Traditional methods of Uzbek fabrics manufacturing included in UNESCO Register of Good Safeguarding Practices

On 8 December, at the 12th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Jeju Island (Republic of Korea), the traditional methods of manufacturing atlas and adras joined the UNESCO Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.

The inclusion of the traditional methods of Uzbek fabrics manufacturing in the UNESCO Register was initiated by Uzbekistan’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO. The process lasted about two years, and over this time our Permanent Delegation carried out a number of activities aimed at raising international awareness of Uzbekistan’s ikat tradition. In particular, a book entitled, “The Renaissance of Uzbek Silk”, was published in collaboration with the Islam Karimov Foundation. Published in four languages – English, Russian, French and Uzbek – the book traces the history of Uzbek silk manufacturing from its mythical beginnings to the magnificent innovations of today’s skilled master weavers and designers.

Also in partnership with the Islam Karimov Foundation, last summer we organized an 18-day-long exhibition in Tashkent called, “The Thread uniting the Generations.” The exhibition aimed to popularize the unique art of silk weaving through the creative legacy and present activities of the outstanding master weavers of Margilan in eastern Uzbekistan.

We also published a catalogue dedicated to the history of silk weaving in Margilan and the creative legacy of master silk weavers of the Mirzaahmedov dynasty.

I am delighted to present here another project – an art calendar created by the Islam Karimov Foundation (www.fondkarimov.uz) jointly with the CAFB magazine (www.cafb.asia), which is designed to showcase the beauty of women wearing exquisite gowns made from Uzbek ikat. This calendar features the winners of a contest held by the CAFB magazine for the best photo featuring this style.

I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all the participants in this contest, as well as to Cafb.asia magazine for doing an outstanding job on this calendar, and wish them every success in all their future creative endeavours. Very well done!