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🌳 From Marathons to Mountains, a French Festival, and Artists Needed!

Plus plenty more events in Tashkent this week.

Author

Ryan Ettenfield
April 16, 2025

Good morning Tashkenters!

I’ve (almost) recovered from Tashkent marathon so we’re back with a full length email this week!

In today’s Tashkent Insider:

  • From Marathons to Mountain Trails

  • French Music Festival in Town

  • Artists Needed!

  • New Waterside Tourism Complex

  • What’s happening in Tashkent this week…

Let’s get into it!

Ryan

From Marathons to Mountain Trails

Last weekend, certain pockets of Tashkent were buzzing with energy as the city hosted its annual international marathon.

Saturday kicked off with children’s races and a Nordic walking race looping around the lake at Milliy Bog’, starting from Magic City.

On Sunday, Yangi Ozbekistan Park came alive with runners from over 50 countries taking on the 10k, half marathon, and full marathon distances.

The sun was blazing, and so were the street bands, dancers, and flag-waving troops – not to mention the helicopter overhead – all cheering us on (yes, I managed to complete it too!).

If you missed out or caught the running bug, there’s another big event on the horizon: Sky Camp Bo’stonliq is back at Amirsoy on 26–27 April.

Expect trail races from 5 to 20 km, a run to the top cable station, yoga and meditation, kids’ races, eco-runs, and live music across the weekend.

Registration closes 20 April – don’t miss it! More info here.

🎶 French Music Festival Comes to Tashkent

For the first time, Tashkent is hosting the French Music Festival, bringing together over 200 performers across nine evenings of classical music.

The programme features local talent alongside international guests such as conductor Nathalie Marin, pianist François Chaplin, and organist Jean-Baptiste Robin—each returning to Uzbekistan with new performances.

Full concert schedule:
• April 16 – Solo piano concert by François Chaplin (Debussy & Ravel)
• April 17 – Evening of vocal and instrumental music.
• April 19 – Organ concert by Jean-Baptiste Robin (Palace of Versailles)
• April 21 – Brass and percussion ensemble concert
• April 22 – French chamber music performance
• April 23 – Piano duet: Francis Poulenc – Me and My Friends
• April 30 – Closing concert with the State Symphony Orchestra.

All tickets available here (look out for the Eiffel tower…)

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Got a great idea for an short article about life in Tashkent or Uzbekistan?

We’d love to hear it! Hit reply and pitch us your idea.

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Hundreds of runners at the start line at Yangi Ozbekistan park

Tag us Instagram @TashkentInsider to get your Tashkent photo featured next week!

Calling all Artists for “Energy of the City” Festival

The “Energy of the City” street art festival is looking for artists to create installations and art objects at Humo Arena.

The aim is to turn the venue into a dynamic art space that reflects the rhythm of urban life—through motion-inspired graffiti, shape-shifting installations, interactive pieces, and bold murals.

Open to:
• Street artists
• 3D artists
• Graffiti writers
• Urban designers
• Installation creators

To apply, send a portfolio, project description, and sketch, via this form (RU) or email [email protected]. The deadline is 20th April - don’t miss your chance to be part of Tashkent’s evolving street art scene.

In the News this Week…

  • A tourism complex is to be developed at Charvak reservoir.

    Titled ‘Sea Breeze Uzbekistan’, the plan includes a new bridge across the reservoir, new waterfront leisure areas, and hillside accommodation, restaurants and entertainment venues.

  • Penalties for driving in bus lanes and pedestrian areas take effect.

  • A disgruntled driver in Andijan shot 51 traffic cameras with an air rifle. Whilst he caused almost $90,000 worth of damage, social media users have labelled him a hero.

Restaurant of the Week: Rayhon National Food

Cheap, no-frills, authentic Uzbek food

And finally we get around to some Uzbek cuisine!

If you’ve ever been to Uzbekistan, you’ve maybe heard of plov. It’s the national rice dish made with….

Only joking—at this point, even your neighbour’s goldfish is tired of plov.

Rayhon is a solid choice for affordable Uzbek food, with all the milliy taomlar (national dishes) you’d expect—plov, shashlik, manti.

But if you want to branch out a bit, they also serve less-hyped but equally tasty options like beshbarmak (horsemeat with flat noodles), lagman (a rich beef noodle soup), and my personal favourite: chicken sai—a Uyghur-style stir-fry with cabbage, bell peppers, and a spicy, tangy sauce that’s very tasty.

The restaurant values cheap tasty food, fast service, and friendly staff. Don’t worry if you can’t speak any Uzbek. Grab a photo menu and point at whatever looks good. A bemused waiter will help you out quickly enough.

  • Vegan/Vegetarian Options: Limited

  • Alcohol ✅ (yes but nobody drinks there)

  • English menu ❌ (photo menu)

  • English speaking staff ❌

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Partnered with VisitTashkent.uz

Looking to escape the city this spring?

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Tour Highlights

✅ Scenic drive to Chimgan Mountains (80 km from Tashkent – 1.5-hour drive)
✅ Visit the stunning Amirsoy Resort & Charvak Reservoir
✅ See ancient 500-800-year-old Sycamore trees, mountain park, caves, and petroglyphs
✅ Tashkent pick-up & drop-off with a comfortable ride

What’s on in Tashkent this Week?

