The Week of Cultural Heritage in the Republic of Uzbekistan started with a Grand Opening ceremony held on 13 September 2021. The Week’s main events, to take place through 13-20 September 2021, are: the Vth Congress of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan on the theme “The Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan is the Basis of a New Renaissance” (in Tashkent); the International Forum “Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations” (in Khiva); the Archaeological Conference “Archeology and Tourism: Identification of Capacity and Heritage Management” (in Nukus). Various exhibitions accompany the congress, displaying the works of prominent figures of Uzbekistan’s scientific and literary history, as well as artifacts and archeological materials located within and outside Uzbekistan. Documentary films are shown, reflecting the progress achieved in the context of publication and popularization projects relating to cultural heritage of Uzbekistan located in world collections. New publications resulting from these projects include 15 new volumes in the series “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in World Collections”. Over 300 professionals, administrators, experts, scholars and researchers from around 40 countries are participating in the events.
The Grand Opening of the Week of Cultural Heritage started with the address of Prof. Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Chairman of the Board of the World Society, titled “The Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan is the Basis of a New Renaissance: Results of 5 years of work of the World Society”. Greeting addresses were delivered by Prof. Dr. Akmal Saidov, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic Uzbekistan; Dr. Shoazim Minovarov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, member of the Board of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan; Mr. Sadik Safayev, First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the National Assembly of Uzbekistan; Mr. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Member of the Board of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan; Mr. Alexandros Makarigakis, Acting Representative of UNESCO in Uzbekistan; Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, Director General of IRCICA; Ms. Gayane Umerova, Secretary General of the National Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for UNESCO, and members of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan working in different countries. The “Scientific significance of the project Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in World Collections in the context of modern science” was described by Prof. Dr. Edward Rtveladze, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Scientific Supervisor of the Project, and Chairman of the Scientific Council of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan.
In his address at the Grand Opening, the Director General of IRCICA Ambassador Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç said that the Forum acquires added importance in the present global environment, where culture has become a sphere of international cooperation by itself and cultural heritage has gained growing recognition for its universal dimensions. The Director General evoked the activities undertaken by IRCICA with its mandate as the OIC’s subsidiary in charge of the study and preservation of the cultural heritage of the 57 OIC Member States. Within this framework, IRCICA established a fruitful cooperation with its Member States in Central Asia including Uzbekistan, particularly in relation with research on scientific and literary manuscript works and their editions. The Director General expressed IRCICA’s intention to further expand its long-term program on cultural and architectural heritage both subject-wise and geographically.
Following the opening, the Vth International Congress of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan on the theme: “Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan at the Present Stage” took place in Tashkent, on 13-14 September 2021. Some of the section themes were:
– “New directions of publishing work within the project Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in World Collections”.
– “Current issues in architectural history of Central Asia”
– “Modern world expereince in conservation and popularization of cultural heritage”
– “The legacy of Ali Shir Nava’i. A new look at the creativity of the genius’ world”
– “Manuscript monuments of Uzbekistan: light from the depth of ages”
– “Modern world experience in conservation and popularization of cultural heritage”
– “Cultural heritage of Central Asia as a factor for unity of peoples”.
The International Forum “Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations” will take place in Khiva, on 15 September 2021, to be followed by the conference “Archeology and Tourism: Defining Potential and Heritage Management” to be conducted in Nukus under UNESCO auspices.
