A sea of lights, drones above the crowd, and a musical fountain announced as the tallest in the world: Uzbekistan not only celebrated its 35th anniversary of independence but also aimed to project an image of new power. In New Tashkent, the spectacle organized around the national anniversary transformed a political ceremony into a global postcard. Behind the jets of water and music, the message is clear: this Central Asian country wants to be seen as a center of investment, culture, and innovation.
The images broadcasted on August 30 by Euronews showcase the visual dimension of the event, featuring light choreography, a monumental stage, and a popular celebration. Two days earlier, the Uzbek presidency confirmed that the 35th anniversary ceremony was held in the newly developed city to the east of the capital. The choice of location is not merely decorative: New Tashkent is set to embody the next chapter of the country.
A Celebration Designed to Impress the World
Since its proclaimed independence in 1991, Uzbekistan has undergone a profound transformation. For this 35th anniversary, the authorities opted for a spectacular staging capable of traveling instantly across social media. The celebration blends national symbols, historical memory, dance, music, visual technologies, and a narrative of modernization. This combination provides the country with ideal content for a new image diplomacy.
The most viral detail is the musical fountain inaugurated in the new capital. In his official speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that it has joined the Guinness World Records as the tallest musical fountain in the world. This announcement must be clearly attributed to the Uzbek authorities as the detailed record sheet is not publicly accessible yet. However, its symbolic function is already evident: to create an instantly recognizable monument capable of becoming a tourist destination and a visual signature.
New Tashkent, Much More Than a Backdrop
Organizing the ceremony in New Tashkent allows showcasing a project even before it is completed. The future district is set to host institutions, housing, cultural infrastructures, and educational hubs. Just days before the anniversary, the presidency announced the opening of new major facilities, including the New Uzbekistan University complex and a modern National Library.
The university has been built on a ten-hectare site and is expected to accommodate 7,000 students. The authorities also announced cooperation with Harvard for a school aimed at rectors, a partnership with Oxford for civil servant training, and the opening of an Artificial Intelligence Institute on October 1. The new library, spanning 30,000 square meters and five floors, has a simultaneous capacity of 1,500 readers and a collection of over 200,000 works.
These figures explain why the anniversary transcends mere commemoration. Uzbekistan uses the date to present an intellectual, administrative, and cultural infrastructure. The country aims to convince its youth that a future is being built, while also signaling to foreign investors that Tashkent aspires to become a regional platform.
The Numbers of an Economic Acceleration
The official narrative is supported by a wave of inaugurations. On August 25, the presidency announced the commissioning of 163 industrial, service, and social facilities. Seventy-two major economic projects and 91 social facilities represent approximately 50 trillion soums and are expected to create 15,000 jobs. The sectors involved range from energy to textiles, metallurgy, automotive, agribusiness, and construction materials.
The government claims that the economy has more than doubled in ten years, attracting $160 billion in foreign investments and launching 2,163 major industrial projects valued at $76 billion. These figures come from the presidency and should thus be interpreted as indicators highlighted by the authorities. Nevertheless, they illustrate the scale of ambition: transitioning from a raw material-exporting economy to a base capable of selling processed products and services.
Why Central Asia Suddenly Attracts More Attention
Uzbekistan occupies a strategic position between China, Russia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. In a world where trade routes are fragmenting, Central Asia is becoming a coveted corridor once again. Companies are seeking alternative logistical routes, young markets, and territories capable of hosting new energy and industrial capacities.
The country also possesses considerable cultural capital. Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva have long been part of the imagination of the Silk Road. Tashkent is now attempting to add a contemporary dimension to this heritage. The strategy is to sell not just ancient monuments but a complete experience: new architecture, international events, gastronomy, fashion, music, education, and the creative economy.
A Show, But Also a Battle for Image
National spectacles are never neutral. They showcase what a state wants to highlight and what it prefers to leave off-screen. Here, the communication emphasizes openness, investment, youth, and cultural renaissance. It serves to reposition a country still little known to a large part of the European public.
To remain credible, it is essential to distinguish between the power of images and the daily reality. A record fountain does not encapsulate either the social development or the political challenges of a country. However, it can become an entry point. Visitors discovering the spectacle will subsequently seek out New Tashkent, the Uzbek economy, its historical cities, and its regional role. This is precisely the goal of a successful symbol: to provoke curiosity before building a reputation.
What France and Europe Can See in It
For France and Europe, the event serves as a reminder that the competition for influence is no longer limited to the usual capitals. Central Asia is seeking partnerships in education, infrastructure, transportation, energy, tourism, and culture. European institutions and French companies possess expertise in several of these areas, but they are evolving in the face of already strong Chinese, Turkish, Russian, South Korean, and Gulf actors.
There is also direct cultural potential. Exhibitions, audiovisual co-productions, festivals, architecture, heritage, and academic exchanges can add human depth to economic relations. At a time when Paris seeks to diversify its partnerships and Tashkent wants to multiply its openings to the outside world, the field is broader than a simple commercial contract.
The Signal That No One Can Ignore
Thus, the 35 years of Uzbekistan’s independence arrive as a carefully choreographed message. The country celebrates its history but chooses to place the cameras in a city looking toward tomorrow. The fountain, drones, and lights attract attention; universities, libraries, industrial projects, and investments give substance to the narrative.
The bet will be judged over time: the ability to create skilled jobs, attract talent, protect heritage, and ensure that the population benefits from this growth. But in the realm of image, Uzbekistan has already succeeded in a powerful operation. In one night, New Tashkent was no longer just an urban construction site. It became the stage on which Central Asia asks the world to look at it differently.
Sources
- Euronews, images of the celebrations, music, lights, and drones, August 30, 2026.
- Presidency of Uzbekistan, 35th anniversary ceremony in New Tashkent and announcement regarding the fountain, August 28, 2026.
- Presidency of Uzbekistan, 163 new facilities and data on investments, university, and library, August 25, 2026.
- Presidency of Uzbekistan, tribute to the Independence Monument, August 28, 2026.
