Uzbekistan recently hosted a week-long series of conferences and exhibitions, bringing together over a thousand guests from 60 countries. The event, held in the capital city of Tashkent, aimed to showcase the country's rich cultural heritage and its vision for a "new renaissance." Co-hosted by the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularisation of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan, the conference emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Uzbekistan's diverse cultural legacy.
As a historical crossroads along the "Great Silk Road," Uzbekistan has amassed a vast collection of artifacts, including treasures of applied arts, traditional music and attire, handwritten books, and monumental architecture. This cultural heritage continues to inspire modern Uzbek artists, who express themselves through various mediums, such as avant-garde paintings and cinematography.
"Cultural heritage serves as Uzbekistan's distinct 'brand' on the international stage. Our heritage is extensive and diverse, tracing its roots back to ancient times, having encompassed various historical periods, including the Achaemenid and ancient eras, the early Middle Ages, the Islamic period, and the 20th century, which witnessed a fusion of Eastern and Western influences," Kamola Akilova, the Director of the Fine Arts Gallery of Uzbekistan voiced.
The conference also focused on the potential of Uzbekistan's cultural heritage to drive tourism. Last year, the country welcomed more than 5mn visitors, and it hopes that the growing recognition of its rich heritage will lead to an even greater influx of tourists. Uzbekistan is investing in new travel attractions, seeking to capitalize on its cultural treasures and entice visitors from around the world.
"This will have an impact, this will create a lot of tourist attractions to see. I am confident that if Uzbekistan continues like this on tourism, I am 100% sure — 20mn tourists is not a dream, it can become a reality," expressed Bulut Bağcı, the president of the World Tourism Forum Institute.
It was a pleasure to emcee and moderate the opening day of a week-long international conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, aiming to explore the country's cultural heritage and modern-day transformation. Thanks to Uzbekistan's Ministry of Culture and Tourism for having me pic.twitter.com/SdwfFhPYO7
— Ali Aslan (@AslanTV) July 5, 2023
With its population increasing by a third over the past 14 years, reaching over 36mn people, Uzbekistan recognizes the need to modernize its education system to meet the demands of its growing youth population. The conference panels highlighted the importance of developing modern schools and educational programs that align with international standards.
By embracing this "new renaissance" in culture and education, as well as focusing on technological innovation, sustainable economic development, and creating a favorable business environment, Uzbekistan aims to share its experiences and achieve its ambitious goals.
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