Tashkent Hosts Uzbek-Kazakh Writers Forum

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Tashkent and the Tashkent region will host a joint forum of writers from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on 2–3 September 2026, titled Spiritual Heritage of the Turkic World: Literature — Dialogue of Epochs and Generations, organizers said in a joint press release.

The event marks the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence, the centenary of the First Turkological Congress held in Baku in 1926, and the 585th anniversary of the birth of Uzbek poet and thinker Alisher Navoi. Organizers noted that the forum holds special significance following an initiative by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to hold international conferences dedicated to Navoi's anniversary.

The forum is organized by Uzbekistan's Ministry of Pre-School and School Education, Uzbekistan's Ministry of Culture, the Tashkent regional hokimiyat, the writers' unions of both nations, and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.

Activities on 2 September begin at School No. 34 named after Rakhmetolla Raimkulov in Karamanas village, Bostanlyk district, Tashkent region. Events include the opening of the school year, the inauguration of a renovated library and co-working space, book donations, creative meetings, and an open lesson on Raimkulov's legacy. Abdusaid Kuchimov, Director General of the National News Agency of Uzbekistan (UzA), will deliver a lecture on the 35th anniversary of independence.

Participants include presidential advisors Khayriddin Sultonov of Uzbekistan and Malik Otarbayev of Kazakhstan, Uzbek Minister of Pre-School and School Education Ezozkhon Karimova, Uzbek Culture Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Kazakh Ambassador to Uzbekistan Yeraly Tugzhanov, writers' union chairmen Sirojiddin Saidov and Mereke Kulkenov, Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation President Aktoty Raimkulova, alongside prominent writers, poets, and scholars.

On 3 September, the forum moves to Tashkent, opening with a flower-laying ceremony at the Alisher Navoi monument. The program features an archival exhibition on the 1926 Baku congress, a plenary session, a panel on bilateral literary dialogue, book presentations, and a roundtable on Turkic literary cooperation. Discussions will focus on mutual translations, joint publishing, supporting young authors, digitizing literary heritage, and strengthening ties among cultural institutions.

The forum will conclude with the adoption of the Tashkent Declaration, outlining long-term cooperation. The document will be signed by the heads of the two writers' unions and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. Organizers aim to solidify centuries-old ties and establish the forum as a regular event.