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Disturbing footage from Bukhara has spread on social media. Right here, on the site of a future ethnopark, the barbaric demolition of Soviet modernist buildings is currently taking place. The video is horrifying to watch – dust envelops everything, transporting us to a post-apocalyptic scene that could become our reality in just a decade.
Despite the controversial views on Soviet architecture, it is an important part of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage. Buildings constructed in the modernist style not only symbolize an era but also represent unique architectural solutions worthy of preservation and respect. However, instead of finding ways to integrate these structures into the new ethnopark project, authorities and developers have chosen the path of destruction.
This demolition is causing deep concern among many residents and experts. Critics argue that this approach destroys a part of Bukhara’s history and architectural heritage. Many are asking: is this really how our authorities and developers want to see Uzbekistan? Instead of preserving and restoring valuable structures, projects are being created that, in the opinion of many, do not justify their destructive consequences.
Plans to create an ethnopark could be good and beneficial for attracting tourists and developing culture. However, the method chosen to implement these plans raises serious doubts. Perhaps it is worth reconsidering the approach to such projects to maintain a balance between development and the preservation of cultural heritage.
In the current situation, it is especially important for authorities and developers to listen to the opinions of the public and experts. Compromise solutions must be sought that will allow historical structures to be preserved while simultaneously developing new projects. Uzbekistan is rich in culture and history, and this value must be passed on to future generations.
The ongoing demolition in Bukhara serves as a warning signal for all of us. It shows that we need to approach the issue of preserving architectural heritage carefully and responsibly. Let’s hope that such mistakes will not be repeated in the future and that Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage will be reliably protected, though it’s hard to believe…
The text has been translated by AI. For more accurate information, please refer to the Russian version of the article.