France in Nukus: A Month of Art, Inspiration, and Cultural Exchange

From October 27 to November 30, 2025, Nukus has transformed into a center of French culture in Uzbekistan.

By TLCA

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Published on November 7, 2025

For an entire month, the capital of Karakalpakstan will immerse itself in the art, music, and design of France.

This cultural dialogue became possible thanks to an extensive program organized by the Embassy of France in Uzbekistan in collaboration with leading cultural institutions of the region—the Savitsky Museum, the Conservatory, the Berdakh Theatre, the Institute of Arts, and several educational institutions.

The schedule includes film screenings, concerts, exhibitions, artist talks, and creative workshops—events where art becomes a conversation and a source of inspiration.

“France Through the Eyes of an Uzbek Photographer”

One of the highlights of the program is an exhibition by young photographer Bobur Alimkhodjaev, running until November 30 at the Zhollybay Izentaev Specialized Boarding School of Arts. The young photographer embarked on a creative journey across France and returned with a series of photographs capturing the country’s everyday life—from the vibrant energy of the French capital to the tranquil rhythm of its provinces.

Garden with trimmed round bushes and leafless trees on the left, and a nighttime street view with illuminated Parisian buildings and a café on the right — From left to right: Tuileries Garden, Paris. 2023; Gérando Street, Paris. 2023.
Photo: Bobur Alimkhodjaev

Visitors walking toward the Louvre Pyramid through an arched passage on the left, and silhouettes of people standing inside the Musée d’Orsay looking through a large clock face on the right — From left to right: Louvre Museum, Paris. 2023; Musée d’Orsay, Paris. 2023.
Photo: Bobur Alimkhodjaev

A black-and-white photo of a child standing on stilts in an open field on the left, and an urban street scene with a cyclist and Parisian buildings on the right — From left to right: Landes stilt walkers, Ambert. 2022; Montmartre, Paris. 2023.
Photo: Bobur Alimkhodjaev

Black-and-white images: on the left, the Eiffel Tower with a dramatic equestrian statue in the foreground; on the right, people walking under the arches of a long covered bridge in Paris — From left to right: Equestrian statue on the Pont de Bir-Hakeim, Paris. 2023; Bir-Hakeim Bridge, Paris. 2023.
Photo: Bobur Alimkhodjaev

The opening ceremony, held on November 5, was attended by Walid Fouque, Ambassador of France to Uzbekistan, representatives of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, teachers, and students. The atmosphere was remarkably warm and lively. Bobur Alimkhodjaev shared: “It was an important and symbolic moment—a delicate bridge between cultures, perspectives, and generations.”

Rasul Zarikeev, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, delivers a welcoming speech

Photo: Bobur Alimkhodjaev

H.E. Walid Fouque, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Uzbekistan, addresses the audience

Photo: Bobur Alimkhodjaev

Bobur Alimkhodjaev presents his project “France Through the Eyes of an Uzbek Photographer”

Photo: Bobur Alimkhodjaev

A Meeting Where the Inner Spark is Born

After the official opening, the photographer held a creative session with students of the school, who are learning to see the beauty of the world through the prism of art.

A person giving a presentation next to a large screen displaying text and photographs, speaking to an audience in an indoor setting — Creativity is born not only from technique but, above all, from feeling. From a quiet inner spark…
Photo: Bobur Alimkhodjaev

The greatest value of such meetings lies in the confidence and courage to dream:

“If even one person left this conversation feeling they could move forward, try, search, and create—then it was all worth it.”

Inspiration as a Vector of Cultural Exchange

This exhibition is more than a series of photographs. It is an invitation to dialogue—to look closely at the world and at one another.

As Bobur says:

“Culture is not just exhibitions and dates. It’s dialogue. Presence. Warmth.”

It is precisely this warmth that lies at the heart of the First Month of French Culture in Nukus—an event paving the way for new creative connections between France, Uzbekistan, and Karakalpakstan.