The Cinematography Agency and the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan made noteworthy contributions to the event's significance. Our conversation with Firdavs Abdukhalikov, the Director of the Cinematography Agency and Chairman of the World Society clarified the results of this visit.
- First and foremost, Firdavs Fridunovich, could you kindly tell us the importance of this initiative and the partnership with experts from Azerbaijan?
-As a result of the initiatives taken by Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the range of friendly relations between the two nations' amicable ties has been gradually growing in recent years thanks to the initiatives of Presidents Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This collaboration resulted in the subsequent visit of Uzbek representatives of culture and science to Azerbaijan. The World Society, which is present in more than 40 nations, has developed collaborative and scholarly exchanges with Azerbaijani cultural institutions through active engagement. The Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan series has a new book that highlights objects kept in Azerbaijan, highlighting the rich cultural ties between two nations. This book is about the antiques of Uzbekistan kept in institutions such as the Muhammad Fuzuli Institute of Manuscripts, the Museum of History of Azerbaijan, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Carpet Museum.
- What do you think made this journey memorable?
-At the Muhammad Fuzuli Institute of Manuscripts of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, an engaging discussion on Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan: Dialogue of Cultures was held as part of the Days of Science and Culture of Uzbekistan on the initiative of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan. Participants included a number of academics and specialists from both nations as well as representatives of pertinent offices and organizations.
Academic Shuhrat Egamberdiev, the director of the Astronomy Institute of the Academy of Sciences in Uzbekistan; Elmira Gyul, a member of the World Society; Shirin Malikova, a doctorate candidate in art studies; Azizaga Najafov, the director of the National Carpet Museum of Azerbaijan; and other distinguished speakers presented the artifacts from this book, which are housed in Azerbaijani collections. They emphasized the distinctiveness of artifacts of Uzbekistan's cultural heritage.
Akmal Saidov, the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan was speaking at the ceremony. He discussed the importance of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the World Collections project in strengthening ties between the two nations.
Fifty volumes from the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the World Collections series were donated to the Muhammad Fuzuli Institute of Manuscripts under the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Teymur Karimli, the director of the Institute and a member of our society, has stated that all necessary arrangements will be made for Uzbek experts to visit and study pertinent manuscripts at this facility.
-Many rare books about Uzbekistan are kept in the Institute of Manuscripts, aren’t they?
-Yes, there are many documents about Uzbekistan kept in this Institute. Manuscripts with a rich history can be specifically listed, such as those by Zahir ud-Din Muhammad Babur, Abu Ali ibn Sina, Alisher Navoi, and Imam al-Bukhari. For the people of Azerbaijan, these notable historical figures from the Turkic world are also significant. The Institute’s of Manuscripts display of manuscripts about Uzbekistan introduced the event attendees to the subject matter. The Canon of Medicine by Ibn Sina, copied in 1258 and listed on the UNESCO special list, the Garayib us-sigar diwan, which was announced during the lifetime of Alisher Navoi, a 17th-century copy of the Baburnama and other rare manuscripts are on display in this exhibition.
The World Society's Epigraphy on Monuments of Uzbekistan and facsimile versions of Oriental miniatures with historical people were exhibited during the meeting at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.
- A presentation of books was also held at the Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku. Tell a little about it...
-The Heydar Aliyev Center, the national leader of Azerbaijan, is regarded as one of the most significant state-related structures. Usually, the largest domestic and worldwide events take place there. Initially, there was little concern about whether it would be hard to get fans into this wonderful central hall. But the center's big auditorium was completely occupied. This place hosted the Historical Personalities in Oriental Miniature exhibition, which was part of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan Book hall. Letters of gratitude were given to the participants and authors of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the collections of Azerbaijan after they were introduced.
According to Azerbaijani academician Isa Habibbayli, all events began at the designated hour. But the musical schedule this time began much later. People stay longer at our exhibitions, which is the reason. In the Heydar Aliyev Center, nothing like this ever happened before. The concert schedule, which featured performers from Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, was much better than it was anticipated. The audience stayed in the hall until the event was over.
-As far as we know, among these miniatures, there are also pictures of works of the great Azerbaijani poet, Nizami Ganjavi.
- In 2022, we released the book Kamal ud-Din Behzad, who embarrassed Mani" with the support of the World Society. Behzad made a great deal of his miniatures just for the writings of Nizami Ganjavi. due to the Timurids' great regard for Nizami's contributions. Alisher Navoi considered Nizami as his master, and he created five dastans in Turkish in response to the Khamsa. Reproduced in 1492, Navoi's Khamsa manuscript is currently kept in the British Library. A miniature depicts Navoi chatting in the garden with other poets and his teacher Nizami. This miniature is regarded as one of Behzad's most important masterpieces as well.
