The British Uzbek Society Film Competition on Uzbek Cuisine The British Uzbek Society is announcing an invitation for the most interesting filmed presentation of the art of Uzbek cooking.

Between now and September, over the course of 12 weeks, we welcome all interested participants - residents of both the UK and Uzbekistan - to submit their short 5-8 minute videos showcasing the art and technique of Uzbek cuisine. The film can be in any form, created via a smartphone, camera, laptop, or even a camcorder, and can be submitted via any digital communication channel to the Society. This is not a professional film contest, and we welcome amateur films from passionate food-appreciating contestants.

All entries will be judged on creativity, quality and the ability to convey the delicacy of Uzbek dishes such as plov, somsa and shurpa amongst others. We hope the films will allow people to recreate Uzbek dishes at home and become more interested in the Uzbek culture and cuisine.

The awarding ceremony for the winning entry will be held in October, to which all participants will be invited, and where the film will be screened as part of the Society's Cultural Agenda of events, in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London. The winner will be awarded with a certificate of honour and recognition signed by the chairman of the Society and the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the UK, as well as a monetary prize worth £150-200.

A separate jury prize will be awarded to the most-liked film - a dinner for two at Samarkand, the n e w U z b e k Re s t a u r a n t o n Charlotte Street.

To register your interest, please follow this link

If you would like to enquire further, please contact the editor, at nmirbabaeva@gmail.com

1

In this Issue: BUS Film Competition 1

Did you know? Facts about Uzbekistan 2

UK youth visits Tashkent 3

Remembering Muhammad Ali in Uzbekistan 4

Member Spotlight: Hospitality Travel 5

British Uzbek Society Newsletter

Did you know? - Interesting Facts About Uzbekistan: You may know that the population of Uzbekistan is diverse in ethnicities, but did you know that there is also a very small ethnic minority of Jews living in Bukhara? Once, Central Asia was home to 45,000 Bukharian Jews: an ethno-religious group—speaking a dialect known as Judeo-Tajik—centered in this city. They worked as merchants and craftsmen, trading along the Silk Road. This close-knit community of Bukharan Jews traces its history back 2,500 years to their expulsion from Jerusalem. They wandered, first settling in Babylon and then moving to present-day Iran before finally settling around 2,000 years ago along various paths of the Silk Road threading through Central Asia. Today, however, after mass emigration, there are only around 100 Jews are left in Bukhara; most have emigrated to the U.S and Israel, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Today there still exists a synagogue in Central Bukhara, close to the Lyab-i Hausz architectural ensemble. The synagogue is more than 400 years old, and it is said that it exists thanks to a Jewish widow who gave up her house which the local authorities wanted, in return for a construction of a synagogue.

Read more.

The last Jewish Synagogue in Bukhara

Chashma Ayub mausoleum in Bukhara

Bukhara is also home to many historical sights, and myths associated with them. Besides major sights such as the Poi Kalan complex, the Ismael Samani mausoleum, the Bolo Hauz mosque and the Ark Fortress, visitors of Bukhara can also take a look at a small mausoleum which according to local beliefs was the final resting-place of a biblical figure - Job, or as the Persians called him - Ayub. The mausoleum - Chashma Ayub meaning the Spring of Job was built by the order of Karakhanid rulers in the 12th century and derives its name from a legend of the Prophet Job. It is said that long before Bukhara even existed the region was struck by a terrible drought. As the people perished of thirst around him, Job struck the earth with his staff and a source of cool spring water erupted to the surface. The most unusual feature of the mausoleum is a conical cupola, rare for the region. Inside, the Spring (or well) of Job still provides water which is said to be imbued with beneficial qualities. Many people come here on pilgrimages both to drink the water straight from the well and to fill bottles to take home. Some women apparently believe that drinking the water will help them conceive children.

2

NatGeo praises Uzbekistan The National Geographic has published a list of countries which may not be the first that come to mind when planning a summer adventure, but which nevertheless are just as breathtaking. It includes Uzbekistan and notes the country’s rich history and historical context as the epicentre of the legendary Silk Road. “Uzbekistan is one of the most stunning, historically rich destinations in Central Asia” the article notes. “It offers not just extraordinary natural and architectural beauty, but gleeful, hospitable chaos”. The article praises the recent renovations of the extraordinary blue tiled  caravanserai  complexes at Bukhara and Samarkand, claiming the two cities “remain two of the most outstanding examples of urban architecture from the Islamic world and provide evocative glimpses of the centuries in which the steppes of Central Asia doubled as cosmopolitan capitals of learning, art, and trade”.

