march 20 - 23 / samarkand, uzbekistan
Samarkand Central Asian Inclusive Festival 2026
Central Asian Inclusive Festival of Arts, Crafts, Theatre and Cinema
"Samarkand - Crossroads of Cultures"
The annual spring festival is a kaleidoscope of crafts, music, cinema and contemporary art. Immerse yourself in the creative atmosphere, enjoy live performances by dancers and actors, discover the taste of local dishes and find like-minded people who are ready to share the delight of what you saw and heard!
"Samarkand - Crossroads of Cultures"
The annual spring festival is a kaleidoscope of crafts, music, cinema and contemporary art. Immerse yourself in the creative atmosphere, enjoy live performances by dancers and actors, discover the taste of local dishes and find like-minded people who are ready to share the delight of what you saw and heard!
- 3 daysEvery day we present a new program
- 200 participantsThe festival features artists, musicians, painters and artisans.
- 3 stagesEach street area has its own program
- 5 areasCrafts, art, music, theatre, cinema
Where does the festival take place?
In Samarkand, we used several sites within walking distance of the city market and historical sites.
If a building becomes architecture, then it is art
Festival program
We actively enrich the program: we organize games and competitions for children, play music and make light shows.
National cuisine
March 20-22
Master classes
March 21-22
Talent show
March 20-22
Fashion show
March 21
How it was a year ago
A year ago we held a bright and cheerful festival. In 3 days we had about 10 thousand guests, 20 performances, 10 film screenings, 5 musical groups from Central Asia. It was sunny and fun. See for yourself!
Welcome spring! Participate, perform and enjoy creativity in the first days of spring!
Our friends and partners
Questions and Answers
Here we have collected popular questions about the festival. If you have not found the answer, write to us at samarkandartfest@gmail.com
Participation in the festival is free this year. However, you cover all your expenses for participation in the festival (transportation, accommodation, food). If participants need additional means, equipment (e.g. media projector, tent, etc.), they pay for the rent of these means, equipment. It is necessary to inform about this need in advance, at least one week in advance.
If you want to participate, your work must correspond to one of the festival themes:
🎨 "Special Gift" (art): Gallery of works by advanced and emerging artists of the Central Asian region.
🎭 "Special Stage" (theater): Productions and performances emphasizing the value of inclusion.
🎞️ "Special View" (cinema): Screening of films and videos revealing social and cultural topics.
🧵 "Special Mastery" (crafts): Exhibition of traditional and modern crafts.
🤱 "Special Mother - Special Child" (design): Images dedicated to a mother and a special child.
Link for registering participants for the festival:
https://forms.gle/bqLmmvNGJhWss4H29
🎨 "Special Gift" (art): Gallery of works by advanced and emerging artists of the Central Asian region.
🎭 "Special Stage" (theater): Productions and performances emphasizing the value of inclusion.
🎞️ "Special View" (cinema): Screening of films and videos revealing social and cultural topics.
🧵 "Special Mastery" (crafts): Exhibition of traditional and modern crafts.
🤱 "Special Mother - Special Child" (design): Images dedicated to a mother and a special child.
Link for registering participants for the festival:
https://forms.gle/bqLmmvNGJhWss4H29
- To take part in the festival, you need to have the following documents with you:
- Confirmation from the festival organizing committee that you are invited to participate (invitation letter, printout from e-mail).
- Identity document.
- Name badge (issued at the participant registration point).
This year, the festival's organizing committee, due to budget constraints, cannot yet cover anyone's expenses. Therefore, you need to take all measures in advance to plan your expenses for participation in the events.
Tables and chairs will be provided for the craft fair. Only with the support of sponsors, participants can be provided with tents (marquees). Equipment will be provided only to artisans and/or those participants from Central Asian countries who wish to sell crafts.
For participants of the festival in other areas, places, sites, stages for displaying their works will be provided.
You can bring your equipment, means, machinery to the festival or rent it on site from the organizers, having informed about it in advance. The organizing committee reserves the exclusive right to decide who will be provided with places.
For participants of the festival in other areas, places, sites, stages for displaying their works will be provided.
You can bring your equipment, means, machinery to the festival or rent it on site from the organizers, having informed about it in advance. The organizing committee reserves the exclusive right to decide who will be provided with places.
Yes, you can participate in the festival with children; however, all expenses are covered by the participants themselves.
During the festival, it is forbidden to light fires anywhere. Food will be prepared and served in nearby cafes and restaurants.
You can read the festival regulations at this link (use Google translator to translate the document into English).
Public Offer and Consent to the Processing of Personal Data
(Festival Participation)
By submitting their personal data and/or applying to participate in the festival, as well as by paying a registration fee (if such a fee is established) or participating in the festival on a free-of-charge basis, the user (participant) confirms their consent to the terms of this public offer and gives consent to the processing of their personal data.
The processing of personal data is carried out exclusively for the purposes of organizing, preparing, and conducting the festival; communicating with participants; forming the event program; registering and accounting for participants; as well as for informational and reporting support related to the festival. Only the minimum necessary scope of personal data is requested and processed.
Personal data is stored confidentially and is not transferred to third parties without the prior, explicit, and separate consent of the data subject, except in cases directly provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Participation in the festival, regardless of the form of participation (paid or free of charge), as well as payment of a registration fee (if applicable), does not constitute and cannot be regarded as a guarantee of receiving funding, grants, prizes, material support, contracts, investments, or any other financial or organizational benefits. All decisions regarding awards, support, or other forms of encouragement are made exclusively and independently by the festival organizers or relevant partners.
The user (participant) confirms that they have reviewed the terms of this public offer, understand the purposes of the collection and processing of personal data, and accept the terms of participation in the festival voluntarily and in full, without any reservations.
(Festival Participation)
By submitting their personal data and/or applying to participate in the festival, as well as by paying a registration fee (if such a fee is established) or participating in the festival on a free-of-charge basis, the user (participant) confirms their consent to the terms of this public offer and gives consent to the processing of their personal data.
The processing of personal data is carried out exclusively for the purposes of organizing, preparing, and conducting the festival; communicating with participants; forming the event program; registering and accounting for participants; as well as for informational and reporting support related to the festival. Only the minimum necessary scope of personal data is requested and processed.
Personal data is stored confidentially and is not transferred to third parties without the prior, explicit, and separate consent of the data subject, except in cases directly provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Participation in the festival, regardless of the form of participation (paid or free of charge), as well as payment of a registration fee (if applicable), does not constitute and cannot be regarded as a guarantee of receiving funding, grants, prizes, material support, contracts, investments, or any other financial or organizational benefits. All decisions regarding awards, support, or other forms of encouragement are made exclusively and independently by the festival organizers or relevant partners.
The user (participant) confirms that they have reviewed the terms of this public offer, understand the purposes of the collection and processing of personal data, and accept the terms of participation in the festival voluntarily and in full, without any reservations.
Contact us for participation via email or social media
samarkandartfest@gmail.com
Participation in the festival is a confirmation of the participants' agreement with the principles, rules and ethics of the festival in accordance with the Regulations (In Russian - Положения), as well as an obligation to comply with them throughout all events.
Web-site by Adelie Israilova.
Participation in the festival is a confirmation of the participants' agreement with the principles, rules and ethics of the festival in accordance with the Regulations (In Russian - Положения), as well as an obligation to comply with them throughout all events.
Web-site by Adelie Israilova.
