The Bukhara Biennial is a dynamic platform where contemporary art and cultural heritage converge in the historic city of Bukhara, fostering new creative exchanges between local traditions and global voices.
Bukhara’s roots as a crossroads of culture, knowledge, and craftsmanship for over two millennia inspired a new chapter marked by Uzbekistan’s first major international art biennial and a new and evolving Cultural District. The Bukhara Biennial reflects a wider vision spearheaded by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF): to revitalise heritage not as a static memory, but as a foundation for creative futures.
The 2025 inaugural edition was curated by Diana Campbell under the theme Recipes for Broken Hearts. Running from 5th September to 23rd November 2025 the 10-week-long, interdisciplinary event convened global and regional artists alongside Uzbekistan’s master artisans, drawing 1.8 million visitors. All commissions were site-specific and produced by ACDF in Uzbekistan – a tribute to the enduring power of local craft and collaboration. The 2027 edition will be curated by Kulapat Yantrasast and will run from 3 September to 21 November 2027.
Bukhara’s inaugural and evolving Cultural District brings new purpose to restored landmarks of historic significance including the Magoki Attori Mosque and centuries-old caravanserais, brought to life by the biennial as the first of many initiatives. In the future the Cultural District will welcome a fine art museum, an exhibition space, a music school, a studio for artists, and a digital archive.
Both the Bukhara Biennial and Cultural District form part of a long-term, holistic masterplan for the UNESCO Creative Cities of Craft & Folk Art. This plan is spearheaded by Gayane Umerova with Wilmotte & Associés as the lead architecture practice.
Uzbekistan will once again become a centre of attraction for artists, artisans and visitors from across the world. The second edition of the Bukhara Biennial will return to the historic city of Bukhara in Autumn 2027.
Set against the backdrop of the ancient Silk Roads, the biennial unfolds beneath open skies and within centuries-old mosques and madrasas, where contemporary art enters into dialogue with living heritage.
Gayane Umerova is dedicated to advancing Uzbekistan’s cultural sector and strengthening the role of arts and heritage in society. She serves as Head of the Department of Creative Economy and Tourism of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, and Chairperson of the 25th session of the UNESCO General Assembly.
Kulapat Yantrasast is the founder and creative director of WHY Architecture, an internationally recognized practice shaping major cultural institutions worldwide. Recent projects include the Met's Michael C. Rockefeller Wing (2025), the Dib Contemporary Art Center in Bangkok, and the ilmi Science Discovery & Innovation Center in Riyadh. WHY is also designing the Louvre's new Department of Byzantine and Eastern Christian Art and the National Museum of India in New Delhi — set to become the largest museum in the world.
The Bukhara Biennial has launched an Advisory Board to guide the development of the next edition. Made up of leading international figures from the fields of contemporary art, culture, and academia, the Board provides strategic guidance on the biennial's artistic vision, programme, and global engagement. By creating a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas and fostering meaningful institutional collaborations, the Advisory Board will help extend the scope and impact of the biennial, supporting its long-term development and international resonance. Drawing on expertise and multiple perspectives, the Advisory Board supports the biennial's mission to foster meaningful dialogue between contemporary artistic practice.
Please complete the form with your contact details so that we may assist you, or contact us directly for further information at info@bukharabiennial.uz