A cultural enlightenment event has taken place in Samarqand on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the republican international cultural centre of Uzbekistan.

A cultural enlightenment event has taken place in Samarqand on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the republican international cultural centre of Uzbekistan.

The event was attended by representatives of national cultural centres and religious associations functioning in the region and members of the wider public. It was noted at the event that in this country large-scale work was being carried out to further strengthen the atmosphere of inter-ethnic accord and religious tolerance.

The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other norm-setting regulatory acts specify that all citizens have the same rights and liberties and are equal before the law regardless of their gender, race, nationality, language, religion, social origin, belief, personal or social status.

The state ensures respect for the languages, customs and traditions of nationalities and ethnic groups living in its territory. At the initiative of the country’s First President, the republican international cultural centre was established in 1992.

Today, representatives of more than 100 nationalities and ethnic groups live in peace and harmony in Samarqand Region, and they are making a worthy contribution to the development of the Motherland. There are 10 national cultural centres functioning in the region, and they are doing effective work to ensure respect for the languages, customs and traditions of various nationalities and to strengthen inter-ethnic accord.

“Uzbekistan is a multi-ethnic country. Representatives of many nationalities, including ethnic Russians, live here in peace and harmony as one big family. All the necessary conditions and possibilities have been created for them to keep and develop their national traditions and values,” says the chief of the regional Russian cultural centre, Yuriy Ognev.

As part of the event, an exhibition of photographs depicting inter-ethnic accord and generosity and an exhibition of national costume took place. A concert programme was presented with the participation of artistic groups of the region’s national cultural centres.