The Uzbek Puppet Workshop-Museum, Bukhara
Address: 2 Sarrafon Street, Lyabi-Hauz, Bukhara
Phone: (+998 90) 514-44-22
Operating Hours: Open daily from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, with a break from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Admission: Free
The Puppet Museum in Bukhara is a quaint, welcoming space that houses an exclusive collection of Uzbek theatrical puppets, not to be mistaken for mere children's playthings. This remarkable museum-workshop owes its existence to its founder, Iskandar Khakimov. Initially, Khakimov envisioned creating a performance to showcase Uzbek traditions, and in due course, these handcrafted puppets began to take the place of live actors. Once he had refined his ethnographic puppet show to his satisfaction, he became engrossed in the craft of creating these unique puppets. Eventually, he stepped away from his position at the puppet theatre, and the Puppet Museum in Bukhara was born. Remarkably, all of this unfolded thanks to a single fortuitous incident.
In the late twentieth century, a puppet show that highlighted traditions was a big hit among tourists. One day, after a performance, a spectator was so taken with a puppet that resembled her, she pleaded to buy it. Despite much hesitation, given that the puppet was a key character and irreplaceable, Iskandar Khakimov, the founder of the mini-theater, eventually relented. The sale sparked a need to craft a new puppet, prompting Khakimov to take up the art of puppet-making himself. This marked the genesis of the museum.
Today, the Workshop-museum of Bukhara puppets is a compact display space featuring a variety of handcrafted figures. Standing at a height of 40-50 centimeters, these papier-mache puppets each boast their own unique facial expressions and emotions, complemented by distinctive attire. The puppets, skillfully crafted by Iskandar, mirror real people whom he has encountered in films, news, or even just walking down the street. It's this uncanny resemblance to human personality that sets this museum apart, making it truly exceptional.
The Workshop-museum of Bukhara puppets proudly curates a collection of historical resources related to Uzbekistan's puppet theater, alongside a fascinating assortment of photos featuring individuals with their puppet lookalikes. It's a common occurrence for visitors to spot a puppet bearing an uncanny resemblance to a friend, leading them to purchase the puppet and send a whimsical photo to the museum's creator, Iskandar Khakimov.
Khakimov continues to produce his distinctive puppets in his workshop, located just above the museum. The meticulous process of crafting a puppet involves various steps, from drafting the initial sketch to molding the plaster body, applying papier-mache, painting the face, and finally, sewing the clothes. There are 17 people working in the workshop. Men are engaged in creating the shapes of future dolls, and women sew clothes and headdresses, attach jewelry. During a week of fruitful work about 15 dolls can be made here. Occasionally, Khakimov even holds master classes, where he unveils the intricate techniques behind creating these captivating puppets.
The museum-workshop, a veritable treasure trove of Uzbek puppets, is nestled in the heart of Bukhara, on the southern side of the Lyabi-Hauz ensemble. It also features a souvenir shop that sells these delightful puppets. Over time, many international tourists have been charmed by Khakimov's vibrant characters and taken them home as unique mementos of their visit.