Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Today, on December 24th, a press conference was held at the Agency for Information and Mass Communications, organized by the Ministry of Culture, to summarize the work done in 2024 and to outline plans for 2025. The Minister of Culture Ozodbek Nazarbekov, First Deputy Minister of Culture Avazkhon Tadjikhanov, Director of the Cinematography Agency under the Ministry of Culture Shuhrat Rizayev, as well as the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, central apparatus, and heads of system organizations participated in the event.

At the beginning of the press conference, Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov reported on the achievements of 2024 and unveiled the plans for 2025.

Among the highlights:

• In the field of theater and circus, 10,479 performances were held with 3.6 million spectators attending, and “Uzbekcirc” organized 556 circus performances with 150,000 spectators.

• In the concert and show sector, 7,255 events were held, attracting 10.037 million people.

• In the area of cultural centers and intangible cultural heritage, 837 cultural centers organized over 26,000 cultural, educational, and concert performances, engaging 2.5 million people.

• The establishment of the Institute for Cultural Studies and Intangible Cultural Heritage led to 13 local and 1 international folklore expeditions, documenting nearly 250 examples of intangible cultural heritage. Additionally, 50 audiovisual works were created for promotion on the internet and social media. The “Rubob Making and Performance Traditions” were included in UNESCO’s international representative list of intangible cultural heritage.

• 18 national competitions and festivals engaged over 10,000 creative young people, and 14 “Leader and Youth” meetings were organized, involving over 1,400 young people.

• In the field of education, 2,000 pedagogical staff and professors from cultural education institutions received advanced training, and over 2,600 teachers from colleges underwent certification.

• The President's decree on improving the teaching of music culture in general education schools and developing professional activities for music culture teachers was confirmed in November 2024. Moreover, the decree on increasing salaries for teachers and staff in children's music and art schools starting from January 2025 was announced.

• In international relations, 6 new friendship societies with Belarus, Spain, Canada, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, and Oman were established, bringing the total number to 42.

• The “Uzbekistan Culture Days” were held in 9 countries, including China, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Tajikistan, the United Kingdom, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Russia. Similarly, the “Culture Days” of Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Qatar were organized in Uzbekistan, and cultural events dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence were held in 8 countries.

Additionally, 35 cultural and art workers were provided with new housing under the "Human Dignity" principle in Tashkent's Yashnabad district.

The Ministry’s leadership also presented plans for 2025:

• 3.8 million people will be engaged in theatrical performances, and 10.2 million in cultural events and festivals.
• International festivals such as the “International Bakshich Art Festival,” “III International Handicrafts Festival,” and “Silk Road Jewel” International Film Festival will take place.
• 10.5 million people will participate in cultural events organized by state concert organizations.
• The “Culture Days” will be held in 50 regions and cities, with a focus on cultural exchange.
• Concerts and performances will take place in all districts and cities, with notable performers and artists.
• 20 new state-private partnership cultural and artistic institutions will be created.
• The number of degree-holding staff in cultural and artistic higher education institutions will increase by 30.
• Cultural centers will become bases for music culture education.
• Additional materials and resources will be developed for teaching national music instruments.
• Cultural and art schools will ensure the training of highly qualified teachers, increasing the percentage of university-educated instructors to 55%.
• The production of films from the “Living History” series will continue.
• An international film academy in Uzbekistan will be established, and measures will be taken to create free economic zones for cinema.

At the end of the press conference, media representatives had the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers on topics of interest.