May 9, 2010
The Chairperson of the Fund Forum`s Board of Trustees Gulnara and Karimova and UNESCO Representative in Uzbekistan Jorge Espinal opened a scientific conference titled “Uzbekistan`s Cultural Legacy: the Art of Calligraphy and Epigraphy”, which was held as part of Asrlar Sadosi (Echo of Ages) Festival of Traditional Culture in Khiva. The conference focused on a series of research projects launched by the Fund Forum. One such project is the book “Samples of the Eastern Art of Calligraphy and Miniature”. The publication of the book paved the way for other projects. More specifically, a study was carried out to decipher epigraphic inscriptions on virtually all medieval monuments in Uzbekistan. Also, research work has been launched to create an Archeological Map of Uzbekistan and a Catalog of Architectural Monuments in Uzbekistan.
The conference at Khorezm`s Mamun Academy, one of the oldest scientific and spiritual centers of world civilization, brought together around 100 eminent scholars studying the historical and cultural legacy in Uzbekistan and abroad. It would not be exaggerating to say that the projects presented at the conference open a new page in the study of national cultural legacy. Systematizing and cataloguing the legacy is a maiden research in Uzbekistan. Besides scientific importance, the Archeological Map of Uzbekistan also has practical implications as it lays the groundwork for preserving ancient monuments and further research. As for inscriptions, this research has great implications for the study of the Islamic stratum of cultural legacy.
The book “Samples of the Eastern Art of Calligraphy and Miniature” is dedicated to the 690th anniversary of Hoja Bahauddin Naqshbandi, the founder of Naqshbandi spiritual order. The compilation is based on the private collection of the author of the book, calligrapher and teacher at Mir-Arab Madrasah and Representative of Bukhara division of Uzbekistan Muslim board Abdulgafur Razzok Bukhari. The working group also includes famous professionals and scholars such as Academic, Doctor of Art and Professor, Akbar Hakimov; Academic, People`s Artist of Uzbekistan and miniaturist Shomakhmud Muhammadjonov; researcher Komiljon Rakhimov; Professor of the Academy of Arab Calligraphy, Aus Alansari. The album consists of 9 chapters that cover various categories of calligraphy, eastern poetry, mastery of artists as well as miniature and artistic ornaments, architecture and historical monuments. Of special note are samples of Koranic artistic design which encompasses diverse ornaments and calligraphic styles. Just as noteworthy are samples of book miniature published in the album.
According to the organizers, all that the Fund Forum has done in this direction thus far is only a part of the significant amount of research that the Fund intends to develop, with assistance from specialists, in an effort to foster deeper understanding and popularization of rich Uzbek culture.
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