Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 23 January 2025, the National Library of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi hosted the opening of the exhibition “Romanian Writers in the Photo Studios of Their Time” and a poetry evening dedicated to Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu.

These events were organized in celebration of Romania’s National Culture Day, observed annually on January 15, marking the birth of the country’s national poet, Mihai Eminescu (1850–1889), whose works are considered masterpieces of Romanian and global culture.

The exhibition was organized by the Embassy of Romania in Uzbekistan with the support of the National Library of Uzbekistan and in partnership with the National Museum of Romanian Literature in Bucharest. It features materials from the museum’s archives, including 20 photographs of Romanian writers from the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition will remain open in the library’s foyer until 31 January 2025, with free admission.

Sabir Jampulatov, Deputy Director of the National Library of Uzbekistan, highlighted the library’s role in strengthening Uzbek-Romanian friendship. Meanwhile, Daniel Cristian Ciobanu, Romania’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, emphasized that developing bilateral relations with Uzbekistan is a key priority for Romania in Central Asia. He noted that cultural cooperation serves as a bridge that fosters closer ties between the two nations and expressed his gratitude to the National Library for its fruitful collaboration.

Following the exhibition opening, a poetry evening took place in the World Literature Hall of the library. Uzbek writer Sherzod Ortikov presented his essay “The Singer of Love”, dedicated to Mihai Eminescu, and read several of Eminescu’s poems translated into Uzbek.

In recent years, the National Library of Uzbekistan has hosted three other exhibitions dedicated to Romania: “Romania’s Contribution to the World Cultural Heritage” (2022), “George Enescu: Tribute to the Outstanding Romanian Composer” (2022), and “Romanian Diplomacy and the Great Union of Romania” (2023). These events were well-received by visitors and positively covered in Uzbek media and social networks, contributing to the promotion of Romanian culture and civilization among the Uzbek public.