my favorite coffee venues are Cookbook Workshop by stunning Nigora Azizkhodjaeva (p.44-45), offering inspiring cooking classes and family events. The second location is B&B Coffee House (p.37), where hardworking cofounder Jakhongir Umarov keeps introducing new gastronomic experiences and novelties to the market.
Dinara UZ
Sales & Distribution Nigora Jamolova, Gulnoz Tatlimuratova
dultaeva
Dinara Media Relations PC Dinara&Co. Trademark Tel.: (+998 93) 500 55 65 www.dinara.co info@dinara.co The magazine is registered by Press and Information Agency of Uzbekistan on 12.05.2017. Registration number №0915 ISSN 2181-9254 Printed by “Print.uz” 41/2, Mirabadskaya street, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Order №2350 All rights reserved. © Dinara&Co. © Dinara Dultaeva
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CONTENTS
VISIT UZBEKISTAN
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Impressions: The Cultural and Tourism Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India, Ritu Beri shares her impressions from the visit to Uzbekistan
20 Word Influencers Congress: Famous bloggers shared their opinions on the unique event in the history of Uzbekistan
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Discover Uzbekistan by train
@Uzrailpass Helpline number: +998 71 Advertisement. Services are licensed.
JS “O‘zbekiston temir yo‘llari” JS “O‘ztemiryo‘lyo‘lоvchi”
299 94 50
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CONTENTS
SOPHIE IBBOTSON: The Gallery of forbidden art in Karakalpakstan
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46 EVENT: Highlights on the First International Festival of Handicrafters
VISIT UZBEKISTAN
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V ISA-F R EE
UZBEKISTAN
A visa-free entry regime applies to citizens of Andorra, Argentine, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, French, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greek, Hungary, Israel, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Italia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Vatican. In addition, citizens of 53 countries can transit Uzbekistan for up to 5 days without a visa and citizens of 76 can apply for E-Visa for a longer stay. E-visa: The government of Uzbekistan provides simplified E-visa
regime for the citizen of 76 countries and a 5-day visa-free transit opportunity for 53 countries. An electronic visa is issued for 30 days, is single or multiple entries and valid for 90 days from the date of its issuance. To obtain E-visa, a traveler should apply on e-visa.gov. uz at least three working days before the planned date of arrival to Uzbekistan. E-visa will be issued within two working days excluding the day of application. The issued E-visa is sent to the e-mail of the applicant. The amount of the consular fee is $20 for single entry, $35 for double entry and $50 for multiple entries. Payment for E-visa can be made online from any bank card. An electronic visa is not attached to a travel document (passport). When crossing the border, a foreign citizen provides an electronic visa in paper or electronic form.
Visa-Free Transit: Passport holders of 53
countries who are transiting by airplane, can get a 5-day visa-free stay showing an onward boarding pass. Foreign citizens can benefit from a 5-day visa-free transit procedure upon arrival at the international airports of Uzbekistan. Passengers need to provide an air-ticket to the third country and the carrier should inform the border authorities of Uzbekistan about passengers who are eligible for transit visa-free entry. The list of foreign countries applicable to visa-free transit stay continues to expand. You can check the latest data on: WWW.UZBEKISTAN.TRAVEL .UZ
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OPINION
VISIT UZBEKISTAN
BR I NG I NG U Z BE K I STA N A N D I N DI A C L O SE R
I have had an eternal love affair with this sensational country
Text: Ritu Beri Photos: Istedod Usmonov
Ritu Beri is the Cultural and Tourism Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India and a designer known as the Princess of Indian Fashion. Ms. Beri, who visited Uzbekistan in September, shared her impressions and visions for future cooperation.
2019 | â„–21
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TRIPS The blue mosaic tiles, the wall paintings, turquoise, and green mosaic walls and turquoise dome from Samarkhand have had me spellbound since early years. I have had an eternal love affair with this sensational country. Since I was appointed the Cultural and Tourism Ambassador of Uzbekistan in India, I have been working to promote the culture and beauty of the country. Uzbekistan is the cradle of culture, the proud home to a spellbinding arsenal of architecture and ancient cities, all deeply infused with the fascinating history of the Silk Road. For many centuries, the Silk Road was the world’s superhighway, and Uzbekistan was at its very heart. Prolific culture, intriguing history, innumerable fascinating stories with a legendary realm, this country has always had fascinated me. Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva never fail to impress with their fabulous mosques, madrassas, and mausoleums. Its more eccentric attractions, such as the Aral Sea, the fortresses of remote Karakalpakstan, its boomtown capital Tashkent and the ecotourism opportunities of the Nurata Mountains, even the most diverse tastes are catered for. In September 2019, I was honored to be invited to attend the First International Handicrafts Festival in Kokand, Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan, an initiative of the Honorable President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev. I discovered for myself that Samarkand is home to some of the most inspiring ancient Silk Road sights. The Registan was formidable: a central square flanked by the most ornately tiled, mosaic-clad madrassas (historic Islamic schools) that glitter at dawn and dusk in shades of the Silk Road: azure, lapis lazuli, indigo, gold.
First Lady of Uzbekistan, Mrs. Ziroat Mirziyoyeva Photo from the archive of Ritu Beri
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What took my breath away was the Shahi-Zinda - ‘Tomb of the Living King’. This necropolis was the most stunning avenue of mausoleums, encompassing some of the richest tilework in the Muslim world. In Samarkand, I was delighted to meet the Governor of Samarkand, Mr. Erkinjon Turdimov. I took the opportunity to personally invite him and request him to facilitate the participation of an eclectic delegation of Arts & Craft from Uzbekistan at The Luxury Symposium 2019. As I said goodbye to the incredible city, there was no doubt in my mind, that Samarkand stands as a reminder of an incredible past, and deserves every bit to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Besides history, I also enjoyed the bread here, there is no bread tastier than the ones baked at Samarkand.
Ritu Beri with Mr. Jakhongir Artikhodjayev
MEETINGS After my cultural adventure in Samarkhand, I went on to discover Tashkent. A modern metropolitan Uzbek city, a lot like Delhi - the political capital of Uzbekistan. The city of Tashkent had a rather European vibe – lakeside gardens, landscaped public parks, and cafés next to most of the main tourist attractions. I was especially taken up by the extremely friendly and warm Uzbek hospitality and everyone I met made me feel genuinely welcomed. I was delighted to meet friends like Dinara Dultaeva, (the founder of Dinara&Co publishing house and chief-editor of Visit Uzbekistan Magazine) and GulchekhraBegim Makhmudova (the first business lady in Uzbekistan and owner of Begim Perfumes), and being invited for dinner. It was interesting to see the enthusiasm with which both the ladies promote their country. One through the unique fragrances and the other through the magazine Visit Uzbekistan - interesting guide with needed information in it.
Ritu Beri with Ms. Dinara Dultaeva
I live for what dreams are made of and my dream today, is to present my next collection, an amalgamation of India & Uzbekistan, right here at Registan, this gloriously historic setting!
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I met H.E.Mr. Jakhongir Artikhodjayev, Mayor of Tashkent city, and we discussed the plans on inaugurating a world trade center, to promote global cultural relations and wishes to organize a joint Indo-Uzbek craftsmen Symposium there. Also, I was happy to meet Mr. Ulugbek Kasimkhodjaev, the first Deputy Chairman of State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the development of Tourism and discuss ways to strengthen cultural ties between both our countries through our arts, craft and culture. I especially enjoyed my interaction with the Fashion fraternity of Uzbekistan.
DISCOVERING KOKAND As I arrived in Fergana, I was overwhelmed by the traditional welcome at the airport. Kokand, I discovered is another Silk Road must-
visit site in Uzbekistan. Nestled into the eastern Fergana Valley, it was the first stopping point east on the road from Tashkent and home to its own khanate during the 18th-19th centuries. It was heart-warming to meet the beautiful First Lady of Uzbekistan, Mrs. Ziroat Mirziyoyeva and her dynamic daughter, Mrs. Saida Mirziyoyeva, they epitomize the generosity of heart and amiability that people from Uzbekistan stand for. The inauguration of the International Handicraft Festival took place with this museum as the backdrop. A spectacular ceremony with the participation of over 80 countries as well as most Presidents of handicraft councils from the world over, reflected vividly the importance of crafts for this country. Beautiful pottery, stunning hand made jewelry, ikat, embroidery and more, I saw it all under one roof at the festival.
