The Uzbek Revolution

The cultural diversity of Central Queens is richly evident in Queens International, the art exhibition on display at The Queens Museum of Art through December 1.
According to Tom Finkpearl, QMAs executive director who spoke earlier this week at Community Board 6 in Forest Hills, artists from Forest Hills and Kew Gardens are represented in the 40-artist show. All of the artists either live or work in Queens.
Two Muslim bakers dressed in their native white garb prime the oven and bake the round, plump breads, with black and yellow sesame seeds and delicate spices.
The varied menu includes a delicious lagman soup made of vegetables and handmade noodles. Another soup, shurpa, is a fragrant meat soup made with lamb, beef, potato and big chunks of carrots. Delectable lamb kebabs and triangular, beef-filled samosa are also available. There are no desserts, but delicate green tea is available.
Prices at the Kew Gardens eatery are modest. A loaf of the flavorful bread is priced at $1, soups are $4 and meat entrees run between $5 and $6.
Barayev, his daughter Angela and son Mark, serve the tasty meals. Every Thursday the festive food is accompanied by exotic music led by Barayev. He sings plaintive love songs from the Asian republic.
As his restaurant prospered, Barayev saw the need to help his fellow Uzbeks in Queens and set up the Uzbekistan Cultural Center. He helps find work for his countrymen. There are from 2,000-3,000 Uzbeks living in Queens and the plummeting economy has affected many of them.
Many find work as drivers, and all through the day and evening Uzbek drivers can be seen parking their limos outside the restaurant while they take a native meal.
Uzbekistan, just north of Afghanistan, has a population of over 25 million and faces problems from Islamic militants.