"Why do we need them?" Alisher Kadyrov questioned the value of some old buildings in Tashkent. Video
"Why do we need them?" Alisher Kadyrov questioned the value of some old buildings in Tashkent. Video
The leader of the "Milliy Tiklanish" party, Alisher Kadyrov, sharply criticized the Cultural Heritage Agency. According to him, some buildings in the center of the capital, even while holding the status of cultural heritage sites, represent no value to society. As an example, he cited a certain "house of a Russian artist," the value of which, the politician believes, is incomparable to monuments such as Shah-i-Zinda.
Kadyrov stated that the state should take a differentiated approach to cultural heritage sites and not devote the same attention and resources to all buildings.
"In the center of Tashkent, some old building that could be demolished is being protected as a cultural heritage site: it has been fenced off, people are litigating over it, causing scandals. This is a building nobody needs — some house of a Russian artist. It needs to be removed. Why do we need it? What value does it hold for us as a cultural heritage site? What is its significance? Is its value comparable to even one-thousandth of Shah-i-Zinda? And it doesn't matter who this artist is," Kadyrov said.
At the same time, it is unclear from his speech which specific building he was referring to.
Kadyrov also commented on the work of the Cultural Heritage Agency. In his opinion, the department needs to pay more attention to preserving national cultural heritage.
"The Agency must first and foremost pay attention to our national culture. When we advocate for more budget funds to be allocated to you, we are asking for them to be allocated to protect our national culture, not just everything in a row," he stated.
This statement was made against the backdrop of ongoing discussions in Tashkent regarding the fate of historical buildings. In particular, the situation with house No. 7 on Babur Street, which is under state protection, is being considered separately. On September 8, the Cultural Heritage Agency appealed to the Prosecutor General's Office requesting a legal assessment of the circumstances surrounding this building.
Another site whose fate concerns Tashkent residents is the Sergei Yesenin House-Museum, which was closed for major renovations in the autumn of 2025. According to official reports, the work was planned to be completed and the museum reopened on December 31, 2025. However, September 2026 has arrived, and the museum's doors remain closed.
Townspeople have asked Saida Mirziyoyeva to intervene in the situation.