On the occasion of the 580th birth anniversary of Mir Ali-Shir Nava’i, the ECO Cultural Institute hosted an international on February 8, 2021 titled “The Works of Ali-Shir Nava’i, Scientific and Cultural Achievements of the Region”, in association with the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Tehran.
According to the ECO Cultural Institute, in his opening remarks, Sarvar Bakhti, President of the ECO Cultural Institute, said: " From a political point of view, today, since geographical borders have been drawn between the countries of the region, it would be more effective to glorify the history, culture and literature through commemorating scientific figures and honoring their brilliant works as a factor of convergence and the basis of cooperative interactions."
Sarvar Bakhti added: "Nava’i is especially respected because of the special assistance he rendered to the Turkish language and culture in Uzbekistan, as well as to the Turkic-speaking nations of the region." He is regarded in Uzbekistan as the founder of Uzbek literature. He proposed the theory of Turkish independence for the first time and created remarkable works in this language.
Addressing the event, Dr. Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel, President of Iran’s Academy of Persian Language and Literature and Saadi Foundation, described Ali-Shir Nava’i as a permanent ambassador of friendship and culture in our vast region, which has been accepted by all nations.
The President of the Saadi Foundation added: "Nations have cultural ambassadors, and Mir Ali-Shir was one of the multidimensional and unique personalities who created a cultural bond between the people of the region."
Dr. Nizamuddin Zahedi, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to Iran, who was the next speaker of this international webinar, said: "Mir Ali-Shir Nava’i was successful in both government affairs and literature at the same time, and he had a tactful strategy in managing politics and supported writers and artists."
Mr. Bakhodir Abdullaev, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Tehran, also emphasized: "Uzbekistan has made great efforts to protect and tribute Mir Ali-Shir Nava’i and the Ali-Shir Nava’i International Foundation has established the Nava’i badge and named several institutes and universities after him.
Dr. Abdul Rasul Eshan Babayev, director of the Ali-Shir Nava’i Museum of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, also spoke about other parts of Mir Ali-Shir Navai's convergent assistance, adding: "With the advent of Amir Ali-Shir Nava’i, the translation of Turkish works into Persian have been increased.
Dr. Hossein Mohammadzadeh Siddiq, an Iranian researcher and winner of the Dostlik Award from the Government of Uzbekistan, also attended the international webinar and noted: "Nava’i, who has excelled in the Uzbek language, has also been an influential activist in Persian language who helped to form new schools of thought.
It is worth mentioning that under its new management, ECO Cultural Institute has aimed to introduce deep ties and common cultural heritage between member countries and to revive the rich cultural heritage of the ancestors of this ancient civilization by setting up international webinars.