Uzbekistan has a rich cultural and social history, with a diversity of media outlets that include the prominent National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, regional television and radio companies, FM radio stations, government newspapers, and various online resources, numbering over 1300. The television and radio sector in Uzbekistan experienced significant growth with the adoption of digital technology.

In 2010, the country saw the publication of 881 periodicals, featuring newspapers in languages such as Uzbek, Karakalpak ("Erkin Karakalpakstan"), Tajik ("Ovozi Tozhik"), Kazakh ("Nurly Jol"), Russian, and others. The field of book publishing also witnessed substantial development, with the total annual circulation of books increasing from 8.9 million copies to 28.5 million copies between 2000 and 2010. Despite this growth, the accessibility of publications to the general population faced challenges due to the decline in the book-selling network following privatization. Over the period from 1990 to 2010, the number of bookstores in Uzbekistan declined from 657 to 70.

Cultural institutions:

• Creative-Production Association “Uzbekteatr”
• State institution “Uzbekconcert”
• General Directorate of the International Music Festival “Sharq Taronalari”
• Directorate of academic, folk and art groups
• Orchestras (symphonic, chamber, folk instruments)
• Republican Association “Uzbekgossirk”
• Republican Methodological and Information Center
• House of creative youth
• Republican Scientific and Methodological Center for Folk Art and Cultural and Educational Work
• Cultural and Educational Work
• Main Scientific and Production Department for the Protection and Use of Cultural Heritage Objects
• Use of Cultural Heritage Objects
• Management of artistic expertise
• Republican Fund “Uzbekmuseum”, museums of the republic.

Uzbekistan boasts approximately 40 theaters, including prominent ones such as the Alisher Navoi Big Academic State Theatre, the State Academic Russian Drama Theatre of Uzbekistan, and the Ilkhom Theatre. Additionally, the country has a conservatory. The National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan significantly contributes to the artistic landscape.

State holidays

Oliy Majlis adopted the law on public holydays and declared the following public holydays in 2nd July 1992:

• 1st January – New Year
• 14th January – Defenders day
• 8th March – International Women’s day
• 21th March – Navruz
• 9th May – Day of memory and honors
• 1st September – Independence day
• 1st October – Teacher’s day
• 8th December – Constitution’s Day
• Religious holydays Ramadan and Qurban

All these days except Defender’s day are days off.

Writing

In 1993, the Uzbek government made the decision to shift the Uzbek language script from Cyrillic to Latin.