My dear friends from throughout the world,
Up to now, I have done the following activities in terms of the international promotion of Uzbekistan’s literature and arts:
– English translation of the works of about 100 Uzbek poets and writers, including Alisher Navoi, the Father of Uzbek Literature; as well as the publication of my own translations in newspapers, magazines and in book format abroad;
– served as a bridge in the translation of Uzbek poetry and prose into many other foreign languages;
– nominated and provided technical assistance and moral stimulation to dozens of Uzbek writers, poets and artists in their participation in international festivals, creative writing programs and conferences;
– compiled and translated international poetic anthologies: “The Language of the Birds” and “Fish and Snake”;
– implemented a mini-video project “Poetry in the Tashkent Metro”;
– organized and coordinated literary, cultural, musical events, as well as exhibitions of artists in the house-museums of Aybek and Solomon Yudakov in the capital city Tashkent;
– conducted a free English Speaking Club for Uzbek poets, writers and artists;
– initiated and organized the first-ever international creative tourism program “UzLAB” (Uzbekistan’s Literature and Art Bridge);
– since 2018, successfully organized and directed the first-ever writer/artist residency program in Uzbekistan for foreign creative minds for five times”;
– organized reading sessions by international authors at the Kamchik Pass and historical Akhsikent in the Fergana Valley, Registan Square in Samarkand, Ichan-Kala in Khiva, and Ark in Bukhara;
– organized the Days of Uzbek Literature and Art abroad;
– held photo and video exhibitions, as well as screenings of films, dedicated to Uzbekistan in foreign countries;
– launched a project called “Literary mini-videos”;
– run a Telegram channel called “Mitti Ko’prik” (Tiny Bridge), by sharing information with Uzbeks about advanced international literary initiatives, the importance of the independence of literature and art, grants for writers and artists, tips on ‘how to be an international author’, etc;
Besides, I initiated the creation of an International House of Creativity in one of the neighborhoods of Tashkent; put forward a proposal to open Navoiy Institute (similar to Goethe Institute) in major cities of the world; put forward a proposal to include the City of Namangan (my hometown) in the list of UNESCO Cities of Literature; sent a proposal to the relevant authorities on the launch of Annual International Poetry Festival, as well as International Writers’ Festival in Uzbekistan (since we have no such festivals until now!); proposed to send Uzbek poets and writers to the Uzbek embassies abroad as cultural attachés and ambassadors; actively voted for the opening of literary agencies and independent creative organizations in Uzbekistan (since we don’t have one!); sent open letters and appeals to relevant authorities and the Uzbek President with a request to open the way and issue appropriate laws for the independent development of Uzbek literature and art, since this important field is strictly controlled by/or under the government; etc.
I am delighted to say that, despite the great obstacles, I did at least something for the Uzbek people and my country in promoting its literature, culture and arts abroad. Of course, I could never have done much of this work without the help of my family and sincere friends, who are all brilliant volunteers. I want to note that I have never asked the Uzbek government for help, on the contrary, I always reached out to them to offer my own help.
And now, I am very sorry to say that I have decided to close those projects, programs and initiatives of mine indefinitely, that is, I need to limit my role as a “promoter of Uzbek literature and arts in the international field.”
During my country’s 30-years of independence, it seemed to me that I would be able to wake up and inspire the sleepy, dormant souls of our esteemed comrades in the country: in both the government and private sector.
However, it turns out that this might take decades! Moreover, my official letters to the president have always been forwarded to the lowest level of local administrations, who said they would not be able to do something with participation of foreigners without a presidential or Cabinet of Ministers’ approval. None of the government officials responsible for literature and art raised an interest in meeting with me in person and listening to my proposals or joining already working projects of mine.
My dear friends,
I have met many, many of you in different countries during wonderful events, festivals, creative writing programs and residencies. Many of you have warmly welcomed me as your close and loving friend in your motherlands. Indeed, we became good friends over the years and even worked together on some literary and cultural projects. Some of you know it very well that for decades I have been trying to invite so many good writer, poet and artist friends to Uzbekistan, and I could finally start my own residency program three years ago. I was more than happy to learn that many of you wanted to come to my homeland and I was planning to do a bigger residency program this year in October.
Sadly, I lost my hope now if I would ever be able to host you again in Uzbekistan. I deeply realized that self-interest, corruption, laziness, greed, jealousy, lack of communication, and lack of elementary support are so deeply rooted not only in the upper ranks of our society, but also in the creative community of my beloved country as well. Please forgive me for not being able to show such a lovely Uzbek hospitality to many of you.
I hope we can meet again somewhere in the near future and celebrate life.
I love you all and extend my best wishes to you and your families. Stay safe and healthy until we meet in a smaller or biggest corner of our common Planet Earth!
Your friend,
Azam
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
