Tashkent – a pearl in the necklace of Central Asian cities is an ancient yet eternally young city, and a microcosm of the mystical Uzbek land. It is a city enriched by different linguistic and cultural traditions over two millennia, immersed in myths and legends, it has been a muse to the artists, composers and academics and its lay citizens alike. This living city seamlessly embodies its past and gazes at the future with confidence and vibrancy.

The life of the city is celebrated in an exhibition, which consists of around 80 photographs selected from the synonymous book-album published by the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation (the Fund Forum) jointly with UNESCO in honour of the 2200th Anniversary of the capital of our country. The book tells the story glorious Tashkent city.

There are 450 photographs in the book which capture Tashkent across several time periods and since the photography became prevalent in the region. These shots have been taken in the course of 130 years by more than one hundred photographers. Six chapters cover the most important periods in the city’s history, from late 19th century to present days are depicted in this exposition.

This publication was conceptualised by Prof Gulnara Karimova, Mr Boris Golender, Ms Shahnoza Karimbabaeva, Mr Sergei Abaturov and Mr Rinat Karimov. During one year this group studied, collected, selected and prepared for publication the rarest photographic shots from the history of Uzbekistan’s capital. Unique collection of postcards made about Tashkent, already a rarity today, served as the basis of the book. It has been published in English, French and Russian.

The current exhibition included photographs from three sections of this book: Old city from late 19th century till 1918; New city from late 19th century till 1918; Modern Tashkent. These photographs clearly illustrate changes that have occurred in the appearance of capital in just over a century.

Photo exhibition was held by the Embassy of Uzbekistan and the Fund Forum with assistance and cooperation of the British Council, British-Uzbek Society, University of Bath and Bath & North East Somerset Council.