There is one more intriguing example. Mirza Ulugh Beg liked to read the writings by Nizami as well. One page from the Khamsa manuscript, which was copied in 1442 on Ulugh Beg's request, is kept in the United States' Freer Art Gallery. Mirza Ulugh Beg is pictured sitting in front of his children in this image.
It's interesting that Abdullatif, Ulugh Beg's son and the one who killed him, did not ignore this effort. The work Ravzatus-safo describes how Abdullatif, who became king after Ulugh Beg, was shocked when he read Nizami's words, "A patricide can not be a king, even if he can, he can not sit on the throne for more than six months." In fact, Abdullatif was murdered by Ulugh Beg's supporters in less than six months. This further demonstrates Nizami's closeness to the Truth.
- Now let's talk about common aspects between Uzbek and Azerbaijani cinema.
We might say that the collaboration between filmmakers from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan dates back to the early days of their respective countries' national cinematographies. Uzbek audiences enjoy magnificent movies from the previous century, including Azerbaijani cinematographers' "Arshin Mol-Olon," "Kaynona," and "Where is Ahmad?" Films from Uzbekistan like "Tahir and Zuhra," "Tashkent - City of Bread," "You Are Not An Orphan" and "Happy Weddings," have also gained interest from Azerbaijan, a neighboring country. Uzbek filmmakers produced films with Azerbaijani actors and actresses such Almas Alikhajaev, Svetlana Narbayeva, and Tamara Shakirova, as well as Azeri artists like Tariel Gasimov and Rasim Balayev.
-What has been done in recent years regarding cooperation in the field of cinematography?
The partnership of two countries' filmmakers is important for the cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Our creative relationships with our colleagues in Azerbaijan will persist in the ensuing years. Film experts from Azerbaijan have been actively taking part in the 2021 Tashkent International Film Festival since its restoration. Participating in the Third Turkish World Film Festival "Fearful Father" in Shusha, Azerbaijan in October, 2023, we also took home three trophies. In the Best Screenplay category, Muzaffar Erkinov's "Abdulla Oripov" took first place, while Shuhrat Mahmudov's "Matonat" took first place in the Best Documentary category. The film festival granted a special prize to the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan. Cinema activities are a big tradition in both countries. During today's visit, we held negotiations on strengthening cooperation with our Azerbaijani colleagues.
- What agreements have been concluded during this visit?
Eldar Mamedov's film "Eternal Friendship and Brotherhood" was screened on January 25 at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku during a gala evening hosted by the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan.
Additionally, we signed a memorandum to collaborate on the production of a feature film honoring the life and contributions of the renowned playwright, scholar, and writer Maksud Shaikhzada with Orkhan Fikratoglu, the head of the Azerbaijani Cinematography Agency.
It should be mentioned that Maksud Shaikhzada made a significant contribution to the growth of Uzbek literature. His unique plays, poetry, and scientific writings have become part of our people's spiritual heritage. The author's statue was placed in the Alley of Writers, which our President ordered to establish. The cinematography agency's documentary and chronicle film studio produced a documentary film honoring Maksud Shaikhzada.
We collaborate with Azerbaijani film professionals on a number of projects. We believe that the feature film "Maksud Shaikhzada" will be the exclusive product of our long-standing creative partnership, based on today's agreement.
A documentary film on the instances of our cultural legacy maintained in Azerbaijan is also being filmed in collaboration with the World Society for the Preservation, Study and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan. After filming in several educational institutions in Baku, such as the National History Museum of Azerbaijan, the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Carpet Museum, and the Muhammad Fuzuli Institute of Manuscripts of the Science Academy of Azerbaijan, the creative team returned.
Overall, our three-day visit to the neighboring country was enjoyable, educational, and practical in every manner. Over the course of these three days, we strengthened our relationships with our teachers, poets, and artists in as well as with Azerbaijan. The leaders of our nation, the first deputy speaker of the Oliy Majlis, the honorable senators and deputies who accompanied us, the coordinators of the Days of Science and Culture of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, and the staff of the Uzbekistan Embassy to Azerbaijan are all greatly appreciated for this trip.
- Thank you for the meaningful conversation!
Interviewed by Rustam JABBOROV.