The 65th International Flowers Festival has officially kicked off in Namangan, widely celebrated as Uzbekistan’s “City of Flowers.” According to Anadolu Agency, as reported by Kazinform, the historic event began on May 24th and will run until July 12, 2026. This premier cultural celebration features nearly 500 local and foreign gardeners, florists, and designers showcasing more than 1,000 flower varieties, including rare species.
To solidify the city’s floral reputation, approximately 150 million flower saplings representing 120 different species are being planted across Namangan in contemporary landscape layouts, miniature displays, and decorative installations. The event includes a traditional 10-kilometer auto parade featuring over 200 flower-decorated vehicles traveling from Namangan International Airport to Babur Park. The park serves as the main hub, hosting massive floral arrangements created by 250 specialists across 8 hectares, alongside 12 dedicated photo zones. Hotel occupancy in the city has already reached 95%, with organizers expecting over 1 million foreign tourists from 50 countries and around 7 million local visitors.
A key highlight this year is an official application submitted to the Guinness World Records under the category “Most flowers planted by a team in one month.” Between April 20 and May 20, approximately 30 million flowers were planted in Namangan, and the process has been fully documented according to international standards. The festival’s program features over 150 events, including open-air concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra, a Fashion Week showcasing floral-themed collections from international designers—including Türkiye—a drone show, a Lavender Festival, and various international trade and gastronomy fairs. Masterclasses led by experts from the Netherlands, Japan, and Türkiye are also scheduled.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, the Khokim (Governor) of Namangan, Shavkat Abdurazakov, highlighted the city’s strategic textile ties with Türkiye, noting that out of $4 billion in foreign investment drawn to Namangan in 2024–2025, around $600 million belongs to Turkish partners. He also emphasized the sister-city bond established in 2018 with Türkiye’s Isparta, noting that Namangan entrepreneurs are gradually adopting Isparta’s renowned rose oil and rose water production techniques.
