Throughout history, our people have always shown respect towards the fairer sex! These aspects are reflected in ancient manuscripts and the miniatures created for them. Specifically, Kamoliddin Behzad skillfully depicted the image of Eastern women in his works.
Behzad and the miniatures he created are extensively featured in books and albums published by the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularization of Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan. Our correspondent, Elyor Gurugliev, was interested in the opinion of the international community on this topic.
Kamola Akilova, a Doctor of Art History, leads the institution housing the most priceless treasures of our country. The Uzbekistan State Art Gallery's collection is incredibly rich, and Akilova has conducted numerous scientific studies on their exploration and research. As an academic of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, she has been part of scientific communities in many countries. Each time, she takes pride in being a successor of her ancestors, known for their high culture and art.
Kamola Akilova: Being the heir to such a cultural heritage, with the presence of such remarkable historical cities in Uzbekistan, instills a sense of pride. I often participate in various international forums and conferences, where there are claims over the ownership of historical artifacts. Uzbek scholars assert that if a cultural heritage is discovered within the territory of Uzbekistan, it not only has a specific address but is also part of the global cultural heritage.
According to Akilova, miniature art is a distinct means of communication, just as writing and language are. This aspect is evident in the works of Kamoliddin Behzad. An original copy of a miniature from 1494, depicting Shirin watching a painting of Khosrow, is currently preserved in the British Library. The portrayal of women in it reflects not only a beautiful process but also the spirit of the times and society's attitude towards women at that time.
Kamola Akilova expressed, "We talk a lot about women, now we discuss gender, but if we look at this Eastern art of miniature, we'll see many female figures. We observe how these women lived their lives in a hedonistic spirit, and see them in various situations. These images hide the beauty typical of Eastern women, reflecting a certain patience and the beauty of the inner world."
The history and condition of the facsimile copy of this miniature are meticulously studied by scholars. Kamola Akilova played an active role in the creation of several series of the book albums "Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in World Collections." According to Akilova, such books and albums published by the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Popularization of Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan are important not only for showcasing our cultural heritage but also for studying history.
Kamola Akilova emphasizes the importance of book publishing, highlighting the uniqueness of such a project, which is unparalleled globally. She notes the rich cultural heritage of Uzbekistan and how unique works have spread worldwide. The project aims to collect and display these works preserved in various global museums. Firdavs Abdukhalikov's role is significant in this endeavor, alongside Edward Vasilyevich Rtveladze, the renowned academic and project consultant, who instilled confidence in the team.
Today the World Society is studying and promoting original artifacts that are an integral part of our cultural heritage.
At the same time, scientific research and the work of art historians such as Kamola Akilova are of great importance, - Elyor Gurugliev, Bobur Yoldoshev for the information program "Zamon".