ANCIENT AND MODERN GATES OF THE EAST

History of Tashkent goes 2200 years back. During this period the city grew from a small ancient settlement up to one of the largest cities of Central Asia.

Ancient and eternally young Tashkent is deservedly called as the “Gates of the East”. Yet in VII century BC Greek and Roman historians wrote about a wonderful oasis in this territory. Region of Tashkent is the cradle of one of the most ancient agricultural and urban cultures of Middle Asia. Here, in the basin of ancient Yaksart – Syrdarya river, which from the old has been an intersection of cultures, economic and ethnic ties of settled nations and nomadic tribes, emerged and developed as a capital center the city which in various periods was known as “Chach”, “Shash”, “Binkat” and later “Tashkent”.

Ideal conditions for its constant development in all times regardless of changes in the epochs, civilizations and rulers were created not by nature itself, rich flora and fauna, favorable climate conditions, plenty of water. Determining was the fact that transcontinental caravan routes of the Great Silk Road, which for centuries connected East and West, and was the channel of exchange of knowledge, technologies and cultures, passed through this very region.

The most ancient settlement in the territory of Tashkent is Shashtepa – a monument discovered in the district of Sergeli in Tashkent. It is located at the bank of Djun canal which is a feeder of the Salar river. Up until this ancient town was swallowed by the modern urban infrastructure its territory totaled about 25 hectares.

Detailed studies conducted at the beginning of 2000 on the ancient town allowed to precisely determine that Tashkent is 2200 years of age.

This discovery of the Uzbek archeologists served as a ground for adopting in November 2007 at the 34th session of UNESCO General Conference of resolution on celebrating a 2200 years anniversary of Tashkent city. And on 2 April, 2008 was published the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On preparing and holding a 2200 years anniversary of Tashkent city”.

In line with the resolution of President of 10 June, 2009 the main festivities are to be held on 1-2 September this year. The guests from over 60 countries of the world are expected to attend the event.

Today Tashkent is the large scientific and cultural center, symbol of peace and friendship between the nations, it is the city, which greatly contributed to the development of human civilization. These merits of the city have been widely recognized by the world community which declared Tashkent as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2007. This resolution by Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has become an acknowledgment of the policy of the country on restoring the cultural monuments, holy places of worship, preserving and propagating the rich spiritual heritage, invaluable contributions of great scholars of Maveraunnahr, role of Tashkent – one of the most ancient and largest cities of Central Asia in the world history.

Tashkent secures a significant role in the history of national statehood social and political life of the country which greatly contributed in the development of the world civilization whose one of the ancient cradles Uzbekistan is. From the very old Tashkent was famous for its widely-known and deeply revered holy places, wonderfully beautiful monuments of culture, which testify centuries old history of the nation. Our state has always been tenderly preserving the national heritage of its people.

During the years of independence numerous monuments regained their second life. Today they are radiant with their renovated shapes and colors, adorning the capital and promoting the renaissance of traditional cultural values of the Uzbek people, rise of their spirituality, enhancement of historic memory and respect toward the great ancestors.

The works on renovation and reconstruction of monuments gained yet wider scope in the course of preparing to the festivities. The best architects from various regions of our country do their best to make the capital even more beautiful and shining a splendor of new amazing masterpieces of independent Uzbekistan.

Numerous scientists, archeologists and historians to visit Tashkent within festivities for conducting introductory and research works at different architectural sites. Various exhibitions, seminars, round tables and conferences to be dedicated to the anniversary of Tashkent. One of the largest was the International scientific conference “The Role of Tashkent in developing the world civilization” which was held in April this year in Paris under the UNESCO. The International forum “The capital of Uzbekistan – Tashkent - 2200 years of age” which took place at the end May in Tashkent was the continuation of Paris conference.

Participants were united in the opinion that Uzbekistan is not only a historical center of science and culture, but that Uzbekistan is playing yet more significant role on international arena as an actively developing industrial state being one of the guarantors of stability security in the region.

