As part of the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20), which opened in Samarkand, the 4th International Sculpture Symposium “Samarkand 2025” is taking place.

This year, under the motto “Our Planet – Our Home!”, the symposium brings together about 20 renowned sculptors from various countries who are creating granite artworks dedicated to ecology and environmental protection.

“For this year’s symposium, 150 sculptors from different countries submitted more than 300 sketches”, says Ibrokhim Valikhujayev, Chairman of the Creative Association of Artists of Uzbekistan. “The commission selected the 12 best works and invited their authors to our country. The presented sculptures are currently in production. For this purpose, the artists were provided with granite blocks of the required size and shape. The symposium also includes sculptors from Uzbekistan”.

The majestic sculptures created during the symposium will be installed in the parks and public squares of Samarkand and Tashkent.

As part of the event, which will run until 7 December, meetings and masterclasses featuring sculptors are planned at the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage and the International Tourism Academy in Samarkand. In addition, CITES CoP20 participants will also have the opportunity to observe the sculptors at work and enjoy their artworks.

As part of CITES CoP20, exhibitions of visual art dedicated to the country’s wild flora and fauna are being held at the Samarkand International Tourism Center.

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Golib Hasanov, UzA