Samarkand – a major scientific and cultural center for almost three thousand years is famous for its unique nature, majestic structures – masterpieces of eastern architecture since ancient times. This city, which is called by the great scientists and thinkers as the “crossroads of the Great Silk Road”, “decoration of the face of the earth”, “pearl of the East”, “ancient and eternally young”, is always at the center of world attention.
There are many people in the world who dream of visiting Samarkand once in their life, touching its history and enjoying its beauty. Therefore, this city is included in the number of fifty cities of the world, which one must definitely visit even if once in a lifetime.
Samarkand has witnessed many important events throughout its rich history, experienced ups and downs. Information about it can be found in many historical sources. Every inch of the earth, every structure of Samarkand, bears the trace of past events. All this makes us think about who we are and what our place in history is, fills our hearts with pride, calls to become worthy of our great ancestors and continue their traditions.
Independence of our Motherland marked the beginning of a completely new period in the life of Samarkand, illuminated every corner of the ancient city, and warmed the heart of each of its people with its creative light.
A large-scale work was carried out on studying, widely promoting its rich history and culture, restoring and improving historical monuments and holy pilgrimage sites of Samarkand, in the city where the First President of our country Islam Karimov was born and raised. As a result of these activities, the mausoleum of Amir Temur, the Mirzo Ulugbek observatory, the Shakhi Zinda memorial complex, the Bibikhanum mosque, the Registan ensemble, and the adjacent territories were landscaped, in a word, they corresponded to their majestic status. A large mausoleum has been erected on the site where our great ancestor Imam Maturidi was buried.
In addition to the historical part, the new part of the city was also improved. As a result, according to modern requirements, the alley of Amir Temur, the Central park of culture and recreation named after Alisher Navoi, Kuksaroy square, the University alley, the Park of poets and other places have been reconstructed. New roads are laid in the city. Bustonsaroy, Registan, Ibn Sino, Beruniy, Mirzo Ulugbek streets were expanded, modern houses, administrative buildings and social facilities were built along these streets.
Each of these creative projects was implemented in accordance with major events and jubilee dates of international significance. Birthdays of Amir Temur, Mirzo Ulugbek, Imam Maturidi, Khodja Akhror Vali and other great personalities, the 2750th anniversary of Samarkand were widely celebrated at the international level. Since 1997, Samarkand hosts a major international forum of arts – the “Sharq taronalari” music festival. This event, which is held every two years, promotes the study and dissemination of traditions of national music and song art of the world’s people, strengthening friendship and cooperation of representatives of different countries through art. Artists from almost 60 countries took part in the eleventh festival this year.
On October 18, 1996 at the opening ceremony of the monument to Sahibkiran Amir Temur in Samarkand, the First President of our country Islam Karimov proposed to celebrate this day as the Day of the city of Samarkand. Since then, the city annually celebrates its day.
This year, people of Samarkand are also actively prepared for the celebration of the City Day. A number of new buildings and structures are being prepared for commissioning.
The creative work that has begun last year on the initiative of the President of our country Shavkat Mirziyoyev is a logical continuation of activities undertaken over the past 25 years of independence of our Motherland. The number of pilgrimage places has increased in Samarkand due to the ongoing large-scale construction and improvement work in Khazrati Khizr complex, where the beloved son of our people, the great statesman and politician Islam Karimov found eternal rest, installation of a majestic monument to him next to Registan square, in the place where he was born and raised.
This year, events will be held here within the framework of the Day of the city of Samarkand.