News WOSCU
Memory of proto-cities in the collection of the Samarkand Museum
The earliest form of urban culture are proto-cities as precursors of the first state formations, including Jarkutan and Sapallitepa, the emergence of which researchers attribute to the second millennium BC. This period of the culture of Uzbekistan is widely represented in the Samarkand State Museum by ceramics, bronze, stone and bone items.
Ruidjo - the mystery of family happiness
Ruidjo is not just an element of textile, but a symbol of tradition and culture, which plays an important role in the life of newlyweds. An embroidered sheet, sewn from four strips of cotton fabric, is a work of art in which every detail matters.
Chinese monk inspired Japanese to study Central Asia
In the 7th century, the Chinese monk Xuanzang traveled through Central Asia to India in search of Buddhist sutras, writing about it in his travel notes “Journey to the Western Region.” Hundreds of years later, it was this work that inspired Japanese explorers in the 19th and 20th centuries to study the region.
The National Library of Uzbekistan - a journey of one and a half centuries
For more than 150 years of its existence, the National Library of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi has gone through an amazing and difficult path of development, associated with the search and study of unique manuscripts, authorship of outstanding personalities of different eras. In this video, we will be introduced to the history of the remarkable library and its impressive collection.
How did costume influence Tamara Khanum’s career?
Tamara Khanum, a famous Uzbek actress and dancer, left a bright mark in the history of Uzbek art. Her concert costume, kept in the State Historical Museum, is not only an element of her stage image, but also a symbol of the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan.
Mount Mug reveals the secrets of the ancient Sogdians
Documents from Mount Mug represent a unique source of information about the complex and dynamic history of the Central Asian Mesopotamia in the early Middle Ages, especially in the context of the struggle against the Arab conquest. These finds, consisting of 76 documents, mostly of Sogdian origin, provide insight into the social, economic and cultural aspects of life in the region during this period.
Frederick Starr: "We know very little about Khorezm
Frederick Starr, founder and chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI) at the US Foreign Policy Council and WOSCU member, spoke about ancient Khorezm, the contribution to science of Al-Khwarizmi and Abu Rayhan Beruni, and the region’s boundless tourism potential in his report at the VIII Congress of the World Society.
Who did the ancient Khorezmians hunt five thousand years ago?
During the New Stone Age, the Southern Aral Sea region became home to the Kelteminar culture, where hunters and fishermen actively developed this region from the 4th–3rd millennia BC. Finds made at lost sites in the sands of the inner regions of the Amu Darya indicate a developed water system that existed here in ancient times.
Kova is an ancient center of Buddhist culture
Archaeological excavations on the outskirts of the city of Kuva have uncovered the remains of a Buddhist temple dating back to the 7th century. This discovery proves that Kuva became an important center of religious life in its time.
Handwritten monuments of Turkish history in Tashkent's Beruni Institute
The history of Turkey in the collection of the Abu Rayhan Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies is represented by six manuscripts, including "Tarikh" ("History") and "Misbah al-sari wa nuzhat al-kari" ("Lamp for the Traveler and Consolation for the Reader"). These works present important milestones in the history of the Ottoman Empire.
"Chinatown" at the court of Ulugbek
The Chinnikhana Pavilion under Ulugbek became a symbol of cultural exchange, with the tile decorations replicating the style of Chinese porcelain of the Ming Dynasty. This demonstrated the high level of skill of local artists and their ability to adapt foreign influences into their works.
The role of suzani in family rituals
The art of embroidery in Uzbekistan has deep roots and extensive traditions, reflecting the rich cultural history of the region. Embroidery, especially in the form of suzani, occupies a central place in the life of the Uzbek people and plays an important role in various family rituals.
Connecting Europe and Asia through the Hungarian Library
The Oriental Collection of the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences contains 776 manuscripts in the Turkic language, each of which has its own history. And the collection of the library in Budapest itself is unique. Agnes Kelekseni, Head of the Oriental Collection Department, Library and Information Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, spoke about this and much more in her video report.
Writing is not just a way to express thoughts on paper
From the 9th and 10th centuries to the beginning of the 20th century, our ancestors created a vast written heritage in Arabic, Persian, and Turkic languages.
Part of the Ulugbek Madrasah in a museum in Germany
The Berlin Museum of Islamic Art was founded in 1904. Its collection is based on arts and crafts, as well as archaeological artifacts from almost all parts of the Islamic world. One of the artifacts is a star-shaped marble tile that probably decorated the Ulugh Beg Madrasah in Samarkand
WOSCU and the Hermitage - a decade of cooperation
One of the most famous Russian museums, the Hermitage, has been cooperating with the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan (WOSCU) for almost 10 years. Over these years, dozens of articles have been prepared on various topics related to the history of Uzbekistan, two volumes from the series “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in World Collections” dedicated to the Hermitage collection have been published, and a third volume is being prepared. The fourth is on the way. Pavel Lurye, head of the Central Asia sector of the Hermitage’s Oriental Department, philologist, specialist in ancient Iranian languages, archaeologist, head of the Penjikent expedition and custodian of the Khorezm collection, spoke about this long-term cooperation and the history of the museum’s collection in his report at the VIII International Congress of WOSCU.
