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The ASSOCIATION POUR LA PROTECTION DU PATRIMOINE OUZBEK (APPO) was born from the initiative of François and Pedro, two fervent defenders of Uzbekistan's heritage.

Our work transcends the borders of Uzbekistan, as we are also the founders of two other associations with similar objectives in favor of Peru.

Our commitment has been recognized by UNESCO, various governmental authorities worldwide, and several university faculties of sciences, art, and cultural promotion.

"Unity is power or Strength is in unity" (Kuch birlikda)

Translated from an Uzbek folk proverb

Our Mission

Photography

With over 140 years of history in Uzbekistan, the heart of the Silk Road, photography has stood as an effective narrator of the life and customs of this nation with a rich heritage, influenced by various civilizations from antiquity to its independence from the Soviet era. The inclination of Uzbek photographers towards visual documentation has captured the history and traditions of its diverse cultural and ethnic melting pot. Nevertheless, the future of Uzbek photography faces the technological challenges of globalization and the increasing competition from international tourism with advanced equipment and techniques.

Uzbekistan, an arid Central Asian country in the Aral Sea basin, harbors rich biodiversity (around 27,000 species). Severely threatened by industrialization (intensive agriculture, unsustainable mining and energy exploitation, poor water and waste management), this biodiversity faces desertification, the Aral Sea disaster, salinization, habitat degradation, and pollution. Water scarcity, worsened by climate and economy, exacerbates the situation, leading to declining populations of species (endemic and economically important), loss of genetic diversity, and disappearances. Its protection and sustainable management are a major challenge.

The Art of the Thread

As a direct heir to the legendary Silk Road, Uzbek textiles are rooted in an antiquity where fabric was much more than an ornament; it was a spiritual and social language. At the heart of this tradition sits the Suzani (from the Persian suzan, meaning needle), those masterfully hand-embroidered wall hangings that once formed part of a bride's dowry. Every chain stitch tells a story, where motifs of pomegranates, flowers, and solar disks invoke fertility and protection, preserving a craftsmanship passed down from mother to daughter for centuries. Today, this craft is experiencing a flamboyant revival, driven by an exceptional mastery of noble materials. While cotton remains the historical backdrop, it is the alliance with silk that gives the embroideries their incomparable luster. Modern workshops also celebrate the tactile luxury of silk velvet (Ala-Bakhmal) and the splendor of gold thread embroidery (Zardosi), once reserved for the Emirs of Bukhara. Between the preservation of natural pigments and contemporary designs, Uzbek textiles have established themselves as centerpieces of haute couture and exceptional interior design worldwide.

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Projects

Photography

Biodiversity

The Art of the Thread

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