10 buildings of Tashkent modernism added to UNESCO World Heritage List

Tashkent's modernist architectural heritage has achieved international recognition with ten of its landmarks inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The decision was made during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea.

Uzbekistan's nomination, "Tashkent Modernist Architecture: Modernity and Tradition in Central Asia," features ten outstanding examples of late 20th-century modernist design. These structures represent a diverse range of public, cultural, residential, and engineering buildings, reflecting a unique blend of modernity and tradition in Central Asia.

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The inscription of these sites on the World Heritage List restores an important chapter of Uzbekistan’s modern architectural history to the international context of 20th-century heritage and the global modernist movement.

Among the inscribed sites are the Pearl Residential Building, the State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan, the Peoples' Friendship Palace, and the Tashkent State Circus. Other notable inclusions are the Central Exhibition Hall of the Academy of Arts, the Palace of Arts (formerly Alisher Navoi Cinema Palace), Chorsu Market, and the Kosmonavtlar Metro Station. The Sun Heliocomplex in the Tashkent region also made the list.

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These buildings demonstrate how Tashkent used architecture to shape public life, collective identity and visions of the future. UNESCO recognition also carries a long-term responsibility, to preserve these buildings with the highest professional standards, ensure they remain an integral part of the city’s life and pass knowledge about them on to future generations.

Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, stated that this inscription "restores an important chapter of Uzbekistan’s modern architectural history to the international context of 20th-century heritage and the global modernist movement." She emphasized the responsibility to preserve these buildings to the highest professional standards and ensure they remain integral to the city's life.

Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration, described the recognition as a celebration of an entire era that shaped Tashkent's new image after an earthquake. She highlighted how the architecture successfully combined modern design with Central Asian traditions and the local climate, calling it a "major achievement for Uzbekistan" and a vital step toward preserving its architectural legacy for future generations.

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This recognition celebrates not only the value of individual buildings but an entire era, when a new image of Tashkent emerged after the earthquake, successfully combining modern architecture with the traditions of Central Asia and the characteristics of our climate. It is a major achievement for Uzbekistan and an important step toward preserving our architectural heritage for future generations.