Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 25 January, a gala evening took place at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku as part of the Days of Science and Culture of Uzbekistan. At the event, the presentation of publishing projects of the World Society, as well as the presentation of the illustrated book-album “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of Azerbaijan” took place, which presents rare examples of Uzbek art stored in the National Institute of Manuscripts of Azerbaijan named after M. Fuzuli of ANAS, the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, National Historical Museum of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Carpet Museum.

Scientists from the two countries noted that thanks to the project “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the World’s Collections,” unique factual material has been collected, which today serves as the basis for further in-depth research of Uzbek heritage around the world.

“We are proud to be part of the World Society and the research that our specialists conducted to publish the book-album “The Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of Azerbaijan,” said Academician, General Director of the Museum of History of Azerbaijan Nailya Velinkhaly. – The centuries-old connections of our peoples have left a rich layer of culture, which today we carefully preserve and study! All this becomes possible thanks to the efforts and support of the heads of our states, issues of culture and spirituality. These issues are the main priorities in both Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. We are glad that new generations of researchers will have the chance to become acquainted with this historical heritage through these books.

Director of the Institute of Manuscripts named after Muhammad Fuzuli of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, academician Teymur Gashym oglu Karimli noted that the basis for cooperation between the Institute of Manuscripts named after Muhammad Fuzuli of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and the World Society was laid back in 2022. “We are pleased to receive such a generous gift for the library of our Institute - the next 15 volumes of the publishing series. Yesterday, within the framework of the Days of Science and Culture of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Azerbaijan, we held a round table

“Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan: dialogue of cultures”, and today we are all standing together on the stage of the Heydar Aliyev Center and have an excellent opportunity to present our common work, our book “Cultural heritage of Uzbekistan in the collections of Azerbaijan” and discuss with friends from Uzbekistan the prospects for our further cooperation! Thank you Uzbekistan!”

As part of the presentation, a ceremony was also held to present certificates of gratitude to more than 20 scientists from Azerbaijan who took part in the work on a new book-album on behalf of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan (WOSCU). The diplomas were presented to the scientists by Academician, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairman of the Editorial Board of the project “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of the World” Akmal Saidov, Chairman of the Board of the World Society Firdavs Abdukhalikov and WOSCU specialists. 
At the event, a welcoming speech was read from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the World Society, the head of the sponsor company of the project “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of the World” Eriell Group Bakhtiyor Fazylov. In his address, he expressed sincere gratitude to the scientists, management and staff of museums in Azerbaijan, who carefully preserve and study priceless exhibits, revealing to the world new facets of the glorious history and culture of Uzbekistan. “We will continue to support projects aimed at expanding our relations and strengthening their strong foundation based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and trust.”
The unique publishing masterpieces of the World Society will now decorate the Heydar Aliyev Center itself - representatives of the Center were awarded certificates for receiving 50 volumes of book-albums in the series “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the World’s Collections”. A set of books was donated to the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A landmark event of the Days of Science and Culture ceremony was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Uzbekistan Cinematography Agency and the Azerbaijan Cinematography Agency. The document was signed by the director of the Cinematography Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, and the director of the Cinematography Agency under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Orhana Fikret oglu. Participants got acquainted with the announcement of the film “Mahmoud Sheikhzada”, which will be filmed jointly by Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

- In 2023, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took the initiative to create a cycle of 50 historical films of Uzbekistan “Living History”, dedicated to the life and contribution of historical figures of our country. One of the films included in the draft program, designed for 7 years, was the co-production film “Mahmud Shaykhzoda”. Last year, the Uzbekistan Cinematography Agency signed a number of memorandums with foreign countries, and the new year 2024 was marked by the landmark signing of a memorandum on the creation of the film “Makhsud Shaykhzoda” together with the Azerbaijan Cinematography Agency. We believe that this co-production will be loved by the peoples of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan and will become an important contribution to preserving the common cultural ties of our peoples,” said Firdavs Abdukhalikov.

The official part ended with a bright and colorful concert program prepared by the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan, with the participation of People's Artist of Uzbekistan Farrukh Zakirov, Uzbek pop stars Ozoda Nursaidova, People's Artist of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan Gulyanag Mamedova and famous opera singer, People's Artist of Uzbekistan Ramiz Usmanov.