Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A solemn ceremony was held in the Hungarian city of Lakitelek to inaugurate a monument to the great poet, thinker, and statesman Alisher Navoi, Dunyo news agency reported.

This monument is the first cultural object to be opened in Hungary within the framework of Hungarian-Uzbek diplomatic relations and is directly related to Uzbekistan. The project was executed by Hungarian sculptor György Lantos.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from both Uzbekistan and Hungary.

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Hungary Oybek Shahavdinov emphasized that Alisher Navoi’s works on friendship and the human soul transcend temporal and geographical boundaries, elevating him to the status of a universal figure in world literature. His contributions to the development of the Uzbek language and his support for the arts and sciences vividly demonstrate how significantly he enriched the cultural heritage of Central Asia.

Hungary’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament Sándor Lezsák added, “This monument, dedicated to the great ancestor of the fraternal Uzbek people, symbolizes our respect for the land where our ancestors left a piece of their soul. This monument has become the foundation for a strong friendship between the Hungarian and Uzbek peoples.”

Previously, monuments to Alisher Navoi have been established in cities such as Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Washington, Moscow, Minsk, Astana, Baku, Ashgabat, Dushanbe, and Osh.