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The centuries-old cultural affinity between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan was once again vividly demonstrated in Tashkent. A cultural dialogue entitled “Uzbekistan–Azerbaijan: Shared Heritage, Shared Values” was held at the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, during which the Azerbaijani side presented the Center with more than 150 books, traditional musical instruments, and a rare Karabakh carpet of symbolic significance.

The presentation ceremony, attended by Akif Marifli, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Uzbekistan, focused on the shared historical and cultural heritage of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, as well as issues related to its preservation and transmission to future generations. He noted that the cultural ties between the two peoples have evolved over centuries. Cooperation is also developing between the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, which has been operating in Uzbekistan for 16 years, and the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan. According to Akif Marifli, the Islamic Civilization Center serves not only Uzbekistan, but also the Turkic peoples and the broader Islamic world by contributing to the study and promotion of their shared cultural heritage.

“Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan share a thousand-year history of friendship. This friendship began with Nizami Ganjavi, continued with Alisher Navoi, and today has reached an even higher level thanks to the friendship and brotherhood between our Presidents. The establishment of the Islamic Civilization Center creates a solid foundation for bringing together our shared values, enriching them further, and passing them down from generation to generation. Islam represents our spiritual and religious values, while our Turkic identity is our heritage and pride,” he said.

Among the examples of cultural heritage presented at the event, a rare Karabakh carpet woven around the symbolism of the number “5” attracted particular attention.

At the presentation, Professor Tursunali Kuziev, Honored Art Worker of Uzbekistan, addressed issues of cultural dialogue between the two countries, emphasizing that such initiatives serve as an important means of gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage of our peoples. According to Professor T. Kuziev, the common features in the histories of the two peoples become even more evident through the joint study of their cultural heritage.

“As someone who has studied history for many years, seeing a Karabakh carpet for the first time today made me realize once again how much there still is for us to learn about Azerbaijani culture. The more we study each of the common elements in the histories of our peoples, the more clearly the shared nature of our histories becomes apparent. Our heritage is not ours alone. It is intertwined with the heritage of our friends,” said Professor Tursunali Kuziev.

The event also featured discussions on further expanding cooperation between the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan and the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, as well as promoting the shared historical and cultural heritage of the two peoples internationally.

At the conclusion of the event, the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan also presented commemorative gifts to the Azerbaijan National Cultural Center.

Relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, rooted in historical memory, cultural affinity, and shared values, are creating new avenues of cooperation for future generations. Shared heritage unites the past. Shared values pave the way for the future.