From 27 to 30 July 2026, an official delegation of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture paid a working visit to the Republic of Belarus. The visit was organized as a practical continuation of the agreements reached during the official visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Belarus, as well as the negotiations held by the delegation led by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov.

The primary objective of the visit was to study Belarusian best practices in the digital transformation of education, the application of modern information technologies and artificial intelligence in the cultural sector, the expansion of inter-university cooperation, and the development of joint educational and research initiatives.

The Institute’s delegation included Maksim Savochkin, Head of the Center for Digital Educational Technologies, and Aziza Kurbanova, Head of the Department of Information Technologies, Doctor of Technical Sciences (DSc), Associate Professor. The delegation also included Jasurbek Shermuhammedov, Head of the Department for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence Development of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During the visit, the delegation became acquainted with the activities of the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts, the A.K. Glebov Minsk State Art College, and the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (BSUIR).

At the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts, the delegation was welcomed by Rector Natalya Karchevskaya, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Svetlana Shparlo, Vice Rector for Research Elena Korsakova, Head of the International Relations Department Vadim Samatiya, Deputy Head of the Academic and Methodological Department Elena Kiseleva, Head of the Information Technologies and Technical Teaching Aids Department Igor Levin, and Head of the Department of Information Technologies in Culture Tatyana Zhilinskaya.

The delegation visited the University’s Sports and Cultural Center, museum, library, and modern computer laboratories, where they studied the institution’s educational infrastructure and experience in developing a digital learning environment. The parties discussed educational digitalization, the training of highly qualified specialists for the cultural sector, and the integration of information and communication technologies and artificial intelligence into the educational process. Prospects for faculty and student exchanges, summer schools, internships, joint scientific conferences, and other collaborative educational initiatives were also considered.

Later that day, the delegation visited the A.K. Glebov Minsk State Art College, where they met with the College Director Aleksandr Shantarovich. Lecturer Yuliya Sergeyeva introduced the delegation to the college’s classrooms, specialized workshops, and creative laboratories. Particular interest was shown in the College’s practice-oriented approach to training specialists in graphic design, multimedia design, and animation design, as well as its application of modern digital technologies in art education.

On 29 July, the delegation visited the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (BSUIR) and met with Rector Vadim Bogush, Head of the Educational Services Promotion Center Andrey Ushkurov, and Deputy Head of the Distance Education Development Center Anna Tereshkova.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged experience in digital education, the training of highly qualified specialists, academic mobility, and the integration of modern information technologies and artificial intelligence solutions into the educational process.

The delegation expressed particular interest in BSUIR’s academic programmes in Electronic Marketing, Digital Marketing, Information Management Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Systems and Technologies (Information Systems and Technologies in the Game Industry).

The Belarusian side expressed its readiness to support faculty development, student internships, joint educational programmes, scientific conferences, and collaborative research and educational projects. These agreements create new opportunities for the digital transformation of the educational process at the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture and the implementation of advanced digital technologies.

The outcomes of the visit have opened new prospects for strengthening cooperation with leading Belarusian higher education institutions, expanding academic mobility, and implementing joint educational and research initiatives. Most importantly, the visit became another practical step toward implementing the agreements reached at the level of the leadership of both countries and their respective ministries.

“Issues of Creativity and Performance in Strengthening Intercultural Integration” International Scientific-Practical Conference Held

The conference was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture.

The international scientific-practical conference was attended by representatives of higher education institutions, research centres, and cultural and arts organisations, as well as prominent professors, distinguished scholars, and field experts from Russia, Turkey, China, Azerbaijan, South Korea, and Tajikistan.

The main objective of the conference is to analyse — from both scientific and practical perspectives — the role and significance of creativity and performance in intercultural dialogue and integration processes, to conduct a comparative study of the artistic and aesthetic experiences of various peoples, and to identify promising directions for developing cultural cooperation in the context of globalisation.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks addressed to the participants by Avazkhon Tadjikanov, First Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Nodirbek Sayfullaev, Rector of the Institute. The plenary session also featured presentations by foreign experts including Sergey Zengin (Russia), Mücahit Demir (Turkey), Wang Jianhui and Xu Ran (China), Narmin Garalova and Sevil Kerimova (Azerbaijan), Alisher Amini (Tajikistan), and Jin-Hwan Ra (South Korea).

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions on the scientific foundations of the creativity phenomenon in intercultural integration, the interaction between traditional and contemporary art forms, current trends in folklore and musical arts, as well as issues of preserving national identity and supporting cultural diversity.

