A symbol of spiritual and educational power

On April 8 of this year, the President of the country, while familiarizing himself with the activities of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, said: "In recent years we have been through difficult trials. But the work did not stop here. Why are we building this? To broaden the horizons, to strengthen the pride of our people, to show on material evidence what a great nation we are." 

What kind of work is being carried out today in the field of preservation and restoration of cultural heritage objects? Are there any disadvantages? Are we using the experience of our ancestors correctly? What are the prospects for international cooperation?
With such questions and not only we turned to the director of the Cultural Heritage Agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shakhrier NURULLOEV.
- This year, directorates for the restoration of cultural heritage objects have been established in seven regions of the country. Tell us about the planned work in this direction.
- During the video conference held on April 26 under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on measures to expand the coverage of tourist services and the development of tourist infrastructure, it was noted that the damage caused to cultural heritage sites over the past 30 years exceeded four trillion soums. It is also emphasized that restoration work on the same objects should be given no small importance. Most tourists come to the republic to see the magnificent works of art created by the hands of our ancestors, to feel their majesty.
It is no secret that many historical monuments on the territory of Uzbekistan, their unique architectural style amaze the whole world. In addition, historical and cultural monuments are important not only as a material heritage that attracts tourists, but also as a spiritual heritage of the people.
There are 8210 objects of material and cultural heritage under state protection in the country, of which 4788 are archaeological, 2265 are architectural objects, 625 are monumental works of art, 530 are sights.
In recent years, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage and the Cultural Heritage Agency have been working effectively to eliminate existing problems, introduce systematic restoration of cultural heritage objects, returning them to their original state. In particular, it was determined to create regional restoration schools of the Directorate for the Restoration of Cultural Heritage objects in accordance with the Presidential decree "On measures to organize the activities of the Cultural Heritage Agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as innovative development of the sphere" dated June 19, 2021. In this regard, regional restoration centers are being created in Bukhara, Shakhrisabz, Samarkand, Termez, Kokand, Khiva and Tashkent. Their main task is to carry out repair, restoration and conservation work on the basis of scientifically based projects at cultural heritage sites, to popularize it widely both in Uzbekistan and abroad.
- Which foreign countries' experience is used in restoration work in our country?
- When restoring cultural heritage sites in Uzbekistan, along with the rich traditions of national handicrafts, the experience of countries such as Iran, China and Turkey is used, as far as possible.
Thus, the presidential decree of June 19, 2021, mentioned above, provides for cooperation with Iran and Turkey in the restoration of cultural heritage objects: in particular, the establishment of a system of professional development of domestic specialists, the exchange of experience by inviting restorers from these states to Uzbekistan, sending local craftsmen to foreign countries.
It was instructed to invite at least 15 specialists from Iran and Turkey to Uzbekistan, to organize with their participation work on the preservation of objects of material cultural heritage.
Currently, the Cultural Heritage Agency is taking measures to fulfill this task.
I want to tell you about another experience. Many European architectural monuments are used for cultural events, for tourist and entertainment purposes. The aesthetic value of such objects makes them attractive to tourists and turns them into a profitable project.
For example, the popularity of cafes in European countries has had a good impact on the development of caravanserais. Coffee shops have become the center of social life, political and literary circles. The first such institution in Europe was opened in 1647 at Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) in Venice. Honore de Balzac described the Venetian Caffé Florian (which had literary popularity) as a room for defenders, an exchange office, a theater foyer, a club, a reading room. The cafe was also famous for the fact that the tables were placed on the square. For three centuries, among the visitors were Rousseau, Goethe, Byron, Thomas Mann, Hemingway, Picasso, as well as celebrities such as Johann Sebastian Bach and others.
- Recently, UNESCO specialists have been involved in the protection of unique cultural heritage sites of Uzbekistan, the development of master plans and management plans for historical cities in accordance with international standards and requirements. International conferences on the protection of tangible and intangible heritage are held in close cooperation with UNESCO.
What opportunities do such events provide for solving topical issues of preserving cultural monuments, studying world experience, improving the national system of preserving historical and cultural heritage?
- UNESCO makes a significant contribution to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage in the world. In addition, the activities of this organization are aimed at ensuring peace and sustainable development, establishing intercultural dialogue through education, and promoting the exchange of international cultural information.
The official visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to UNESCO headquarters on October 8, 2018 opened a new chapter in relations between Uzbekistan and this organization. As a result of negotiations between the leader of our country and UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, a country program was adopted for the first time in the organization's practice, which deepened bilateral cooperation. Within its framework, agreements were reached, important technical support projects were developed. In September 2021, at the initiative of the President of our country, the International Cultural Forum "Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations" was jointly held in the city of Khiva. The UNESCO General Conference unanimously adopted the resolution "Khiva Process: Promotion of international cooperation in Central Asia", developed based on the results of the forum. And last year, a number of other major events were organized, including the ballet performance "Lazgi" (Tashkent), the international archaeological conference "Archeology and Tourism: identification of potential and Heritage Management".
In addition, at the initiative of the head of our state, as a result of a number of bilateral negotiations and in-depth training, an International Advisory Committee on Cultural Heritage Issues was established in cooperation with UNESCO. Its first meeting was held in September 2021 in a virtual format.
Over the past period, Bukhara has been awarded the UNESCO prize "Cities for Peace". The rich collection of manuscripts of "Mushaf Usman" and the Institute of Oriental Studies named after Abu Rayhan Beruni of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan is listed in the UNESCO register "Memory of the World". Unique sites such as Ichan-kala in Khiva, Samarkand - the crossroads of cultures, the historical centers of Bukhara and Shakhrisabz, as well as the mountains of the Western Tien Shan (as a natural heritage) are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This suggests that cooperation with UNESCO makes it possible to preserve, develop and popularize Uzbek culture, history and science abroad.
- Recently, a training seminar "Preservation of clay architecture" was held in Khiva within the framework of the cultural heritage program of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
What considerations were put forward at this scientific and practical conference held jointly with the Khorezm Mamun Academy?
- A training seminar was held for professional restorers, scientists and representatives of the Mamun Academy, the Ichan-Kala State Museum-Reserve in Khiva, as well as regional tourism and cultural heritage departments. Proposals were made based on the experience of countries (in particular Iran) that have similar historical monuments to preserve them.
Attention was also paid to the practical processes of preserving ancient monuments in Khiva. The walls of such structures are not protected: for 2500-3000 years they remain open to the effects of rain, wind, snow and the sun. In unfavorable environmental conditions, cracks and foci of destruction appear.
The possibilities of using new technologies for the conservation, restoration and proper repair of some parts of the walls of Dishan-kala, built in Khiva from raw clay, raw bricks and pakhsa, are being studied. The EBRD plans to invest in these processes, as well as contribute to the development of tourism. If new scientific methods of preserving historical monuments (such as the use of indicators that increase hydrophobic properties and reduce contact with water) are effective, then there will be a solution to the problem of preserving over a hundred fortresses in the Aral Sea region.
- Tell us about the ancient methods of preserving the cultural heritage that we inherited from our ancestors.

- In the process of restoration of cultural heritage objects, there are methods of construction and repair that have been used since ancient times: in particular, hataba, mosaic craftsmanship, carpentry (wood engraving), chasing and metal engraving and many other historical construction technologies. And today they are used in the restoration of cultural heritage objects in the republic.