After the President’s visit...

Margilan, located on the Great Silk Road, has long been famous as a city of artisans. The silk fabrics manufactured here amaze the whole world. National crafts are important for the development of tourism.

More than ten thousand citizens are engaged in handicrafts in Margilan. 565 artisans are members of the “Hunarmand” Association and are engaged in manufacturing national fabrics – adras, satin and garments, wood carving, embroidering skullcaps, making chapans, metal products. Last year, by the decision of the World Crafts Council-Asia Pacific Region, the city of Margilan was awarded the status of the “World City of Silk and Ikat Craftsmen”. Margilan became the third city of Uzbekistan included in the list of cities of artisans of the World Crafts Council.

The Crafts Development Center established here has become a favorite place for tourists coming to Uzbekistan. The center has established the production of more than 200 types of satin and adras, carpet weaving, tailoring, and handicrafts. 20 such centers are operating in Fergana region.

Many good deeds are being carried out in Uzbekistan to increase the tourist flow. In particular, one such object is the “Oltin Ipak Karvonsaroyi” tourist center in Margilan. First of all, this place plays a big role in demonstrating to guests our national values, traditions, as well as masterpieces of Uzbek handicrafts, and increasing the tourism potential of the country. On the ground floor of the complex there are premises for folk crafts, such as carpet weaving, embroidery, shoemaking, silk weaving, copper products, and on the second floor there are hotels and a kitchen. It is noteworthy that national handicrafts and fabrics were used during the construction of the building, equipping all rooms, even the kitchen.

“National values are a mirror that reflects the past, present and future of each nation”, says Ibrokhimjon Sultanov, head of the center. – Our goal is to demonstrate to tourists our national crafts, values and traditions, as well as the creative potential of our people, to tell about whose descendants we are. In the complex, we tried to recreate the atmosphere of two hundred or three hundred years ago, and I can say with confidence that we succeeded. Doors in the building, many objects placed in the rooms, rare artifacts and bricks placed under the feet also have a history of two or three centuries. Carvings on ancient doors and architectural patterns reflect the high skill of our ancestors. During his recent visit to Fergana region, the President visited the center and got acquainted with the creative work being carried out here. This made us very happy. Inspired by the trust and attention of the President of our country, we set ourselves even higher goals and plans, work to improve the quality of our products and increase our export potential, and at the same time unite the craftsmen of our city and increase the number of jobs. We will focus all our energy to present Uzbek national crafts and values to the world.

This center employs 150 craftsmen. All conditions have been created for efficient work, a bus, 20 “Damas” cars, and 5 other vehicles are at the disposal of the masters. There is also a separate room for the children of employees.

“I am proud to continue the work of our grandmothers”, says the master of carpet weaving Kholidakhan Turdaliyeva. – Carpet weaving and textiles are as ancient and honorable professions as our city. Handmade products are highly valued and expensive in developed countries. Products manufactured in our center are of high quality. Patterns are printed on natural silk fabric with the help of natural dyes. Such products are in great demand. Our carpets are mainly exported to Türkiye, while satin and adras are exported to neighboring countries.

Masudjon Suleymanov, UzA