Hadiths and wishes on ceramic dishes
Glazed ceramics decor of the 10th-12th centuries. Excellently reflect the significant changes that came to the culet and art of the Central Asian region as a result of the spread of Islam. Completely new characteristics of Islamic art.
The inscriptions on the monuments of Bukhara are an unread book
All the epochs and each of these dynasties left their marks in the architectural looks of old Bukhara. The bulk of old buildings were lost or overhauled. Nonetheless, the surviving landmarks witnessed various kinds of attitude.
Bukhara jewelers
One of the showcases of the exposition of the State Museum of Applied Arts and History of Crafts of Uzbekistan presents the products of Bukhara jewelers.
Ichigi - called makhsi or mardona
In the past, making footwear, like any other craft, was something between amateur craftsmanship and genuine art.
Nozigardon necklaces
The origins of jewelry in Uzbekistan are lost in the depths of millennia. In the 19th century, the largest centers of this craft were Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Karshi, and Kokand.
The mausoleum in Shahrisabz, reminiscent of Shahi Zinda in Samarkand
The "Dar ut-tilavat" complex, comprising the Gumbazi Sayyidan mausoleum, is considered a special "religious-ideological center" within the vast burial ground in Shahrisabz.
Do you know who translated the Greek names of the stars into Arabic?
As is known, the famous astronomer al-Sufi was born in 903 CE in Rayy and died in 986 CE in Shiraz.
To whom is the manuscript of the work "Tazkirat al-awliya" dedicated?
It is known that the Turkic (Chagatai) language and the Uyghur alphabet, along with Persian, were in constant use among the Timurid and Turkic-Mongol aristocracy of the empire.
The gems of the National Library of Uzbekistan
The gems of the Manuscript, Unique and Highly Valuable Editions Fund of the National Library of Uzbekistan are the works of Alisher Navoi.
"The Katta Langar Qur'an" finds a prominent place in Moscow's Islamic Museum
Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan and Chairman of the WOSCU Board, participated in the XX International Muslim Forum "The Path to Peace: Dialogue as the Foundation for Harmonious Coexistence," held in the capital of the Russian Federation, Moscow.
"The Canon of Medicine"
Among the approximately forty medical works preserved to this day, one of Ibn Sina's greatest writing stand out: "Kitab al-Qanun fi-t-tibb" ("The Canon of Medicine"). This work has not only left a significant mark in the history of medicine but also served as a foundation for further research and practice across various cultures.
Traditions and Symbolism in the art of Suzani
The art of Suzani likely emerged in the Central Asian khanates in the mid-18th century. It is typically classified into several schools: the Bukhara school (including Nurota, Shahrisabz, Karshi, and other cities), the Samarkand school (with centers like Urgut, Tashkent, and Pskent), and the Fergana Valley school, which encompasses its settlements.
Mani and Behzad: Masters of Eastern Miniature Art
In Islamic tradition, Mani is revered as the founder of painting, an unparalleled artist of his time. His famous work “Arzhang” is considered one of the greatest artistic achievements of antiquity. Mani's influence on Eastern miniature art was so significant that artists and connoisseurs of Eastern painting regarded him as the foremost master for centuries.
Black Engobe Bowl: The Art and Heritage of Nishapur
The black engobe bowl is an important element of Uzbekistan's cultural heritage. Originating from Nishapur, it reflects the high level of craftsmanship of local potters in the 10th century, when the city was a key trading center of the Samanid Empire.
Uzbek Silk Weaving Art
In the second half of the 19th century, the art of silk weaving flourished in the oases along the Great Silk Road, with the seven-colored khan-atlas standing out. These unique fabrics were produced in workshops that employed a division of labor.
Uzbekistan to Publish Encyclopedia on Great Scholars in Collaboration with Turkey
As previously reported, from September 15 to 19, a delegation led by the Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan, Chairman of the WOSCU Board F. Abdukhalikov, held a series of events, roundtables, presentations, and exhibitions in Turkey.
The Role of Craftsmen and Labor in Timurid Art
During the Timurid period, influenced by the Sufi order of Naqshbandiya, craftsmen occupied an important place in society. Artisan guilds became not only centers of production but also spiritual development, facilitating the emergence of images of ordinary people and their labor in miniature painting.
Early Illustrations of the “Zafar-nama”: The Art and Politics of Timur’s Era
The earliest known illustrations of the "Zafar-nama," dating back to the first half of the 15th century, were created in Shiraz during the reign of Ibrahim Sultan. One such manuscript (1435-1436) is housed in the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
The most favorite jewelry of brides in Samarkand and Tashkent
The origins of jewelry in Uzbekistan are lost in the depths of millennia. In the 19th century, the largest centers of this craft were Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Karshi, and Kokand. Each center had its own shapes and decorations.
WOSCU gift to Suleymaniye Library: A Precious "Kattalangar Quran"
During the Center for Islamic Civilization delegation's visit to Turkey, the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularization of Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan (WOSCU) presented a valuable copy of the “Kattalangar Quran” as a gift to the Suleymaniye Library in Istanbul.