Samarkand…

On September 1, 2025, a historic event took place on Registan Square, in the very heart of the region, the cradle of culture. This sacred land, which has preserved cultural heritage for centuries, has welcomed one of the world’s most prominent artists.

The world-famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed on the stage of Samarkand for the first time. The concert, organized by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation with the support of its partners, became an unforgettable holiday not only for residents of Uzbekistan but also for guests from abroad.

Andrea Bocelli is the owner of a unique voice that has conquered the whole world. His recordings have sold over 90 million copies. He has been awarded numerous prestigious music awards and is known for his performances at the Olympic Games and the most prestigious art forums. Now his voice is heard in Samarkand.

“I am happy to perform here. I plan to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York next month. The most important thing for me is to bring my art to places where little is known about it yet. Samarkand is especially dear to me: the sincere love and interest of the locals in music inspire me even more”, Andrea Bocelli said.

One of the world’s leading opera singers, Aida Garifullina, also took part in the concert, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan and the country’s best choral ensembles created a lively, exciting atmosphere.

Andrea Bocelli’s concert program in Samarkand marks a new chapter in the cultural life of Uzbekistan, representing an essential step in promoting cultural tourism in the country.

“Samarkand is one of the most beautiful historical cities included in the UNESCO World Heritage List”, said Sara Noshadi, UNESCO Representative and Head of Office in Uzbekistan. “Many international conferences and forums are held here, including world-famous festivals such as Sharq Taronalari (Melodies of the East). The city charms not only its residents, but also foreign tourists, with its beauty. Architectural objects reveal the history of a country. The concert of the renowned Italian star Andrea Bocelli will serve to promote the tourism potential of the region and become an impetus for the development of cultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and Italy.

The melodies played on Registan Square will remain in our hearts.…

Behruz Khudoyberdiyev, photos by Asliddin Alijonov, UzA