I was especially impressed & moved by this initiative of the Honorable President as it proved that he valued the importance of his country’s artisans & their craftsmanship. The Silk Road bazaars of the cities of Uzbekistan is an inspirational destination. The incredible markets in the old town are evocative and overflowing with rich textiles, gorgeous embroideries, dry fruits and more. Uzbekistan is a memorable walk through history. On this trip, I had a chance to walk alongside the footsteps of Temur in Samarkand, Babur in the Fergana Valley, Khudoyor Khan in Kokand. My days were richly entrenched in Uzbek culture and heritage. I absolutely love Uzbekistan!
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REASONS TO VISIT UZBEKISTAN WITH
BBS TRAVEL BBS Travel is a company that organizes various events, leisure activities, travel communications, helps to register documents for entry of guests. Since 2017 BBS Travel has become one of the leading travel agencies and earned its fame not only in the frame of Bukhara but also in the whole Uzbekistan and abroad.
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The company offers not only classical routs, but also pilgrimage, gastronomic, mountain, family tours. Off the beaten track itineraries include elements of extreme experiences, event and quest, fashion tours, ethno-tourism in Uzbekistan.
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The specialization of the company is the organization of MICE tourism (trainings, seminars, special events) based on unique and individual customer requests.
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The company owns a big car park (buses, minibuses, SUVs, sedans).
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Impressive facilities that charm visitors with the unique traditionally styled design: a chain of restaurants: “Bukhara Group”, “Caravan”, “Adras” and “Ipak Yuli”; 5-star hotel (under construction); business-class hotel with 50 rooms (under construction); event organizing company “Aero design”. This helps BBS TRAVEL to keep competitive and effective prices for tour packages in general and individual services in the tourism market.
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Bukhara Brilliant Silk – the largest silk factory of Central Asia – is founder of BBS Travel. The factory is located in the center of the intersection of Great Silk Road in Bukhara city. With BBS
Travel travelers have opportunity to visit the factory where they can discover silk-producing process and visit the showroom of Bukhara Brilliant Silk where they can admire finished products made of 100% natural silk such as silk fabrics, accessories, shawls, ties, bow ties and apparel line collection by BBS. Annually in May, the company organizes fashion-week in the internationally famous festival “Silk and Spices” in Bukhara. All these allow the BBS TRAVEL to organize individual program using the experience and knowledge in various areas of tourist activity and make the trip to Uzbekistan unforgettable!
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DISCOVER THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF THE EAST Classic and exclusive tours to Uzbekistan
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Tourism in Uzbekistan The infographic is prepared in collaboration with
accommodation facilities were created in 2018
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From January 2020, visa-free regime to be introduced for citizens of China and 20 Caribbean countries
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from Central Asia 4 614,2 tourists from CIS far countries 406,1 abroad 326,5
During 2019, a visa-free regime was introduced 47 more countries
дней
A single-entry tourist visa for visa-required countries 40$
"Smart tourism" and the concept of "Safe Tourism" have been introduced
Visa-free entry for foreigners under 16 years and a 5-day visa-free entry for transit -air passengers from 101 countries
From October 2019, the Open Skies mode will be launched at the airports of Karshi, Nukus, Termez, and Bukhara
E-Ticket Online Ticketing System has been launched
A system for processing and issuing electronic entry visas for foreign citizens was launched
A mobile application for temporary registration of foreign citizens has been launched
ADDITIONAL VISA MODES Silkroad
for tourists traveling around the Silk Road countries with the possibility of recognizing visas of other countries
Vatandosh
5-year visa for natives of Uzbekistan and their families
Investment Visa
a multiple visa is valid for up to three years, with the possibility of extending its period without leaving the territory of Uzbekistan
5,3
million Tourists visited Uzbekistan in 2018
INVESTMENT INCENTIVES IN TOURISM Global Hotel Brands
3 years
joining the Uzbek market under a franchise are partially ďŹ nanced by Government
tax-free
conditions for companies that build theme parks
The creation of tourist streets and areas
5 years
tax-free
is being developed in all regions of the country. These zones will work 24/7
when building 4-stars hotels
Rebate for investors
65 mln soums (approx. $6800) for each room of new 4-star hotels, 40 mln soums (approx. $4300) for each room of new 3-star hotels
Up to
20% of costs
compensation for ďŹ lm and video production in Uzbekistan
30 transport infrastructure
facilities will be created as part of the development of the Hanabada-Muinak-Termez tourist transport corridor
3 years tax-free
for companies attracting private foreign investment in tourism
Business entities are exempted from customs duties for imported tourist transport
until January 1, 2022
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World Influencers Congress The end of summer 2019 was full of unforgettable moments in the history of Uzbekistan as the country became the host of the first World Influencers Congress. We have prepared a report full of impressions, emotions and beautiful photos!
W
ord Influencers Congress (WIC) is a unique platform that was designed to bring together top digital influencers from around the world to facilitate the exchange of ideas, techniques, and best practices. The event incorporated various panel discussions, business to influencer meetings, the WIC Awards and keynote speakers sharing their experiences and discussing major trends. It was great opportunity for the guests to experience Uzbek hospitality that has been traditional throughout the ages on the Great Silk Road. Ultimately, one of the main goals of the congress was to create a Global Influencers Network which will meet regularly in the world’s most unique destinations and to show the world the great and unique heritage that is preserved in Uzbekistan. The congress was intended to create a platform where influencers from all over the world can communicate, collaborate and share their visions and experiences, thereby shaping the face of modern content creation. Also, guests of the event had an opportunity to experience unforgettable trip to historical cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent.
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BEHRUZ HAMZAYEV, Organizer of the first World Influencers Congress, Advisor to the Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development:
“Truly it was our first time doing such a conference and we did a lot of research learning about the best experiences around the world and we tried to design it like no other events. So in the realm of all the forums and conferences in the Congresses, WIC is very separate and very fresh. We tried to combine and make some sort of experience like a Frankenstein of all Congresses, we tried to create something that never happened, and the initiative was very well received by all the parties, by the influencers and by people. The success of the Congress tells that it was a right recipe. When organizing such a world class event, I knew for sure there would be many heat ups, shortcomings. We are planning to make WIC an annual event. It proved itself to be efficient. The impact will be long-lasting. It is too early for now to tell about the impact of the World
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Influencers Congress but we have milestone events, so during the Congress during the one-week, more than 150 million people have seen content about Uzbekistan through live streams, Instagram stories, posts. We had another historical event – interaction and even selfie with the President of Uzbekistan Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This happened for the first time! It was really amazing experience and we were blessed to have the President of the country telling about all the reforms, country’s opening up. And how Mr. President came to have a picture with influencers was the highest point and it was the best way to show that we as a country are open to the world. We could not wish for better outcome. That moment enhauced 70 million people around the world; I am not taking into account Uzbekistan’s population. 70 million people have seen that! The impact of the event will be observed in autumn and in spring, the guests of the Congress now working on post-production. So we expect that content will worth around $6 to 7 million and we are anticipating over 1 billion viewer impression. What is viewer impression? Viewer impression is the image or video which was seen by a person more than 15 seconds, so that viewer impression gives an idea that every seventh person on Earth will know about our country and the beauty of the internet, the beauty of OTT Platforms in streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix, Snapchat and other social media like Instagram and Facebook. Aim big, dream big, work hard and it pays off. You don’t necessarily have to work somewhere to do something great and significant. There were a lot of people who helped us in this project. I want to personally thank everybody: Saida Mirziyoyeva, Aziz Abdukhakimov, Kamil Allamjonov, Abdulaziz Akkulov and other people, who were involved in this project. Without their support this would not have happened. We are going to rock and do more events like that. We have already started working on some new projects and hopefully soon enough you will see our results!”
