Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 12-13 October, Uzbekistan hosted its first-ever Maker Faire Festival, supported by the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, aimed at fostering a new wave of creative entrepreneurship in the country.

The event, held at the InterContinental Hotel, brought together innovative minds not only from across Uzbekistan but also from other Central Asian countries, specializing in fields such as robotics, science, electronics, design, Lego, arts and crafts, 3D modeling, and virtual reality.

Maker Faire Tashkent served as a platform for makers and creators to showcase their projects, share their skills, and inspire others to explore the possibilities of creative and technical innovation. By providing a space for people to collaborate, exchange ideas, and turn their passions into tangible projects, the festival sparked a significant boost in creative entrepreneurship throughout Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region. This, in turn, contributed to the region’s growing startup culture and innovation ecosystem.

Hundreds of schoolchildren, university students, families, and young entrepreneurs participated in a wide range of hands-on activities, such as robotics workshops, soldering, rocket building, and interactive art sessions. These programs were designed not only to enhance their understanding of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) subjects but also to inspire the next generation of makers and entrepreneurs, encouraging them to pursue new business opportunities in the creative sector.

“We are excited to see Tashkent become a hub for makers, where individuals can showcase their talents and innovative ideas. We believe events like this will play a crucial role in developing creative entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan and across Central Asia, empowering students and entrepreneurs to turn their projects into real-world solutions,” remarked U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Henick in his opening speech.

By promoting a culture of creativity, experimentation, and innovation, Maker Faire Tashkent became a key driver in advancing Uzbekistan’s creative economy and unlocking new entrepreneurial opportunities for the region’s youth.

The first Maker Faire took place in San Francisco in 2006, and there have since been more than 30 major Maker Faires globally, in cities like Tokyo, Rome, Shenzhen, Taipei, Seoul, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Detroit, San Diego, Milwaukee, and Kansas City.