Tashkent Discusses WWII Memory Ahead of Victory Day Anniversary

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A press conference dedicated to the 81st anniversary of Victory in World War II was held at the Sputnik Uzbekistan Media Center in Tashkent, bringing together representatives of the scientific and expert community, public organizations and veterans.

The event opened with a video message from World War II veteran Akmal Akramov, who is over 100 years old.

In his address, the veteran noted the high level of attention and respect shown to war participants in Uzbekistan. He emphasized the support provided by the leadership of Uzbekistan and Russia, as well as the ongoing care from public organizations and state institutions.

According to Akramov, modern Uzbekistan is developing in an atmosphere of peace, stability and good-neighborly relations, creating decent living conditions for the population.

Mikhail Myagkov, scientific director of the Russian Military Historical Society, said during his speech that the memory of World War II remains an important unifying factor in relations between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Russia.

He recalled that during the war Uzbekistan became a place of refuge for hundreds of thousands of evacuated citizens, including children from various regions of the Soviet Union.

“Uzbekistan then received about one million people, including 200,000 children. People were welcomed here as family,” Myagkov said.

He added that the memory of the multinational people’s contribution continues to unite countries across the post-Soviet space today.

Irina Staroselskaya, head of the Rossotrudnichestvo office in Uzbekistan, presented projects aimed at preserving historical memory and developing cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

In particular, plans were announced to expand a student theater festival involving national universities. The first production within the project was a staging of “The Dawns Here Are Quiet,” prepared by students of the Kazan Federal University branch in Jizzakh together with mentors from the State Youth Theater of Uzbekistan.

It was also noted that Russian philanthropists are ready to participate in projects to restore monuments dedicated to war heroes.

Bakhtiyor Ergashev, director of the Ma’no Research Initiatives Center, highlighted growing youth interest in the topic of Victory in World War II and stressed the importance of preserving shared historical memory as a foundation for further cooperation, regional security and sustainable development.

Participants of the event concluded that joint humanitarian initiatives aimed at preserving historical heritage and strengthening interethnic dialogue remain highly significant.