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ALEX CHACON, YouTube.com/AlexChacon or Instagram.com/AlexChacon_Official, Blogger: I was impressed by the beauty of Uzbekistan! Uzbekistan was a mystery to me, but as soon as I arrived I knew there was something special. The moment I set foot in Khiva, I discovered for myself a hidden gem, and was blown away. As for me, must-visit destinations in Uzbekistan is Khiva city and Registan in Samarkand. The most vivid memory from the event is the excitement of the press, organizers and public at the event, around the cities and random people we met along the way. Such excitement to see so many foreigners and willing to help and make our experience unforgetable.
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LENKA JOSEFIOVA, , The Traveling Beauty Queen, @thetravellingbeautyqueen:
It was my first time in Uzbekistan and I was excited to explore this undiscovered country which I didn’t know much about before my visit. My first impressions about Uzbekistan were great, very interesting buildings and beautiful monuments. I loved the sparkling blue domes, silk roads and the narrow alleyways. The people are very hospitable. We have visited several cities during our trip to Uzbekistan and each city has something special and unique that tourists should visit it for. Tashkent for its tree-lined streets and numerous fountains. Old city of Khiva for the unique architecture and rich culture. Samarkand for the magical Registan square and Shah-I-Zinda -Samarkand’s most beloved site in stunning avenue of mausoleums. Bukhara is another place on the must-see list during a trip to Uzbekistan. But if I should choose only one place, it would definitely be Khiva. This town is small, but it gives you such a magical feeling. The old town is car free, you can just walk everywhere as all monuments around are nearby. I also loved shopping at the markets with Uzbek traditional souvenirs and jewellery. Top 3 must-try dishes for my taste are Pilaf or as called in Uzbekistan Plov which is a rice dish with vegetables, Manty which is a dumpling stuffed with meat and onions, last but not least Lagman which is basically handmade pulled noodles in a vegetable sauce. For me the most vivid memory from the World Influencer Congress is being invited to the Official Opening Ceremony of the XII International Music Festival Sharq Taronalari, which was held at Registran Square in 26 th August, where we got the chance to meet the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This was really such an unique experience listening concert of Oriental music and watching dances from all over the world, ending with breathtaking fireworks and amazing Gala dinner.
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DAVID HOFFMAN, travel blogger @davidsbeenhere: Before I visited Uzbekistant. I had heard great things about the food and the hospitality. To say I was blown away when I arrived is putting it lightly. Foodwise, I tried plov and somsas right away. The savory rice and meat of the plov, and the crispy and delicious somsas had my taste buds dancing and my mouth watering. I also loved all of the lamb dishes. I ate some of the best lamb of my life in Jarkurgan! When you visit Tashkent, you have to visit Chorsu Bazaar, which is a feast for all of your senses. I also liked the old-school feel of Tashkent, its beautiful Soviet-style architecture, and how well-connected it is. As a history lover, Khiva blew my mind. It was like stepping into the set of the movie “Aladdin.” Each historical site was more fascinating than the last and the entire city felt like a giant open-air museum. It really is a sight to behold. Not the mention, the food was also pretty spectacular! The UNESCO sites there, as well as the ones in Bukhara and Samarkand were beautiful. I understand why Samarkand is the crown jewel of Uzbekistan. There are so many amazing mausoleums to explore, it’s easy to get blown away by their beauty. Speaking of beauty, I also had a beautiful journey down to Termez, which was very hot,
but I really enjoyed the ancient sites, especially the rock-cut Buddhist temple, Karatepa. My final destination was Jarkurgan, where I got to dive into the local culture by watching the beautiful ceremony that takes place when a new bride meets her mother-in-law. In addition to the ridiculously good lamb, I also visited the oldest minaret in Central Asia, which was nothing short of amazing. As for as the World Influencers Congress itself, I had no idea I was going to meet and become instant friends with so many like-minded creators from around the world. We became more than friends--we became a family in less than a week. I’m so grateful to the World Influencers Congress and Bekruz Hazmaev for inviting me. Because of them, I met so many people who I will be lifelong friends with. That, in itself, means more to me than I can say. Thank you to everyone involved for such a beautiful adventure and life-changing experience!
Travel. Easy.
www.tripline.uz
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ÉRIKA SANTOS, World Influencer Congress Award Best Blogger of the Year 2019 Winner, @ErikaSantos:
When I spoke with some of my friends and family about the invitation to go to Uzbekistan, the responses I got where mixed. To live and feel first-hand the history, heritage and experience this amazing country together with the other 99 hand-picked influencers from more than 40 countries around the world (recognized as the best travel influencers of the world) who were invited by the Government of Uzbekistan to attend the very first edition of the World Influencers Congress to share knowledge about social media and of course have the opportunity to discover the beauties of this incredible country was not an opportunity I would pass by I was extremely excited as an influencer to cover and inform my public about this unknown marvelous country. In Tashkent, I saw one of the most, if not the most beautiful metro system where each station is completely different and unique. We’ve spent 10 days between Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand and there is so much I want to share (I’ll write a detailed guide about the visas, travel planning and must-see spots next in my blog www.euerikasantos.com.br). Our first couple of days in Uzbekistan have gone way beyond any of our initial expectation! World Influencer Congress took us to see the next destination - Khiva, which was founded more than 2500 years ago: it is like a museum under the open sky. Nowadays Khiva is a friendly and welcoming Silk Road old town that’s set up for tourism. The historic heart of Khiva (Xiva) has been so well preserved that it’s hard to believe that the city has more than 2500 years. Try to spend at least two nights in Khiva. My next time here I would like to stay at least 3 nights. The old town is at its best at dawn, sunset and by night, when the moonlit
silhouettes of the tilting minarets and madrassas, viewed from twisting alleyways, work their real magic. Street shopping here is amazing! With pain in our heart, we left Khiva and went to see the city called Bukhara. Central Asia’s holiest city, Bukhara (Buxoro) has buildings spanning a thousand years of history, and a thoroughly lived-in and cohesive old center that hasn’t changed too much in two centuries! Absolutely stunning! Our last city was Samarkand, that has been at the crossroads of world cultures for over two and a half millennia, and is one of the most important sites on the Silk Routes traversing Central Asia. As the light plays a big role in how the tiles and domes appearance changes throughout the day, I highly recommend you visit Registan Square twice - once at sunrise and once at sunset! We had the privilege of attending the Sharq Taronalari International music festival at the magnificent Registan Square in Samarkand. At this event, the members of the World Influencers Congress were specially addressed by
the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Director General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, Saida Mirziyoyeva and others. We actually got lucky to click a selfie with Mr. President Mirziyoyev (which by the way, was the first of this kind in the history of Uzbekistan). The event was mesmerizing and had the contribution of many nations. It was a magical evening indeed. Back in Tashkent, we had the closing ceremony. The World Influencers Congress Awarded 6 of the 100 world’s best travel influencers and to my surprise, I received the award of Best Blogger of 2019. It was such a great pleasure to be recognized and awarded for all years of hard work and dedication. For sure it is one more message to all the girls who follow me and can see that with hard work and passion you can achieve your goals and dreams in life. I encourage all the readers of Visit Uzbekistan to look outside the main tourist circuits when you plan your next trips. To see more photos and videos from my trip to Uzbekistan please visit my Instagram @erikasantos
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10 surprises of Uzbekistan: How extremely friendly, helpful and welcoming all the people we came across, were; The country has lots of varieties of unique fruits and vegetables; The high-speed trains have high-class service and very comfortable; Women are free to wear what they want; of course, a cover-up at religious sites; Totally Safe! We haven’t felt insecure or uncomfortable at any point; totally in the contrary, we felt welcomed and supported; The cities are extremely clean - you can’t find one piece of paper/garbage on the floor; I have been very fortunate to see some of the most beautiful Mosques around the world and the list keeps on increasing, but I can tell you for sure that some of the most beautiful Mosques in the world are located here in Uzbekistan; You will not gain weight here. The food is like “Grandmother home food”, very healthy and light. A lot of vegetables, greens, nuts, grains, and salads. The deserts include mouthwatering melon and watermelon you will ever try; The fashion here is largely based on silk, stunning handmade pieces, prints and embroidery! Silver jewelry with turquoise and coral can be found in many places as well. I bought many pieces for example classic Uzbek hat, dresses, and coats with the Uzbek print and gorgeous silk scarves; Country enjoys about 300 sunny days a year.
