Navoi Theater, Tashkent

The Navoi Theater, officially known as the Alisher Navoi State Academic Grand Theatre, stands as Uzbekistan's premier opera and ballet venue. Located in the heart of Tashkent on Islam Karimov Street, this iconic cultural institution has a storied history dating back to its establishment in 1939. It is named after Alisher Navoi, the celebrated poet and figure of Chagatai literature, whose legacy is intertwined with the theater’s identity.

The Navoi Theater began in 1929 as a concert-ethnographic ensemble led by Muhiddin Kari-Yakubov, later evolving into a professional theater with Tamara Khanum heading its dance company. Its first folk opera, Buran, premiered in 1939, followed by a repertoire featuring works like Eugene Onegin, Gulsara, Coppelia, and Don Quixote. Renamed in 1948 after merging with a Russian theater, it became an Academic Theater in 1959 and earned Bolshoi status in 1966.

Designed by Alexey Shchusev, the theater was built between 1942 and 1947 to mark the 500th anniversary of Alisher Navoi’s birth. Its elegant design blends classical and regional styles, with a 1,440-seat auditorium featuring ornate gilt details. Japanese prisoners of war contributed to its construction, honored by a commemorative plaque installed in 1996.

The Navoi Theater is a cornerstone of Uzbekistan’s cultural life, hosting events like the Tashkent Bahori Festival and Puccini’s 150th anniversary celebration. Its artists have performed globally in operas such as The Tsar’s Bride and La Bohème. Set in a picturesque park with a fountain, the theater’s 540-square-meter stage showcases a blend of classical and modern works, symbolizing Uzbekistan's rich artistic heritage.