State Honors for Culture: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a ceremony in Tashkent awarding high state awards to 167 cultural figures, with posthumous honors for 24 more, underscoring how literature, music, theater, cinema, art, and museum work strengthen Uzbekistan’s global voice. Repatriation & Reintegration: Uzbekistan completed the return of 530+ citizens from conflict zones via the Mehr operations, with about 75% being children; repatriated kids received legal documents and are now integrated into regular schools, with some already reaching higher education and academic Olympiads. Creative Economy Push: Tashkent unveiled the Uzbekistan Creative Park to help creative professionals run real businesses, access infrastructure, and benefit from incentives under the Creative Economy law. Puppet Theatre Premiere: The Uzbek National Puppet Theatre in Tashkent premieres “Caliph-Stork” from June 1, a modern take on Wilhelm Hauff blending puppet, drama, physical and musical theatre. Summer Camp Transport Safety: Uzbekistan prepared 1,100+ buses for children’s summer camps, adding road patrol coverage, route inspections, and safety checks for 314,000+ children. World Cup Culture Spotlight: As the 2026 FIFA World Cup opens June 11, coverage highlights Uzbekistan’s football journey too—Fabio Cannavaro’s role as coach and the wider fan culture shaping the tournament.