March 20, 2015
elections OF THE PRESIDENT of the republic of uzbekistan.. 2
Meeting at the Central Election Commission. 2
Uzbekistan adopts programme on developing road infrastructure for 2015-2019. 2
A Word Resounding from the Depth of Ages. 3
The Magic Spirit of аn Ancient Holiday. 4
elections OF THE PRESIDENT of the republic of uzbekistan
Meeting at the Central Election Commission
The Central Election Commission held meetings with observers from foreign states, who arrived to monitor the progress of preparation and holding of elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The Chairman of the Central Election Commission M.Abdusalomov explained to the guests about the process of the election campaign of 2015, which is conducted openly and transparently, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the laws on elections.
Observers were also informed about the election campaign of presidential candidates. It was noted that the participants in the electoral process are provided with equal conditions for election campaigning, the use of media for this purpose.
Observers from the United States stressed that in Uzbekistan have been developing social and political processes, which are a result of the deepening of democratic reforms in the country. They positively appraised the campaign carried out by the presidential candidates.
He also met with the expert from Japan Kyudzo Kato and deputies of the National Assembly of Pakistan Gous Bakh Khan Mahr.
– The first time I visited Uzbekistan more than fifty years ago – says K.Kato. – During this time, in public and political life, the economy and the financial sector in your country underwent major transforms. I am familiar with the electoral system in Uzbekistan. I am confident that the upcoming presidential elections will be held at the highest organizational level.
Observers were given the mandate of a standard form, which gives them the right to participate in all aspects of the preparation and conduct of elections, as well as be in the polling stations on election day and vote counting.
(Source: IA «Jahon»)
INFRASTRUCTURE
Uzbekistan adopts programme on developing road infrastructure for 2015-2019
On 6 March 2015, the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov approved a programme on developing and modernizing engineer-communication and road-transport infrastructure for 2015-2019.
The resolution approved a list for construction and reconstruction of the automobile road in Uzbekistan, which are part of the Uzbek national highway, as well as public roads and measures on technical re-equipment of the production bases of road organizations for 2015-2019 years.
According to the document, Uzbekistan is planning to construct and reconstruct 1,227.8 km of automobile roads and bridges, overpasses, transport road junctions, which are the part of the Uzbek national highway, and financed due to resources of the Republican Road Fund.
It is planned to build and reconstruct 1,172.5 km of automobile roads and bridges, overpasses, transport road junctions, which are the part of the Uzbek national highway, and financed due to resources of international financial institutions.
Republican Road Fund and World Bank will finance construction and reconstruction of 299.5 km of automobile roads and bridges, overpasses, transport road junctions.
Within five years, it is planned to purchase 993 units of road and repair equipment, which are used to repair automobile roads.
It is also planned to purchase 38 sets of asphalt and cement concrete plants, concrete-mixing facilities, crushing and sorting lines, as well as other equipment and tools for industrial enterprises of Uzavtoyul.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
HISTORY
A Word Resounding from the Depth of Ages
There are hundreds of unique archaeological sites preserved in the wide expanse of Karakalpakstan, land of ancient culture. Few of them have been studied well. The rich history of the country is duly presented in epigraphic inscriptions on numerous monuments. These treasures of written language have been deciphered, supplemented with historical texts and presented in a new book from the series “Architectural Epigraphy of Uzbekistan” prepared for publication by a group of creative researchers of the country.
Eight out of twenty planned volumes of encyclopedic-type edition is ready for publication. This is the first large-scale experience in the study of epigraphic inscriptions on the architectural monuments and other masterpieces of Uzbekistan’s ancient architecture.
The work carried out by the creative group has a great public and international impact. Among them the album ‘Masterpieces of Uzbekistan’s Architectural Epigraphy’ created within the President Islam Karimov’s resolution ‘On Preparation and Celebration of the Twentieth Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan’ dated April 6, 2011. The book has been awarded a number of prestigious prizes at International competitions and book fairs. Thus, the album ‘Masterpieces of Uzbekistan’s Architectural Epigraphy’ was rated first in the nomination ‘Culture. Science. Education’ and was second in the ‘Art Book’ nomination at the 9th Interstate competition of CIS member-states ‘The Book Art’ held in Astana. The book was also got positive assessment on the part of a number of leading global experts.
