VIENNA, September 14. /Dunyo IA/.  Austrian news service “OTS” has published an article entitled “From 114 Historic Quranic Manuscripts to New Uzbekistan”, dedicated to international cooperation in preserving and promoting Uzbekistan’s historical and cultural heritage, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Publication covers the participation of “Universal Art Group” in the International Media Forum “Islamic Civilization: A New Perspective – New Discoveries”, which was held in Tashkent and Samarkand in late August. The event brought together representatives of museums, publishing and creative industries, as well as international experts.

Particular attention was paid to joint publishing initiatives related to the rich cultural heritage of Central Asia and the Islamic world. Among the materials presented was a collection of 114 historic Quranic manuscripts produced in different periods and regions. Selected pages featuring surahs and “Al-Fatiha” demonstrate a unique combination of calligraphy, ornamentation and artistic design, reflecting the centuries-old tradition of manuscript book culture.

Another important area focused on historical accounts of Samarkand during the era of Amir Temur. Particular attention was given to the writings of Spanish diplomat Ruy González de Clavijo, who was sent to Temur’s court by the King of Castile. His accounts are a valuable source offering a European traveller’s perspective on Samarkand and Central Asia in the early 15^th century.

Theme of modern Uzbekistan also received particular attention. Ahead of the 35^th Anniversary of the country’s State Independence, “UAG” presented a richly illustrated publication on “New Uzbekistan”, covering its history, contemporary development and prospects. Thus, the country’s historical heritage is presented in close connection with its ongoing transformations and the formation of a new image of Uzbekistan.

Charlotte Kramer, Founder and CEO of “Universal Art Group”, noted that historical documents tell stories not only about the past, but also about people, ideas and encounters that continue to shape the present. She said that an important task is to carefully preserve such records while creating new opportunities for an international audience to discover and engage with them.

As part of the visit, representatives of UAG also held educational sessions at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and Uzbekistan State World Languages University. The discussions focused on the role of the modern publishing industry in preserving, studying and promoting cultural heritage. According to Alexander Wilhelm, COO of “Universal Art Group”, discussions with students demonstrated the younger generation’s strong interest in preserving historical memory and passing cultural values on to future generations.

“Participation of “UAG” in events in Tashkent and Samarkand provided further evidence of the expansion of Uzbekistan’s international cooperation in the fields of culture, education and creative industries. Modern publishing technologies, scholarly work with historical sources and digital formats make the country’s unique heritage more accessible to an international audience and contribute to strengthening cultural ties between Uzbekistan and its foreign partners”, the article concludes.