HERITAGE
Uzbekistan lies at the heart of Central Asia, a land shaped by deserts, fertile river valleys, and centuries of cultural exchange along the Silk Road. From the ancient Sogdian settlements to the monumental Islamic architecture of Samarkand and Bukhara, its heritage reflects layers of political, economic, and artistic history. Today, this legacy forms not only the backdrop for tourism but also a framework through which the country reflects on its place in the modern world.
Daily life in Uzbekistan unfolds at a pace that can feel different to visitors from Western countries. Markets remain central meeting points, tea is shared as a gesture of welcome, and family ties play a strong role in social organisation. Hospitality is not staged for the benefit of tourists — it is a deeply rooted social value, extending naturally to travellers. Encounters in courtyards, neighbourhood gatherings, and open invitations to share a meal often become as memorable as the historic sites themselves.
The concept of heritage in Uzbekistan encompasses both tangible and intangible elements. On the one hand, it includes the preservation of mosques, madrassas, fortresses, and archaeological sites such as Kafir Kala, which provide material evidence of past civilisations. On the other, it lives in oral traditions, crafts, music, and culinary practices that have been passed down through generations. Heritage here is not confined to museum collections; it is woven into the rhythm of public life — in the weaving workshops of Margilan, the bread-baking rituals of rural villages, and the epic storytelling that still echoes in cultural gatherings. These practices are not simply remnants of history but are continuously adapted, finding space in modern Uzbekistan while retaining their cultural meaning.
Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Uzbekistan has been engaged in a process of redefining its national identity. This includes a renewed focus on restoring monuments, preserving archaeological landscapes, and promoting its cultural heritage as a source of pride. At the same time, the country is adapting these heritage narratives to contemporary needs, seeking to connect local communities, policymakers, and visitors in shaping how the past is presented and sustained.
One example of this approach is the KALAM project at the Kafir Kala archaeological site near Samarkand. Combining excavation work with ethnographic research, the project aims to protect the site’s physical remains while involving nearby communities in interpretation and visitor engagement. Initiatives include the creation of an archaeological park, educational activities for schools, and training programs that encourage residents to participate in guiding, handicraft production, and storytelling. These efforts illustrate how heritage preservation can go hand in hand with social and economic benefits, ensuring that historical sites remain meaningful not only for international visitors but also for the people who live alongside them.
In this way, heritage in Uzbekistan is not simply a collection of monuments from another era. It is intertwined with the present: with the way people live, the stories they tell, and the choices the nation makes as it charts a course between its historical inheritance and its future development.
