Tashkent, Uzbekistan – Podrobno.uz. The Fund for the Development of Culture and Art has commented on the situation surrounding a closed commercial event held on the grounds of the Romanov Palace, in response to an official inquiry from the editorial board. The agency assured that the fashion show did not affect the interior spaces of the 19th-century architectural monument, cited the experience of the Louvre and Versailles, and announced new timelines for opening the site to the public.
In response to a correspondent's request, the agency justified the fashion show by stating that it took place exclusively on the adjacent territory of the complex, not inside the building itself. Access to interior areas and elements, where preparations for restoration are underway, was completely restricted and not used during the event. However, the financial terms of the agreement – under what commercial conditions the boutique gained the right to use the closed venue – were not disclosed.
The decision to provide the closed historical site for a private fashion event was explained by global practice. According to agency representatives, holding cultural and fashion projects on architectural monuments helps attract attention to heritage. The press service cited similar initiatives at the Louvre, Versailles, the Grand Palais in Paris, and the Great Wall of China. However, the key reason for public discontent was ignored: why a commercial brand gained access to a protected site while ordinary citizens and tourists remain strictly barred under the pretext of its fragility.
Regarding the prolonged restoration of the former princely residence, whose deadlines have been repeatedly postponed, the Fund reported that the estate is still at the survey stage. "The preparation of project documentation and collection of scientific and technical data continues. The project is being implemented in stages, with international and regional specialists involved, including the German architectural bureau Atelier Brückner GmbH and the design and restoration organization Gorod LLC," the statement said.
The agency assured that preserving the historical appearance of the palace remains an absolute priority, and any events on its grounds are considered solely through the lens of its protected status. The Fund now promises to fully complete the restoration and open the palace as a modern museum space within the next two years.
Source: podrobno.uz