18/10/2025
We are delighted to present a new TV commercial, filmed and produced by Dars Films as part of the SUNRISE IN UZBEKISTAN project. In just 30 seconds of screen time, we set ourselves the ambitious goal of showing the essence of one of the most legendary cities in the world — Samarkand.
Sunrise in Uzbekistan is a cinematic journey across the country’s great cities, revealing their beauty, spirit, and heritage. We have already captured the magic of Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, and other unique places. Each city has given us its own light and its own story. Now, Samarkand becomes the next destination in this journey – a city whose name alone conjures up the timeless aura of the Great Silk Road.
Samarkand has always been a place where civilisations met and intertwined. At its heart lies the dazzling Registan Square, surrounded by three majestic madrasahs, a place where power, knowledge, and beauty came together. Not far away stands the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, where the great Tamerlane rests beneath a sapphire-blue dome, his legacy echoing through the centuries. The city also preserves the genius of science: Ulugh Beg’s Observatory, one of the wonders of medieval astronomy, still reminds us of a ruler who gazed at the stars while shaping the destiny of his people.
Walking through Samarkand, you encounter the grandeur of the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, built to celebrate Timur’s victories, where masters from India, Iran, Khorezm, and beyond left their mark in stone. And then, hidden on the sacred hillside, lies the necropolis of Shakhi-Zinda, a breathtaking chain of mausoleums where almost 25 centuries of the city’s history can be traced in turquoise tiles and intricate patterns.
Yet Samarkand is not only about its monuments – it is about living traditions and the warmth of its people. In our film, we tell this story through the image of a bride, embodying the soul of Uzbek heritage. Her world is filled with suzani embroidery, crafted for generations as part of a bride’s dowry, with jewellery that once captivated both East and West, and with the golden threads of embroidery that continue to amaze visitors with their richness and artistry. And always, at the heart of Uzbek hospitality, there is tea — a simple ritual that carries deep meaning, where pouring less into the cup signifies greater respect.