Currently Tashkent is the largest industrial, scientific and cultural center of Central Asia. At the same time, the modern urban aesthetics of the capital reflects the wonderful harmony of great history and present days of Tashkent. Here the ancient and sublime monuments combine with modern building while national colors peculiar to the streets and boulevards of the city harmoniously intertwine with the elements of modern architecture.

As President Islam Karimov once said: “Building our tomorrow we lean upon our historic heritage of our people, its moral and spiritual sources – unique experience of our great ancestors. Living in a modern world, however, we care and preserve eternal ideas of our great ancestors and adhere to their humanism, patriotism, beliefs and confidence”.

The work carried out in Tashkent during the years of independence, has drastically changed the city. Today Tashkent is known throughout the world not only as a large economic, scientific and cultural center, but, in the first place, as a symbol of constantly growing authority of Uzbekistan on international arena as a city which hosts the embassies of scores of foreign countries, offices of several international organizations, where summits of heads of state and large conferences, symposiums are held.

Here the new buildings are constructed, streets and parks are improved, new art galleries, museums sports complexes are launched. The main square of the capital “Mustaqillik” (Independence) has been reconstructed, the Monument of Independence and the Alley of Memory have been created, the new building Senate, Arch of Humanism, the state Museum of Temurids History, the Gallery of Decorative Art, Business Center and amazing fountain have been erected in the city for over the last years.

Unique Monument of a Happy Mother holding her baby reflects the pride and greatness. Monument of independence and the Monument of a Happy Mother along with the Arch of humanism and a broad walkway make a single ensemble. This complex which embodied the concepts of independence and humanism upon the initiative of the President of the country was named as the Monument of independence and humanism.

Significant changes have taken place on other parts of the city where the roads and overpasses, ring-roads and bridges were commissioned, new gardens were parked, new unique building were erected. The National park of Uzbekistan of Alisher Navoi and scores of other parks, markets, airport and railway station were fully reconstructed. New modern hotels, the State conservatory of Uzbekistan, palaces of culture, museums, banks, sports complexes have been constructed.

Tashkent is a center of developed industry as well. It comprises such large enterprises as the Tashkent aviation production plant after V.Chkalov, Uzkabel, Tashkent tractor plant, “Sovplastital” joint venture, Tashkent paint and varnish plant, the furniture production company of “Fayz”, “Uzelektoapparat”. These companies are well known for their production potential, highly-qualified cadres not only in Uzbekistan, beyond the country as well.

Besides there are numerous scientific and design engineering organizations in Tashkent such as Physical and technological institute of Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Institute of electronics, Institute of nuclear physics, Academy of Science etc.

Within preparatory works to the anniversary, the museum of “Memory of victims of political repressions” which was opened in 2000 upon the initiative of President Islam Karimov was expanded and the second building was incorporated while the museum exhibition was renewed and expanded as well.

Besides, the Encyclopedia of Tashkent as well as other books, monograms, booklets and brochures to be published in occasion of the jubilee.

However, the biggest present to the 2200 years anniversary of Tashkent - Palace of forums is under construction now in the very center of the city. This sublime building will decorate the center of the capital and will become a main venue for holding jubilee festivities.

On 1-2 September, the new palace will for the first time open its doors for numerous guests who are expected to come to Tashkent from around the globe and join us in the joyous occasion of 2200 years anniversary of Tashkent.

The next day festivities will spill over into the streets of the city. Concert stages, parks and squares will witness the show programs of the best singers, dances, musicians. A firework in honor of Tashkent will conclude the festivities.

In different times, epochs and centuries the travelers and poets wrote about amazing beauty of Tashkent, its buildings and gardens, generosity and hospitality of its people. And today the capital of Uzbekistan has been playing a significant role in expanding intercultural dialogue and international cooperation.

Tashkent is to celebrate its 2200 years anniversary in a yet more beautiful look, confirming by its beauty that it is truly a “Pearl of the East” – the major city of Uzbekistan –the country which is heading forward with a great confidence.