Against the backdrop of the Barsakelmes salt flat in Karakalpakstan, the first International Art Festival "YONAR" took place on September 12, 2025. This unique event was organized by the Tourism Committee in collaboration with the festival of electronic music, art, and science "STIHIA". It brought together creative individuals and seekers of inspiration from around the globe. The festival became a true celebration of art and culture, immersing guests in an atmosphere of innovation and creativity.
"YONAR" is not just a creative settlement and an exhibition of art installations; it is an innovative tourist project that showcases the cultural wealth of the Aral Sea region and attracts the attention of the international community. The festival's concept is reminiscent of the American "Burning Man".
"Burning Man" is a large-scale week-long event dedicated to art, self-expression, and individuality. Since 1990, it has annually gathered participants in a temporary city built in the Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada, USA. The festival's name comes from a ceremony held on the penultimate night, where, under a canopy of stars, a massive wooden installation in the form of a man is symbolically burned. This act serves as the climax of this unique celebration of creativity and self-discovery, symbolizing the return from fantasy to reality.
The global cultural movement "Burning Man" aims to create a creative, cohesive, and flourishing society. This unique experience spans 34 countries, engaging participants in collaborative art projects and exchanges of deeply inspiring experiences.
The festival encourages active participation from every attendee, transforming them from passive spectators into true creators: they craft stunning art installations, design fantastical costumes, organize vibrant musical performances, and host captivating interactive events.
In an atmosphere of creative experimentation that brought together talented international and Russian artists, the art festival "YONAR" was held for the first time, serving as a platform for the showcase of six striking art installations: the mystical "Sphere", the monumental "Monolith", the futuristic "Hologram of the Future", the enigmatic "Amorphous Statue", the symbolic "Art Car Scorpion", and the mysterious "Teleport".
"YONAR" is not just an exhibition of art installations; it is an innovative tourist project that vividly showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region and attracts the attention of the international community. "YONAR" goes far beyond the traditional festival: it is a unique experimental outdoor art space that brings together talented individuals from around the world. The conceptual goal of the project is to demonstrate Uzbekistan's potential as a dynamically developing center for creative and environmentally sustainable tourism.
The festival concluded with a spectacular ritual of fire purification, inspired by the traditions of the legendary American event "Burning Man". Amid the applause of the audience, flames engulfed two unique installations — the "Sphere" and the "Teleport", symbolizing the end of the first International Art Festival "YONAR".
In a gesture of respect for the environment, the site was carefully restored to its pristine condition, emphasizing the organizers' commitment to ecological principles.
The "YONAR" festival has opened entirely new horizons for creative tourism, providing artists, musicians, designers, and sculptors from around the world with a unique platform to express their talents and exchange vibrant ideas. Participants had the opportunity to realize their boldest concepts and contribute to enriching our lives with bright and unusual art born from the power of human imagination.
