Kettik!
This week’s guide
A week with a symphony orchestra and 80s hits on Friday, a puppet theatre and Van Gogh on Sunday, a DNA map of Uzbekistan and surrealism on Saturday. In between – vinyl networking, Swiss video art on control and freedom, a one-person show with not a single detail revealed, and an open discussion on Borges. 17 events over the week – from 10,000 soums to free entry. Don't miss out!
Friday
MUSIC
Ne Prosto Retro 80's Concert
The Ne Prosto Grand Symphony Orchestra from Kazakhstan, with choir and soloists, performs legendary 80s hits: Michael Jackson, Sting, Boney M, ABBA, Modern Talking, Scorpions, Roxette, Bee Gees, Alla Pugacheva, Yuri Shatunov, Gipsy Kings, Village People and others.
2 Navoi Avenue
Yunusabad District
190,000 – 840,000 soums
ART
Marionettes Video Exhibition — Peter Aerschmann
Swiss artist Peter Aerschmann creates video art where the same human movements repeat endlessly, like a loop. The Marionettes exhibition explores the boundary between control and freedom: who governs our habits and actions? One central theme is ecology as part of everyday consumption patterns.
Osie Street
landmark Minor Somsa
Free entry
ART
Bad Painting Exhibition — Temur Khamrakulov
A solo exhibition by artist Temur Khamrakulov in partnership with HLMRDV Gallery. 'Bad Painting' is deliberately crude, anti-academic painting that explores the boundary between mistake and technique.
National Library of Uzbekistan
adults 30,000 soums / students 15,000 soums
Saturday
THEATRE
One-Man Show 'Madame'
A one-man show by the Bekar Theatre. One person on stage, one story – from beginning to end without an interval. Details of the performance are kept secret so that audiences experience the show unprepared. Booking: +998941319689 / @bekar_theatre
Restopub 'PNH' Hall
17 Matbuotchilar Street, Lower Hall
Free entry, but by prior reservation only
ART
NotOnlyDali. Surrealism and Its Geniuses
A lecture, discussion and interactive activities from Kandinsky Art Club. Surrealism is not only Dalí: the session explores the movement's hidden geniuses, discusses their works and deciphers the mysteries of the canvases. The price includes a welcome drink and a set of materials.
Cultura Gastrobar
300,000 soums
MUSIC
The Music of Hans Zimmer
Tynda.music performs the music of Hans Zimmer – the film composer whose themes from 'Interstellar', 'The Lion King', 'Inception', 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'The Dark Knight' are known worldwide. Symphony orchestra and choir.
Palace of National Cinema Art 'Panorama'
15 Alisher Navoi Street
from 230,000 to 700,000 soums
ART
Exhibition 'LAXTAK' — Dilyara Kaipova
'Laxtak' means patchwork. Almost the entire exhibition is assembled from patches. For the first time in one space, three 'mediums of the artist' are presented: panels in the kurak technique, the famous robes, and ceramics created in collaboration with Rishtan master Rustam Usmanov.
Regeneration Art Gallery
Hamid Olimjon Street
Free entry
SCIENCE
Science Talk 'Ikat and the DNA of an Uzbek: What Do They Have in Common?'
The first ever genetic study of Uzbekistan's population in an open talk-show format. The guest of the evening is Shakhlo Turdikulova, Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. A conversation about how the country's DNA map is being formed, what it reveals about the roots of Uzbeks, and what invisible connections unite us today. The interview will be conducted by Nargiza Alikulova, an expert in strategic communications. Limited seating. Registration: @hhuzevent
Human House
43 Kichik Mirabad
Free admission
Sunday
COMMUNITY
Puppet Show 'The Caliph Stork'
A production based on Wilhelm Hauff's fairy tale. The caliph turns into a stork and loses the magic word that would restore his human form. Director Roman Boklanov reimagines the story, turning it into a tale of freedom and loneliness. The performance takes place at the National Puppet Theatre of Uzbekistan, where the first phase of a major renovation has already been completed.
1 Afrosiab Street (Uzbek National Puppet Theatre)
from 40,000 to 60,000 soums
EVENT
Art Brunch 'Van Gogh in Provence: Where the Sun Blooms'
Art historian Katerina Andronova will discuss Van Gogh's Provençal period: why yellow became the dominant colour of his canvases and how sunflowers, blooming gardens and starry nights emerged in just a few years in Arles. Limited to 12 participants, 1.5 hours plus discussion. Tea/coffee and dessert are included in the price.
Art Space '9 Muses'
Mukanna Dead End, 18
350,000 soums
MUSIC
Concert by the State Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan
The programme features Dvořák's Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony. Soloist: cellist Suren Bagratuni, laureate of the International Tchaikovsky Competition. Conductor: People's Artist of Uzbekistan Kamoliddin Urinbaev. Enquiries: +998 71 244-53-20
State Conservatory
Olmazor Street, 1
from 50,000 to 200,000 soums
Monday
COMMUNITY
Vinyl Networking
Weekly vinyl networking: bring your own records or listen to the venue's collection. Table reservations via Telegram administrator (link in profile description).
Joydaman
Free entry
Tuesday
ART
Duality. X-Ray of Memory Photo Exhibition — Bobur Alimkhodjaev
Six photographic panels from 2019–2025 using double exposure technique. Each work is like an X-ray: revealing hidden sides of a person known only to themselves. The exhibition will be open for visits from 5 June.
31 Nukus Street
1st Floor (IL Home)
Free entry
Wednesday
LECTURE
Lecture 'Zaha Hadid. Fluid Geometry'
A lecture on the architecture of Zaha Hadid, the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize. Her buildings have no right angles: fluid forms and a break with classical geometry transformed our understanding of what a modern building can be. Tea/coffee and sweets are included in the price.
Art Space '9 Muses'
Mukanna Dead End, 18
300,000 soums
THEATRE
Other Games. Improvisation
Improvisational theatre: the audience sets the scene, and the actors perform it on the spot without a script or rehearsal. Each performance happens only once and, crucially, is never repeated. Ages 14+. Booking: @hhuzevent / @naskanastasya
Human House Gallery
Kichik Mirabad, 43
70,000 soums (from 14 June — 85,000 soums)
Thursday
EVENT
Evening 'Playing Borges'
A conversation about Jorge Luis Borges — the writer who turned labyrinths, mirrors and infinity into a literary language. Featuring Bakh Akhmedov, Leyla Shakhnazarova, Farhad Yunusov and Alexandra Spiridonova. Advance registration required.
Human House Gallery
Kichik Mirabad, 43
Free entry
LECTURE
Lecture 'Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Architects Who Changed the World'
Kandinsky Arch — on the last director of the Bauhaus and the father of the International Style. Steel, glass and minimalism as high fashion in architecture. Format: lecture, discussion and interactive game segment. The price includes a welcome drink and a set of materials.
Laminam Showroom
300,000 soums
Friday
ART
After Us Exhibition
An exhibition project by the '5+1' group on the interaction between humans and nature. Five artists — Dier Razikov, Sanjar Jabbarov, Sharifa Sharafkhodjaeva, Daniyar Sharafkhodjaev and Nuriddin Rasulov — use different techniques and approaches to address ecological responsibility and the future of the planet.
NBU Fine Arts Gallery
2 Buyuk Turon Street
from 10,000 to 30,000 soums
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Once a week, we send the best stories, events, and cultural discoveries from Central Asia.