"Hi, my name is Nicholas Walmsley. I'm from the United Kingdom. I first came to Uzbekistan in 2012, and then I stayed here again in 2013-2014 when I was doing my research. I spent six months at the Al-Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies doing my research.
I was very excited to be invited to participate in the 7th Congress in Samarkand in October. It was the first time I participated in one of these Congresses. I've been invited because of my expertise, my interest in Alisher Navoi. At the moment I'm currently translating about 300 of Alisher Navoi's Khazals.
I was very happy to participate in the conference to talk about my work, and in particular to meet with other scholars and experts, not just on Alisher Navoi, but Uzbek literature more generally speaking, and also to look at the kinds of work and publications that are being created at the moment. I think this organization is doing a lot of very important work, significant work that will contribute to a wider and deeper understanding of all the important aspects of Uzbekistan history and culture.
It is my first time in this office. It's very beautiful. It must be a very comfortable place to work, very nice atmosphere, and it's good to see so many of these publications that have been produced over the years, to see and meet with the people who are putting so much work into producing these publications and organizing these congresses, and really working hard to build up strong relationships between Uzbekistan cultural and historical organizations and partners overseas".
