The Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan will host a unique historical photo exhibition titled “A Journey Through Turkmen Lands” from June 11 to June 23. The exhibition features rare photographs taken by renowned French photographer Paul Nadar during his historic journey through Central Asia in 1890, offering visitors a captivating glimpse into the region’s life and culture at the turn of the century.
The French Institute and the Embassy of France in Turkmenistan organize the cultural event, with the official support of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan. The project was brought to fruition through close collaboration with the Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan, the French Institute for Central Asian Studies (IFEAC), and TotalEnergies.
The exposition will display an array of portraits of local residents and majestic landscapes of the Turkmen lands, capturing the unique heritage of the region. Beyond their value as a visual chronicle of the 1890s, these frozen moments of history serve as a bridge for cultural exchange, significantly strengthening contemporary Franco-Turkmen ties.
A key highlight of the exhibition will be the participation of Dr. Svetlana Gorshenina, a leading expert in Central Asian history, Research Director at the CNRS (Eur’Orbem, Paris), and a visiting fellow at IFEAC. Dr. Gorshenina will share her insights on the profound significance of Nadar’s work in understanding the region and its historical place in global culture.
Paul Nadar (1856–1939), the son of the legendary French photographer Félix Nadar, expanded his family’s legacy by pioneering his own distinct approach to documentary and reporting photography. Driven by a passion for technical innovation and travel, he became one of the most prominent French photographers of his era. His expeditions allowed him to document territories that were virtually unknown to Europeans at the time, leaving behind a rich visual legacy of immense historical and cultural value.
In 1890, Nadar embarked on his journey to Central Asia on the occasion of the first International Exhibition in Tashkent and the development of the Trans-Caspian Railway—a network that symbolized the modernization and opening of Central Asia to the world. Invited to document this journey, Nadar became a key guide for Europe’s awakening interest in the region.
Through its depictions of everyday life, landscapes, and portraits, “A Journey Through Turkmen Lands” invites the public to rediscover a shared cultural heritage and view history through a fresh lens. The exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of photography’s role in introducing Central Asia to the global stage in the late 19th century.
The exhibition will run daily at the Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat until June 23.
