A Cultural Heritage Week on the theme “Uzbekistan at the crossroads of civilizations” was held in four cities – Tashkent, Termez, Samarkand and Bukhara, highlighting the country’s intellectual, scientific, artistic and architectural heritage. The event, organized at the initiative of H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoev, President of Uzbekistan, and jointly with international and national organizations, brought together over one hundred authorities and experts of cultural heritage. It involved a wide range of activities, studies and visits relating to tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
IRCICA’s Director General Prof. Dr. Halit Eren participated in the Week and gave addresses at three conferences, namely, the Third International Congress of the World Scientific Society for Study, Preservation and Popularization of Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan, held in Tashkent, on 22 August 2019; the International Conference titled “Light from the depth of centuries”, held in Samarkand, on 25 August 2019, where he also chaired a session, and the International Conference “The Preservation of Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage: Current Problems and Strategies to Address Them”, held under the auspices of unesco in Samarkand, on 26 August 2019. In these addresses, the Director General of IRCICA spoke of the issues involved in the area of cultural heritage preservation, the role and importance of the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan in the context of Islamic cultural heritage and world cultural heritage, and IRCICA’s activities and experiences in the study and preservation of cultural heritage in the Member States of OIC and IRCICA.
After the grand opening presentation of the host country Uzbekistan titled “Uzbekistan – crossroads of great roads and civilizations: empires, religions, cultures” on 22 August, IRCICA Director-General Prof Halit Eren gave a welcome speech. Moderated by Mr. F. Abdukhalikov, Chairperson of the World Scientific Society for Study, Preservation and Popularization of Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan, the session heard opening addresses by Mr. A. Abduhakimov, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Prof. Dr. B. Yuldashev, President of Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Prof. Dr. M. Jurinov, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan. After the opening, books relating to the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan were presented by the host country.
Also on 22 August, IRCICA Director-General Prof. Halit Eren paid a visit to the Director of Alisher Navai Museum, Tashkent, Prof. Dr. Jabbor Eshanqul. Views were exchanged on possibilities of cooperation.
The Samarkand conferences too were accompanied by many cultural events and visits to cultural sites, including Imam Al-Bukhari Memorial Complex. The conference convened under the auspices of unesco brought together scholars, unesco experts, and representatives of international media. The President of Uzbekistan H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoev gave an address at the opening ceremony. unesco Director-General Ms. Audrey Azoulay and IRCICA Director General Prof. Dr. Halit Eren delivered addresses during the ceremony. Around 300 participants followed the conferences and side events.