Meanwhile, National Geographic’s traveler and journalist, Paul Salopek is set to walk through Uzbekistan, within the framework of his seven-year walking voyage around the world. Salopek started his unique walking tour in 2013, and aims in seven years to cross 35 th. km, and repeat the 60,000-year history of the migration of mankind. As planned, the journalist will reach the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego (South America) in 2020 where his journey finishes. During the seven-year journey the traveler plans to visit more than 30 countries. Paul travels exclusively on foot, allowing him to get acquainted with the life and traditions of the local people and visit places hidden from ordinary tourists. Paul will stay in Kazakhstan for two months, after which he will travel to Uzbekistan. He publishes his journey notes in the National National Geographic Magazine and on his website.

New art gallery for Uzbekistan’s independence day: On the eve of the 25th anniversary of Independence of Uzbekistan a new fallery of Fine and Applied Arts “Autograph” opens in Tashkent. Among the pieces presented in the spacious, bright rooms of the gallery, are works of prominent art masters as well as gifted young artists, sculptors and designers. The gallery boasts a variety of styles and types of contemporary fine art, created with striking craftsmanship, originality and preservation of traditional national style with a modern twist. Miniatures depicting the full flavor of the customs and traditions of the local people, incredible dolls dressed in impeccably detailed costumes, silver jewellery with natural stones, wood decorated with gorgeous patterns - all this and more are presented in the art gallery.

The grand opening of the gallery in the heart of the capital saw famous artists, fashion designers were invited critics and connoisseurs of beauty ga ther and apprec ia te the beauty o f contemporary Uzbek art. After the official opening ceremony the guests were pleasantly surprised by a fashion show of prominent Uzbek fashion designers Elena Milberger and Madina Kosimbaeva. The gallery plans to start holding regular workshops and Biennale, and to open access to its extensive database of contemporary traditional art of Uzbekistan for students of state art schools.

3

Remembering a legend - Muhammad Ali in Uzbekistan Last month, the world became saddened with the news of death of one the greatest boxing legends of all times - Muhammad Ali. As the world continues to mourn the loss of not just a great boxer, but also a passionate, deeply respectful and open minded human being who loved life and all it had to offer, let us remember his greatness and appreciation for world cultures.

Not many may know, but Ali expressed great interest in Uzbekistan, asking to visit the country during his visit to the Soviet Union in 1978. That year, legendary Ali, who died on June 3, was invited to visit the Soviet Union. On June 15, after a three-day stint in Moscow, Ali traveled onward to Uzbekistan. The republic was of particular interest to the boxer as an important site of Islamic history and culture. Nuriddinmahsum Usmanov, now the imam at a mosque in the Kashkadarya region, recalled seeing the news of Ali’s arrival on television. Back then, Usmanov was a student in Bukhara at the only active madrassa allowed in Uzbekistan at the time. “We saw his arrival on Uzbek television and we were stunned that he was called Muhammad Ali,” Usmanov said. “We were amazed, since it was the Soviet times and Islam was forbidden, and here is this man with a Muslim name.”

Usmanov said that the presence of an honoured Muslim guest was adopted as a badge of pride. “After that, I began to watch his fights, and so did many other students. He was a Muslim and a world champion — it was amazing!” Ali was put up at the Tashkent Hotel, the most luxurious accommodations the city had to offer. His hosts noted that he took a particular liking to a vase of cherries laid out for him and so he was plied with all manner of fruit for the remainder of his stay. At every event he attended, Ali was greeted

Ali in Uzbekistan, 1978

with tables creaking under the weight of fruit, candy, wine, brandy and, inevitably, plov, to which he apparently took quite a liking. On his return to Moscow, Ali claimed he had piled on four kilograms during his stay in Uzbekistan. The highlight of the stay in Central Asia for Ali was a trip to the city of Samarkand, where he paid tribute at the mausoleum of 9th century Islamic scholar Imam al-Bukhari and visited an observatory built by 15th century astronomer Ulugbek. While in the city, he was taken to a mosque and joined in with prayers — an event memorialized in a photograph showing the boxer a longside a dozen or so other congregants. For those old enough to remember the improbable excursion to Uzbekistan, the late boxer is remembered with abiding fondness, even if his behavior was perceived to be, at times, unorthodox.

“When I heard about his death, I posted a photo from the archives on my Facebook page, showing Muhammad Ali standing next to his wife wearing an Uzbek robe and a tyubeteika [skull cap]. His wife was wearing a tyubeteika too,” Hurshid Dustmuhammad, a veteran Uzbek journalist who covered Ali’s visit said. "Whatever his qualities may have been, may Allah take in his soul."s

4

Member Spotlight For this month’s Spotlight, The British Uzbek Society takes note of one of our oldest and active members - Hospitality Tavel Limited. We sat down with Ramil Minullin, the CEO of the company, to talk to him about his participation in the society.

