When Apricots Blossom

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 and Sevara Haydarova Donazzan, 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.