All this is a proof of a rather important academic and cultural significance of the project, which enabled to decently and at the professional level present masterpieces of material and spiritual heritage of Uzbekistan on international arena and promotes its recognition and authority thus manifesting the Government’s true care and concern about its monuments.
These circumstances inspired the creative group to expand the project scale and start activities on a series of albums on the epigraphic monuments in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the provinces of the Republic of Uzbekistan. A series of books ‘Architectural Epigraphy of Uzbekistan’ is a logical continuation of the album ‘Masterpieces of Uzbekistan’s Architectural Epigraphy.’
“This project on the study and publication of architectural epigraphic monuments is being successfully implemented,” says Komiljon Rakhimov, researcher of the Oriental manuscripts’ center under the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies, coordinator on the preparation and publication of book editions in the series ‘Masterpieces of Uzbekistan’s Architectural Epigraphy.’ So far the monuments seemed to have kept silence, since oriental inscriptions look like patterns and so much interrelated with ornamental patterns that ignorant people accept them as a decoration. Only now inscriptions on the monuments started to ‘talk’ the language of our forefathers.”
A big number of historians, art and culture specialists, philologists and Islam researchers are involved for project implementation. Local specialists and representatives of local administrations rendered assistance in the provinces. ‘Uzbekistan Today’ News Agency ensures necessary logistical support.
The volume devoted to Epigraphy of Karakalpakstan presents for the first time the full reading of all inscriptions in a number of sepulchral and burial grounds. The creative group made quite a discovery in the course of their study and deciphering process.
Wood-carving tradition especially that of columns and doors has become rather popular in this ancient land. Their samples are kept in Sultan Uvays-bobo mausoleum in Beruniy district, one of the most respected monuments of Karakalpak architecture frequently visited by pilgrims and tourists. Legend has it that the Prophet edified Uvays al-Karani (the mausoleum complex bears his name) to the righteous path. An antique folding door at the complex entrance is decorated with carved writings, which reflect the name of the author of wood-carving and date of its completion. Few masters of their trade merited such an honor – to leave their names on the monument. There is a deciphered dictum in the form of a good edification in the saint’s grave-yard frieze.
Excavations on the site of Caliph Rejep monument revealed samples of fine epigraphy in the form of Arab “naskh” script, which framed its façade and central niche.
Another monument – Mazlum-sulu mausoleum (researchers date its construction to the 13th -early 14th cc.) is considered a burial ground of local ruler Mazlum-sulu’s daughter. One of the walls of the structure bears an excellent text, in which the girl seems to console those who come to bow her remains. A group of researchers found an inscription in this complex, which was so indiscernible that it had never attracted anybody’s attention. It was information on a calligrapher who wrote the text. There is also Saadi’s maxim here so much popular with the calligraphers and found in many monuments in Uzbekistan. It starts with the words, “The object of these patterns is to leave fond memories of …”
The epigraph of Narinjan-bobo complex is a unique inscription on ceramic briquette, which in its time was attached over the Saint’s mausoleum entrance (currently it is kept at the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan). The name of a calligrapher is almost effaced in the mid-13th century text made in decorative ‘naskh’ script. Researchers succeeded to read his name as well as many epigraphs almost fully lost in the bygone years.
The epigraphy also provides examples of a rather high level of population literacy in the past. This was a conclusion drawn up in the process of studying inscriptions in various structures’ walls and columns. For instance, these include the lines written in Indian ink or scribbled by pilgrims on walls of the Mizdak-khan memorial complex mostly by rank and file people: copper-smiths, carpenters, merchants, etc. Very frequently these ‘autographs’ cite verses by prominent poets or even represent pieces of poetry by writers themselves.
Inscriptions on minor architectural structures – kuluptas – have been researched and described for the first time in Karakalpakstan. If we turn to etymology of this word it may be interpreted as a “stone key”, although the structures themselves bear stronger resemblance to a keyhole. They also appear to remind of stylized human images, which they are devoted to, with description of their genealogy and certain episodes of their lives.
This laborious and exciting task will, in my opinion, serve an impetus for further research activities of restoration workers. Tourist guides will find this information helpful since from now on they can provide accurate information on deciphered inscriptions related to one or another architectural monument rather than existing legends.
