A significant cultural and artistic achievement was marked in Bostanlyk district, as a world record for the largest ebru image was set. The drawing, featuring the State Emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the inscription “O’zbekiston – Mustaqillikka 33 yil” (“Independence of Uzbekistan – 33 years”), now stands as a testament to our rich heritage.

The event, held under the auspices of Tashkent Regional Hokimiyat, Saipro Group LLC, and with the support of numerous partner organizations, garnered international attention. It was graced by figures of art and culture of the country, media representatives, and the Guinness World Records. The primary objective was to foster respect for state symbols and celebrate the artistry of our ancestors on a global platform.

The Guinness record was planned to draw the world community’s attention to the country’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential. As experts note, the painting “Spring Abri” or “ebru” originated in Uzbekistan. It involves painting on the water’s surface with special paints and then transferring the image onto paper or fabric. The artist needs excellent skill, knowledge, and experience to complete the process.

The new record for painting ebru was set by the Uzbek artist, a master of this type of art, Ahmet Çoktan, who lives in Türkiye.

The width of the image transferred to paper is 1.61 meters, the length is 12.96 meters, and the total area is 20.86 square meters. The previous world record for the largest ebru image was 16.65 meters, set in Qatar in 2009. After 15 years, it was updated in Uzbekistan.

Mr. Çoktan and his assistants first depicted their creation on water and then transferred it to special paper. The process was observed by international experts, who, upon its completion, presented the master of ebru art with a special certificate confirming the establishment of a new world record.

“I have been interested in applied arts since childhood”, says Mr. Çoktan. “Ebru originated in ancient times on Uzbek soil, in Bukhara, where it was used to design books. Then, through the masters of Mawarannahr, this drawing technique spread to Iran and Türkiye. With my works created by this method, I participated in exhibitions and cultural events in Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, and Qatar. With the help of this drawing, I sought to acquaint the world community with the history and culture of Uzbekistan”.

As part of the event, a plein air “Dawn of the New Uzbekistan” was held among the artists, dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of the country’s independence.

Abdulaziz Musayev, UzA