Tell us a bit about Hospitality Travel - What services do you provide and what do you consider your speciality? 

Hospitality Travel Limited has been operating in the UK for more than 13 years. We provide a wide array of services – hotel reservations, organisation of tours in the UK with professional guides, educational services and placements in schools, colleges and universities. Our speciality first and foremost is promotion of the hospitality industry in the UK, promotion of the British culture and history, as well as attraction of investment and large businesses into the UK market, property and joint ventures.

You're primarily serving the London market, any plans on expanding your services to Central Asia? 

Well considering that I come from Asia, we would of course like to expand our tourism services to Central Asia and collaborate with major tour operators. A great way of doing this I think would be a partnership between Central Asian tourism companies and operators Asia and Hospitality Travel Limited in a charity project to use our profit to support those who need help the most - Children's homes for sick children and the elderly people in Uzbekistan to not only show Europeans travellers our strong intentions, but also so that they take interest willingness to support the project and attract investors to this unique charity program from the tourism industry in Central Asia. For the past few years we’ve raised funds through our public events - Navruz and Sabantuy - here in the UK and

Ramil Minullin, CEO, Hospitality Travel Ltd

donated them to sick children left without parents in orphanages in the Republic of Tatarstan. (read more here)

What do you think is the future trend of travel to Uzbekistan and the Central Asian Region? 

Central Asia is the Pearl of the Orient, we have to try to implement all possible projects, including charity, then people, - through word of mouth which is the main tool for publicity - will become interested and will see for themselves that in fact there is no world of such hospitality, respect for people and multiplicity of Asian cuisine, mouthwatering delicious fruit and plov, like that of Central Asia. This land, these people, this water… can only be found in the East and nowhere else!

Why did Hospitality Travel join the BUS?

Since coming to the UK in 1998, I’ve taken part in all the major Uzbek Embassy events, particularly our independence day celebrations. In 2012, I organised the first Tatar "Sabantuy" in British history. Being a native of Uzbekistan, I organised our traditional Uzbek plov at the celebration which the guests really enjoyed. My friends from Tashkent sent me a huge kazan for

5

1000 people which I gladly shared with the BUS when we were organising our traditional Navruz in 2013; so in my case, you see, food really does connect people! As I was actively engaged in the organisation of our Annual Navruz events, which grew from 200 guests to more than 2000, we were offered to join the society and happily accepted.

What do you think are the benefits of BUS membership?

I think for all natives of Uzbekistan, BUS is a piece of our home, our link to our homeland, where we can remember our culture, our language and share our values with various guests and members of the public. BUS events are a great opportunity to meet people with similar backgrounds and widen your social circle, as the Central Asian community grows year by year, highlight corporate work that we do as members of the community, and promote your business – if you have a small business like me, for example. It also creates a great networking opportunity to meet our British partners and engage in cultural exchange and

learn more about the UK current affairs.

How do you think BUS can improve on what we do? 

I think the creation of this very member spotlight section is itself an improvement of the communication the BUS does, so many thanks for organising this – I feel this novelty will create and drive engagements of BUS participants to show patriotism and a desire to improve our organisation, as well as identifying passive participants who do not bring anything to the society’s development.This I think is the first step – identifying active and passive participants to try to engage with the latter more, perhaps through a survey or a questionnaire. A survey can reveal our weak spots or introduce fresh ideas proposals which the executive committee can consider and then take action. I have no doubt that the BUS is capable of strengthening further appreciation and respect for Uzbekistan and Uzbek people, as well as for the UK and its diverse population, and promoting mutual understanding between our countries.

6

Dear BUS members,

We appreciate your contribution to the British Uzbek Society, and thank you for continuing to to be involved in Society matters. As such We’d love to get your views and hear about individuals who, in your judgement, are worthy of becoming BUS members. If you have an organisation or an individual in mind that would benefit from BUS membership, let us know, and we’d be delighted to welcome them into our BUS family.

Future Events: July 27 - BUS Summer Garden Party - availability limited to first 30 acceptances, please get in touch to be added to the Guest List. Sept 19 - Independence Day Reception  Oct 19 - Awarding ceremony for best entry for Uzbek Film competition

BRITISH-UZBEK SOCIETY

The Old Hall Farnham Broom Norwich Norfolk

NR9 4DB

01953604466 brit.uzb.society@gmail.com

For all newsletter enquiries and details of past events please contact Nigina at nmirbabaeva@gmail.com

JOIN BRITISH-UZBEK SOCIETY TODAY