But most importantly the work on epigraphic pieces holds in itself spiritual nourishment and enables to deeper realize one’s national values and originality.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Navruz – 2015
The Magic Spirit of аn Ancient Holiday
These spring days, when the warm breath of spring can be felt everywhere and the nature opens up in all in magnificence while the hearts of people are filled with bright feelings and expectation of happiness, one cannot help thinking about Navruz, which will soon be here. Emerged in the deep past it is imbued with deep sense and embodies the rejuvenation and renovation of nature, calls upon us to live in harmony with it and engenders kind feelings.
Welcoming the arrival of spring, warming up not only nature but also the hearts of the people we are inspired by Navruz, a holiday of peace and friendship, beauty and gentleness, kindness and clemency, when everybody strives to display their best qualities, including care about the loved and dear ones, rendering them selfless help.
We have learned so much about Navruz in the years after independence thanks to the revival of national and spiritual values. This holiday returned to our towns and villages, to the hearts and minds of our people, thus becoming an inalienable part of our spiritual culture thanks to our State’s leader’s personal initiative.
Navruz takes its roots in the ancient past. Our forefathers welcomed it in ancient times as a holiday of reviving nature, extolled it in their songs and wrote verses devoted to it. In the Medieval East the best poets of the time recited their pieces of poetry during spring celebrations. Abu Reykhan Beruni had provided a thorough and profound coverage of Navruz in his “Monument of the Past Generations”. Omar Hayam, Hakim Termezi and others had scientifically substantiated its origin. Contemporary writers of our country, including Oybek and Ayni, devoted their immortal writings to it.
On the eve of upcoming Navruz, discussions, meetings and educational events have been organized for the youth at numerous educational establishments and living quarters in different regions of our country, at which they were briefed about the origin of Navruz, its age, duration and rituals. There is no doubt that such undertakings revealing the role and significance of national traditions, customs and spiritual values play a major part in upbringing the feeling of love for and devotion to motherland among the growing generation.
In recent years, Navruz has become a truly national holiday for all nations living in Uzbekistan. Its noble traditions not only survived, but also further developed in a new dimension, and the manifestation of humanism and mercy has significantly increased.
Since ancient times, this holiday was identified with the image of farmers, and the spring equinox marked the beginning of agricultural works. Nowadays, this facet of the favorite holiday is filled with new content that was clearly demonstrated during the popular charity hashar (countrywide volunteerism-based cleanup), held from 14th to 15th March, as preparation for Navruz. The villagers worked in the fields and gardens, the townspeople cleaned the streets and squares, courtyards and playgrounds of their cities.
The holiday celebrations and public works were also organized at various governmental and non-governmental organizations.
According to the national headquarters in charge of managing the hashar, the public works initiative was attended by more than 18 million people, of which 11 million were youth residents. More than 43 thousand hectares of land have been cleaned, as well as a total length of 26 thousand Km of ditches, drains and trays. More than 9 thousand places of worship have also been listed for public works.
The reconstruction of more than 150 objects has been completed and new mahalla districts, shops, beauty salons, teahouses for the elders and pharmacies, playgrounds, and production facilities have been put into operation.
During these public works staff members of various enterprises, organizations and institutions have planted more than 10 million decorative, and more than 8 million fruit trees, in addition to approximately 12 million pieces of flower seedlings.
During the national hashar in all gatherings of citizens Fund ‘Mahalla’ provided material and moral support to lonely elderly and disabled, low-income families, under the motto ‘No one will be left without care and attention’. For example, members of the Council of Trade Union Federations and its branches in the regions in connection with the ‘Year of Attention and Care for the Senior Generation’ in Uzbekistan visited the republic’s centenarians and provided them with material aid.
“During the holiday of labor, targeted assistance was provided to single elderly people, and young men and women carried out repairs in their homes,” says a veteran from Termez, Farid Shamanov. “But the older generation also participated in the hashar, inspiring young to contribute to the improvement and beautification of their native land.”
It is a wonderful tradition to commission new businesses, educational and medical institutions, and culture and consumer services on the eve of this national holiday! All this is aimed at a significant improvement of the living standards of the population of the republic, and to ensure prosperity of the country and implementation of tasks defined in the State Program ‘Year of Attention and Care for the Senior Generation’.