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MUST-DO
VISIT UZBEKISTAN
PROMENADE THROUGH UZBEK THE ATR ES An unusual way to get acquainted with the country by discovering new facets of Uzbek theatrical culture. Visit Uzbekistan invites you to have a walk through the cultural sites of Tashkent city and learn the history of oldest theaters of the country.
THE STATE ACADEMIC BOLSHOI THEATER NAMED AFTER ALISHER NAVOI
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his cultural memorial of Tashkent fairly considered being one of the oldest and most famous theaters of Uzbekistan, its history dates back to 1929 when the Uzbek State Musical Theater was organized on the basis of the national-ethnographic ensemble of M.Kari-Yakubov.
The State Academic Bolshoi Theater named after Alisher Navoi is the leading center of musical and theatrical culture in Central Asia. In 1939 the theater
received the status of the Uzbek Theater of Opera and Ballet. The extraordinary talent of the first Uzbekistani artists and musicians paved the way to the enrichment of the repertoire of the theater with the initiation of the world’s best opera and ballet classics in a short period of time. The building of the theater is a pearl of national architecture, a source of pride for our Republic. An international
competition was announced in 1933. The competition was called for the best opera house project in Tashkent, in which the project of the outstanding Russian architect – academician Aleksei Viktorovich Shchusev (1873-1949) won. On September 1, 1940, the construction of the theatre began but was interrupted by the Second World War. It was only resumed in 1943. The grand opening of the theater took place on November 1947. The interior of the theater resembles the fairy-tale palaces from the poems of Alisher Navoi.
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THE UZBEK NATIONAL ACADEMIC DRAMA THEATRE
T The unique architectural and artistic landmark of the theater is its six auditoriums, the designs of which are devoted to the regions of the Republic, to the regional schools of folk arts (Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, Fergana, Khiva, Termez) respectively. The auditorium is decorated with plaster molding covered with gold leaf and a luxurious crystal chandelier resembling a giant cluster of grapes. The phenomenon of the creation of Shchusev is that the ensemble created in the classical traditions and techniques of eastern architecture, not only fits into the European architectural environment, but also recognized as a symbol of Tashkent for many decades.
he history of the theatre begins from 1914, with the creation of Uzbek troupe “Turon” by Abdulla Avloniy. A decade later, this troupe with a team of Kokand theatre has moved to Samarkand. In 1933, by the decision of government, this troupe became professional drama theatre and theatre was renamed to Academic Theatre. Comedies, drama, tragedies, classical works and plays are performed by the contemporary authors on the stage of the Uzbek National Drama Theatre.
All scenes and plays are presented in Uzbek language. Everyday life of people, ability to deal with the situation with humor, as well as modern interpretations of ancient customs are shown with the use of technique of traditional street theatre in comedian scenes. The theatre has 540 seats. Tickets can be purchased in advance or directly before the show. As an example, “Fairytales of ancient times” – a play based on short play of Gafur Gulyam’s classical literature or comedy «The red apple parable”. For the spectators who do not understand Uzbek, musical performances are presented, one of
which is “Oh, woman”, based on the legend and songs of Uzbek folklore. The period between the 30th and 40th years was difficult for all cultural enterprises in Uzbekistan. However, the team of National Theatre showed all strength and talent to support and raise the spirit Uzbek people with different performances, showing the power against the fascism. The theatre was reconstructed in 2001. The auditorium, scene, offices were renovated and equipped to modern standards. By the present time, the list of dramatist has increased. Said Akhmad, Ulmas Umarbekov, Primkul Kodirov, Sharof Boshbekov – the writers, whose stories were played on the scene of the theatre. All performances were directed by talented Bakhodir Yuldoshev. Preparations are under way for a big celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Uzbek National Academic Drama Theatre.
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LANDMARK
VISIT UZBEKISTAN
Museum of Applied Arts in Uzbekistan Text: Alina Hasanova Photos: Baha Dju
The Museum of Applied Art of Uzbekistan can be compared to the magic chest, which contains treasures of extraordinary beauty– a collection of decorative and unique objects from ancient times used in everyday life by Uzbek people.
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he museum itself is the best sample of architectural and decorative art of Uzbekistan in the late XIX and early XX centuries, with interesting history of its creation. The present building of the museum was constructed in 1870. The first owner of the house was an official on special assignments under the GeneralGovernor of Turkestan region, a famous connoisseur of eastern art and collector – Alexander Polovtsev Jr. For the decoration of the house, the diplomat invited the best local craftsmen from different regions of the country.
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A hookah room, hall for guests and terrace has been kept perfectly in all their pristine beauty up to now. The walls of the building, both outside and inside were decorated with ancient ganch carving and majolica with beautiful oriental ornament. It is difficult to stop looking and admiring at the inspiring ceilings with painted muqarnas – protrusions, that look like stalactites. The colons from old tree chinara’s with charming carved design support general composition of the design. Special attention should be paid to five picturesque panels which decorate the walls of hookah room. They were created by the famous artist of Uzbekistan – Chingiz Akhmarov in 1986-1991 years. Looking at these rooms, a visitor easily imagines the atmosphere of solemn events in the guest room, the conversations of royals, walking through the colorful terrace, the aroma of the hookah that played a role of the present for the guests in a specially allocated room. In 1938, a Museum of Handicraft of Uzbekistan was exactly in this architectural location from 1977, which consequently gained the status of the Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan during Independence years. The collection of folk decorative – applied art objects which are exhibited in the museum are diverse and there are more than 700 exhibits. An impressive selection of hand-made embroidery such as suzane, carpets, embroidered national clothes, skullcaps has been presented there. Each region of the country has a unique and special style, color spectrum, specific pattern, and the embroidering technique. It is quite easy to broaden our horizon about the symbol and traditions in such a complicated process like suzane embroidering. To be more clear several masters had to work 4 months for completion of one wall-suzane which is about 2x2 meters. The collection of woven carpets in XIX-XX centuries: silk, woolen, with short and long fleece, and the carpets from thick cotton of different regions grab our attention with their beauty. The process of suzane creation and carpets has been greatly shortened in terms of time with the introduction of new technology as weaving machines and advancement of sewing. However, all techniques and pattern layout and style done manually were preserved until now. The collection of pottery art from the main centers of ceramics in Uzbekistan is stored in the museum. It is possible
to differentiate various schools table style, pattern, thickness by the work of masters from Rishtan, Shakhrisabz, Gijduvan, and Tashkent. For example, in Rishtan and Khorezm schools of ceramics, the usage of blue color is more common. Painting “ishqor” with blue color appeared at the end of the XIV century, in the era of Amir Temur. Glaze patterns of brown, yellow and green by terracotta are mostly used in Samarkand school of ceramics. Inside of the museum, it is also possible to get acquainted with a collection of national musical instruments, ancient jewelry, and works of masters of wood carving, coinage and other unusual objects of applied art in Uzbekistan. The museum’s collection includes more than 7,500 unique exhibits, mainly created in the 19th and 20th centuries, but there are also exhibits from the 2nd to 12th centuries - these are ceramic household items. These original items are a reflection of the century’s memory and the wisdom of generations. Poetry, music, dances, and artworks are reflected in the applied art of folk artists. In addition to the decorative function, it reveals and transfers the values and knowledge of the ancestors to future generations. As a pleasant bonus, visitors of the Museum of Applied Art will have a clear idea of the origin and variety of folk art, as well as understanding of national souvenirs. Museum works seven days a week, from 9 am to 6 pm. Phone number: +998 71 256-40-42 Entrance ticket (adult) for locals and foreigners cost 21.000 sums (approx. $2). Excursion costs 25.000 sums (approx. $2.5). Photoshoot costs 20.0000 sums (approx. $2).
