Konstantin Ishkhanov Leads Eurasian Stars 2026 as the Festival Returns to Tashkent for Its Eighth Edition

Primarily hosted at the prestigious Alisher Navoi State Academic Grand Theatre, the festival will once again transform Tashkent into a meeting point for leading performers, conductors and orchestral musicians from around the world. With its combination of international artistic excellence and Uzbekistan’s rich musical traditions, Eurasian Stars continues to champion classical music as a universal language capable of transcending borders and connecting cultures.

At the heart of the festival’s development is President Konstantin Ishkhanov, whose international vision has helped establish Eurasian Stars as an important platform for cultural and artistic exchange in the region. Together with Artistic Director Alibek Kabdurakhmanov, he has shaped a 2026 programme that brings together some of the most respected names in contemporary classical music.

“Eurasian Stars was created with a simple but powerful belief: that music can bring people and cultures closer together. Over the years, the festival has grown into an international meeting point for outstanding musicians, and we are delighted to return to Tashkent for our eighth edition. The 2026 programme reflects the extraordinary artistic diversity of the festival, bringing together leading international soloists and conductors with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan. We are delighted to present these artists to audiences in Tashkent and to continue building meaningful cultural bridges through classical music.”
— Konstantin Ishkhanov, President of the Eurasian Stars International Music Festival

The National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan will take centre stage throughout the festival as Orchestra-in-Residence, collaborating with an impressive roster of conductors from different musical traditions, including Lionel Bringuier of France, Alibek Kabdurakhmanov of Uzbekistan, Johann-Sebastian Guzman of Colombia/USA, Rodrigo Sámano Albarrán of Mexico, Epifanio Comis of Italy, José Salazar of Venezuela and Martin Panteleev of Bulgaria, among others.

The festival will also welcome an extraordinary collection of internationally acclaimed soloists. The violinists include Sergei Dogadin, Alexandra Tirsu, Nikita Boriso-Glebsky and Haik Kazazyan, while the cello programme features István Várdai, Steven Isserlis and Edgar Moreau. Renowned American violist David Aaron Carpenter will also appear, alongside pianists Yekwon Sunwoo of South Korea and Philipp Kopachevsky, as well as ST DUO and other distinguished artists.

Across nine concerts, these musicians will explore some of the most celebrated works of the classical repertoire, offering audiences a succession of distinctive artistic encounters while bringing together different generations, musical traditions and artistic perspectives.