Business/Networking

  • 1k Networking Club @EcoCafe. 13th Apr, 2PM.

    Topic of Discussion: Open Mic: share your art with an audience! Music, singing, poetry, dance etc.

    Guest Speaker: Rebecca Reel (USA).

    Entry: donations. Registration on Telegram @RafaelMirovich

  • Steve Forbes, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media @Central Asian University. 19th Apr, 10:00-19:45. Tickets

  • Banks & Business Expo Forum @UzExpoCenter, Pavilion 1&2. 16-18th Apr, 10:00-18:00.

  • Healthcare Expo @CAEx. 15-17th Apr. Info

  • Beauty Expo @CAEx. 15-17th Apr. Info

Movies in English at Tashkent City Mall’s Cinematica (4th floor)

🎬 Minecraft (3+) 🍿 Extended daily until 23rd Apr. Times

🎬 The Amateur (12+) 🍿 16th Apr. Times

🎬 Sinners (18+) 🍿 17th-23rd Apr. Times

Sport/Exercise

  • Yoga in English @EcoCafe. 80 mins, Sat, register on Telegram @RafaelMirovich

  • Zumba in English @BeFit, EcoPark. Sat 11am and 6am. 150,000 UZS

  • Ice Skating @Humo Arena. Weekends in April, 12:00–23:00. 60,000–90,000 UZS.

    Glide across the rink at Humo Arena with skate rental included in the ticket price.

  • Plogging Race @Shymkent Street. 19th April. Free with registration.
    A 5 km eco-run combining fitness and environmental care. Runners will collect litter as they go, with bags and gloves provided on-site. Meet at 09:45 outside Rassvet Coffee (17 Shymkent Street). Enjoy coffee and a prize draw at the finish line.
    Registration via Telegram: @uzplogging

Family

  • Cosmonautics Day at Tashkent Planetarium @Tashkent Planetarium. 11–20 April. From 80,000 UZS.
    Space-themed adventures, games, and an interactive star programme for children in honour of Cosmonautics Day. Appointment only. Call +998712447720.

  • Light Puppet Show @Turkiston Palace of Arts. 16th April, 18:30. 50,000–250,000 UZS.

    Top puppeteer, Nikolay Zykov, brings a dazzling no-words light show featuring glowing, moving characters in total darkness. Tickets (RU)

Finding events for English speaking families is tough. Let me know of any future events!

Culture

New

  • Ultramarine Exhibition @Tashkent House of Photography. 9–16 April. Free admission.
    An exploration of colour and light in Eastern culture through the recent works of Samarkand artist Khurshed Khalilov..

  •  â€œA Thousand Splendid Suns”: Unmissable Art by Afghan Women @Bonum Factum Gallery. Opening 18th at 6pm. Ongoing until 27th April.
    Their voices may be silenced, but their talent shines bright. See beauty, resilience and hope. Support female artists who defy oblivion.

  • The International Opera and Ballet Festival continues this week with Opera "The Tales of Hoffmann" by Offenbach @State Academic Bolshoi Theater. 25–28 April. From 100,000 UZS. Tickets
    An ambitious production directed by Stefano Poda, bringing Offenbach’s fantastical opera to life as part of the International Opera and Ballet Festival in Tashkent.

  • Plov Union Conference @Human House Gallery. 20th April, 17:00. 120,000 UZS.
    A playful Easter gathering with live plov cooking, shared food and tea. In Russian, but English speakers welcome. Registration via Telegram @hhuzeventor

  • François Chaplin @State Conservatory. 16th April, 19:00. 77,000–110,000 UZS.
    An evening of Schubert, Chopin, Debussy and more from the celebrated French pianist. Tickets (RU)

  • Jean-Baptiste Robin @Organ Hall, State Conservatory. 19th April. From 275,000 UZS.
    Renowned French organist Jean-Baptiste Robin performs as part of the French Music Festival

Ongoing Exhibitions

  • ‘Love’ @Kamoliddin Behzod Museum of Oriental Miniatures. Daily until 18th Apr. Free.

  • Exhibition of Roman Soyerov @Ilkhom Theatre. Tue-Sun until 5th May. Free entry.

Nightlife

Weds 16th

  • Pub Quiz in English @Tashkent Tavern, from 19:00.

Thurs 17th

  • JoinTrip (Cuba) @Tashkent Tavern. 21:00. Free
    🎸 Cuban rock, loud and unfiltered. A band with a rebel heart..

Fri 18th

  • NaZima (Singer from KZ) @Bla Bla Bar. 21:00. 200,000 UZS

  • Umalakka (Sepultura Tribute from KZ) @VM Bar. Starts 23:55. From 100,000UZS.

  • Jazz Cruise Band @Community Coffee Bar. 19:00. 150,000UZS.

  • Karaoke @Tashkent Tavern

Sat 19th

  • DJ Anndi @CMI Bar. From 22:00

Sun 20th

  • The Champions (Linkin Park Tribute) @VM Bar. 19:00. 300,000UZS.

Got an event you want to submit? Reply to this email to let us know about it!

Thanks for reading…

Thank you for reading this week’s edition of Tashkent Insider.

If you have any questions, suggestions or general comments feel free to reply.

Ryan 

P.S. Want to advertise your business in front of hundreds of English speakers in Tashkent? Reply to this email or msg on telegram @ryanett88.

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