In the beginning of August, Ilse and Negar’s went to Tashkent, the capital or Uzbekistan, for a research trip, which was a wonderful mix of cultural exploration and productive research.
On Sunday, the first day of the visit, Ilse and Negar began by exploring several museums and enjoying sightseeing around the city. One of the highlights was the famous Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent, where the atmosphere was captivating. The market was alive with vibrant colors from beautiful ethnic clothing and handmade ceramics to fresh bread and fruits sellers, fragrant spices, and an impressive variety of dried fruits. The people in the bazaar were warm and friendly, eager to share a smile or a kind word. The next destination was the State Museum of the Temurids, which opened in 1996 for the 660th anniversary of Amir Timur’s birth, presenting Uzbekistan as heir to his legacy. While it offers insight into the nation’s past and identity, its narrative serves a nation-building purpose, leaving a more complex history beyond its walls.
Throughout the city, the deep respect for Amir Timur (Tamerlane) was striking. He holds an impressive and important place in the history of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, and his legacy is visible everywhere. this respect is visible from street names to the monumental statue of Amir Timur in the heart of the city. This focal point of Amir Timur Square, was truly fascinating to see. Even the Tashkent Metro reflects the city’s rich heritage, with stations beautifully decorated in tiles and mosaics inspired by historical stories such as Leila and Majnun. In Tashkent, Navai Station another station in Tashkent Metro named after the famous 15th-century poet and politician Alisher Navoi.
The second day marked the start of an incredibly productive research period. Ilse and Negar spent the day analyzing different manuscripts, each with unique decorations, illuminations, and illustrations. The Beruni Library in Tashkent usually refers to the Al-Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies (part of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan), located in a green and peaceful area, is housed in a large and impressive building with bright, comfortable reading rooms ideal for study and research. It’s one of the most important manuscript libraries in Central Asia, holding thousands of rare works in Arabic, Persian, Chagatai, and Uzbek, covering subjects like literature, history, science, and religion. The institute is named after the medieval scholar Abu Rayhan al-Biruni (973–1050), a polymath from Khwarezm. During their breaks, they enjoyed tea served in traditional cups and pots, adding a warm cultural touch to the working atmosphere. Working in the reading room proved highly productive, as they met several researchers and students speaking Persian and Turkish, creating a lively exchange of ideas and perspectives across cultures.
Over the next four days, Ilse and Negar continued their work at the library, examining numerous manuscripts in detail. It was truly inspiring to study the manuscripts and exchange ideas on the artistic techniques used for their various paper decorations. Working in a small group created valuable opportunities to discuss the notes and seals found within the books. The second week of this research travel is focused on Ilse Sturkenboom and her talk at the Association for the Study of Persianate Societies conference in Tashkent, which we will be part of our next blog post! Stay tuned!!