TRT AVAZ: “Uzbekistan continues its efforts to repatriate its historical heritage from abroad”

On the website of Turkey’s influential TRT AVAZ television channel, which is aimed at Turkic-speaking countries, a report was published about the activities of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, particularly its efforts to repatriate historical heritage preserved in world museums and private collections. According to TRT AVAZ, valuable artifacts from the Samanid, Qarakhanid, Khwarazmian, Timurid, and Uzbek Khanate periods are kept in renowned art collections in London and other European cities.

The TRT AVAZ report gave special attention to an interview with academician Akbar Hakimov, a member of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan and the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan. In it, he spoke about a silver tray belonging to Abu Mansur ibn Sabuktigin of the Ghaznavid dynasty, which is preserved in London’s “Davud Shah Collection”.

For reference, it was previously reported that, in order to enrich the content of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, a delegation headed by the Center’s director visited London from April 25 to May 2, 2025. During the trip, they attended auctions at the world-famous “Sotheby’s” and “Christie’s” houses.

At these auctions, the delegation identified rare artifacts connected to Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, including items from the pre-Islamic era, the First and Second Renaissances, and the khanates period. A total of 46 lots were selected for the Center’s exhibition.

Such efforts serve as an important step in preserving, restoring, and passing on the national heritage to future generations.