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The Gallery of Forbidden Art Text: Sophie Ibbotson
The legacy of the artisans who built the Registan in Samarkand, the tiled minarets of Khiva, and countless other glittering monuments at the heart of the Silk Road, lives on. Visitors, understandably, may be drawn to this fascinating Central Asian country by the relics of the past, but every new generation of citizens continues to express themselves in the creation, collection, and curation of art. Artists know that a picture tells a thousand words, and that our collective creative output is a reflection of the society in which we live. I boarded a flight in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and flew another two hours west to Nukus in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. A desert state in Central Asia, remote and sparsely populated, you’re forgiven for having previously overlooked it. Nukus is low rise; a few public buildings stand side by side with faded Soviet apartment blocks, and now and then there’s patch of park amidst the concrete. Driving through the streets
early in the morning, there’s little sign of life. The city’s Chemical Research Institute was decommissioned and the Aral Sea fisheries are long since closed, but the significant gas reserves beneath the desert and a relocated Chevrolet car plant are just about keeping the local economy afloat. At first glance, it’s an unremarkable place. The last thing you’d expect to find in Nukus is one of the world’s foremost art collections. But there it is, the
Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art named after Igor Savitsky, dominating the central square with its striped facade and a glass pyramid atop the roof. Igor Savitsky -- a Soviet electrician turned artist and collector -- first came to Karakalpakstan in 1950. He fell in love with the landscape and was fascinated by Karakalpak culture. He convinced the Karakalpak authorities they needed a museum in which to showcase regional arts and crafts, but also to display
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paintings which would inspire the next generation of Karakalpak artists. Savitsky bought carpets, costumes, and jewellery; archeological finds and plaster copies of Classical sculptures; and also the drawings and paintings of artists linked to Central Asia. He developed an almost obsessive interest in Uzbek Avant Garde art and, by extension, its Russian counterpart. Artworks of this kind had already been banned for three decades. In his 1932 decree On Restructuring Literary-Artistic Organisations, Stalin outlawed Avant Garde styles such as Constructivism, Cubism, Futurism, and Neo-Primitivism. Artists were blacklisted, imprisoned, and unable to sell or exhibit their art. Paintings were destroyed. The state wanted every vestige of this art wiped out. “The Karakalpak authorities had some awareness of what [Savitsky] was buying,” explained Mirigul Erekeeva, the museum’s Head of Exhibitions and Education. “They didn’t agree with it but couldn’t say no.” Savitsky was adamant that Karakalpak art should be collected and viewed within the wider context he envisioned, and as Nukus was both a closed city and far away from Moscow, he got his way. There was just one occasion when he was asked to remove
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a work: Vladimir Lysenko’s The Bull was deemed unacceptable by visiting government officials. Savitsky took the painting down in a show of obedience, waited for them to leave, then returned it to its rightful place. The Bull is a curious piece, and stood in front of it I could see why it made the officials uncomfortable. Savitsky named the work Fascism Advances in a bid to obscure its meaning, but there’s no escaping the bull’s shotgun-like eyes -symbolic of repression -- which seem to eat into the soul of the viewer. Lysenko had studied under Kazimir Malevich, and, like his teacher, was purged. He was arrested, denounced, and spent six years imprisoned in a mental asylum. Only six of his artworks survive, all of which were discovered by Savitsky, purportedly having been discarded in the artist’s attic. The unearthing of such a treasure might sound like a miracle, but we have to look at it in context. Savitsky amassed around 80,000 works. He acquired everything he could find, regardless of whether or not other curators would consider it noteworthy. He bought artworks with museum funds and with the proceeds from selling his own possessions. He won the trust of widows, took paintings from artists for
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safe keeping, and when he had no funds left, he swapped artworks for IOUs. Consequently, the museum now has more than 1,000 paintings and sketches by Nikolay Tarasov, 1,600 graphics by Arkadiy Stavrovskiy… the list goes on. Erekeeva’s knowledge of the artists is encyclopaedic. She barely drew breath as we worked our way through the galleries. I learned about Alexander Volkov, father of Uzbek Avant Garde, who experimented with Cubism and Constructivism; Alexander Nikolaev (also known as Usto Mumin), who was fixated with painting boy dancers and arrested for his sexuality; and Nikolay Karakhan, who was fed up of painting tea houses and caravans, and turned to scenes of construction and farm workers instead. Mikhail Kurzin’s hideous Capital required some explanation: at first it seems the aristocrats are oppressing a tortured proletariat, but that’s only part of the story. It’s also only part of the painting. A photostat copy in the KGB archives
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The Savitsky Collection is priceless; a single artwork by Volkov would exceed £2 million at auction, and the museum has the largest collection of his paintings in the world. reveals the work was originally much larger. The missing part -- probably cut out by Kurzin himself -- showed a selfportrait of the artist beside prisoners in the gulag. The Savitsky Collection is priceless; a single artwork by Volkov would exceed £2 million at auction, and the
museum has the largest collection of his paintings in the world. And it’s not just the financial value of the art which must be considered. “There are wonderful artists people have never heard of, including many women,” commented Charlotte Douglas, professor of Russian art at New York University, “and great works from artists we thought we understood but now realize we don’t.” The government added two new buildings to the museum complex in 2017 so that more of these previously unseen works could go on show, and to improve the storage and archive facilities.
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The well-known restaurateur of Uzbekistan Sanjar Maksudov invites guests of Tashkent to a unique place – Vinaryba (WinesandFish)! Some might assume that Tashkent doesn’t have quality fish at an affordable price, because there is no ports to sea in Uzbekistan. Smart Group restaurant chain together with chef Aziz Abduraimov break these stereotypes! Vinaryba is a grandeur restaurant (250 seats) with a unique assortment of valuable wines and contemporary dishes of salmon, trout, sturgeon, catfish and other types of fish.
Instagram: @vinariba Address: Nukus street 83, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Landmark: Embassy of the Russian Federation For table reservation: +998 954754888
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NOTE
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Useful phrases
for guests of Uzbekistan Hello Good morning Good afternoon Good evening Thank you / Thanks Please Sorry All right / OK How are you? What is your name? It’s nice to meet you Just a minute please Welcome May I take a look at it? OK See you later I’ll come back later What time is it? How do I get there? How far is it? How much is it? Wow! Why it’s so expensive? Make it cheaper! What is it? Exit / Entrance Toilet Can you help me? My number is Have a nice trip Goodbye
Assalomu Alaykum Khayrli tong Khayrli kun Khayrli oqshom Rakhmat Markhamat / Iltimos Kechirasiz Yakhshi Yakhshimisiz? Ismingiz nima? Tanishganimdan khursandman Bir daqiqa Khush kelibsiz. Ko’rsam maylimi? Kelishdik Ko’rishguncha Keyinroq kelaman Soat nechi bo’ldi? U yerga qanday boraman? Qancha uzoq? Nech pul? Voy, nega buncha qimmat? Arzonroq qilib bering! Bu nima? Chiqish / Kirish Khojatkhona Yordam bera olasizmi? Mening raqamim… Oq yo’l Khayr
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Your personal guide to Uzbekistan
S
ince 2010 ULYSSE TOUR Travel Agency has been offering a complete line of travel services for groups and individuals traveling to Uzbekistan. Whether it is a one-day tour or an extended stay, our travelers can be assured of a carefully-curated itinerary packed with experiences that connect them to the soul of the cities they visit. Agency organizes Silk Road inspired trips, Big Game road trips to the deserts, epic helicopter tours, and loads of other adventures in Uzbekistan. Visiting sunny Uzbekistan, you will see the iconic sites, also break bread with locals who are proud to invite you into their homes, share their cultures and tell their tales. We are lively, curious, knowledgeable and dedicated; We are united with our guests, partners, and each other. This year ULYSSE TOUR Travel Agency has expanded due to the opening of an outbound tourism department and Global Travel
Agent Ticket Office. So, now we also offer travel packages to multiple destinations all around the world for the citizens of Uzbekistan. Thereby, all three departments complement each other by promoting advanced services.