In addition, during open dialogues and academic debates, a number of proposals and recommendations were put forward aimed at advancing cultural cooperation, strengthening creative exchange, and expanding international academic integration.

An online master class for students was organized by the Tianjin Conservatory of Music (PRC) at the Department of Vocal Performance of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture.

The event was attended by Wang Hongwei, President of Tianjin Conservatory of Music; Bao Yang, Vice President; Feng Lei, Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center; Kong Weifeng, Deputy Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center; Wang Zenan, Vice Dean of the Opera College; Chen Ling, Foreign Affairs Specialist of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center; Liu Rui, Director of the Piano Department and Head of the Accordion Teaching and Research Section; Bai Tianyi, Artistic Director of the Piano Program at the Opera College; as well as Yang Guan, an undergraduate student of the Opera College.

From the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture, the master class was attended by Bakhtiyor Yakubov, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs and Innovations; Saodat Muzafarova, Head of the Department of Vocal Performance, Professor; Feruza Khakimova, Head of the Department of Instrumental Performance, Associate Professor; Khusniddin Khusanov, Head of the Department of National Singing, Associate Professor; as well as faculty members of the department and students majoring in Vocal Performance.

During the master class, fourth-year student of the Vocal Performance program Leniyar Yagyaeva performed the song “Sendadur ko‘zlarim” (music by B. Umidjanov, lyrics by Oybek) and Lauretta’s aria from Giacomo Puccini’s opera Gianni Schicchi. The instructor was Associate Professor Nodira Kabulova, and the accompanist was Feruza Abdullaeva.

At the end of the master class, specialists from the conservatory provided practical recommendations on performance, particularly regarding vocal technique, breathing, stage culture, and character interpretation. The participants noted that this international cooperation would contribute to further improving the quality of vocal education.

We hope that this master class will contribute to enhancing students’ professional skills and promoting international exchange of experience in the field of vocal performance.

Since 2023, Uzbekistan has been hosting the “Four Hearts” — a gathering of Russian drama theatres of Uzbekistan.
This international project is implemented by the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in Uzbekistan with the organizational support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Within the framework of this cultural initiative, training courses, directing laboratories, and charity performances are organized for directors and managers of Russian drama theatres.

From November 2 to 8, 2025, the third edition of the international meeting “Four Hearts” is scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan.

Today, the first meeting of this international project was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Tashkent.

The event was attended by the Rector of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts – GITIS, Professor Grigory Zaslavsky; the Head of the Representative Office of the Rossotrudnichestvo Agency in Uzbekistan, Irina Staroselskaya; the Head of the Secretariat of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ozodjon Yuldashev; the Rector of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture, Professor Nodirbek Sayfullayev; the Director of the Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan and Associate Professor of the Institute, Farhod Juraev; as well as several faculty members, directors and actors of Russian theatres, and representatives of the cultural and artistic community.

During his address, Professor Nodirbek Sayfullayev expressed his gratitude to Grigory Zaslavsky for his visit and emphasized the growing strength of cultural and educational ties between Uzbekistan and Russia. He also discussed the importance of experience exchange and creative collaboration between faculty and students of GITIS and the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture.

A highlight of the event was the ceremonial presentation of the honorary title of Professor of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture to Professor Grigory Zaslavsky, along with commemorative gifts.

This honorary title was conferred by the decision of the Academic Council of the Institute in recognition of his effective scholarly and creative work in the field of art and culture, his contribution to the development of theatre art at the international level, and his efforts to strengthen creative cooperation between the two countries.

In his response, Professor Grigory Zaslavsky expressed his sincere gratitude and noted that he views this recognition as a sign of trust and responsibility in further expanding cultural ties with Uzbekistan. He also emphasized that cooperation between the two institutions opens up new opportunities for implementing joint scientific, practical, and creative projects in the future.

For reference:
From October 6 to 11, 2025, professors of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts – GITIS, including Alexander Barmak (PhD in Art Studies, Professor, Honored Art Worker of the Russian Federation), Aidar Zakirov (Head of the Department of Stage Movement, Professor, Honored Art Worker of the Russian Federation), Natalia Privalova (Associate Professor of Vocal Art, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation), and Tatyana Morozova (Senior Lecturer in Acting) conducted master classes at the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture.

Following the workshops, participants held an open and friendly discussion about the further development of theatre art, current challenges, and ways to strengthen creative cooperation.

