Culture and history

Uzbekistan was formed at the intersection of the Silk Road: Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva have been centers of trade, crafts and science for centuries.

The Timurid era laid the foundation of the architectural and scientific school (madrasah, mosaic, Ulugbek observatory), and Suzane patterns and ikat fabrics became cultural symbols.

In modern times, the khanates of Bukhara, Khiva and Kokanda entered the orbit of the Russian Empire, then the USSR, which strengthened urbanization, Russian-Uzbek bilingualism and secular institutions.

Since 1991, independent Uzbekistan has been actively restoring historical quarters and developing tourism, preserving the traditions of mahalli, hospitality and family holidays.

Nowruz, pilaf, tea culture, makam/shashmakom music, as well as national types of wrestling (kurash) form an identity.

Social norms are largely conservative and based on Islamic heritage, which is reflected in the attitude towards leisure and mass entertainment: priority is family formats, crafts and cultural festivals, and not risk-oriented entertainment.