Samarkand has been designated as the Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for the year 2024, succeeding St. Petersburg in this prestigious role. The transfer of this honorary status is expected to further boost tourism in Samarkand, a city already drawing over a million visitors annually, TuraNews.kz reports.
Boasting a rich history spanning nearly 2800 years, Samarkand holds the same venerable age as Rome and Athens. Nestled in the heart of the Great Silk Road, the city emerged as a pivotal trade and political hub in Central Asia during the 7th century, where history and culture converge.
Here are five compelling reasons to visit Samarkand:
- Architectural Marvels: Samarkand is a tourist mecca, attracting travelers from around the globe. Visitors can marvel at intricately carved red clay terracottas, touch stones dating back a thousand years, and capture memorable moments against the backdrop of ancient mosaics.
- Registan Square: Encircled by madrassas constructed between the 15th and 17th centuries, Registan Square stands as a testament to the city’s historical and cultural significance.
- Mirzo Ulugbek Airport: Shaped like a book of constellations, this airport pays homage to Mirzo Ulugbek, a great scientist who lived and worked in Samarkand.
- Siab Bazaar: Renowned as the largest and oldest bazaar in Uzbekistan, Siab Bazaar offers a sensory journey into oriental exotica and culinary delights.
- Historical and Ethnographic Park “Eternal City”: Spanning 260 hectares, this park encapsulates the architectural and folkloric wealth of Central Asia. The recent addition of the “Silk Road Samarkand” complex, featuring a congress center and hotels, enhances the city’s tourism infrastructure.
Samarkand’s recognition as the Cultural Capital of the CIS is aligned with Uzbekistan’s commitment to preserving, promoting, and studying its cultural heritage. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Chairman of the Board of the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan, emphasized the collaborative efforts with Russia in this endeavor.
The international gathering, “Cultural heritage of Uzbekistan – the foundation of a new Renaissance,” serves as a platform for discussions on cultural preservation, drawing experts, scholars, and enthusiasts from around the world. Samarkand sees the convergence of approximately 400 scientists from 40 countries, including orientalists, archaeologists, and museum professionals.
The city also attracts world-renowned cinema figures such as Kevin Spacey, Emir Kusturica, Frederic Diefenthal, and Vladimir Khotinenko. Director Timur Bekmambetov solidified ties with the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan through a memorandum of cooperation in Samarkand.
With its new status as the cultural hub of the CIS, Samarkand aims to position itself as a gateway for tourism not only to Uzbekistan but to the entirety of Central Asia, further enhancing its allure on the global stage.
