Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - A conference was held in Paris on the theme “Uzbekistan - the promised land and the country — the righteous of the world”, dedicated to the celebration of the Day of Defenders of the Motherland, as well as the beginning of the anniversary year of Victory in the Second World War.

The organizer of the event was the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Paris, and the initiator was a group of our compatriots living in France and the United States. The conference was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, expert, scientific and business circles of France, as well as diaspora organizations.

Welcoming the audience, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to France Sardor Rustambaev informed about the ongoing work in our country to perpetuate the feat of the Uzbek people during the Second World War. In this context, the creation of the Victory Park in Tashkent, initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was scheduled to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Victory, as well as the enormous contribution of the Uzbek people to save about 2 million people during the war.

It was emphasized that the intelligentsia evacuated to Uzbekistan, thanks to its great intellectual potential, made a significant contribution to the development of many sectors of the economy, culture, science and art. Among the evacuated were well-known composers, writers, doctors, lawyers and representatives of other professions.

The positive historical experience of Uzbekistan in the field of the policy of multiculturalism and religious tolerance is especially noted. In this regard, the importance of the Resolution of the UN General Assembly "Education and Religious Tolerance" adopted in 2018 on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was once again emphasized.

At the event, a project entitled “Stolen Childhood” was presented, dedicated to the wide dissemination of information about the role of the Uzbek people in saving evacuated children during the Second World War. It is presented for the first time in Europe, which, according to the participants, is important and symbolic, since France has a large number of people whose relatives were saved by the Uzbek people.

“As a child who was evacuated to Kokand during the war, I witnessed the sincere human kindness and hospitality of the Uzbek people,” says the famous French writer and public figure Marek Halter. - My life could end in 1941, but today I am with you here, thanks to Uzbekistan. I received the first lessons of wisdom, morality and poetry in Kokand, which I recall with gratitude in my books. In moments of hardship and grief, the Uzbek people extended a helping hand to us, warmed and fed us - we will never forget this, we know and remember well. We must tell the whole world that we owe life to Uzbekistan.

Speaking at the event, Voldemar Kobriner, now 90, told how his family found salvation in Bukhara during the Second World War.

- After evacuation to Siberia, we were transported to Bukhara, where we lived in good conditions, surrounded by the care and warmth of the Uzbek people. Uzbek families shared the last piece of bread, provided us with shelter and - most importantly - showed sincere solidarity and kindness. Many children from other parts of the former union were also evacuated with me. Among them are children of Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, as well as Koreans evacuated to Uzbekistan in 1938. Uzbek families turned into a multinational home. All lived together, respected each other. It is necessary to carry out more such events that are aimed at educating the younger generation of such feelings as humanity, solidarity and tolerance,” he said.

According to Henri Bilezhiak, who was evacuated to Samarkand during the war, the Uzbek people made an invaluable contribution to saving the gene pool of many nationalities:

- When we drove through the streets of Samarkand, almost every house was surrounded by women who wanted to take evacuated children, despite difficult times. Ten years ago I visited Uzbekistan, where I once again made sure that the Uzbek people have not changed in their kindness and generosity. The spirit of tolerance and mutual respect still reigns in the country - you need to preserve this wealth, which you will not find in many places now and share your experience with the whole world,” he emphasized.