At the State Institute of Arts and Culture of Uzbekistan, the Department of “Pop and Mass Performance Arts” hosted a republican scientific-practical conference on the theme “Pop Art of the New Era: In Spiritual, Artistic, and Educational Contexts.”

The main goal of the conference was to study and analyze the spiritual, artistic, and educational aspects of pop art in the cultural development of New Uzbekistan; to develop theoretical and practical recommendations aimed at reforming the process of training highly qualified specialists in pop acting and directing of mass festivities and performances; and to strengthen scientific and creative cooperation among science, education, and industry.

The conference gathered leading specialists in the field — directors and chief producers of capital theatres, television directors, professors, researchers, master’s students, and talented undergraduates, as well as directors and teachers of cultural and art institutions across the republic.

Opening the conference, the Rector of the Institute, Professor Nodirbek Sayfullayev, emphasized the role of art — particularly pop art and mass performances — in shaping the spiritual and cultural image of New Uzbekistan. He drew attention to achievements and existing shortcomings in the field, the need for deeper integration between educational institutions and creative industries, and wished success to all participants.

During the plenary session, the following presentations were delivered:
Prof. Dr. Muhabbat Tulyakhodjayeva — “Artistic and Aesthetic Value of Modern Pop Art, Contemporary Trends in Television Music Videos, Achievements and Challenges.”
Prof. Jahongir Mamatqosimov — “Application of Innovative Technologies in the Directing of Modern Mass Festivals, Integration of Science, Education, and Production: Issues and Solutions.”
Husniddin Ato, Head of OXUS Culture — “International Experience in Organizing Mass Celebrations and Festivals.”
Acting Professor Ramz Qodirov — “Specifics of Teaching Stage Speech in Acting Specialties: Developing Stage Speech of Pop Performers.”
Rauf Nabiyev, Director of Rapid Company, Film Director and Clip Maker — “The Importance of Using Artificial Intelligence in the Modern Media Sphere and Current Developments in Uzbekistan.”
Dr. Charos Rakhimova (PhD), Senior Researcher at the Research Institute of Cultural Studies and Intangible Cultural Heritage — “The Role of Pop Art in the Formation of National Identity.”
Prof. Lola Ganieva, Candidate of Art Studies — “Issues of Performance Mastery in the Pop Art of the New Era.”

Each presentation was warmly received and generated lively discussions.

The conference continued in two parallel sessions:
“Current Issues of Pop Art: In the Context of Tradition and Modernity,”
“Current Issues of Training Specialists in Pop Art.”

More than 50 reports on the development of the field were presented. The Department of “Pop and Mass Performance Arts” also gave a presentation on its educational, methodological, research, and international cooperation activities.

As part of the conference, a performance titled “Autumn”, staged by Professor Temur Rashidov and performed by 3rd-year students of “Pop Acting Art,” was presented. The discussion highlighted its artistic quality and its alignment with the aesthetics of the pop theatre genre.

The conference concluded with an analysis of the cultural significance of pop art in social life, the development of forward-looking plans, examination of pressing issues in training directors of mass performances and pop actors, and review of international experiences in organizing mass events. Recommendations were also made for improving faculty qualifications abroad.

At the end of the event, participants were awarded certificates.

Today, Professor Nodirbek Sayfullayev, Rector of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture, together with a delegation of the institute’s professors and teachers, paid a visit to the International Mugham Center in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the beginning of the visit, Professor Sayfullayev met with the Director of the Mugham Center, Sahib Pashazade. During the meeting, the parties discussed strengthening cultural ties between the two countries, expanding creative cooperation, and implementing joint projects.

During the conversation, both sides reached an agreement to organize future joint events such as master classes, concert programs, and scientific-practical seminars.

At the opening of the joint concert program held at the Mugham Center, Professor Sayfullayev delivered a speech.

In his address, he stated:
— The cultural relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have a long history and continue to develop steadily today. The bonds of friendship and brotherhood between our two nations are strengthening not only in the political or economic spheres but also in the fields of art and culture. Today’s joint concert is a vivid manifestation of these friendly ties.

— We are united by shared values and common cultural roots. Therefore, our common goal is to further expand these relations and elevate our creative cooperation to a new level, — he said.

Recognizing the contribution of the Mugham Center’s Director, Sahib Pashazade, Professor Sayfullayev awarded him the title of Honorary Professor of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture. He also spoke about the institute’s training theater and the facilities available there for hosting similar events.

Furthermore, he expressed his pleasure in emphasizing that the doors of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture are always open to representatives of Azerbaijani culture.
At the end of the meeting, both sides exchanged memorable gifts.

