Event 2026

When Apricots Blossom

An exploration of the crafts and culture of Karakalpakstan
Special Mention Fuorisalone Award
Sustainability & Research

When Apricots Blossom, commissioned by Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), is an immersive exhibition presented at Palazzo Citterio during Milan Design Week 2026.

Inspired by a poem by renowned Uzbek writer Hamid Olimjon, the exhibition reflects on themes of hope, renewal and resilience. Through installations, newly commissioned design works and public programmes, visitors are invited to discover the cultural heritage of the Aral Sea region and Karakalpakstan. Once home to one of the world’s largest inland lakes, the region has experienced dramatic environmental change over the past decades, yet its communities continue to preserve and adapt their cultural practices.

Curated by architect Kulapat Yantrasast, the exhibition unfolds as a journey through three essential elements of daily life in the region: textiles, food and shelter. From vibrant textile installations and a contemporary interpretation of a traditional yurt to specially designed bread trays created in collaboration with Uzbek artisans, the works highlight how craft traditions carry knowledge, identity and memory across generations.

Twelve international designers have contributed new works for the exhibition, including Bethan Laura Wood, Bobir Klichev, Didi NG Wing Yin, Fernando Laposse, Marcin Rusak, Nifemi Marcus-Bello, Sanne Visser, Sevara Haydarova Donazzan and Kulapat Yantrasast, alongside design studios Glithero, Studio CoPain and Raw-Edges. Working closely with artisans in Uzbekistan, the designers explore traditional materials such as wood, silk, ceramic, felt and reed, creating contemporary interpretations rooted in local craft knowledge.

A specially commissioned film, Where The Water Ends, by filmmaker Manuel Correa and architect Marina Otero Verzier, introduces the Aral Sea region through the lives, rituals, and public forums of Karakalpak communities. The film reflects on how memory is preserved amid climate collapse, offering a powerful narrative lens that complements the exhibition’s broader exploration of cultural resilience.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors will also discover initiatives such as the Aral Culture Summit and the Aral School, part of ACDF’s long-term commitment to cultural and environmental dialogue in the Aral Sea region. Through design, storytelling and collaboration, When Apricots Blossom offers an opportunity to reflect on how cultural heritage can inspire new ways of thinking about sustainability, community and the future.

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Contacts

Sito Web: www.acdf.uz/milan2026

Entry rules

Please contact the exhibitor for access rules

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Program

0/4 Wednesday
1/4 Thursday
2/4 Friday
3/4 Saturday
4/4 Sunday
5/4 Monday
6/4 Tuesday
7/4 Wednesday
8/4 Thursday
9/4 Friday
10/4 Saturday
11/4 Sunday
12/4 Monday
13/4 Tuesday
14/4 Wednesday
15/4 Thursday
16/4 Friday
17/4 Saturday
18/4 Sunday
19/4 Monday
20/4 Tuesday
00:00 - 13:00
Meeting
Pre-registration required
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00:00 - 17:00
Workshop
Pre-registration required
Link →
10:00 - 18:00
Exhibition
Registration at the entrance
Link →
21/4 Wednesday
00:00 - 13:00
Meeting
Pre-registration required
Link →
00:00 - 17:00
Workshop
Pre-registration required
Link →
10:00 - 18:00
Exhibition
Registration at the entrance
Link →
22/4 Thursday
00:00 - 13:00
Meeting
Pre-registration required
Link →
00:00 - 17:00
Workshop
Pre-registration required
Link →
10:00 - 18:00
Exhibition
Registration at the entrance
Link →
23/4 Friday
00:00 - 13:00
Meeting
Pre-registration required
Link →
00:00 - 17:00
Workshop
Pre-registration required
Link →
10:00 - 18:00
Exhibition
Registration at the entrance
Link →
24/4 Saturday
00:00 - 13:00
Meeting
Pre-registration required
Link →
00:00 - 17:00
Workshop
Pre-registration required
Link →
10:00 - 18:00
Exhibition
Registration at the entrance
Link →
25/4 Sunday
00:00 - 17:00
Workshop
Pre-registration required
Link →
10:00 - 18:00
Exhibition
Registration at the entrance
Link →
26/4 Monday
00:00 - 17:00
Workshop
Pre-registration required
Link →
10:00 - 18:00
Exhibition
Registration at the entrance
Link →
27/4 Tuesday
28/4 Wednesday
29/4 Thursday
30/4 Friday
31/4 Saturday
Photos
of the event