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Doha, June 06 (QNA) – The Republic of Uzbekistan is proud of the richness of its culture and traditions that have been woven for centuries, which made it unique in its history and civilization.
Uzbekistan is located at the crossroads of the Great Silk Roads, bringing together many architectural monuments, ancient fortresses, castles, mysterious and unique natural monuments, and folklore elements, many of which are today protected by UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
So far, the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List includes four architectural complexes, which are the Khiva State Museum-Reserve “Ichan-Kala” (1990), the Historic Centre of Bukhara (1993), the historic town of Samarkand “Samarkand Crossroad of Cultures” (2001), the Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz, the Ugam-Chatkal National Park (2016), and nine Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Since its independence, Uzbekistan has focused on preserving cultural heritage through restoration work on monuments and promoting national self-awareness and recognition of world culture. For over a millennium, ancient minarets and domes have become a hallmark of many cities, a breathtaking portrait of urban landscapes and their religious and educational institutions.
In independent Uzbekistan, the unique creations of ancient architects have acquired a special status, as they are an invaluable cultural heritage subject to special protection of the state.
Given the distinguished relations between Qatar and Uzbekistan in all fields, including cooperation in the cultural field, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September 2022 between the Qatar National Library (QNL) and the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan (CICU), which is under the Cabinet of the Republic of Uzbekistan to enhance cooperation in efforts to preserve, protect, and facilitate access to documentary heritage.
The MoU allows the two institutions to cooperate in the exchange of publications and publications, manuscript lists in their respective collections, exchanging of digital copies of manuscripts that fall within the public domain on topics of common interest, and contributes to promoting the dissemination of knowledge and learning through cultural exchange, joint events, and professional development initiatives for specialists in the field of documentary heritage.
In its role as the IFLA’s Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Centre for the preservation of heritage materials in the Arab world and the Middle East, QNL seeks to deepen bilateral cooperation with the CICU in the field of preservation and conservation of Arabic and Islamic books and manuscripts.
The signing of the MoU between the QNL and the CICU is an important addition to the great efforts made by the two sides to preserve Islamic heritage and the legacy of Islamic civilization in various fields of knowledge.
Qatar also hosted several cultural and heritage events for Uzbekistan, including a lecture on the legacy of Uzbekistan’s scholars through the ages at the QNL presented by CICU Director Shaazim Minovarov, which shed light on the most famous scholars of Uzbekistan throughout history, and how Uzbekistan became the modern state of what it is now.
QNL also houses examples of the works of Uzbekistan scholars from the Heritage Library at QNL, most notably Al Bukhari, Al Tirmidhi, Al Khwarizmi, Al Biruni, and Ibn Sina, as well as the indexed dictionary of Arabic and Islamic manuscripts in Tashkent, and the large famous Baysunghur Qur’an 800 AH / 14,000 AD.
The CICU aims to study the scientific, cultural, and educational heritage of the scholars who lived on the territory of modern Uzbekistan; to preserve the heritage for future generations, encourage the true ideas of Islam, the religion of peace, humanity, and creativity, prepare a comprehensive study of the Uzbek heritage, provide scientific and research work, and grant masters and doctoral degrees and international studies in Islamic studies.
A museum equipped with the latest information and communication technology will be located inside the center, and will include more than 40,000 exhibits, including historical documents, archaeological findings, and original copies of artifacts preserved in local and foreign funds, in addition to the largest original and electronic library and database, with more than 100,000 ancient manuscripts, ancient books, historical evidence and documents, modern books and printed materials covering the subject of religion and science.
The culture and arts of the Republic of Uzbekistan also took place on the 24, Sep. 2022, at the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) and reflected the richness and nobility of the civilization of this country as the exhibition of the Arts and Crafts Fair of Uzbekistan was organized, in addition to an artistic concert of the State Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan at the Katara Opera House on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Qatar. (QNA)
