The Tajik Minister of Culture drew attention to the history of enlightenment in Central Asia

Since November 13 of this year, at the international congress “Central Asia: shared spiritual and educational heritage – shared future,” held in our capital at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and uniting nearly 350 scholars, intellectuals, and enlighteners from Central Asia and Azerbaijan, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan, Matlubakhon Amonzoda Sattoriyon, emphasized that culture and enlightenment are the core of national identity and a guarantee of peace.

Matlubakhon Amonzoda Sattoriyon, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan:

“On the eve of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, I would like to express my gratitude for the exceptional organization and hospitality shown at this international congress. Our nations are bound not only by shared geography but by millennia of cultural ties, friendly relations, and constructive cooperation. The spiritual heritage of the peoples of Central Asia is not merely a collection of ancient monuments, manuscripts, or works of art. It is the living breath of history, the foundation of our identity, and the source of spiritual strength that enabled our ancestors to withstand the tests of time. As one of the major centers of ancient civilizations, Central Asia served through the Great Silk Road not only as a hub of trade but also as a cultural bridge between East and West. It is here that the great ideas of humanism, science, tolerance, and mutual influence were formed.

 

The history of Central Asia is a history of enlightenment. Your country was once a center of universities, madrasas, and libraries, where scientific schools and intellectual movements emerged. The names of figures such as Abdurahmon Rudaki, Abu Abdulloh Beruni, Abu Ali ibn Sino, Nizami Ganjavi, Abdurahmon Jami, Alisher Navoi, Abay Qunanbay, Makhtumkuli, Toghay Moldo, and Ahmad Donish represent an entire era of spiritual and intellectual flourishing. These remarkable individuals are a source of pride not only for our nations but for world civilization. Culture and enlightenment are the core of national identity and a guarantee of peace. In an age of globalization, when borders between states are becoming increasingly open, it is culture and spiritual independence that help preserve our identity and instill in the younger generation a sense of pride in their history. This center, in turn, should become a place where culture and science serve as the foundation for a stable future.

 

Today, strengthening cooperation between our countries particularly in the sphere of culture is among our most important priorities. The closeness of our cultural traditions and our shared heritage offer unique opportunities for implementing joint projects in the fields of art, cinema, museum development, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. This congress itself may be regarded as a practical embodiment of these goals.”