Cultural and environmental art initiatives in Central Asia

In October 2026, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, hosted the ‘Mother Nature’ international art exhibition. The event included high-level representatives from Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, such as Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan. Discussions during the exhibition focused on strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation through humanitarian and cultural initiatives.

By November 2026, art projects focused on wildlife and heritage were unveiled in Baku, Azerbaijan. These included sculptural works at the Stone Chronicle Museum inspired by Gobustan petroglyphs, and the ‘Baku Steel Art 2026’ open-air exhibition at Seaside National Park. The latter initiative, launched by Baku Steel Company, featured sculptures by artists from various nations, including Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Estonia. These projects aimed to promote environmental awareness and cultural preservation, with Leyla Aliyeva attending to emphasize the role of contemporary art in highlighting biodiversity.