An exploration of craft, culture and environmental legacy from Uzbekistan and the Aral region
From April 20 to 26, the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) presents When Apricots Blossom at Palazzo Citterio, on the occasion of Milan Design Week.
Commissioned by Gayane Umerova, President of Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, the exhibition takes its title from a poem by Hamid Olimjon. It traces the Karakalpakstan region’s transformation —from the ecological collapse of the Aral Sea to new initiatives reimagining its future— while showcasing the knowledge, resilience and traditions of its communities.
Curated by architect Kulapat Yantrasast, the exhibition is a journey through three essential elements of daily life in the region: textiles, food and shelter.
Twelve designers have collaborated with Uzbek artisans to reinterpret traditional materials through a contemporary lens: Bethan Laura Wood, Bobir Klichev, Didi NG Wing Yin, Fernando Laposse, Marcin Rusak, Nifemi Marcus-Bello, Sanne Visser, Sevara Haydarova Donazzan, Kulapat Yantrasast and the studios Glithero, Studio CoPain, and Raw-Edges.
The film Where The Water Ends, by Manuel Correa and Marina Otero Verzier, further invites reflection on Karakalpak lives, emphasizing cultural memory amidst the climate crisis.
Alongside the exhibition, visitors will also discover initiatives such as the Aral Culture Summit and the Aral School, part of ACDF’s long-term commitment to cultural and environmental dialogue in region.
Palazzo Citterio, Via Brera, 12
20–26 April 2026 10 AM – 6 PM (daily)
Free entry, registration required, info: www.acdf.uz/milan2026 / @uzbekistanmdw
