Uzbekistan, France Deepen Partnership in Arts, Heritage, and Innovation

Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Culture and Arts Development Foundation of Uzbekistan, has met with Walid Fouque, the newly appointed Ambassador of France to Uzbekistan, to explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture, heritage, and the creative industries.

The meeting centered on a series of forward-looking initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries in museum management, cultural diplomacy, and exhibition curation, The Caspian Post informs via Uzbek media.

Key proposals included the organization of joint art exhibitions and the launch of an international museum conference in Samarkand, to be held in collaboration with the French Ministry of Culture during the UNESCO General Assembly.

The sides also discussed expanding cooperation with France Museums, a leading institution in museum development, with a focus on professional exchange and capacity building.

In addition to museum-related initiatives, the dialogue addressed broader areas such as tourism development, the creative economy, and cultural heritage preservation. One notable proposal involves attracting French luxury brands, hospitality groups, and restaurants to Uzbekistan, with the support of the Comité Colbert, an association that represents French luxury houses.

Another highlight of the discussion was the planned visit of Anne Liegey, a renowned French restorer, who will lead specialized training workshops for Uzbek restoration experts. The training aims to enhance local expertise in preserving Uzbekistan’s rich architectural and artistic heritage.

The meeting underscored a growing cultural partnership between Uzbekistan and France, founded on mutual respect for artistic expression, heritage preservation, and the promotion of international collaboration in the arts.