“Literary friendship has become a new platform for the region’s creators”

Within the framework of the prestigious international congress held in Tashkent, representatives of the creative community gathered in one venue: at the roundtable discussion titled “Literary Friendship – Eternal Friendship,” writers from Central Asia and Azerbaijan reaffirmed that the shared spiritual roots, literary heritage, and translation culture continue to unite kindred nations.

An international literary roundtable titled “Literary Friendship – Eternal Friendship” was held within the framework of the international congress “Central Asia: Shared Spiritual-Educational Heritage – Shared Future,” organized in Tashkent at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and with the practical support of the government. This literary meeting became one of the most significant cultural-literary segments of the major educational congress held on 13–15 November at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The congress, organized through the cooperation of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Academy of Sciences, WOSCU, and the Central Asia International Institute, aimed to strengthen the shared cultural space, enhance literary solidarity, and deepen regional spiritual dialogue. Nearly 350 international and local writers, scholars, translators, and cultural figures took part in the congress.

Prominent literary figures from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan participated in the “Literary Friendship – Eternal Friendship” roundtable.

The main goal of the discussion was to strengthen friendship among nations through literature, increase the effectiveness of artistic translation, and elevate creative cooperation—built upon shared spiritual roots—to a new stage.

Sirojiddin Sayyid, Chairman of the Uzbekistan Writers’ Union, emphasized the role of literary processes in enhancing mutual understanding, friendship, and spiritual closeness among nations, highlighting the responsibility of authors and the opportunities for expanding the shared cultural space.

Kanibek Imonaliev, Chairman of the Kyrgyz National Writers’ Union, highly praised the Islamic Civilization Center, sharing his thoughts about its value for the history, scholarship, and spirituality of Central Asia and Turkic peoples:

This building does not belong to Uzbekistan alone — it is the treasure of the entire region. The Qur’an Hall, the interactive 3D library, and the spiritual energy radiating from each exhibition left a profound impression on us.

He also spoke about ongoing bilateral translations, the respect shown to the legacy of Chingiz Aitmatov, international festivals held in Kyrgyzstan, and expressed an intention to invite Uzbek writers to next year’s Aitmatov Forum at Issyk-Kul.

Aliakbar Abdulloyev, Director of the Literary Fund of the Tajik Writers’ Union, described the Islamic Civilization Center as “a jewel among the world’s scientific and cultural institutions.”

Establishing such a miraculous center in a short time and equipping it in accordance with global standards is a monumental achievement. Seeing the original Mushaf was a historic honor for us, said Aliakbar Abdulloyev.

He noted that by creating this center, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has gifted the nation an eternal spiritual legacy.

During the event, Akbar Abdullo, head of the Literary Fund of the Tajik Writers’ Union, presented Sirojiddin Sayyid and Risolat Haydarova with the “Sukhan” badge of honor. The award recognized their contributions to strengthening literary solidarity and fostering regional cooperation.

The roundtable proposed concrete initiatives such as preparing joint literary anthologies, expanding cooperation in translation and publishing, launching fraternal projects in children’s literature, and organizing international creative programs for young writers.

The “Literary Friendship – Eternal Friendship” initiative is becoming an important platform for building a shared future founded on books, knowledge, and enlightenment, strengthening spiritual unity, literary culture, and creative relations among nations.