Hi! Today I will continue my story about the famous "Uzbekistan" hotel, located in the heart of Tashkent. Last time, we acquainted ourselves with the history of this building, and today I would like to share with you fascinating documents—photos and reviews from guests almost 40 years ago.
Soviet Modernism: Stylish Interiors with National Motifs
In 1955, a decree was issued in the USSR titled "On the Elimination of Excesses in Design and Construction." The appearance of this document, calling for the elimination of Stalinist heritage in construction, was influenced by N.S. Khrushchev's speech in December 1954. The document radically changed the lives of the country's architects and the appearance of its cities. The following 30 years are commonly referred to as the period of Soviet modernism, and it was during these years that the Tashkent Hotel "Uzbekistan" was built.
The main feature of modernism is considered to be the creation of new architecture reflecting contemporary trends. Architects of that time sought to eliminate historical forms and references, and this also applied to the design of the "Uzbekistan" hotel: its decoration lacks classical monumental columns with capitals or majestic sculptures glorifying the life of the Soviet people.
Despite the desire to break away from history, Uzbek modernism still had one distinctive feature: while using new forms and volumes, Tashkent architects actively searched for their own national style, incorporating Eastern motifs into the design and considering the peculiarities of the local challenging climate. It must be said that they succeeded perfectly.
Just look at these amazing photos: the interiors from 40 years ago look incredibly stylish even today. Moreover, Eastern motifs in the decor harmoniously complement minimalist lighting fixtures and unusual furniture pieces. It should be noted that references to local traditions are also visible on the main western facade of the building: it is almost entirely covered with an interesting sunshade lattice. Such an element in Eastern architecture is called "panjara." The non-prominent facade of the hotel is devoid of decoration, but those who reside on this side of the building have a small bonus in the form of balconies.
The "Uzbekistan" Hotel: Meeting Place for Friends from Three Continents
In preparing the material, hotel staff shared not only historical photos but also documents from the guestbook. Many of them are dated May 1986. It was during this time that the International Film Festival of Asian and African Countries was held in the city. For participation in organizing this event, the hotel even received a diploma from the organizing committee.
One guest's review from the hotel stood out to me. The tourist dedicated it to a woman named Raisa, expressing admiration for the service and expressing hope to return here again. Interestingly, the review was written in pure Russian, but the guest signed it as "Your Mexican friend."
Among other things, in the hotel documents, we found a menu that was once in effect here. I would like to remind you that the hotel was part of the "Intourist" network, so it is not surprising that in the local restaurant, you could order, for example, sturgeon fry or beluga steak. Unfortunately, the prices are not specified in this document.
In conclusion, I would like to draw attention to the fact that many guest reviews of the hotel are related to the high-class service in local restaurants and bars. The "Uzbekistan" Hotel continues to delight its guests today. City residents and tourists can organize events in one of the complex's halls or visit the modern outdoor terrace, aptly named "The Terrace by Hotel Uzbekistan." Detailed information about the hotel's services can be found on the official hotel website.
Have a nice trip!