The event concluded with a joint concert featuring professors and teachers of the institute together with vocalists and instrumentalists from the National Mugham Center.

Strengthening the bonds of friendship and cultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, further developing collaboration between the two higher education institutions, exchanging creative experience, and expanding interaction between professors, teachers, and students — all this can rightfully be considered one of the important reforms currently being implemented between the two countries.

These days, a delegation of professors and teachers from the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture, headed by Rector Professor Nodirbek Sayfullayev, is on a working visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan. The purpose of the visit is to exchange experience, improve professional skills, and organize a joint concert at the International Mugham Center of Azerbaijan.

The delegation includes professors and teachers from the Faculty of Folk Art — the departments of “National Singing” and “Instrumental Performance”: People’s Singers of Uzbekistan, Professors Beknazar Dusmuradov and Soyibjon Niyozov; Honored Artist of Uzbekistan, Professor Akhmatjon Dadayev; Associate Professors Yusuf Vahidov, Husniddin Khusanov, Acting Associate Professor Qahramon Turayev, and teacher Javohir Turatov.

On the first day of their visit, the delegation visited the Carpet Museum — the first carpet museum in the world — and the Azerbaijan Museum of Art, where they became acquainted with various carpet weaving techniques and information related to different historical periods.

After that, they visited the International Mugham Center of Azerbaijan, where they met with the Center’s Director, Sahib Pashazade. During the meeting, the parties discussed the Center’s activities and issues related to thorough preparation for the upcoming joint creative concert.

An international scientific-theoretical conference on the theme “Topical Issues of Art Studies and Cultural Studies: Problems and Solutions” was held by the State Institute of Arts and Culture of Uzbekistan.

The event, organized at the “Renessans” cinema house, brought together prominent national and international scholars and experts who delivered their research presentations.

Opening the plenary session, Rector of the Institute, Professor Nodirbek Sayfullayev, expressed his sincere pleasure at seeing all participants at this prestigious scientific gathering. He noted:

“I am very pleased to welcome you all to this important conference. In today’s rapidly globalizing and integrating world, adapting national culture to modern processes, promoting it internationally, and ensuring its dynamic development have become priorities of our state policy. The strategies, state programs, and legal acts being implemented at the initiative of our President are taking the development of the sector to a new stage.”

He emphasized that topical issues in art studies and cultural studies are being deeply explored, with new theoretical approaches, analytical discussions, and academic debates actively developing. In this regard, Professor Sayfullayev expressed confidence that the international conference “Topical Issues of Art Studies and Cultural Studies: Problems and Solutions” serves not only as a platform for discussing existing challenges but also for putting forward scientifically grounded proposals and initiatives for their solutions.

Afterwards, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Murodjon Majidov and Director General of the Cinematography Agency Shukhratilla Rizayev took the floor, wishing success to the conference participants. In their speeches, they emphasized the significance of the event and noted the ongoing reforms in the fields of culture and art in Uzbekistan — particularly in supporting creative youth and expanding international cooperation.

Through video communication, President of Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Mr. Wang Hongwei, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech.

During the plenary session, presentations were delivered by:

Professor Jeyran Mahmudova, Rector of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts — “Topical Issues of Cultural Education in Azerbaijan”;

Professor Roza Akhmadiyeva, Rector of the Kazan State Institute of Culture — “Revitalization of the Ethnocultural Traditions of the Peoples of Russia”;

Professor Olesya Kutkina, Rector of the Altai State Institute of Culture — “Professional Cooperation between Art Education Institutions and Cultural Organizations as a Means of Developing the Socio-Cultural Sphere of the State”;

Professor Jin-Hwan Ra, Sungkyul University (Republic of Korea) — “Towards Social Harmony: Integrating Others’ Perspectives into Public Discourse”;

Professor Muhabbat Tulyakhodjayeva, State Institute of Arts and Culture of Uzbekistan — “Speaking Mise-en-Scenes: The Expression of Ideological and Thematic Content in Directing Art”;

Professor Abdukhalil Mavrulov, State Institute of Arts and Culture of Uzbekistan — “The History of Uzbekistan as Cultural History.”

At the conclusion of the plenary session, the speakers were presented with certificates and commemorative gifts.

The conference continued in two breakout sessions titled “Topical Issues of Art Studies: Tradition and Modernity” and “Integrational and Transformational Processes in Socio-Cultural Activity”, where around 40 research presentations were delivered.

The conference proceedings have been published as a collected volume.