Lessons 15 · 1 lessons · N. Jo‘rayev, A. Zamonov. History of Uzbekistan (the period of independence): textbook for Grade 11 pupils of secondary schools and for secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. G‘afur G‘ulom Publishing and Printing Creative House, Tashkent, 2018
15
Restoring spiritual and historical heritage
Textbook: pp. 95–101
GoalDescribe with dates the policy of historical memory, jubilees of renowned scholars and cities, the restoration of holidays and values, and the cultural-educational bodies.
New words
historical memory: what a society remembers of its past · tarixiy xotiraintangible cultural heritage: living traditions such as music, crafts and rituals · nomoddiy madaniy merosjubilee: the celebration of an important anniversary · yubileyspirituality, the moral and cultural life of society · ma’naviyat
Explanation
After independence, re-examining the nation’s history and restoring cultural heritage became an important part of state policy. The 550th anniversary of Alisher Navoi’s birth was widely marked in 1991, the 600th anniversary of Mirzo Ulugbek’s birth in 1994, and the 660th anniversary of Amir Temur’s birth in 1996; in 1996 the State Museum of the History of the Temurids was built in Tashkent. Official jubilees of several cities were held too: Khiva and Bukhara in 1997 (2500 years), Termez in 2002, Samarkand in 2007 (2750 years) and Tashkent in 2009 (2200 years). Navruz became a nationwide holiday on 21 March from 1991, Ramadan Eid and later also the Eid of Sacrifice were made days off from 1992, and in 1992 an Uzbek translation of the Qur’an was published. There are three official days of remembrance: 9 May “Day of Remembrance and Honouring” (since 1999), 31 August “Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Repression” (since 2001) and 2 September, a memorial day for the first President (since 2017). In 2016 Uzbek plov was added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage list; the “Spirituality and Enlightenment” public centre of 1994 was the forerunner of the Spirituality and Enlightenment Centre reorganised in 2017.
Worked examples
Example: a city jubilee is prepared by government decision and includes archaeological study, an exhibition, a scholarly conference and restoration of monuments.
Example: days of remembrance — 9 May honours war participants and home-front workers, while 31 August commemorates the victims of repression.
Class activity
Memory ribbon: groups place three remembrance days, three jubilees and three holidays on a timeline and draw one picture or symbol for each.
Practice
1
The jubilees of which historical figures were widely marked in 1991–1996?
Alisher Navoi (1991), Mirzo Ulugbek (1994), Amir Temur (1996).
2
Name the three official days of remembrance and their dates.
9 May — Day of Remembrance and Honouring; 31 August — Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Repression; 2 September — memorial day for the first President.
3
Why is it important for society to preserve historical memory?
It helps learn lessons from the past, understand national identity and keep the link between generations.
4
From which year has Navruz been marked on 21 March as a nationwide holiday?