Mugak launches international call for cultural projects for the Basque Country International Architecture Biennial

In 2027, the ancient city of Bukhara will host the 19th annual conference of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Representatives from administrations, experts, artisans, and cultural figures from various countries will gather at the event to discuss the role of creativity and cultural heritage in the progress of modern urban centers.

The decision to select Bukhara was announced by UNESCO on October 30, shortly before World Cities Day, which falls on October 31. The city itself has been a member of the Creative Cities Network since 2023, being included in the 'Crafts and Folk Art' category.

Organizers plan to use the conference as a platform for knowledge exchange and developing common strategies. Key discussion topics include supporting local communities and promoting the creative economy. Special attention will be paid to how cultural potential can generate new jobs and attract tourists.

The choice of Bukhara is due to its rich heritage, including famous architectural structures and centuries-old craft traditions that continue to play an important role in the local economy and daily life. Artisans are actively supported in the city, skills are passed on to the next generations, and interaction with educational and design structures is developing.

An example of this cultural growth is the Bukhara Biennale of Contemporary Art, which combines ancient traditions, modern artistic methods, and international exchange.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network was established in 2004 and currently unites 408 cities that integrate culture and creative industries into their urban policies and interact globally.

The conference program includes thematic discussions, cultural events, and a mayors' forum, which promotes experience sharing between cities, launching joint projects, and finding new business partners.

It should be noted that prior to Bukhara, the Moroccan city of Essaouira will host the conference in November 2026, under the slogan 'Cultural Innovations for Sustainable Urban Development.'

Furthermore, starting October 1, restrictions have been introduced in the historical center of Bukhara on the movement of certain vehicles, including electric scooters, e-scooters, mopeds, rickshaws, four-wheeled bicycles, go-karts, as well as movement by horse and camel.

The Coffee Valley and the hilly region will host the first Gardens Circuit Show, named 'Entre Vales,' starting Saturday, October 31st, and the event will run until November 21st. This show will offer public visits to private gardens and selected historical areas in locations such as Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin (RJ), Vassouras (RJ), and Vale das Videiras (Petrópolis).

The circuit's proposal consists of 'talk-class' meetings, where topics such as botany, ecological methods, soil management, and floral gastronomy will be discussed. The project emphasizes spaces created and maintained by women, establishing a link between the Atlantic Forest biome and various cultural traditions. This initiative coincides with the Atlantic Flower Spring Festival.

Over four weekends, participants can explore properties ranging from 19th-century old farms to sites featuring contemporary art interventions and syntropic agriculture practices. At each stop, the hosts, landscape architects, and managers will guide the public through the designated routes.

Check out the full schedule

On the first weekend, October 31st, there will be talk-classes at Casa Ecotudo and Viveiro Muda Tudo (Vale das Videiras) on rooftop gardens, ecological techniques, and native plants, featuring environmentalist Bárbara Pellegrini and a tribute to landscape architect Terezinha Cunha. At 3 PM, at Fazenda das Palmas (Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin), environmentalist Luiza Braga will lead a meeting on organic gardens, syntropic agriculture, and country art.

On Sunday, November 1st, Uaná Etê Ecological Garden (Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin) will host a tour to the Music Labyrinth, accompanied by musician Cristina Braga and landscape architect Maritza de Orleans e Bragança.

The second weekend brings two events on November 7th. At Fazenda Cachoeira Grande (Vassouras), a historic and high-altitude tropical garden will be presented, addressing seasonality and sculptural trees near the lake, with Núbia Cafarelli. Later, at Fazenda Floresta (Vassouras), rural producer Yolanda Capute will discuss garden management on producing properties, fertilization, and drought strategies.

In the third weekend, on November 14th, Vale Zirá e Flor Gourmet (Vassouras) will host a meeting focused on solar orientation, well-being, and floral gastronomy, including a themed lunch and music by Cláudio Nucci, led by Ana Lúcia Furtado. The following Sunday, November 15th, Fazenda São Pedro da Juréa (Vale das Videiras) will present work on forest recovery of slopes and riparian forests using native Atlantic Forest species, with urban planner Teresa Serra.

Finally, on the fourth weekend, November 20th (holiday), Sítio Santa Maria – Casa de Campo Orleans e Bragança (Vassouras) will have its unprecedented opening of the sculpture garden, with Maritza de Orleans e Bragança discussing plant adaptation to natural resources and focal points. The circuit concludes on November 21st (Saturday), when Fazenda Velha de Santa Rita (Vassouras) will display Land Art installations integrating stones, water, and botany, functioning as an open-air gallery, with landscape architect Beatriz Calmon.

Uzbekistan has set a goal to increase the volume of grants designated for digital education to $60 million by the end of 2026, and to $100 million by 2030. These funds will be used to develop educational courses, improve specialists' qualifications, and create specialized digital education centers in various regions of the country.

During a presentation dedicated to the development of the digital education ecosystem, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was informed that $22 million was attracted for these needs last year. Currently, the task is set to intensify interaction with international technology companies and other partners.

This year, half of the attracted grant funds will be directed directly to digital learning. The second half is intended for implementing professional development programs, opening centers in remote areas, and equipping them with modern technical facilities.

Significant attention will be paid to ensuring youth access to current technologies outside major urban agglomerations. Regional centers are planned to create conditions for mastering disciplines such as programming, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

The 'Digital Youth' platform will become an important part of the digital education infrastructure. This system aggregates information about young people's knowledge, including their educational background, professional skills, language proficiency, and existing certificates. Based on the collected data, the platform will be able to assist in finding relevant vacancies and monitoring employment.

Furthermore, the President of Uzbekistan previously presented medals to coaches, managers, and participants of the national robotics team. This team achieved success at the international tournament FIRST Global Challenge 2026, which took place in Incheon, South Korea.