A gala literary and enlightenment evening dedicated to the 540th anniversary of the great statesman, skilled commander, scientist, and poet Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur’s birth was held at the State Academic Grand Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi.

Literature lovers, writers and poets, literary scholars, teachers, and students were invited to the evening.

At the beginning of the event, a documentary film was shown about the life of Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, full of hardships and trials, and his unique creativity.

Deputy Director General of the Cinematography Agency under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shukhrat Rizayev noted that the Presidential resolution, aimed at a broad study of the life and work of Babur, opened a new stage in the study of the scientific and creative heritage of the great world-famous scientist.

“Babur lived in a very controversial and difficult time”, said Shukhrat Rizayev. “In Soviet times, Babur’s personality was approached as a representative of the feudal class, although our scientists conducted a lot of research, which, unfortunately, was not completed. The work of the late Pirimqul Qodirov “Starry Nights” was persecuted for several years. During the years of independence, much attention was paid to studying Babur’s work. In this regard, the Babur International Foundation, headed by Zakirjon Mashrabov, is actively working not only in our country, but also abroad. On the initiative of the Head of our state, the study of Babur’s work has become widespread. The work of the poet and encyclopedist “Baburnama” was published in Italian. This allowed the peoples of the world to learn more about our great ancestors and get acquainted with the work of Babur”.

Indeed, the “Baburnama” has an essential place in Babur’s work. Even today, scientists worldwide who study this work highly recognize the enormous intellectual potential of Uzbekistan, its ancestors, and their place in world civilization and literature.

At the gala evening, the First Deputy Chairman of the Babur International Public Foundation, Zakhidjon Mashrabov, spoke in detail about the good deeds carried out by the Foundation, about expeditions organized to many countries of the world to study Babur’s work, the most valuable resources, scientific and enlightenment works published on their basis.

Chairman of the Union of Writers of Karakalpakstan, People’s Writer of Uzbekistan, and People’s Poet of Karakalpakstan Kenesboy Karimov noted that the work of our great-grandfather Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur is widely studied in Karakalpakstan, and also provided information about the poet’s published works.

“Babur’s works have not yet been fully studied”, said Rukhsana Iftikhar, a scientist from the University of Punjab in Pakistan. “Babur is a real hero for us. In Pakistan, much attention is also paid to the study of his work”.

At the gala event, actors of the Uzbek National Academic Drama Theater performed a scene from the play “Starry Nights” by the People’s Writer of Uzbekistan Pirimqul Qodirov.

Babur scholars from all over the world sent video congratulations.

At the gala evening, a splendid concert program was presented with the participation of artists and creative youth, members of the Maqom Ensemble named after Yunus Rajabi. The performances of the cadets of the University of Public Safety gave a particular mood to the evening. Young poets read out samples of Babur’s works.

Advisor – Speechwriter to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Khayriddin Sultanov attended the event.

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Nazokat Usmanova, photos by Murodkhon Khojayev, UzA