The crafts of Uzbekistan are remarkable for their diversity and deep-rooted traditions. Intricate patterns on ceramics, carpets, and textiles weave together a visual chronicle that continues to tell the story of the country’s culture and daily life, even centuries later. Passed down from master to apprentice, these designs are meticulously recreated through generations, keeping the spirit of past eras alive today. Bukhara is a legendary center of Silk Road artistry, offering a living tradition of craftsmanship passed down through generations. Bukhara Region Artisan Development Center preserve and develop a wide range of traditional arts, including ceramics, wood carving, carpet weaving, textile production, embroidery, national garment sewing, miniature painting, and metal engraving. The main goal of the round table is to provide platform for exchange of views on challenges related with safeguarding of traditional crafts in contemporary society. The following issues will be discussed in the round table: evaluation of development of traditional crafts in Bukhara, impact of AI and other digital technologies in protecting intellectual property of artisans, involvement of youth in continuation of traditional crafts, public-private partnership in safeguarding of traditional crafts.

Programme

The round table will take place Sayfiddin Karavan Saray in Bukhara. The program consists of interventions from craftsmen of Bukhara and experts from Bukhara State Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve, State Inspection for Protection of Cultural Heritage Objects of the Bukhara Region, “Umrboqiy Meros” Center for Promotion of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan, “Hunarmand” Association of Uzbekistan.

Venue: Sayfiddin Caravanserai, Bukhara

Date and start time: 11^th October 2026, at 09:30 AM (GMT+5)

Free entrance

ROUND TABLE PROGRAMME

09:30–09:50 Registration of participants

10:00–10:10 Opening ceremony

Introductory remarks, greetings from honorary guests, organizers and representatives of the local communities

10:10–10:20 First keynote speech by Ms. Lutfiya Mirzaeva, Director of the “Umrboqiy meros” Center for Promotion of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan

10:20–10:30 Second keynote speech by the Ms. Matluba Bazarova, Director of the Bukhara Regional Center for the Development of Handicrafts

10:30–10:40 Presentation by Mr. Jamshid Khalilov, Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs of the Bukhara State Museum-Reserve

10:40–10:50 Presentation by Mr. Kamol Salyamov, Head of the Bukhara Regional State Inspectorate for the Protection and Use of Cultural Heritage Sites

10:50-11:00 Questions and answers

11:00–11:10 Presentation by Ms. Yulduz Khamraeva, Historian, Researcher and Archaeologist
11:10–11:20 Presentation by Ms. Inobat Khamroeva, Chief Specialist of the Bukhara Regional Information and Library Center

11:20–11:30 Presentation by Ms. Rano Nurmurodova, Lecturer at Bukhara Medical Institute

11:30–11:40 Presentation by Mr. Sherzod Mahmudov, Head of the “Karvon” Center for the Study of Cultural Heritage
11:40–12:00 Discussion, closing

Text as provided by the organiser(s).