Greetings, respected participants of the conference!

Dear military personnel!

Honorable veterans, representatives of the fields of culture, art, and literature!

Our dear youth, who are the trust and backbone of our homeland!

I would like to express my immense pleasure to meet with you all at today’s gathering.

Taking this opportunity, I sincerely congratulate the team of the Ministry of Defense’s Department of Spirituality and Culture on their new building.

Recently established, this department is tasked with improving the effectiveness of spiritual and educational work in the defense system, elevating the combat spirit of military personnel through culture and art, and strengthening feelings of love and loyalty towards the homeland in their hearts.

I wish you all strength and success in fulfilling this noble mission.

May the new building serve as a true center of spirituality and culture.

Dear participants!

As you all know, our ancient land has witnessed many trials, wars, and turbulent times throughout history.

In such difficult times, our great ancestors put their honor and dignity at risk to defend the homeland and bravely fought against the enemy. They gave their lives, inch by inch, for sacred soil.

The courage of great commanders such as Jalaliddin Manguberti, Timur Malik, and Amir Timur, as well as the bravery of Najmiddin Kubra, who held the flag of the homeland to the end, are bright examples of this.

Our ancestor, Amir Timur, is well known for his attention to soldiers and military affairs in order to elevate the state to a high level. His views on military science and his life lessons will never lose their significance.

In recent years, under the leadership of our respected President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Shavkat Mirziyoyev, major reforms are being carried out to strengthen our country’s defense capabilities, ensure the inviolability of our borders, and maintain territorial integrity.

These efforts, aimed at educating military personnel and the youth in the spirit of patriotism, and enhancing their spiritual and intellectual potential, are particularly noteworthy.

Therefore, we want our youth not to follow fabricated or invented images but to aspire to the great ancestors who wrote history, such as Jalaliddin Manguberti and Amir Timur, and to develop as true patriots like them. We strive for this goal in the educational process.

As we know, today, the world faces increasing conflicts, wars, and contradictions. Moreover, the struggles for the human heart and the minds of the youth have intensified, with various information attacks on the rise.

In such a complex time, ensuring peace and tranquility is not something that happens by itself. This calls for all of us to remain vigilant and appreciate our peaceful life, protect it, and take care of it.

At the same time, the role of military-patriotic education has never been more relevant.

As our President emphasized, “Today, each of us must practically become a defender of the homeland, and we must raise our youth in this spirit.”

In this regard, the responsibility of the fields of culture and art is immense. The Armed Forces defend the borders of the country, while culture protects the heart and mind of a person.

From the perspective of the present time, this task is the most important issue on our agenda.

In this regard, a number of cultural and educational events and projects are being implemented to strengthen the spirit of patriotism among military personnel and youth and to raise pride and honor for our national army in society.

I would like to highlight some of these initiatives.

To mark the 32nd anniversary of our Armed Forces and the Day of Defenders of the Homeland, the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, organized a literary and educational night called “Homeland’s Poem” from March 11-20 this year at the “Turkistan” Art Palace in our capital.

Similarly, this literary and educational night was also held at a high level in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and regional centers during May-June this year.

For reference: on May 13-14 in Tashkent region, on May 16 in Syrdarya region, on May 17 in Jizzakh region, on May 20-21 in Samarkand region, on May 22 in Navoi region, on May 23-24 in Bukhara region, on June 4-5 in Andijan region, on June 6 in Fergana region, on June 7 in Namangan region, on June 10 in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, on June 11 in Khorezm region, on June 13 in Kashkadarya region, and on June 14 in Surkhandarya region.

Creative teams from ministries and agencies within the Armed Forces, as well as renowned artists, actively participated in theatrical concert programs.

On August 2, 2024, the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with relevant ministries and departments, issued a joint decision to hold a competition for “Best Patriotic Video Clip,” “Best Patriotic Song,” and “Best Poem Glorifying the Homeland.”

This competition, held among military personnel, amateurs, and professional artists, received a total of 224 songs, 309 video clips, and 1,123 poems from across the country.

In the end, 6 songs, 6 video clips, and 6 poems were selected, and the winners were awarded at a solemn ceremony held at the “Youth” Creative Palace.

Additionally, every year in January and May, events dedicated to the Day of Defenders of the Homeland, Memory, and Gratitude Day are held in Karakalpakstan, regions, and Tashkent city.

Moreover, we, in cooperation with partner ministries and departments, are planning to hold a military-patriotic song competition titled “The Brave Defend the Homeland!” in the second ten days of December this year.

Through this competition, we aim to create new patriotic songs to raise pride and honor for our national army among the youth and encourage creators working in the field of military-patriotic art.

In addition, musical performances, staged scenes, and theatrical shows are regularly organized for the population residing in remote areas, as well as for military personnel and their families.

As an example, in 2024, 20 state theaters held nearly 50 performances, attracting over 3,000 viewers.

More than 20 stage works on military-patriotic themes have been staged and continuously performed in state theaters.

Specifically, performances such as “Season of Justice,” “Jalaliddin Manguberti,” “Officers,” “Loyalty,” “Duty,” “Eternal Courage,” “Bahodir,” and “Border Guard” have been warmly received by the audience.

Indeed, the role and influence of films in raising the spirit of military-patriotism are immense. Therefore, in recent years, the Cinematography Agency of the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, has carried out several film projects.

In particular, based on state orders, the following feature films were produced: “Behind Peace,” “Life,” “Captivity,” “I Am Not a Terrorist,” “Flight 101,” “The Threshold of Homeland,” “Spring of Love,” and “Fate of a Woman.”

Moreover, within the “New Uzbekistan Cinematography” series, documentary films such as “New Uzbekistan Falcons,” “Your Homeland Awaits You,” and “Modern Military Institute” were produced.

Additionally, series titled “Promise” and “Bravehearts” are being filmed.

In accordance with the President's decree dated June 5, 2024, No. 209, it is planned to create a series of historical and historical-biographical film projects within the “Living History” series from 2024-2027. One of the films in this series is planned to be “The School of Temurbeks.”

Dear conference participants!

I have not spoken about fabricated images without reason. Today, the promotion of fictional superheroes through various films, especially animated films, has intensified globally. It is clear that the goal is to influence the minds of young people and lead them to follow other ideas.

As an enlightened society, we have chosen the path of combating ignorance with enlightenment and will continue to do so in the future.

In this regard, we have developed several proposals to promote national ideology and further instill a sense of patriotism in the population, especially the youth. One of these proposals is to create “National Hero” images.

These images will be based on historical figures and will combine modernity and nationality, featuring distinctive costumes and the character’s physical and extraordinary abilities in their appearance.

Special scripts will be written for national heroes, and cartoons, films, serials, and literature (comics) will be created and continuously promoted.

In addition, we believe that producing soft toys, carnival costumes, souvenirs, and various memorabilia featuring the image of national heroes for children will also bring great results.

Of course, these are currently proposals. We are working on them and hope they will be realized in the future. Through this, we aim to raise a generation of youth who truly admire our great ancestors and undefeated commanders, aspiring to be patriots like them. This is our main idea and goal.

Overall, we understand well the importance of culture and art in raising the combat and national spirit of defenders of the homeland, and we will apply all our strength and resources to this path.

In conclusion, I wish you all good health, family happiness, and great success in your noble and responsible activities.

Thank you for your attention.