Тhe first Jewish cultural centers in Uzbekistan were established in 1989 - the Jewish Cultural Center of Tashkent city (at present the Jewish Communal Cultural Center) and Bukhara-Jewish Cultural Center "Simkho" of Tashkent city.
Nowadays, there are nine Jewish national cultural centers in Uzbekistan: two centers in Tashkent, two in Samarkand. Bukhara, Andijan, Navoi, Ferghana and Namanghan cities have one center each. The Jewish National Cultural Center of Uzbekistan practices its acti-vities in the capital of the country starting from 1997.
Preserving and developing traditions, customs, ceremonies and culture of their nation, centers coordinate activity of Jewish communities of Uzbekistan and participate in all cultural, educational and social prog-rams, as weli as the national holidays organized by the Jewish diaspora.
Documentary film "Ancient diasporas of Uzbekistan. Jews" was made with support of the Center. The film tells about history and present life of Jewish communities in cities of the republic. The Museum of History of Jewish people residing on the territory of Uzbekistan was opened. In Tashkent, there is also Jewish musical theatre "Shalom, Tashkent". Works by Jewish authors as well as books about prominent people of the Jewish diaspora are published; short-form Jewish encyclopedia of Uzbekistan is being prepared for issuing. The newspaper "Shofar" is published in Samarkand.
Each center has its own collective of amateur theatricals.