People's Poet of Uzbekistan Sharifa Salimova Passes Away at 74

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — People's Poet of Uzbekistan, prominent poet, and public figure Sharifa Salimova passed away on August 5 in her 75th year (aged 74).

Her passing was announced by the Union of Writers of Uzbekistan, which expressed deep condolences to her family, loved ones, and the literary community. The organization noted that the departure of Sharifa Salimova represents a heavy loss for Uzbek literature and culture.

Sharifa Salimova dedicated over half a century to the development of Uzbek literature. She entered the literary scene in the 1970s and gained wide recognition through collections such as "Hayot zavqi" ("Joy of Life"), "Mening bahorim" ("My Spring"), and other works dedicated to love for the Motherland, spiritual and moral values, family, youth education, and the role of women in society.

Over the years of her creative activity, her poetic and journalistic works were published, including "Xizr bulog‘i" ("Khizr's Spring"), "Yetti oqqush" ("Seven Swans"), "Giyohlar bilan tillashgan inson" ("The Person Who Spoke with Herbs"), "Ayolga ehtirom" ("Respect for Women"), "Tongga qasam" ("Oath to the Dawn"), "Diydor saodati" ("Happiness of Meeting"), "Olimlik va odamiylik" ("Scholarship and Humanity"), "Vatan suvrati" ("Image of the Motherland"), "Vafoning iffat yo‘li" ("The Path of Loyalty and Chastity"), and "Bedor tun tomchilari" ("Drops of a Sleepless Night").

The poet also penned the lyrics to many famous songs, including "Keep Your Head High, Woman!", "Motherland", "Mother's Call", "My Great Ruler", "Peace", "My Native Language, Mother", and "We Will Never Part with You, Motherland!".

A special place in her work was occupied by historical themes. In 2024, despite a severe illness, she completed the verse novel "Qabohat saltanati yoxud qor qo‘ynida lolalar" ("Kingdom of Atrocities, or Tulips in the Snow"), dedicated to the fates of Uzbek women repressed after studying in Germany in the 1920s. The source notes that the work was recognized as one of the significant examples of modern patriotic literature.

Sharifa Salimova actively participated in the country's public life. From 1999 to 2009, she served as a deputy of the Oliy Majlis and headed the Commission on Family and Women's Affairs. As a member of the Union of Writers of Uzbekistan, she paid great attention to supporting young authors and developing the literary process.

For her contribution to the development of literature and culture, Sharifa Salimova was awarded the honorary titles "People's Poet of Uzbekistan" and "Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan," and was decorated with the Order of "Mehnat Shukhrati" ("Labor Glory").