The National Centre RUSSIA team studied the experience of cultural centres in Uzbekistan

The Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Natalia Virtuozova, together with her team, visited a number of key cultural and educational venues in Tashkent, including the Centre of Islamic Civilisation, the Art and Culture Development Foundation, and the Human House art gallery. The participants of the visit explored museum expositions, educational spaces and initiatives aimed at preserving cultural memory and supporting creative work.

The visit took place on the eve of the opening of International Industrial Trade Fair "INNOPROM. Central Asia", in which the National Centre is taking part with its flagship project, the Department Store RUSSIA.

"Tashkent is a city where history and modernity complement each other in a remarkable way. In every part of this wonderful capital of Uzbekistan, you can feel respect for traditions, a careful attitude to the past, and at the same time openness to the future and forward movement. There is a special harmony in this, which can be felt in everything — in the architecture, in the people, in the atmosphere of the city," said Natalia Virtuozova.

One of the key stops on the route was the Centre of Islamic Civilisation in Tashkent — the largest scientific and educational complex dedicated to the heritage of the Islamic world. It combines a large-scale museum exposition, modern multimedia technologies and platforms for international cooperation. The exposition covers millennia of cultural, scientific and intellectual development in Uzbekistan — from antiquity to the present day.

Among its unique exhibits are one of the oldest manuscripts of the Qur’an (the Uthman Qur’an from the 7th century), the world’s only collection of arrowheads dating back up to 80,000 years, the Kushan carpet dating back around 2,200 years, which is considered the first carpet in Central Asia, as well as items related to the Great Silk Road and artefacts from the era of Amir Temur.

Special attention in the Centre is given to the link between historical heritage and the modern development of Uzbekistan: one of the halls is dedicated to the country’s reforms and achievements in the 21st century and presents the concept of the "Third Renaissance".

Another space — the Alley of Glory — is dedicated to outstanding scholars and thinkers of the East, including Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Biruni, Al-Farabi and others. The hall is decorated with large-scale mosaic panels depicting these historical figures — works executed in a complex technique with no equivalents in Central Asia. The Centre is not limited to exposition activities: it includes a library with a collection of more than 45,000 publications, restoration laboratories, a children’s museum and spaces for temporary expositions and educational programmes — all of which make it an important scientific and cultural hub in the region.

"In the Centre of Islamic Civilisation, the richness of national culture is revealed especially clearly. Its mission resonates with the goals of the National Centre RUSSIA: through respect for the past and pride in achievements, we demonstrate the strength of traditions and the contribution of people who shape the present and the future of the country. And we speak about our countries with special care," noted Natalia Virtuozova.

The Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA also met with the Director of the Centre of Islamic Civilisation, Firdavs Abdukhalikov. During the meeting, they discussed the connection between Uzbek culture and the heritage of the Turan civilisation, dating back 80,000 years, the role of Islam in promoting ideas of peace and tolerance, as well as the importance of educational work.

Firdavs Abdukhalikov noted that the Centre positions itself not as a museum, but as a cultural and educational platform. According to him, the goal is not simply to display exhibits, but to transform visitors: a person should enter the complex one way and leave changed, enriched with knowledge.

"We have created 800 short films that tell stories about love, personality, and spiritual and fundamental values. Through them, we carry out our educational mission: we help people understand the true essence of Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance," said Firdavs Abdukhalikov.

Another stop on the route of the National Centre RUSSIA team was the Human House art gallery — a multifaceted cultural space in Tashkent that brings together a craft shop, a creative studio and an event venue.

All these places play a crucial role for Uzbekistan: they preserve historical memory, shape cultural identity and become points of attraction for residents and visitors alike. Through them, the richness of traditions, continuity between generations and the drive for development are revealed.

For the first time abroad, the National Centre RUSSIA is presenting its flagship project, the Department Store RUSSIA. Visitors will be able to explore products of domestic production, as well as attend the business and event programme as part of International Industrial Trade Fair "INNOPROM. Central Asia" in Uzbekistan.