BERLIN, February 22. /Dunyo IA/. A cultural and educational evening was held at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Germany, dedicated to the 585th anniversary of the great poet and statesman Alisher Navoi, as well as the 543rd anniversary of the birth of the king and poet Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The literary and educational event, dedicated to the life and works of these outstanding ancestors, brought together representatives of the wider German public, officials from respected organizations, members of the diplomatic corps in Berlin, professors and lecturers specializing in Turkic at Humboldt University of Berlin and Free University of Berlin, German students studying the Uzbek language, media representatives, as well as Uzbek nationals residing and conducting academic and professional activities in Germany.

Opening the event, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Dilshod Akhatov, congratulated attendees on the 585th anniversary of Alisher Navoi and highlighted the immense contribution of Navoi and Babur to the development of Uzbek literature and the formation of the Uzbek literary language. He emphasized that the government is currently undertaking systematic efforts to study and promote the rich cultural heritage of these great ancestors at both national and international levels, as well as to transmit it to future generations. The Ambassador noted that Navoi’s works are actively studied in Germany and his ideas continue to serve as a vital source for spiritual education and societal development today.

German Islamic studies scholar and head of the “Cultur-Cooperation International e.V.” organization, Kathleen Göbel, speaking on the anniversary of Alisher Navoi, characterized him as the founder of the Uzbek literary language, a poet, thinker and statesman, emphasizing his contributions to building schools, libraries and hospitals for the public good. She explored the specifics of the ghazal genre, its form and layers of meaning, noting that in the Sufi tradition, the image of love takes on the significance of divine love, while maqam music resonates with this spiritual essence. Furthermore, the researcher conducted a comparative analysis of the works of Navoi, Babur and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, sharing scholarly reflections on the emergence of the ghazal genre in German literature under the influence of Eastern poetry and the creation of Goethe’s “West-Eastern Divan”.

Speakers highlighted the significant place of these great thinkers in world literature and shared findings from scholarly research dedicated to their invaluable legacy.

As part of the event, in collaboration with the head of the cultural society “San’at – Forum”, Zukhra Rakhmatova, an exhibition titled “A heritage connecting centuries: Uzbek Miniature Art” was organized, featuring miniatures reflecting the works of Navoi and Babur.

The literary evening was further enriched by performances from the ensemble “Somoniy” Ensemble, affiliated with the Abdurauf Fitrat Specialized Boarding School in Bukhara, which presented classical compositions and folk musical pieces set to the poetry of Navoi and Babur.

At the conclusion of the event, Dunyo Information Agency’s correspondent spoke with a number of participants.

Olivia Nikel, Vice President of the of the club’s Executive Board, “Willkommen in Berlin”, noted that the event provided her with valuable insights into such outstanding poets and statesmen as Navoi and Babur. She was particularly impressed by the presentation on the ghazal genre, its poetic meters and the thematic depth of Navoi's works. She also found it fascinating that the great German poet Goethe, inspired by Eastern literature, paved the way for the ghazal in German letters.

-  It is especially heartening that the Uzbek-German literary dialogue, established since the time of Navoi and Goethe as a profound spiritual bridge, continues today, enriched with new meaning. Listening to the ghazals of Navoi and Babur performed in the maqam genre - so distinct from Western music - and viewing the miniatures reflecting their work, felt like a brief immersion into the world of the “One Thousand and One Nights”, - she emphasized.

Barbara Kellner‑Heinkele, Professor Emerita of Turkic Studies (Turkology) at the Freie Universität Berlin, noted that as a scholar in the field, she considers the heritage of Navoi and Babur to be both close and dear to her heart. Having collaborated with Uzbek scholars for many years, she expressed sincere joy that these great poets were worthily honored through both scientific presentations and musical performances.

Taking this opportunity, she wished Uzbek Navoi scholars and Turkologists further success in studying, researching, and promoting this priceless heritage on the international stage.