This article is also available in:
Русский (Russian) 
Uzbek
The unique Uzbek Puppet Workshop-Museum in Bukhara is now facing the threat of closure. The museum’s director, Zakir Juraev, shared the alarming news: their premises may be handed over to a clothing manufacturer who intends to open a retail outlet there.
The problems began in March 2024 when the rent for the premises suddenly tripled. Soon after, the space was put up for auction, and the museum faced competition from a manufacturer of modern women’s clothing made from national fabrics, who plans to use the site for fashion shows.
“Our workshop-museum, created with the aim of reviving puppet art, is now in danger. For many years, we developed the only private puppet theater here and created unique souvenir puppets, which are now in museums and private collections around the world. But now we may lose our space,” said the museum’s founder, Iskandar Hakimov.
The museum not only manufactures puppets but also hosts an exhibition dedicated to the history of Uzbekistan’s puppet theater. This exhibition, like the workshop itself, is a unique part of the country’s cultural heritage. However, if the museum loses its premises, it will no longer be able to showcase national puppets or tell the story of this art form.
“Help us protect our space, our art, our history,” Juraev appealed to the public.
The Culture and Arts Development Fund responded to this appeal.
“We are grateful for your attention to such an important issue. The museum exhibition and workshop in Bukhara are significant parts of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage. At present, our colleagues are already working on this issue, and it is under the supervision of the leadership. We are ready to assist in preserving this unique site within the framework of the law and actively support initiatives aimed at its development and promotion,” the fund emphasized.
The fate of the only Uzbek puppet workshop-museum in Bukhara remains uncertain, but the growing public attention to this issue offers hope for a favorable resolution.
The text has been translated by AI. For more accurate information, please refer to the Russian version of the article