WHY UZBEKISTAN? Haven’t got the time to follow the legendary Silk Road all the way from Turkey to China? Well, Uzbekistan is the perfect location that sits astride the ancient trade route offering visitors a wealth of tourism possibilities. Most cities of the country have existed for over 2500 years. Their history is rich, while local culture and traditions deserve close attention. Uzbekistan is home to some of the Silk Road’s most iconic sights, such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. These cities are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There you can
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see the finest Islamic architecture, all restored to their former glory, enabling visitors to get a real appreciation of what life was like when these cities were hubs of international trade.
Services Organizing hiking & trekking, fishing, skiing & boarding, helicopter tours, and much more though our active tours, we also offer cultural, community-based, gastronomic, wellness, MICE, and other ready-to-book packages.
MICE MICE is highlighted as a separate service, provided by ULYSSE TOUR Travel Agency. The successful combination of modern infrastructure and attractive tourist destinations creates favorable conditions for holding corporate events in Uzbekistan. Thus, we organize conferences, business meetings, seminars, team buildings, and incentive tours for local and foreign customers, partners and employees.
Transport Also, ULYSSE TOUR offers a large selection of sedans, tourist minivans and buses, off-road vehicles, as well as the services of experienced drivers for both one-time transfers and during tourist routes within Uzbekistan.
Exclusive Greeting
Certified Guides
Another core service of our company is exclusive greeting. No matter what type of trip it is, ULYSSE TOUR team arranges a distinctive greeting ceremony for each traveler. Exclusive way of greeting symbolizes oriental hospitality and contributes to the pleasant start of the journey.
You will receive top quality service with the most carefully selected certified guides who are enthusiastic and knowledgeable people, proud of their country.
Hotels & Restaurants
ULYSSE TOUR offer unique Helicopter tours. This service deserve special attention, as it is in high demand among guests of Uzbekistan.
Moving further, having business partnerships with hotels, guest houses and restaurants around the country, we offer flexible group and individual rates for accommodation / meals for our guests.
Helicopter
For more information turn the page. >>
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MUST-DO
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MUST-EXPERIENCE AC T I V I T I E S I N TAS H K E N T Text: Nigora Kosimova
Visit Uzbekistan presents you the list of must-experience activities in Tashkent. Every tourist and guest should buy not only souvenirs that remind our country, but the warm memories. We picked a few must-do experienses that will blow your mind.
Fly above Uzbekistan with Ulysse Tour to witness a breathtaking view of Tashkent Mountains.
H
elicopter has always been an adventure. A day trip that lasts, but emotions will always be with you. Fly to witness a spectacular view from above with professional pilots, who provide you safety atmosphere. Make the dream come true by flying high in the sky by helicopter straight from Tashkent to meet the mighty Tien Shan mountains.
Always dreamed to be away from the rush city life and be in one wave with the nature, then it is one best options of getting rid of stress. Flying to the appointed destination and continuing the trip with hiking to great mountains charges our body with an energy and power. Helicopter tour is available all year long, even in winter to feel the snowy life in Chimgan.
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Helicopter service deserves special attention. As the general agent of helicopter tours in Uzbekistan, ULYSSE TOUR Travel Agency offers: Business Flights: intercity transfers Heli Nature Tours: day trips to the peaks of the Tien Shan mountains Heli-skiing. Helicopter flights are a great opportunity for incentive corporate events as well as for adventure group tours. This is an effective way to shake it up, as it is a very exciting and dynamic form of recreation. The MI-8 helicopters with ease will take you and your team into the kingdom of pristine nature, where lakes with crystal clear water are located among the mountain peaks covered with snow and dense wild greenery. Being in nature in an informal setting will contribute to the influx of new forces and will have a positive effect on mindset.
Photos: Mukhiddin A Lee
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MUST-EXPERIENCE AC T I V I T I E S I N TAS H K E N T Learn to cook local and international dishes.
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or the lovers of delicious and juicy food, aromatic coffee and multi-ingredient cakes, Cookbook Workshop is the right place to visit. For sure, your first visit will be followed by the several ones. Home atmosphere with the warm welcome of the staff and great chefs, ready to mentor in all difficult moments of creating culinary masterpiece – all about Cookbook Workshop. Cookbook Café is located in the center of Tashkent. The interior of the café is full of light and mixed colors to grab every guest’s attention. Pink mixed with light blue is the unusual, at the same time pleasant and calming mixture on the walls, make everyone to feel like home. Delicious and healthy breakfast, business lunch for reasonable price and rich assortment of desserts, cakes and buns always ready for guests.
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Family activities and cooking master classes at Cookbook
Seven reasons why to visit Cookbook Workshop
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Come with your children. Cookbook is equipped with unusual and modern playground, where babysitter is always ready to play with children. So, there is no need to worry about kids during dinner time or lunch.
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Every kid has a chance to be a part of any master-classes – pizza cooking, desserts, painting on gingerbread or cocktail preparation.
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Italian ice-cream – Giotto is served at CookBook. Here, you do not have to stand in a queue to get your favorite ice-cream.
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Master-classes and whole culinary courses. Cookbook is the first place in Tashkent where the secret recipes of Uzbek, Italian, French and American restaurant meals are shared and shown in the culinary process.
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You may visit the café with your colleagues. This type of teambuilding process is new and interesting, so it is a good idea to spend time with your team during the master-classes.
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Healthy and inspiring kitchen. You may order a sandwich or delicious pizza, but the menu of healthy food is impressive.
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The last and the happiest reason is the assortment of desserts, one of which you can take with you and make any meeting tasty. Here, cakes are baked and decorated; professionals create unimaginable desserts and cinnabons or profitroles are always ready.
“Cookbook Workshop gives me pleasure and charges me with positive energy everyday.” Nigora Azizkhodjaeva, founder of Cookbook Workshop
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MUST-EXPERIENCE AC T I V I T I E S I N TAS H K E N T
Hereditary ceramist, who follows the steps of his ancestors, talented Rustam Muzafarov, of Shakhrisabz dynasty in seventh generation, studies the secrets of ceramics from his childhood. Attend a masterclass on traditional ceramics.
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ustam Muzafarov’s creativity is the tradition of Shakhrisabz school. Birds, pomegranates, solar flowers and dotted carvings reflect bright creativity in his works. He is the successor of the Muzaffarov’s dynasty, has won a number of national competitions and with his contribution to the development of ceramic industry. His main purpose is to bring traditions and secrets of ceramics to the future generation. He won the UNESCO World Quality Indicator in 2014 and became the first master in Uzbekistan, who was able to gain this certificate.
To illustrate all moments of ceramic creation, Rustam Muzafarov provides the classes in his workshop in Tashkent.
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Creating a cup or a plate with our hands is a unique and interesting experience, which can be shared with your loved ones to make special day of creativity. During the master class, which lasts up to five-six hours, you have a chance to learn secrets and try to make a pot that you have in mind. Making it taller, wider or thinner is not as difficult as you may think. The program of the master class includes forming a ceramic object by hands on the special wheel, heating in a kiln, then decoration of the object with various colors, glazing and finally firing process, when you need to switch on your attentiveness. After all, when you complete all hard work, you can be proud of your patience and creativity and take a masterpiece with you.
Types of master-classes: Individual Group of friends and colleagues (snacks and beverages included) Family (snacks and beverages included)
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EVENT
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VISIT KOKAND TO EMBRACE THE ART OF CRAFTSMANSHIP Text: Brave Humility
As dozens of doira players filled the stage of Khudayar-Khan’s Palace, guests started to feel intense vibrations. Wave after wave, performers increased the volume until the base reminiscent of hard 80’s sounds. They made the ground shake – an unforgettable experience which pushed the sound to unimaginable limits.
