The Uzbek Chapter
On May 30th, the Uzbekistan Art & Culture Development Foundation and the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship opened ‘The Uzbek Chapter’ on the Homo Faber Guide… Introducing the first eleven craft masters from Uzbekistan.
It is a regional premiere for craft. Uzbekistan is indeed the country from Central Asia to have its craft masters joining the prestigious Homo Faber Guide. This milestone is also a profound acknowledgement of the excellence of Uzbek craftsmanship by a respected international institution.
After signing an partnership last October 2022 in Geneva, the Uzbekistan Art & Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) and the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship (MF) have been working on referencing and documenting the Uzbek masters in craft.
To celebrate this significant achievement and to further promote international cultural exchanges in craft, an enriching series of events filled with discussions, masterclasses and workshops has being organised for a week from May 30th, in the historic city of Bukhara, the heart of Uzbek craftsmanship.
Alberto Cavalli, Executive Director of the Michelangelo Foundation will open the ‘Uzbek Chapter’ of the Homo Faber Guide together with Gayane Umerova, Executive Director of ACDF are presenting the eleven masters to local and international press representatives and are part of a talk about the ‘Power of Craft’ that I am honoured to moderate with additional guests such as Nada Debs (Lebanon) and Ahmad Angawi (Saudi Arabia).
“We are delighted to collaborate with Uzbekistan Art & Culture Development Foundation for the Uzbekistan Chapter, a celebratory event to welcome the first master artisans from Central Asia to Homo Faber Guide. Guided by the belief that craft can transform lives, the Foundation gives visibility to artisans to help them build sustainable careers, supports the younger generations and champions craftsmanship. We rely on the support of like-minded institutions who share our values and visions, to celebrate, promote and safeguard diverse artisanal skills. We look forward to discovering the richness of craftsmanship in Uzbekistan through Uzbekistan Art & Culture Development Foundation’s invaluable recommendations.” Alberto Cavalli, Executive Director, Michelangelo Foundation.
“The appearance of the 'Uzbek Chapter' in the Homo Faber Guide is an important step towards the internal self-definition of traditional Uzbek culture. Only through the recognition of the value of crafts, whose history goes back hundreds of years, can we speak of the preservation of our cultural identity. For us, the emergence of the 'Uzbek Chapter' is much more than recognition of specific masters; it is recognition of the entire Uzbek culture. The Michelangelo Foundation gave us the opportunity to meet like-minded people, experts who make a significant contribution to understanding the place of craftsmanship in the modern world. I am sure that our cooperation will continue because through the inclusion of Uzbek craftsmanship practices in the global cultural space, through creative dialogue with art historians, designers, cultural scientists, and true connoisseurs, we can give a new impetus to the development of crafts and support traditional ways of life, in isolation from which culture cannot develop” says Gayane Umerova, Executive Director of the Art and Culture Development Foundation.
Discover the Uzbek Craft Masters
Bukhara
Khiva
Kokand
Margilan
Samarkand
Tashkent
Attending the event in Uzbekistan, the senior management of MF will also visit Samarkand, its artisans and cultural heritage sites. During a week, ACDF & MF are offering a unique opportunity to ten international students and young professionals specialised in embroidery to embark on a discovery trip to Bukhara. During this cultural exploration, they will have the chance to engage with their Uzbek peers and local masters, to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Uzbekistan, visit significant sites, familiarise with traditional practices, and meet established local artisans featured in the Homo Faber Guide.
In further endorsement of this cultural exchange, the Homo Faber Guide's Editor in Chief, Andrea Tomasi, will also embark on an extensive tour of the country to discover more craft venues, experts, and masters. This exploration is set to enhance the Uzbek presence on the Homo Faber Guide's website before the end of the year.
The Uzbek Chapter in Bukhara is a new commitment, set to become an annual gathering, that demonstrate ACDF’s commitment to fostering mutual understanding and respect for diverse artisanal practices. It is through such initiatives that aim to safeguard and promote the rich and diverse tapestry of global craftsmanship, with Uzbek crafts taking a well-deserved position on this international stage.
Participants will have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Uzbekistan, visit significant sites, familiarize with traditional practices, and meet established local artisans featured in the Homo Faber Guide.
