The Cultural Heritage Agency has expressed disagreement with certain statements and assessments published in the article about the Sergei Yesenin Museum

The Cultural Heritage Agency disagreed with a number of statements and assessments published in the article about the Sergei Yesenin Museum

On September 16, the editorial office received an official letter from the Cultural Heritage Agency, expressing disagreement with certain statements and assessments contained in the article "Museum without a roof: Tashkent residents stand up to defend the Sergei Yesenin Museum."

To the editorial office of the NUZ.UZ information resource

Regarding the publication of the article "Museum without a roof: Tashkent residents stand up to defend the Sergei Yesenin Museum"

The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan declares its disagreement with certain statements and assessments presented in the publication "Museum without a roof: Tashkent residents stand up to defend the Sergei Yesenin Museum."

The agency considers it necessary to note that describing the situation around the S.A. Yesenin Memorial Museum without taking into account the reasons for the temporary suspension of construction work and the results of the technical inspections carried out does not provide a complete and objective picture of the real state of the site and the measures being taken for its preservation.

The S.A. Yesenin Memorial Museum, located at 20 Kori Niyoziy Street, Mirzo-Ulugbek District, Tashkent, is not being ignored. The temporary suspension of construction work is due to the need to ensure the safety of the historical building and to prepare appropriate structural solutions.

During the design and construction work at the site, a need arose to additionally determine the actual technical condition of the building's existing structures. In the process, cracks, deformations, damage, and other structural defects were discovered.

In this regard, a technical inspection of the building's load-bearing structures was carried out. The initial inspection was deemed insufficient for an objective assessment of the building's technical condition and for making informed decisions on its further restoration and reinforcement. Therefore, a second, more comprehensive visual and instrumental inspection was ordered.

In August–September 2026, a detailed technical inspection of the site was conducted, which included visual inspection, instrumental studies, opening of individual structural elements, determination of the physical and mechanical characteristics of building materials, and assessment of the technical condition of the structures.

Based on the results of the inspection, serious defects and damage to the foundations, load-bearing walls, beams, and other structural elements of the building were identified. In some areas, numerous cracks, including through-cracks, destruction of brickwork, and other defects that could affect the load-bearing capacity of the structures, were recorded.

This is precisely why continuing construction work without developing appropriate structural solutions was deemed unacceptable.

Currently, based on the results of the technical inspection, solutions are being developed to reinforce, restore, and ensure the structural stability of the building.

Thus, the temporary suspension of construction work is not inaction, but a necessary measure aimed at ensuring safety and preserving the cultural heritage site.

On the contrary, continuing work without taking into account the identified defects could lead to additional load on the damaged structures, further development of existing defects, and pose a threat to the historical building itself.

The publication, in particular, states that active repair work at the site is "virtually not being carried out," and also mentions the need for its immediate resumption.

The Agency considers it necessary to emphasize that the outward absence of active construction work does not in itself mean inaction by the authorized bodies.

After serious defects in the load-bearing structures were identified, continuing construction work without the necessary technical inspection and development of appropriate structural solutions could have created additional risks to the preservation of the historical building.

It was precisely to prevent such consequences that technical inspections were carried out, the nature of the identified damage was determined, and the development of appropriate solutions for the reinforcement and restoration of the site was initiated.

Consequently, the demand for the immediate resumption of construction work without taking into account the technical condition of the building and the necessary structural solutions fails to consider the actual circumstances and professional requirements for the safe restoration of a cultural heritage site.

The publication places special emphasis on the absence of a roof, the condition of the walls, traces of mold, and the potential impact of atmospheric precipitation on the building. The Agency shares the concern regarding the preservation of the historical site. However, conclusions about the level of threat to the building and the necessary technical measures must be based on the results of a professional inspection of its structures.

The identified defects require not a formal and rapid resumption of construction work, but the development of technically sound solutions that ensure the structural stability and safe restoration of the building. Currently, this is precisely the work being carried out.

The Agency also considers it necessary to draw attention to the actual location of the museum items. The museum items and exhibition materials were removed from the building in advance and are currently in safe custody at the State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Thus, the museum valuables are not inside the building, the technical condition of which is the subject of ongoing inspections and subsequent restoration measures.

The Agency draws special attention to the phrasing in the publication stating that the S.A. Yesenin Memorial Museum "needs not another promise, but a roof, protection from rain, and the continuation of professional restoration."

In the agency's view, such phrasing may give the reader the impression that the responsible state bodies are not taking practical measures to preserve the site.

Meanwhile, the actual circumstances indicate the opposite: technical inspections have been carried out, serious structural defects have been identified, the need for a temporary suspension of construction work has been determined, and the development of appropriate solutions to reinforce, restore, and ensure the structural stability of the building is underway.

The media has the right to criticize the activities of state bodies and raise socially significant issues. However, such criticism must rely on verified and reliable facts, and evaluative conclusions must take into account the full range of circumstances relevant to an objective coverage of the situation.

In view of the foregoing, the Cultural Heritage Agency demands:

- to publish the official response of the Agency to the article "Museum without a roof: Tashkent residents stand up to defend the Sergei Yesenin Museum. Signatures are being collected addressed to Saida Mirziyoyeva" ensuring a comparable level of accessibility and visibility of the publication;

- to make appropriate clarifications to the information and phrasing of the publication, which, without taking into account the actual circumstances, may give readers an erroneous impression of the reasons for the temporary suspension of construction work and the measures being taken to preserve the site;

- to state the actual grounds and sources for the assertion contained in the publication that active repair work at the site is "virtually not being carried out";

- to take into account the official information on the technical inspections carried out, the identified structural defects, and the development of solutions for the reinforcement and restoration of the building;

- in the event that certain published information is found to be inaccurate or incomplete, to take measures to correct or clarify it in accordance with the established procedure.

The Agency emphasizes: we do not object to criticism and do not intend to restrict the work of the media. But criticism does not exempt journalists from the duty to verify facts.

Even more so when it concerns a cultural heritage site, the preservation of a historical building, museum items, and the activities of state bodies.

Creating an impression of actual inaction by the responsible bodies in the reader's mind, without taking into account the technical inspections carried out, the serious structural defects identified, and the ongoing development of technical solutions, cannot be considered comprehensive and objective coverage of the situation.

The Agency considers it necessary to emphasize particularly: the site has not been ignored. On the contrary, it was precisely the serious structural problems identified during the work that became the basis for taking additional measures for its preservation.

Currently, the main task is not to create the appearance of a quick result, but to ensure the professional and safe restoration of the historical building.

In the event of the editorial office's refusal to correct inaccurate or misleading information, as well as to provide an official response, the Agency reserves the right to appeal to the competent authorities and use all methods provided by law to protect its legal rights and interests, including judicial protection.

The Agency is open to professional cooperation with the media and is ready to provide the editorial office with official information and necessary clarifications regarding the preservation, recovery, and further restoration of the S.A. Yesenin Memorial Museum.

Cultural heritage requires not loud headlines, but accuracy, responsibility, and respect for facts.