Alisher Navoi, icon of Uzbek literature, honoured with statue unveiling in Hungary – photos
A statue honouring Alisher Navoi, one of the most significant figures in Uzbek literature and culture, has been erected in Hungary. The statue, sculpted in bronze by Györgyi Lantos, was unveiled in a ceremony attended by several dignitaries.
Péter Sztáray, Minister of State for Security Policy, Avazkhan Tadjikhanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aybek Shakhavdinov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Hungary, and Sándor Lezsák, Vice President of the Hungarian Parliament and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the People’s College Foundation, unveiled the statue on Saturday at the Hungarikum Liget in Lakitelek.
Following the unveiling of the statute honouring Alisher Navoi, host Sándor Lezsák remarked that the Hungarikum Liget (formerly known as Lakitelek Folk High School) has completed the Christian Pantheon in front of the St Stephen’s Chapel, which commemorates martyrs and heroes of faith, including the martyred high priests of the 20th century. In front of Kölcsey House, the National Pantheon pays tribute to those who have greatly contributed to the development of Hungarikum Island. The Pantheon of Hun-Turkic-related peoples has now been enriched by the addition of a statue of Alisher Navoi, the Uzbek polymath, poet, historian, scientist, and founder of Uzbek literature.
Cultural significance and Uzbek-Hungarian relations
Sándor Lezsák also highlighted the establishment of the Central Asian Department at János Neumann University, under the direction of Dávid Kara Somfai and Ernő Keskeny. One of its aims will be to foster links with other universities around the world and to promote the culture and economy of related Turkic nations, which, according to him, are “a nobler currency than the euro or dollar,” BAON reported.
Péter Sztáray, State Secretary for Security Policy, emphasised the success of Hungary’s “Eastern Opening” policy, which has resulted in increased trade, meetings, and visits between Hungary and the Turkic states. He noted that in the case of Uzbekistan, the Hungarian government’s Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme allows 170 Uzbek students to pursue higher education in Hungary each year.
The legacy of Alisher Navoi and Uzbekistan’s initiatives
Avazkhan Tadjikhanov, First Deputy Minister of Culture and head of the Uzbek delegation, described Alisher Navoi as a great poet, thinker, and statesman, whose invaluable creative and scientific legacy holds a special place not only in Uzbek literature but also in world literature. He stressed that
the recent initiatives led by Uzbekistan’s President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aim to deepen the study of Navoi’s rich creative heritage and promote his timeless works both in Uzbekistan and abroad.
The Deputy Minister also mentioned the establishment of an international public foundation named after Alisher Navoi, which aims to translate Navoi’s works into foreign languages and publish high-quality scholarly editions. Additionally, an award named after Navoi is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Turkic world in the fields of science, culture, and the arts. This prestigious prize, according to Tadjikhanov, helps to strengthen Turkic unity.
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He also noted that statues of Alisher Navoi can now be found in cities such as Tokyo, Shanghai, Washington, Moscow, Minsk, Astana, Baku, Dushanbe, Osh, and Ashgabat. He expressed pride that Lakitelek has joined this list, viewing it as a symbol of the growing friendship between Uzbekistan and Hungary.
Aybek Shakhavdinov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Hungary, expressed gratitude to Hungary for the opportunity to erect the statue and acknowledged the strengthening of Uzbek-Hungarian relations, to which the Embassy in Budapest strives to contribute.
The ceremony was further enhanced by performances from Uzbek guest artists, ethnographer and folk music researcher Gergely Agócs, and the Dudorások Citerazenekar. Following the statue’s inauguration, the exhibition *Street View Along the Silk Road – Photographs of Sándor Ujvári from Uzbekistan* was opened.
Read also: Uzbekistan celebrates National Day with a gala reception in Budapest – details, photos
Óbuda University partner in a science park in Uzbekistan
In related news, Hungary’s Óbuda University has played a key role in the establishment of a science park in Uzbekistan, as László Bódis, Deputy State Secretary at the Culture and Innovation Ministry, announced on Monday.
The Uzbek government recently inaugurated the Inno-TechnoPark in Jizzakh, and Bódis confirmed that Óbuda University would participate in joint projects at the park, focusing on healthcare technology, material sciences, ICT, and digital technologies.
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