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he First International Festival of Handicrafters that took place on September 10-15, 2019 in Kokand city was aimed to promote the history and culture of Uzbekistan through craftsmanship. With its rich history, Kokand established itself as a vibrant center for folk and applied
arts. Craftsmanship is diversified here; from wood carving to
papermaking to embroidery and jewelry. 1,116 masters from 153 districts in 34 directions of folk arts represented Uzbekistan in the festival. Besides, 240 artisans from 83 countries made their way to Kokand city to embrace the art of craftsmanship. Apart from the galaconcert, festival also hosted a parade of national costumes, performances by “askiya” masters and tightrope walkers. In his opening remarks, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev cordially congratulated the participants and expressed gratitude to foreign guests for their attention and respect for the country, for the festival. “An integral part of the universal human culture, folk applied arts occupy a special place in the life of every nation, in the formation of its mindset and values. Indeed, the emergence of crafts was an important historic step towards civilization,” the head of state noted. The high-level guest Rosy Greenlees, OBE, President of World Crafts Council also delivered a speech at the ceremony. “As a part of Silk Road, Kokand for many centuries played an important role in cultural interaction between people of wider region. Khudayar-Khan Palace a unique creation of the craftsmen of Uzbekistan in the heart of Fergana Valley has become the center to demonstrate the power of arts and crafts and strengthen the friendly ties between nations,” she noted. On July 23, 2019 the World Crafts Council affiliated with UNESCO awarded Kokand to the status of World Craft City, making a debut among CIS countries.
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Every time I think of my hometown - the ancient and magnificent land of Kokand, my heart swells full of pride! From the misty beginnings of our history, Kokand (Qo‘qon) has proven itself to be Ferghana valley’s most important town and the gateway to the entire region. I wish more world travelers knew of its rich heritage, reflected in the architectural masterpieces and the established culture that fills every inch of the land. Thanks to the First International Handcrafters Festival, Kokand city has given the world yet another reason to be the ideal cultural destination for those who seek authenticity. We know Kokand to be the hidden gem, with much to reveal to the world! Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, The First Lady of Uzbekistan
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10 Reasons
to Visit Uzbekistan A book has always been considered as a perfect gift. As you are looking for some unique memorable souvenirs from Uzbekistan, you definitely need to bring with you the book 10 reasons to Visit Uzbekistan. Why? Here are reasons: On 304 highly visual pages the book presents masterpieces of photography, some specially made for the project, others taken from the 15 years long archives. More than 250 works of the prominent photographer Ernest Kurtveliev reflect an extraordinary atmosphere, picturesque nature and marvelous architecture of Uzbekistan, as well as authentic lifestyle of its openhearted people. Preview and order: www.uzbekistanbook.dinara.co For wholesale orders call +998 (93) 390-00-98 Bookstore Tashkent: +998 (71) 252 74 99 e-mail: info@dinara.co
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TOP 4
TRADITIONAL KARAKALPAK DISHES Any journey to a foreign country includes an introduction with the national cuisine. Exploring local food can be a great way to get an insight into a nation’s culture. Considering a trip to Uzbekistan? If pilaf is the first and the only thing that comes to your mind on hearing the name of this country, below is the list of dishes that you can taste only in Karakalpakstan, a land of warmth and light.
Text: Guljamal Uzakbergenova Photos: Andrey Arakelyan
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arakalpak cuisine being the reflection of the nation’s way of living and history, chiefly consists of dough and meat dishes. Mostly, ingredients are boiled or roasted. The unusual combination of products creates peculiar taste leaving you clamoring for more. So here are some must-try traditional Karakalpak foods that can impress any gourmet.
Qawin aqsawlaq If you are tired of meat dishes, then have a taste of qawin (melon) aqsawlaq. This summer dish requires minimum ingredients and looks like a melon cream soup. In other words, it is the pita bread slices covered with melon jam and clarified butter. Notably, melon should be cooked down into a deep orange without any sugar. Qawin aqsawlaq is traditionally served in a large round dish alongside buttermilk. You are probably thinking that this traditional paste looks not very appealing, but do not judge a book by its cover!
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Besh barmaq Also known as Biyday (wheat) gurtik, boiled meat with dumplings cooked in the broth is perhaps one of the oldest traditional Karakalpak meals. However, it still has not lost its popularity and can often be found on a dastarkhan (tablecloth) of the majority of Karakalpak families. The process of cooking is quite time-consuming since it is believed that the longer the meat is boiled the better is the taste of the meal. The square-shaped dumplings are cooked in the beef or lamb broth and put on a large round dish. Then they are generously topped with special seasoning called “Duzliq” (a mixture of chopped onions and broth fat), meat and vegetables. As the name suggests Bes barmaq (“Five Fingers”) is essentially eaten with hands and served separately from its broth.
Ju’weri gurtik Just as British cuisine cannot be imagined without its famous fish and chips, so it is impossible to talk about Karakalpak food not mentioning Ju’weri gurtik. Being one of the quintessential dishes of Karakalpak people, it has historically been served on special occasions to highly respected guests. Since this traditional meal is calorically dense it is perfect for colder months. Despite that, the cooking process of this pasta dish is identical to that of Bes barmaq; contrary to the latter, dumplings here are round-shaped and made from ju’weri (sorgho) flour. Ju’weri gurtik just as Bes barmaq is served with duzliq, meat, vegetables on top and washed down with the broth.
Qarma If you are of the opinion that Karakalpak people prefer beef to any other kind of meat, then you are certainly wrong. Fish is one of the heavily consumed products in this region so there are a number of fish recipes with Qarma being the most loved one. This traditional fare represents from itself a carp meat boiled in lightly salted water mixed with noodles and fried onions. The broth is usually served in teabowls separately from noodles. The simplicity of preparation along with minimum ingredients make this intriguing combination of fish and dough special. Qarma is especially popular in northern parts of Karakalpakstan, near the Aral Sea, where fish has been the main consumption product for continuous decades.
leading galleries of contemporary art in Uzbekistan, which is dynamically developing, professionally presenting the modern fine and applied arts of the country. The ongoing unprecedented projects of new talented artists and a rich calendar of related events designed for different audiences are the strengths of the gallery's cultural policy, which is a dynamic place for discovery, analysis and cultural integration in continuous evolution.
THE ART THAT PLUCKS THE HEARTSTRINGS
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The AUTOGRAPH Art Gallery is one of the
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The annual art gallery exhibitions dedicated to the Independence Day of the country have become a genuine art festival for spectators and guests of Tashkent. From August 23 to September 20, 2019, the AUTOGRAPH Art Gallery hosted the art exhibition “Artists of Uzbekistan: continuity and Innovation” dedicated to the celebration of the 28th anniversary of Republic of Uzbekistan Independence. This project introduced authors of several generations - as leaders of today's art scene, as well as rising stars. Most artists have won national and international prizes, many have taken part in key international symposia and exhibitions. In the visual arts, like any dialectically developing process, there are stable, transformable and innovative aspects. In the so-called
traditional societies, people, assimilating art, reproduce its
Unconventional sculptural compositions presented in the
patterns, and if they make any changes, then within the
exposition include traditional Rishtan, Bukhara, Tashkent
framework of tradition. On its basis, the functioning of culture
ceramics, embroidery in the “iroki” technique, wood carving,
occurs. Tradition prevails over creativity. Art cannot exist
miniature and much more.
without traditions. Traditions in art as a historical memory – an
The AUTOGRAPH Gallery art projects provide an opportunity to
indispensable condition not only for the existence, but also for
see a picture of contemporary creative life, to trace the main
the development of all art, culture, even in the case of the creative
trends in the fine and applied art development, give a new
qualities of a new culture, dialectically denying, includes
impetus to the creative potential and fruitful mutual enrichment
continuity, assimilation of the positive results of previous
of the cultures.
activities - this is the general law of development, which operates
Everything is impressive here: a huge exhibition space (3 halls), a
in cultural sphere, and is of particular importance.
cozy atmosphere where the best cultural events take place.
The exhibition, which is representative in composition, makes it
On gallery account are the exhibitions with works performed in a
possible to show the skills to both young artists who are just
wide variety of techniques. Moreover, the AUTOGRAPH Art
entering the creative life, and already mature, established
Gallery regularly organizes and curates large-scale exhibitions,
masters. It pleases with the variety and brightness of individuals,
seminars, special events and projects in conjunction with other
artistic manners, the richness of the overall color palette, the
creative industries.
courage of imagination and creative search.
