BUDAPEST, February 10. /Dunyo IA/.  A literary evening marking the 585th anniversary of Alisher Navoi - the great poet, philosopher and founder of Uzbek classical literature and cultural thought - was held in the town of Lakitelek, located in Hungary’s Bács-Kiskun County, As part of the “Uzbekistan – Hungary” Year of Culture, Science and Innovation, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The event was organised with the support of Sándor Lezsák, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, the Mayor’s Office of Lakitelek and the local educational institution “Lakiteleki Eötvös Loránd Általános Iskola”.

The gathering was attended by representatives of the Hungarian Parliament, Emőke Szikszai, Director of the Secretariat of the Lakitelek Mayor’s Office, István Olajos, Director of the school, as well as approximately 30 eighth-grade students, underscoring the strong emphasis placed on youth engagement and educational outreach.

Participants were presented with a comprehensive address dedicated to the life and legacy of Alisher Navoi. The presentation highlighted that Navoi occupies a unique place in history not only as an outstanding poet and thinker, but also as a statesman and humanist, who convincingly demonstrated that the Turkic language could serve as a fully-fledged medium for high literature, science and philosophy.

Particular emphasis was placed on Navoi’s pivotal role in shaping the cultural and linguistic identity of the Uzbek people, as well as on the universal relevance of his ideas. These include a deep respect for knowledge, justice, human dignity, and the principle of accountability of power to society - values that continue to resonate strongly in the modern world.

Participants of the event noted that the ideas and philosophical views of Alisher Navoi remain highly relevant in the contemporary world, while his creative legacy constitutes an integral part of the global cultural heritage.

Special attention during the programme was devoted to the contribution of Sándor Lezsák, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, to the development of Uzbek - Hungarian cooperation. He was commended for his substantial role in strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue between the two countries, as well as for his consistent efforts to promote Uzbek culture and art in Hungary.

In this context, it was recalled that with his support, a bust of Alisher Navoi was unveiled in Lakitelek in October 2024, becoming a symbolic expression of respect for Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage and a visible landmark of the growing cultural ties between the two nations.

It was also emphasised that the organisation of the event with the participation of Hungarian school students carried a clearly defined educational purpose. The initiative aimed to foster among younger generations a deeper interest in and respect for the history, culture and traditions of Uzbekistan, while contributing to the long-term strengthening of humanitarian and cultural relations between Uzbekistan and Hungary.

During the discussion, students of the school demonstrated a lively and genuine interest in Uzbekistan’s culture, its rich history and literary heritage. Many expressed a desire to visit the country in the future and to gain first-hand experience of its cultural traditions.

As a concrete outcome of the event, an agreement was reached to organise a student competition in April 2025 at “Lakiteleki Eötvös Loránd Általános Iskola” under the theme “Who Knows Uzbekistan Best?”. The initiative is expected to become another practical step in advancing cultural and educational cooperation between Uzbekistan and Hungary, further strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.