Bukhara’s First Biennial to Heal Broken Hearts Through Food and Art
Held across UNESCO sites in the ancient Central Asian city, the multisensory exhibition is a step on the way to restoring Uzbekistan’s position as a site of intellectual exchange on the Silk Roads. Save to My Ocula
The inaugural Bukhara Biennial launches on 5 September 2025 with over 70 site-specific contemporary projects across newly restored historic landmarks in the ancient Silk Road city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan.
Organised by Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation and curated by Diana Campbell, the ten-week event titled Recipes for Broken Hearts will showcase visual art, performances, and culinary experiences by local and international artists, honouring Bukhara’s centuries-old traditions.
Speaking on the rationale behind the theme, Campbell said culture can be described as how we experience togetherness in time.
‘Time is an essential ingredient in healing a broken heart, and also in cooking Uzbek food and in making many of the crafts for which Bukhara is known, most famously carpets. Time is difficult to visualise, but it is something you can clearly taste—whether it’s properly cooked palov, a fermented drink like wine, or a pickle.’
Connecting acts of nourishment and healing, the biennial will feature contributions from Uzbek artists, chefs, and designers, alongside work by international artists like Laila Gohar (Egypt), Carsten Höller (Germany), Wael Shawky (Egypt), and Ighshaan Adams (South Africa).
Held at sites inside Bukhara’s new UNESCO-protected cultural district, including Khoja-Gaukushon Ensemble and Rashid Madrasa, the exhibition will also feature live events and performances, including artisan-led workshops, artist talks, and a poetry programme.
Highlights include Café Oshqozon, a culinary hub where chefs will create menus tied to storytelling and healing traditions, collaborations between renowned artists and chefs, food-inspired installations, and workshops on Uzbekistan’s dissolving craft traditions.
The event is being presented as a step towards Uzbekistan’s broader ambition of restoring its historic position as a ‘centre for creative production and intellectual exchange’ on the Silk Roads and foreshadows forthcoming cultural investment like a fine art museum, art gallery, artist studios, and digital archive.
The Burkhara Biennial will run from 5 September to 20 November 2025. —[O]
Main image: Bukhara Biennial artist Nomin Zezegmaa at the façade of Khoja Kalon. Courtesy Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation.
A respected voice in contemporary art discourse.
Focusing on ambitious storytelling and insightful art-world commentary. Ocula Magazine publishes in-depth interviews, critical essays and timely analysis on the artists, exhibitions and ideas driving the global art world.
Learn more about Ocula Magazine
Showcasing the best of the art world.
Ocula partners with galleries from around the world to highlight their artists, artworks and exhibitions. Gallery membership is by application and invitation, with each member vetted by an independent panel.
Learn more about Ocula Membership
Specialises in the sale of major artworks.
Led by a team with deep ties to the world’s leading auction houses, galleries and collectors. Ocula’s advisory team offers bespoke services to high-net-worth clients from around the world who are looking to acquire the best of contemporary and modern art.
Learn more about our team and services