“Yulduzlar mangu yonadi”

“Yulduzlar mangu yonadi” (Stars burn forever) is a novella about kurash competitions in the Surxon oasis. The events develop around a kurash contest held among the people. The characters: the respected Bo‘ri polvon, his son Tilovberdi, other wrestlers Sadir polvon, Ro‘zi polvon and the old Normurod polvon, as well as Maksim polvon, a sambo sport master from the rival side. Bo‘ri polvon is pleased when kurash rules, cleanliness and fairness are observed: for him kurash is not mere victory but a school of courage and honesty. The excerpt gives kurash traditions in detail, but the main worry is the fear that the people’s customs will disappear. The main theme of the work is defending national values and customs. The manner of narration is special too: the writer speaks as if telling a legend to fellow villagers, in the simple short sentences of the people of the Surxon oasis. This simplicity, sincerity and directness bring the reader close. The work was written in 1976 and, standing against the ideology of that time, showed the need to preserve the nation’s identity.