Art festival in Bukhara transcends divisions, redefining convention with its Biennale event
Prepare for an extraordinary cultural experience as the Bukhara Biennale, titled "Recipes for Broken Hearts (Ricette per cuori infranti)", prepares to captivate visitors from September 5 to November 20, 2025. This unique event, set against the historic backdrop of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, promises a thought-provoking exploration of art, food, and human emotion.
The title, symbolic and evocative, draws inspiration from a legendary tale about Ibn Sina, the father of modern medicine, who is said to have invented plov, Uzbekistan's national rice dish, as a recipe to mend a broken heart. This theme resonates deeply, symbolising emotional pain, loss, or trauma and the potential for art to facilitate healing and resilience.
The Biennale will present over 70 contemporary site-specific projects, featuring visual art, architecture-inspired installations, performances, poetry, and culinary experiences. The curatorial vision, led by Diana Campbell, aims to dismantle hierarchies and embrace Uzbekistan's recognition of craftsmanship and culinary acts as art forms.
One of the highlights of the Biennale will be the work of Korean monk chef Jeong Kwan, who will delve into the role of food, spirituality, and healing. Each artwork in the Biennale has been conceived through collaboration between local artisans and artists from various regions, including Uzbekistan, Central Asia, and beyond.
The Biennale stands out in the international art biennial calendar due to its focus on restoring and empowering the city of Bukhara and its artisans. It aims to challenge the way artists are presented while artisans are reduced to being described by what they do. The event also seeks to increase diversity in the art world by giving a voice to Uzbek and Central Asian historians.
The Bukhara Biennale provides a platform for emerging Uzbek artists, many of whom have never worked with a curator before. This public event animates the public space of Bukhara, welcoming everyone to participate and engage with the artworks. Events will take place every weekend for ten weeks, making it accessible to all.
The Biennale's schedule is designed to accommodate visitors from other art events, such as Frieze Seoul and the Istanbul Biennale, providing a rich and diverse cultural experience for art enthusiasts worldwide. As the Bukhara Biennale unfolds, it promises to be a journey through time, evoking personal memories and cultural influences, and offering a unique perspective on the intersection of art and emotional healing.
- The Bukhara Biennale, with its focus on global cuisines and cultural travel, offers a chance to savor the culinary experiences presented by international artists, such as the work of Korean monk chef Jeong Kwan.
- By presenting over 70 contemporary site-specific projects, including visual art, performances, poetry, and food-and-drink experiences, the Biennale embraces the idea of craftsmanship and culinary acts as art forms, breaking down hierarchies in the art world.
- As part of the Bukhara Biennale's mission to increase diversity and give a voice to Uzbek and Central Asian historians, it serves as a platform for emerging Uzbek artists, providing a vibrant and accessible international lifestyle experience for art enthusiasts worldwide.
