The Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov, commented on the actions of actor and comedian Shukrullo Isroilov on Zo'r TV during a press conference on March 11th. In January, the artist made an inappropriate gesture on live television. Isroilov later apologized for his actions in a video statement.
During the press conference, a journalist asked the minister about the ministry's authority to monitor and take action against such artists. Minister Nazarbekov emphasized that the Ministry of Culture is not a nanny and does not dictate behavior to every individual. He questioned the logic of discussing spirituality and manners with 40-50-year-olds.
Nazarbekov stated that while the ministry does address inappropriate actions by artists with preventive measures, there is no strict enforcement. He highlighted the subjective nature of spirituality and individual understanding of boundaries. The Ministry of Culture and "Uzbekconcert" are attentive to such situations.
In February 2023, Deputy Minister of Culture Bahodir Akhmedov criticized artists for their low creativity levels and emphasized the need for art to align with the cultural mentality. The ministry continues to promote cultural activities and provide recommendations to artists, aiming to maintain a balance between artistic freedom and societal values.
