With the arrival of spring, the square of the Hast Imam architectural ensemble in Tashkent transforms into a true kite festival. The wind lifts the vibrant kites, painting the sky in all the colors of the rainbow. Children from nearby mahallas come to compete, seeing whose kite will fly the highest and stay in the air the longest. Some are learning to fly a kite for the first time with their parents, while others simply come to admire the historic madrasahs and minarets, unexpectedly finding themselves in a celebration of childhood and freedom. Hast Imam is one of Tashkent’s most significant spiritual sites, home to the famous Quran of Uthman. But on weekends, the square comes alive not only with tourists and pilgrims—local families gather to enjoy the spring sunshine, while children eagerly send their colorful kites soaring into the cloudless sky.

Credits : Daria Novikova (Uzbekistan, @dasha.novasha)

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