Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

May 2, 2024
Tashkent city

On May 2, 2024, cultural and educational events were held in our country with the participation of the Turkmenistan delegation and representatives from various ministries and departments of our country, in accordance with the execution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan's decree dated February 19, 2024, No. 76 on the "Celebrating the 300th Anniversary of the Great Turkmen Poet and Thinker Mahtumquli Firaki."

The Uzbek and Turkmen peoples have shared the same river water, enriched each other's spirituality and culture. Mahtumquli is the voice of the Turkic peoples. His works are regularly published in our country, and his creative legacy is studied. It is noteworthy that in recent years, relations between our countries have entered a new stage of development. Such literary gatherings serve to strengthen our friendship even further.

Indeed, in our country, the Turkmen diaspora, like other nationalities, lives and contributes to the development of the country. Turkmen language education is also provided in our schools. The study of the works of thinkers like Mahtumquli and their publication remains a priority. Songs based on Mahtumquli’s words are always heard during our celebrations. The erection of a beautiful architectural monument to the poet in the central streets of the capital, as well as naming one of our fruitful streets after him, is a vivid testament to our unity. Creative connections and unique educational projects like this play a large role in strengthening our bonds.

The delegation from Turkmenistan, headed by the National Commission for UNESCO Affairs and Turkmenistan Hero Chinor Rustemova, arrived in Uzbekistan to participate in the events dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Mahtumquli’s birth.

As part of the approved program, a ceremony to lay flowers at the Mahtumquli relief in Tashkent was held at 13:00 on May 2. Staff members from the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendship with Foreign Countries, Turkmen guests, and activists from the Turkmen Culture Center of the Republic laid wreaths at the relief.

At 14:00 on the same day, a ceremony to lay flowers at the statue of Alisher Navoi was conducted with the participation of the Turkmen delegation and representatives from the Turkmen Culture Center of the Republic.

From 15:00 to 17:20, the "Mahtumquli Firaki - Shared Heritage of the Turkmen and Uzbek Peoples" international scientific conference was held at the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan. Representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Committee on Interethnic Relations, the Turkmen Embassy in Uzbekistan, heads of national cultural centers, activists from the Turkmen National Cultural Center, members of the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan, and journalists participated.

The goal of the conference was to strengthen the good-neighborly relations between our countries, preserve and develop the history, culture, spiritual values, national traditions, and customs of our brotherly nations, and introduce the lives and works of their great representatives to the younger generation.

Rustambek Qurbonov, the Chairman of the Committee on Interethnic Relations, warmly congratulated those present on this important anniversary and noted that the historical connection between the past and present of the Uzbek and Turkmen peoples is inseparable, with thousands of examples of cooperation in various fields throughout history, ensuring successful progress for our peoples. He also wished success to the activities of the center.

Chinar Rustamova, Executive Secretary of Turkmenistan’s National Commission for UNESCO Affairs, expressed gratitude to the Uzbek government for providing the opportunity to widely celebrate the 300th anniversary of Mahtumquli Firaki and praised Uzbekistan’s state policy in the field of interethnic relations. She also emphasized the growing cooperation between the two countries in various sectors, particularly in culture, highlighting the importance of public diplomacy between the peoples of the two nations.

At the event, writers and scholars from both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan delivered speeches about friendship and brotherhood in the works of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Mahtumquli.

The international conference featured speeches on topics such as "The Role of the Epic 'Gorogly' in Mahtumquli's Works," "The Interpretation of Navoi’s Works in Mahtumquli's Writings," "Mahtumquli's Place in Turkmen Poetry," "The Role of Mahtumquli’s Works in Uzbek-Turkmen-Karakalpak Literary Relations," "Mahtumquli Firaki - A Bridge of Friendship," and other subjects. Participants offered suggestions and comments.

From 18:00 to 19:30, a friendship concert dedicated to Mahtumquli Firaki’s 300th anniversary was held at the "Turkiston" Palace in the capital. The concert featured performances by renowned artists from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, as well as amateur groups from national cultural centers, showcasing music and dance from various nations. These events undoubtedly serve to strengthen and develop interethnic harmony, friendship, and peace in Uzbekistan.