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JOURNEY
VISIT UZBEKISTAN
R EB O O T FROM ROUTINE I live in Uzbekistan for more than a year and still discover this country for myself. When it is possible for a weekend escape it is always a real holiday for the soul. I am from Russia, but only here I understood that I am a real cosmopolitan, because there are so many amazing places and people in the world. Authentic Uzbekistan is a real treasure!
Text: Valeriya Galikhanova
M
y husband and I love a little trip for a couple of days. They expand horizons and inspire to new goals. We specially went to get some rest from city-life routine to the music festival «STIHIA» in Karakalpakstan. It attracts hundreds of foreigners-lovers of electronic music. The festival is held for the second time in the desert Muynak on the former bottom of the Aral Sea. The road was long, first by plane to Nukus, then three hours by bus to the city, where is a «Graveyard of ships» and the festival itself happens. The trip is not easy, but impressive.
On this trip, we even managed to combine art explorations. Our first stop in Nukus was the world-famous Savitsky State Art Museum. The uniqueness and great value, in addition to works of art of Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan and Ancient Khorezm, are considered paintings by Russian artists, later they were called avantgarde, but for a long time in the USSR, their work was banned from shows. We definitely recommend to visit it! Muynak is located in Karakalpakstan, which is very different from the rest of Uzbekistan. For example, people here speak their own Karakalpak language. Despite the seeming
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emptiness, we noticed that the city is now rapidly built up and ennobled. After all, tourists come here from all over the world to see the place of the ecologic situation – what is left of the Aral Sea, and rusty huge abandoned ships on the former pier. In some places there are retro posters, reminiscent of the glorious past of the fishing town. By the way, next to the “Graveyard of ships” is a very small Museum, where even canned fish stored, which was mined in the sea. The air here is very dry, and if you have dry skin, it is probably better to come here in the spring, because in August the sun is still too hot, and the wind raises the
salty sand and carries far thousands of kilometers. We shook out sand even when arrived home, and the husband found a small white shell in a suitcase. The festival was great! We saw that for the locals it was the event of the year in their small town. So, to dance among the Germans and the British we did not succeed because there were a lot of locals with children! But it was fun and very cool! You all merge with the desert, people from different parts of the planet and you are all part of a whole. Unusual music was full of meditation on the regeneration of these places. You dance and really think that
stream of water will fall upon you and here formed by the sea again. By the way, the mission of “Stihia” is to draw public attention to this place and help it recover. You can stay here in a local hotel or guest houses. Of course with minimal comfort, but with the local hospitality, a cup of green tea and fresh naan you forget about all. Would like to end with a favorite quote of Mark Twain “Travel is fatal to prejudice, fanaticism, and limitation, so they are so badly needed by many people.” Well, we’ll be planning our next weekend, I promise to share impressions!
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PROMOTION
VISIT UZBEKISTAN
ERIELL:
15 YEARS OF SUCCESS For the last fifteen years, ERIELL has come a long way to grow into one of the largest independent groups of the service companies in the Eurasian region successfully operating in the oil and gas industry of Russia, Uzbekistan, and other countries.
T
oday ERIELL is the international oil service group providing facilities in the field of construction and overhaul for the leading companies of the oil and gas industry. The Company holds the leading positions in the drilling services market in Uzbekistan, the Russian Federation, Middle East countries and South Asia.
The Group’s history reflects the results of the tremendous work aimed at the growth of the material, technical and intellectual potential, development of new markets, gaining the status of a reliable business partner. The first contract for well drilling in Uzbekistan was signed in 2004. In 2007 ERIELL Group entered the new markets, including Russia, Bulgaria, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, and some other countries. In 2010 a new chapter in company’s history started from the opening of the ERIELL certified training centre in Karshi (Uzbekistan). At the
same time, the record-breaking results in drilling of horizontal wells in of ERIELL Group were recorded in YamaloNenets, Khanty-Mansyisk, and Nenets autonomous districts of Russia. 2013 was marked by the entry to the drilling services market of the Middle East. During 2013-2015 ERIELL Group became the strategic partner of CHL the Continental Hockey League. Another remarkable event in the history of the company happened between 20162019 when ERIELL Group achieved and surpassed the maximum of the drilling rate - 1 MILLION METRES PER YEAR. Nowadays the company is at the top of the ratings of the oil service companies as to key parameters of the development drilling. And it is considered to be in the top largest independent international drilling companies whose production facilities are located in different parts of the world.
One of the main reasons for the company’s success is that ERIELL Group has at its disposal one of the most innovative and hi-tech fleets of the drilling equipment, including superheavy drilling rig with the carrying capacity of 688 tons. Moreover, the company owns fleet comprises more than 1,400 units of motor vehicles, handling, and special modern types of equipment. The technical potential of ERIELL is based on the stationary, train and mobile drilling rigs, manufactured and equipped by the largest and advanced international producers such as Uralmash, HongHua Group, DFXK, who proved themselves as reliable partners in the oil and gas market. During the 15 years activity in the market of oilfield services, ERIELL is guided by a principle of timely and qualitative performance of the undertaken
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obligations to clients. It has allowed becoming the demanded executor of drilling works, to find the reputation of the contractor conducting them in strict conformity with technological regulations, in the period co-ordinated with customers, and even ahead of the planned terms. Professional delivery of services by ERIELL Group, both in terms of quality and terms of work, along with the experience gained in successful implementation of investment projects, was the best recommendation for long-
term and full-scale cooperation with many well-known companies.
The core of the personnel engaged in
Success of ERIELL Group would not be possible without professionalism and consistent hard work of managers, specialists, engineers, technologists, drilling crews’ employees, all of the united, dedicated, multinational team of the company, the power of which is based on the combination of knowledge, experience of veterans and energy, determination of middle-managers and new graduates of universities and technical schools.
up of brave, strong people who are not
well construction and overhaul is made afraid of working in difficult climatic conditions. They are highly qualified, skilled in advanced technologies, have extensive professional experience. Thanks to them, the 15-year-history of the company a chain of professional, production and innovative achievements, breaking of drilling rate records is continuing every day.
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VISIT UZBEKISTAN
U seful A ddresses V U : isit
zbekistan magazine is now available at
BEGIM PARFUM GALLERY
AUTOGRAPH ART GALLERY
1. 7, Shahrisabz st., Yunusabad district, Tashkent tel: (+998) 71 233 84 84
1 house, Ataturk st., Mirabad district, Tashkent tel: (+998) 71 203 00 33 web: galleryart.uz
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HYATT REGENCY, TASHKENT 1A Navoi, Tashkent, Uzbekistan tel.: (+998) 71 207 12 34 tashkent.regency@hyatt.com
4. “Mega Planet” mall 2B, Ahmad Donish st., Yunusabad distict, Tashkent tel: (+998) 71 150 87 58 5. “Next” mall 6, Bobur st., Yakkasaray district, Tashkent tel: (+998) 71 230 75 34 6. “Compass” mall 17, Tashkent Ring Automobile Road, Mirabad District, Tashkent tel: (+998) 71 205 15 85 web: parfumgallery.uz
THEATRE-STUDIO SILK ROUTE MARIONETTES “Samarqand Darvoza” mall, Karatash st. 5A, Shaykhantahur district, Tashkent city, Uzbekistan tel: (+998) 95 198 83 83 (ticket office), (+99893) 515 20 51 web: marionettes.uz
ICHAN QAL’A PREMIUM CLASS HOTEL 75/10, Yusuf Khos Khojib, Tashkent, Uzbekistan tel.: (+998) 71 231 98 98 For room reservation: reservation@ichanqala.uz MUSEUM OF APPLIED ART OF UZBEKISTAN
ORIENT FINANS BANK 5, Osiyo str., Tashkent, Uzbekistan tel.: (+998) 71 200 88 99 info@ofb.uz
15, Rakatboshi st., Yakkasaray district, Tashkent Tel: (+998 71) 256-40-42, 256-39-43 Web: www.artmuseum.uz