A major cultural event on Uzbekistan’s literature, music and cinema was held in the International Diplomatic Academy in Paris on 30 May. The function was organized by Uzbekistan’s delegation to UNESCO jointly with the French literary association Lire Autrement.

Introducing the event’s special guest, well-known Uzbek writer Erkin Agzam, to those in attendance, Uzbekistan’s ambassador to UNESCO Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva said that Erkin Agzam was one of the most distinguished representatives of the contemporary Uzbek intelligentsia.

“As a prominent public figure, writer, journalist and screenwriter, well-known not only in Uzbekistan and Central Asia, but also internationally, Erkin Agzam has made ​​a significant contribution to the development of Uzbek literature and journalism. He is a mentor to a galaxy of talented young journalists, writers, playwrights and literary critics, who, we hope, will contribute to the further development of the contemporary Uzbek literature, whose origins were laid in the works of the great Uzbek novelist Abdullah Kadiri,” Karimova-Tillyaeva said.

She went on to say that Erkin Agzam’s works “have encompassed all the valuable characteristics of the Uzbek people and he has an acute sense of understanding of Uzbek people’s soul and outlook on life”.

“Erkin Azam’s works reflect the ideas of humanism and the pursuit of spiritual freedom. His works have undoubtedly enriched the Uzbek literature, earning him sincere love and respect of the people,” Karimova-Tillyaeva added.

The event also included the presentation of the film “The heaven is my abode” (known in Uzbekistan as “Parizod”; scripted by Erkin Agzam), which became the Grand Prix winner at the international film festival “Kinoshok”. The film was also awarded a diploma at the film festival Severnoye syaniye (Northern lights), as well as received an award in the nomination for “Best Actress” at the international festival “Volokolamskiy rubezh”.

Addressing the event, Erkin Agzam said that the film’s storyline represented a romantic parable, enriched with mystical moments, symbols and metaphors of life. He also thanked the Uzbekistan’s Delegation to UNESCO for assistance provided in translating the film into French.

The president of the French association Lire Autrement Jacques Pagniez said that the Uzbek culture based on its ancient history and profound traditions is one of the brightest and richest in Central Asia, and that the Uzbek cultural event backed by Mrs Karimova-Tillyaeva was a resounding success.

The event participants could also enjoy the readings of poems by Alisher Navoiy, which were accompanied by the projection of miniatures created by best Uzbek painters.

Erkin Agzam, the editor-in-chief of popular Uzbek magazine Tafakkur (Thought), is one of the most renowned representatives of the contemporary Uzbek literature. The first collection of his works was published over 35 years ago, in 1977. He is the author of over a dozen books, including plays, novels and short stories, which have been translated into a number of foreign languages.  Erkin Agzam was also involved in the scripting of nearly a dozen feature films.