Uzbekistan: WOSCU and the Center of Islamic Civilization have returned the lost heritage from the UK

Uzbekistan: WOSCU and the Center of Islamic Civilization have returned the lost heritage from the UK

Thanks to the joint work of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Promotion of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan (WOSCU), the OSCE, an international specialized company engaged in the search for stolen, lost and illegally exported works of art, antiques and cultural property, Art Loss Register, Metropolitan Police Service, British relevant structures and international experts The rarest unique masterpieces of world significance are returning to Uzbekistan.

In London, the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan hosted an international media event "History and cultural heritage of the Great Temurids", dedicated to the 690th anniversary of the birth of the great statesman and commander Amir Temur. The event brought together leading British and foreign historians, Orientalists, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the scientific community, cultural circles and international organizations. During the evening, special materials were presented about the personality of Amir Temur, his role in world history, the achievements of the Timurid era, as well as modern initiatives of Uzbekistan to preserve historical heritage. A special event of the evening was the premiere of the new mini-film "The Golden Age of the Timurids" starring Sir Ben Kingsley, an outstanding British actor of world class.

Of particular interest was the presentation of a new edition prepared by WOSCU as part of the series "Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the collections of the world", Firuza Melville's book "The Handwritten Heritage of Central Asia in the libraries of Cambridge University", dedicated to the unique written monuments of the region.

The culmination of the event was the solemn ceremony of the return of cultural values of Uzbekistan, which aroused great interest among the participants of the event. Among the returned items are ten priceless artifacts from various eras of Central Asian history. Some of the finds are related to the culture of the Kushan period, ancient Termez, Buddhist artistic traditions and the heritage of Sogd. Some items date back to the II–VIII centuries AD. The lists of the returned heritage also include the unique Temurid cenotaph, which belonged to the royal person.

- The return of historical artifacts was the result of extensive and painstaking international work that lasted several months. Dozens of specialists, experts, lawyers, art historians and representatives of law enforcement agencies from several countries stood behind this event. The return process began after receiving information about items allegedly originating from the territory of Uzbekistan. After that, an international working group of the Center for Islamic Civilization was formed with the support of foreign experts – members of WOSCU, art historians and experts on cultural heritage. Today we express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in the implementation of this important program, and first of all to the OSCE, the Art Loss Register, the Metropolitan Police, relevant government agencies of the United Kingdom, international experts, as well as to all partners who contributed to the return of cultural values of Uzbekistan," said the Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, Chairman of the The Board of WOSCU Firdavs Abdukhalikov.

The key role in the return process was played by WOSCU, which in recent years has become one of the most effective international mechanisms for the search, study and return of cultural heritage of Uzbekistan from foreign collections.

- For UK law enforcement agencies, participation in the return of cultural property to its rightful owner is an important part of international efforts to combat illicit trafficking in property and crimes in the field of art. We are proud that today we have the opportunity to pass on these values to the people of Uzbekistan. We see how much attention President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev pays to issues of culture, historical memory and the return of national heritage. All this creates important conditions for such initiatives and unites the efforts of different countries for a noble purpose," said Detective Superintendent Kerry Wood, Head of the Economic Crimes Unit.

According to experts, among the returned objects, a special place is occupied by sculptural heads made of shtuka and terracotta, dating from about the II–V centuries AD. Such works are typical of the cultural environment of the Kushan period and the Buddhist art centers of ancient Termez, including Kara Tepe, Fayaz Tepe and Dalverzintepa. Fragments of ancient wall paintings are of no less interest. Some of them may be related to the Sogdian artistic tradition of the 7th–8th centuries or to earlier monumental schools in southern Uzbekistan.

"The returned items are of exceptional historical and scientific value, as they relate to various eras of the ancient history of the territory of modern Uzbekistan and reflect the diversity of civilizational processes that have taken place in Central Asia over the centuries," said Dr. Farkhod Maksudov, Director of the Institute of Anthropology of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

After admission to Tashkent, the items will undergo additional attribution, restoration examination and scientific description. This will allow them to be introduced into international academic circulation and presented to the general public for the first time as a returned part of the historical memory of Uzbekistan.

The ceremony included the signing of official documents and the exchange of certificates confirming the legitimate transfer of returned cultural property to the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. This act has become an important symbol of international cooperation, the restoration of historical justice and the return of priceless relics to their historical homeland.

— This event may be the beginning of a new stage: following London, similar processes are possible in other countries where objects originating from Uzbekistan are located. Such examples show that international cooperation and responsible attitude towards cultural heritage are capable of restoring historical justice and returning to peoples their priceless values," said James Radcliffe, Chairman of the Art Loss Register.

This act has become an important symbol of international cooperation, trust, legal responsibility and the restoration of historical justice.