OSH, April 24. /Dunyo IA/. Z.M. Babur Osh State Academic Uzbek Music and Drama Theater hosted a memorial evening dedicated to the 75^th anniversary of the birth of the late prominent poet Shavkat Rakhmon, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

A delegation led by Minhojiddin Mirzo, Deputy Chairman of the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan, arrived in Osh to participate in the memorial evening. The delegation included a number of artists, poets, and writers, as well as students and family members of Shavkat Rakhmon.

The event was attended by Arslan Koychiev, State Secretary of Kyrgyzstan; Sultan Raev, Secretary General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY); Bakytbek Jetiqulov, Mayor of Osh; Kanybek Imanaliev, Chairman of the National Writers' Union of Kyrgyzstan; leadership and activists of the Uzbek National Cultural Center of Kyrgyzstan, local artists and representatives of the general public.

Before the official part began, the guests toured a small exhibition dedicated to the life and work of Shavkat Rakhmon, which featured photographs, samples of his writings and personal belongings.

During the event, State Secretary of Kyrgyzstan Arslan Koychiev noted that Shavkat Rakhmon is not only a representative of Uzbek literature but also a true representative of the literature of the entire Turkic world.

Sultan Raev, Secretary General of the international organization TURKSOY, shared his memories of cooperation and friendship with Shavkat Rakhmon, recalling their meetings and conversations. He also emphasized that Shavkat Rakhmon's creative work serves as a solid bridge connecting the friendly relations between the nations and fostering the development of Kyrgyz-Uzbek literary cooperation.

Minhojiddin Mirzo, Deputy Chairman of the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan, and Usman Azim, People's Poet of Uzbekistan, spoke about Shavkat Rakhmon's creative work, his place in Uzbek poetry, his significant contribution to Uzbek literature, and his important role in the literature of the Turkic world, while also sharing personal memories of the poet.

As part of the event, participants were presented with a literary and musical program prepared by the artists of the Z.M. Babur Osh State Academic Uzbek Music and Drama Theater.

During the Uzbek delegation's visit to Osh, a presentation of the book “44-Kuz” (44th Autumn) by Shuhrat Orif, Chairman of the Journalists' Union of Uzbekistan and a poet, translated into the Kyrgyz language, was held at Osh State University.

In his welcoming speech, Rector Kudayberdi Kozhobekov congratulated the Uzbek poet on the publication of the book in the Kyrgyz language and wished him further creative success. He also noted that in recent years, scientific, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries has reached a high level, highlighting the activities of the “Chinghiz Aitmatov Kyrgyz Language and Culture” centers in Uzbekistan and the “Uzbek Language and Culture” center at Osh State University. According to him, these centers make a significant contribution not only to education and science but also to strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.

TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev noted that this assembly hall of Osh State University is a spiritual hub that has hosted numerous meetings of Kyrgyz and foreign poets, writers and intellectuals. He expressed particular joy that the presentation of the Uzbek poet's book was taking place on Kyrgyz soil and in such a significant venue.