BOKHTAR, February 13. /Dunyo IA/. A ceremonial event marking the 585th anniversary of the birth of the great thinker, poet and statesman Alisher Navoi was held in the Tajik city of Bokhtar, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The celebratory event brought together compatriots, representatives of the diplomatic corps, members of the creative and intellectual community and the wider public.

Among those attending were Ergash Shaismatov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Chairperson of the “Vatandoshlar” Public Foundation, Deputy Chairman of the city of Bokhtar, members of the Writers’ Unions of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as prominent cultural and artistic figures, educators and students from local educational institutions.

Participants highlighted the outstanding contribution of Alisher Navoi to the development of Turkic literature and language, underscoring his pivotal role in shaping the humanistic traditions of the East. Speakers emphasized that the poet’s creative legacy occupies a unique place not only in Uzbek culture, but also within the broader Turkic and Persian-Tajik cultural space.

Addressing the audience, speakers stressed that Navoi’s enduring ideals - humanism, justice, enlightenment and the pursuit of spiritual excellence - remain highly relevant in the contemporary world. His ideas, they noted, continue to serve as an important moral compass for educating younger generations and strengthening ethical values in society.

The cultural programme featured expressive recitations of the poet’s ghazals and rubai by school pupils and emerging writers, theatrical performances inspired by his works, as well as musical and vocal compositions. National songs and traditional melodies lent the event a distinct atmosphere of solemnity and spiritual unity.

Particular attention was devoted to the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the Uzbek and Tajik peoples, as well as to centuries-old traditions of literary cooperation. Speakers noted that the spiritual legacy of such outstanding representatives of Eastern civilization as Alisher Navoi and Abdurahman Jami continues to serve as a solid foundation for strengthening friendship, mutual respect and cultural dialogue between the two brotherly nations.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, participants were presented with editions of Alisher Navoi’s works and other examples of Uzbek literature - a symbolic gesture underscoring ongoing efforts to promote Uzbekistan’s rich spiritual heritage beyond its borders.