Alongside the exhibition When Apricots Blossom, the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) presents a rich public programme at Palazzo Citterio in Brera during Milan Design Week 2026. Over seven days, the programme brings together leading designers, architects, filmmakers, researchers and master artisans for a series of talks, hands-on workshops and guided tours. Each event deepens the themes of the exhibition — craft heritage, ecological crisis, material culture and contemporary design — through direct conversation and making.
All events are free to attend and open to the public!
Places are limited, and booking is required.
Talks
Daily, 12:00–13:00 · Garden Pavilion, Palazzo Citterio · Arrive by 11:45
Each talk ticket includes access to the exhibition.
Cultural Perspectives in Design
Monday 20 April
Designers behind the exhibition's bread-making commissions explore how distinct material languages, cultural references and making traditions find new form in contemporary design. Speakers include Nifemi Marcus-Bello (nmbello Studio), Yael Mer & Shay Alkalay (Raw Edges), Bobir Klichev (ARC Architects) and Sanne Visser (Studio Sanne Visser), moderated by Sarah Medford, Contributing Editor at WSJ Magazine.
Register here
Designing for a Bioregion
Tuesday 21 April
Practitioners and researchers discuss how design, architecture and ecological thinking can operate at the scale of the bioregion — from food systems to water security. Speakers include Jan Boelen (Aral School), Sarah van Gameren (Glithero), Fernando Laposse and Elena Kan (KIVA Center), moderated by Aric Chen, Director of the Zaha Hadid Foundation.
Register here
Preserving Generational Craft Traditions
Wednesday 22 April
A conversation on how inherited skills, material knowledge and making infrastructures are sustained, adapted and passed on in the contemporary world. Speakers include Marcin Rusak (Marcin Rusak Studio), Didi Ng Wing Yin, Sevara Haydarova Donazzan (DOT Design Studio) and Lucile Barbier (Studio CoPain), moderated by Corinne Julius, journalist and curator specialising in craft and design.
Register here
Designing for Future Culture
Thursday 23 April
Architects, designers and cultural leaders explore new visions for cultural infrastructure, public space and civic life in an age shaped by technology. Speakers include Shirin Brückner (Atelier Brückner), Anastasia Sinistyna (Aral Culture Summit) and Carlo Ratti (Carlo Ratti Associati), moderated by design advisor Cyril Zammit.
Register here
Sensing the Aral Sea
Friday 24 April
Marking the premiere of the film Where the Water Ends, this conversation weaves together perspectives on water, food and archaeology to explore the landscapes, histories and everyday rituals of Karakalpakstan. Speakers include filmmakers Manuel Correa and Marina Otero, archaeologist Oktyabr Dospanov (State Museum of Arts I.V. Savitsky) and Gulnara Zholdasbaeva (Aral Culture Summit), moderated by Debika Ray, journalist and editor specialising in arts and material culture.
Register here
Workshops
Daily, 15:00–17:00 · Garden Pavilion, Palazzo Citterio · Arrive by 14:45
Each workshop ticket includes access to the exhibition. Participants must be 16 or over.
Bread Stamp Making
Monday 20 – Thursday 23 April
Discover chekich — the intricately carved stamps used across Uzbekistan to imprint distinctive regional patterns into bread dough. Led by Uzbek artisans alongside guest designers, this hands-on session invites visitors to explore the materials, symbolism and techniques behind one of Uzbekistan's most distinctive crafts. The workshop is conducted with English interpretation.
Register here
Tassel Making
Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 April
An introduction to the art of tassel-making, a decorative tradition woven throughout Karakalpak material culture — from clothing and domestic interiors to yurt ornamentation. Guided by Uzbek artisans and guest designers, participants will learn the materials, techniques and meanings behind these distinctive objects. The workshop is conducted with English interpretation.
Register here
Guided Tours
Daily, 10:00 & 16:00 · Meeting point: Courtyard, Palazzo Citterio · Duration: 45 minutes
Exhibition Guided Tour
Monday 20 – Sunday 26 April
Join a guided tour of When Apricots Blossom for an in-depth introduction to the exhibition's themes, commissions and research. The tour traces how craft, design and ecology intersect in the story of the Aral Sea region, offering context for the objects, installations and collaborations on show. Tours are conducted in English and run twice daily throughout the week.
Register here
All events are free and take place at Palazzo Citterio, Via Brera 12, Milan.
The exhibition is open Monday 11:00–18:00 and Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–18:00.
Spaces for talks, workshops and tours are limited — we recommend booking in advance to secure your place.
For more information about the exhibition, visit here