On December 12 this year, the International Institute for Central Asia hosted an International Conference on “Strengthening and developing a common historical and cultural heritage in the worldview of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan thinkers of the 19th century”.

The event was organized by IICA and the Institute of Oriental Studies named after R.B. Suleimenov of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

More than 80 specialists from leading analytical and research institutions of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan took part in the conference in offline and online formats.

The conference participants considered the issues of researching the scientific, philosophical and literary heritage of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan thinkers of the 19th century, the facets of the interaction of the enlighteners of the two peoples in the cultural field, as well as their contribution to the pan-Turkic and world civilization.

The activities of prominent Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan thinkers of the 19th century made a huge contribution to the process of understanding and preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the Uzbeks, Kazakhs and other Central Asian peoples.

Today, thanks mainly to the efforts of the leadership of our countries, as well as the scientific community, we have real opportunities to implement research in this direction.

In his welcoming speech, IICA Director Anvar Nasirov noted that this event is taking place within the framework of the Abai Kunanbaev Heritage Days, an outstanding son of the Kazakh people, a poet, thinker and humanist, widely celebrated throughout Uzbekistan.

“These days, with the participation of members of Uzbekistan Writers Union, creative evenings are held in many collectives, and lectures on the works of the poet are given in higher education institutions. The play “Abai” production is planned at the National Academic Drama Theater of Uzbekistan. Cultural and creative evenings dedicated to the great thinker are organized in Tashkent, Navoi, Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions.

All these events are held with one goal – to continue strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan through acquaintance with the spiritual heritage of Abai Kunanbaev.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Uzbekistan B. Atamkulov, addressing the participants of the event, noted the importance of the conference.

It was noted that the regional policy pursued by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan today acts as a locomotive for the development of entire Central Asia. The modern transformations of the two countries demonstrate the commonality of culture, heritage and history.

“Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan peoples have common roots. Our Presidents solve common issues side by side. We are united by a single culture, history, land and water. Our farmers use water from the same river”.

The Ambassador expressed special gratitude to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for organizing the Abai Week in all regions of the country.

“The works of Abai are not only our common history, but also our present and future. Abai is the heritage of all Turkic peoples and the property of all Central Asian countries. Abai raised the issues of nobility, happiness and humanism, which are still relevant today”.

The event created a platform for an open and constructive exchange of views between representatives of the scientific community and experts from the two countries, with the prospect of making it a regular one. The international conference also contributes to the development of practical proposals for further deepening bilateral scientific cooperation.

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G.Khonnazarov, UzA