Scholars and specialists from nearly fifty nations, heads and other officials of prominent international organizations arrived May 14 in Samarkand to take part in the international academic conference “The Historical Legacy of Scientists and Thinkers of the Medieval East, Its Role and Significance for the Modern Civilization.”
UzA reporters have talked with some of the conference participants.
Sang Gak Lee, Professor of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Seoul National University, South Korea:
“I have been in Uzbekistan for the third time. Every time I come here, I get convinced of the enormous significance attached in this country to the development of all spheres, notably to construction and transport communications. This is indicative of the tremendous attention being paid to the persistent growth in the wellbeing of people. I have been delighted by the swift advancement of the railway sector in Uzbekistan. A bright case in this regard is the speedy electric train Afrosiab that shuttles between Tashkent and Samarkand.
“This conference that has gathered celebrated scholars and specialists from a diversity of countries is an important event also for astronomy along with other spheres. The forum is to provide an opportunity to open up new frontiers not discovered so far in the legacy of Mirzo Ulugbek. I would like to stress in particular that Uzbekistan is one of those unique regions for astronomy research.
“Our university closely cooperates with the Institute of Astronomy of Uzbekistan’s Academy of Sciences. The latter’s Maidanak observatory is considered one of the most eminent facilities around the world with its geographical location, the favorable atmospheric conditions and the astronomic climate. At cloudless nights, thousands of sky bodies can be observed through telescopes at Maidanak. Cashing in these kinds of conditions, Uzbek scientists have been making remarkable achievements.
“The modern digital camera that the telescope at Maidanak is equipped with is a practical result of the Uzbek-South Korean cooperation. This facilitates the further intensification of research works in astronomy.”
Janush Krzizovski, Head of Department at the University of Warsaw, Poland:
“The inimitable architectural monuments of the ancient Samarkand, particularly the madrassahs of Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tillakori at the Registan Square, wield immense spiritual fortitude, grandeur and beauty. Your people can by right be proud of such unique monuments of antiquity that reflect the rich history of Uzbekistan. While traveling across this country, I have witnessed wide-ranging construction and creative works, new modern complexes and residential quarters, and I got impressed to the end by the mastery and potential of Uzbekistan’s people.
“At the international conference I intend to present a report on the creativity of Alisher Navoi. The literary and philosophical heritage left from that great thinker is perpetual and his artistic genius is boundless in terms of both time and space. When one reads the magnificent ghazels of Navoi that glorify love, friendship and devotion, beauty and elegance, one understands the whole depth of his great and magnanimous soul. And five centuries on, his poetic lines still excite millions of people. I cannot but cite verses from my beloved ghazel of Alisher Navoi:
She barely concealed her face that made me shed tears with depression:
The moment is given for the birth of stars when the heavenly body is hidden. (amateur translation)
“The grandeur and value of Navoi’s poetry is in the harmonious interconnectedness of the perfection of form with the depth of substance.”
Shioya Akifumi, Professor of Tsukuba University, Japan:
“The ancient land of Uzbekistan fostered a lot of famed scholars and thinkers. The Canons of Medicine by Ibn Sino still serve as a guide for action for physicians around the world in the name of the health of people.
“I would like to stress in particular that ties between Uzbekistan and Japan have been advancing consistently also in other areas along with economy and culture.”
Siddharth Saxena, Chairman of the Central Asia Forum at Cambridge University, United Kingdom:
“The wide-ranging reforms being implemented during the independent development years in Uzbekistan facilitate growth in the wellbeing of your people. Every time I come to Uzbekistan, I get impressed by the speed of the country’s transformation for the better. I envy the immense changes and renewal in the socio-economic, academic and construction spheres.
“The Uzbek model of development built on the five principles elaborated by President Islam Karimov has earned an extensive acknowledgement thanks to its high effectiveness and vigor. This factor allows for a steadfast economic growth in this country amid the still ongoing financial and economic crisis in numerous countries.
“The enthusiastic study of foreign languages in Uzbekistan is a result of a special attention paid to the development of education sphere.”