For example, a regional multi-profile medical center has been commissioned in Navoi. The out-patient hospital and therapeutical departments have already started serving the patients and the surgical department will be launched within the coming days. This center is furnished with high-tech equipment, including magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and ECG scanners.
New housing estates have been commissioned in Surhandarya region on the basis of standard designs, which radically changed the face of the region. For many people theeir dreams have come true, as they now live in beautiful and comfortable homes. In addition, the new districts are being complemented with wide and smooth roads, social infrastructure, service stations, and all facilities are provided with natural gas, drinking water, electricity, and communication systems. This has certainly increased the interest of rural population in such housing facilities, which are no inferior to those built in the towns.
Arrangements are made about the streets, parks and squares adjoining the living quarters, irrigation chutes and collectors are being cleaned of sludge. Friends and neighbors are treated with sumalak boiled and cooked in cauldrons.
Navruz is celebrated as the beginning of a new agricultural season in Muzrabat, Teermez, Saryasia, Uzun and other districts. Greater attention is allocated to grain crops and preparation work is underway for planting cotton seeds.
And there are numerous examples of such celebrations.
“I really love this holiday. My heart is filled with joy and pride when I see all the changes happening in our country. These days I feel very much elated both spiritually and physically, and an unprecedented eternal link with mother nature,” says People’s artist of Uzbekistan Normumin Sultanov. “Together with other artists I am getting prepared to perform at the celebrations devoted to Navruz in the National park named after Alisher Navoi. Hopefully our spectators will like it.”
These holiday festivities will be held in all districts and towns of our country.
Traditionally they will take place all all major squares, parks and entertainment areas of the region. It has become a good tradition to conduct this holiday with a broad demonstration of our customs, organize various exhibitions and applied art, national sport games, including uloq kupkari, tug-of-war and wrestling competitions.
The main site for celebrating the holiday in Navoi region will be the amphitheatre of the regional center. The best creative performance groups and soloists will go on stage one after another. Invited for the holiday are the folk troupes of the town of Navoi and Hatyrchi district, whose performances symbolize the many-centuries old history and the eternal youthfulness of Navruz. Tradition has it that the best singers will extol in their songs their Motherland and Mother Nature. Holiday events similarly will be held in all the towns and villages of the gold-miners’ region.
Samarkand region is also getting actively prepared for Navruz. Sport competitions, national folk games and a national cuisine completion will be held in this region. The concert program in Samarqand amphitheatre “Mo’jiza” will include performances by folk-ethnographic ensembles, amateur troupes, children’s Schools of Music and Art, prominent and young singers and dancers with singing of traditional lapars.
The main holiday events in one of the largest districts of the region – Passtdarghom – will be organized at two stadiums of two residential quarters. According to ancient tradition people will be treated with sumalak and kites will be flown up into the sky.a folk group “Darghom mavjlari”, ensembles “Sayqal”, “Durdona”, “Navruz”, “Darghom taronasi”, actors of the local theatre and schoolchildren and high school students will give a big concert. Then the holiday event will be continued at almost 40 residential quarters of the district.
Holiday in Urgut district will start at the new recreation and park commissioned last year. Along with the holiday performance of songs and aitishuv – competition of fokk singers (bakhshi) – a program devoted to the “Year of Attention and Care of the Older Generation” will be presented here. Scenarios of the holiday measures are elaborated with consideration of history, culture of each location, their unique national traditions and values, as well as customs of representatives of all ethnic groups and nationalities living in our country. Sport events and national games, and competitions of holiday dishes will be organized for the participants. .
Insults and quarrels will have to be forgotten during the Navruz celebrations, all people of our country, both old and young, gather around the lavish tables to share with open hearts their joy with their friends and relatives in connection with the holiday, treat them with such traditional viands as sumalak, halim, kuk-samsa, and wish everyone strong health , happiness and prosperity; visit people of the older generation to get their blessings.
… During these sunny March days, filled with magic aroma and flavor, Navruz knocks at the hearts of people awakening noble feelings and high aspirations, engendering the most beautiful and spontaneous impulses bestowing upon people the feeling of happiness and ascertaining that Life is really Good!
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Reference to the source is a must in reproducing materials