Cultural Feast Awaits at Bukhara Biennial in Uzbekistan: A Symphony of Senses Offering Art, Emotional Impact, and Healing
The First Bukhara Biennial: A Feast for Shattered Hearts
Brace yourself, art lovers! The Bukhara Biennial, themed "Recipes for Broken Hearts," is set to take over historic Bukhara, a UNESCO Creative City of Craft & Folk Art, starting September 5, 2025.
Curated by Diana Campbell and under the creative direction of architecture maestro Wael Al Awar, this 10-week art extravaganza will showcase a melting pot of contemporary art and traditional practices, inspired by an age-old local legend.
More than 70 artists will contribute to this unparalleled event, with international heavyweights like Antony Gormley, Subodh Gupta, and Binta Diaw joining forces with local talents such as Gulnur Mukazhanova, Aisultan Seit, Aziza Shadenova, Saule Suleimenova, and many more Uzbek and Kazakh artists.
This biennial takes the form of an elaborate feast to explore the healing power of art and culture through collaborative participation. Exploring the concept of time as a crucial component in art, cooking, and healing, the exhibition will be complemented by chef residencies, workshops, and public events.
The heart's creative energy is beautifully highlighted in this inaugural event, as curator Campbell aptly puts it:
"Bukhara, in the tenth century, offers us numerous ways to mend broken hearts."
The central figure inspiring this theme is Ibn Sina, renowned for his wisdom as a philosopher and healer. According to tradition, he invented plov, a symbol of Uzbek cuisine, to cure a lovesick prince's broken heart. This centuries-old dish isn't merely a meal but atestament to the cultural richness of Uzbekistan.
Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize-winning behavioral economist, has outlined the significant impact of shared meals on emotional well-being, reaffirming the power of food and art to heal emotional wounds.
This captivating exhibition is absolutely free, allowing art aficionados from all corners of the world to partake in this unique cultural and artistic experience. It's worth mentioning that Uzbekistan is also presenting 17 historic exhibits showcasing the country's cultural heritage at the second Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
So, mark your calendars for September 5, 2025, as we dive into "Recipes for Broken Hearts," an unforgettable art event that flawlessly intertwines age-old tradition with contemporary expression.
- The Biennial's theme, "Recipes for Broken Hearts," is inspired by a local legend about Ibn Sina, who invented a dish called plov to mend a lovesick prince's heart.
- Aisultan Seit, one of the local Uzbek artists, will contribute to the Bukhara Biennial, a global event that intertwines contemporary art with traditional Uzbek practices.
- In addition to the Bukhara Biennial, Uzbekistan will also present 17 historic exhibits at the second Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, highlighting its rich cultural heritage.
- The biennial, which explores the healing power of art and culture, will feature collaborative activities such as chef residencies, workshops, and public events, showcasing Uzbekistan's strong connection to food and art.
- Uzbekistan emerges as a beacon of cultural exchange on the global stage, offering a unique blend of fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and global cuisines in the travel journey for art enthusiasts worldwide.
