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Mukimi Musical Theater
Mukimi Musical Theater

The beautiful building of the Mukimi Uzbek State Musical Theater on Beshagach Square is familiar to everyone. However, few know that the theater celebrated its 85th anniversary — it was founded on November 30, 1939. The troupe included the greatest masters of Uzbek musical and dramatic art. The premiere performance was Hamza’s comedy The Tricks of Maysara. But the collective’s activity began even earlier — in 1929, when it was called the Uzbek Opera Theater, presenting opera art and musical drama.

In 1939, it was divided into the opera (now the Navoi State Academic Grand Opera and Ballet Theater — GABT named after Alisher Navoi) and the musical (now the State Musical Theater named after Mukimi).

The theater building was constructed quickly, in just six months, and completed in 1943. Architects: D. Khazanov, V. Tikhonov; engineer: A. Rabinovich; folk masters: Yu. Musaev, M. Kasimov, Usmon Shirin, Sh. Gafurov, Usto Yusuf. The architectural forms of the building are entirely expressed in the national style. Traditional local materials were used in construction. On the central facade, visitors are greeted by a tall portal with three pointed arches. The premises are built on the basis of vaults and domes; no wooden ceilings are used — only brick and stone.

The auditorium is designed for 800 spectators. The interior spaces (foyer and hall) evoke the traditional volumetric architecture of mosques and madrasas. There are no columns in the hall at all; the ceiling is supported solely by original brickwork.

After gaining independence, the theater building was reconstructed, and the auditorium and facade received updated decoration.

Originally named after the Tashkent Soviet, the theater is named in honor of Muhammad Amin-khoja Mukimi (1850–1903), an Uzbek enlightener-poet.

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