Tashkent hosted a presentation of the Charhpalak art album and the grand opening of the exhibition of the same name, bringing together works by 17 contemporary Uzbek artists. The project was implemented by the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan with the support of Kapitalbank and is dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

At the heart of the artistic concept behind Charhpalak lies the idea of preserving cultural heritage and fostering continuity between generations through the lens of contemporary art. As noted in the album’s foreword by Akmal Nur, Chairman of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, academician, and People’s Artist of Uzbekistan, the contemporary artist serves not only as an interpreter but also as a co-creator of cultural heritage, revealing new meanings relevant to our time.

The title, symbolizing continuous movement and renewal, reflects the connection between the past, present, and future of national art. The exhibition demonstrates how traditions find new expression in the work of contemporary artists.

The concept of the exhibition and the accompanying art album unfolds across four thematic sections: “Crossroads of Cultures,” “Turan and Iran,” “The Cosmos of Islam,” and “A New Cycle of Co-Creation,” presented in an art-historical study by Kamola Akilova and Alexey Arapov.

One of the exhibition’s key symbols is a traditional jug surrounded by 17 knots, each representing one of the artists featured in the project. The rope connecting them symbolizes a shared cultural code, while the jug itself represents the preservation of national traditions and the memory passed down through generations. Seventeen artists. Seventeen creative voices. One thread of cultural heritage that brings them together.

For Kapitalbank, participation in the Charhpalak project has provided an opportunity to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, as well as to the development of contemporary national art.

“Cultural heritage is not only what we have received from previous generations, but also what we must pass on to those who follow. That is why it is important to us that projects like this extend beyond exhibition spaces and reach a wider audience,” said Oksana Lindina, Advisor to the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of JSCB Kapitalbank.

The event also featured a roundtable discussion dedicated to contemporary art and the preservation of cultural heritage. The discussion brought together artists, art historians, media representatives, and international participants of the Contemporary Art Biennale, of which the Charhpalak project is a part.

The Charhpalak exhibition will remain open at the Akademiya Gallery until October 30, 2026. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore works by 17 contemporary Uzbek artists, as well as art installations that reveal the connection between national traditions and contemporary art.

Copies of the album will also be donated to libraries and cultural institutions across Uzbekistan, helping introduce a wider audience to the work of the country’s artists.