In our country, wide-ranging reforms are underway to develop national handicrafts, folk fine and applied arts. These reforms aim to fully preserve our rich cultural heritage and historical traditions. They also seek to ensure employment for the unemployed—especially youth, women, and low-income families—by involving them in handicraft activities.
In the ancient yet ever-youthful city of Margilan, national handicrafts have been revered and passed down through generations.
In recent years, with the President’s attention and support for this sector, Margilon crafts have proliferated and earned the world community’s special respect and recognition.
Under the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan № RP-338 dated July 29, 2022, “On measures for the accelerated development of cooperation with Turkic states in the field of tourism”, it was decided to hold every two years—in the third ten-day period of May—an international forum in Margilan city.
The forum includes an exhibition and a scientific conference on “The role of Margilan silk textiles in medieval international trade: an art-historical interpretation and its influence on 21st-century textile design”. Accordingly, the Digital Technologies Center in Margilon hosted an international scientific and practical conference on this theme.
The opening addresses were delivered by Rasuljon Mirzaakhmedov, Chairman of the “Hunarmand” Association of Uzbekistan, and Hurshid Akhmedov, Deputy Khokim of the region.
Presenters included Academician Akbar Khakimov, Doctor of Arts, Professor; Binafsha Nodir, PhD in Arts Studies, editor-in-chief of “Hunarmand” journal; Masharib Abdullayev, Deputy Director of Institute of Art Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Ahrorbek Azizov, PhD in History, Researcher at the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Nadejda Zdravkova (Bulgaria), international advisor to “Hunarmand” and expert on creative industries in Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Southeast Asia (online); Elmira Gul, Doctor of Arts, Professor and Chief Researcher at the International Silk Road Research Institute.
At the conference’s conclusion, certificates were presented to the participating art historians, academicians, and professors.
