Saudi Gazette report

BUKHARA, Uzbekistan — Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan visited the inaugural Bukhara Contemporary Art Biennale on Wednesday during his official trip to Uzbekistan to attend the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference in Samarkand.

Prince Badr toured the biennale’s exhibition halls, which showcase works by around 200 participants from 39 countries, positioning the event as a new platform for contemporary art in Central Asia.

During his meeting on Tuesday with Gayane Umerova, Chairwoman of the Uzbek Cultural and Art Development Foundation, the minister described the Bukhara Biennale as a unique event that brings together rich history and contemporary creativity, highlighting the role of art in fostering cultural dialogue.

The biennale blends contemporary artistic expression with the historical and traditional craftsmanship of Bukhara, with venues adorned by paintings, sculptures, traditional performances, and handcrafted works.

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation is participating in the event with the winning design from the inaugural Musalla Prize, presented as an open-courtyard structure inspired by local weaving and textile traditions.

The winning piece was created using sustainable materials repurposed from palm trees, offering a contemporary interpretation of the connection between architecture and Saudi Arabia’s environmental and cultural heritage.