Sessions featuring heads of national museums were held at the International congress «Central Asia: common spiritual and educational heritage – common future», held in Tashkent from 13th to 15th of November. Initiatives for the digitalisation of museum activities, the introduction of modern approaches to exhibition design, and the exchange of professional experience were discussed.
Director of the State museum of the State cultural centre of Turkmenistan Meretgeldi Charyyev presented a report on the key role of museums in developing and strengthening cultural cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The deep historical and cultural commonality between the two countries, which have lived side by side for several millennia and are united by a closely intertwined history, common Turkic linguistic roots, culture, and traditions, was emphasised.
The successful collaboration between the State museum of Turkmenistan and the World society for the study, preservation, and popularisation of the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan demonstrated the practical value of such collaboration. The result was a book-album published in 2023, which presented information about the historical and cultural treasures of Uzbekistan housed in the collections of the State museum of Turkmenistan.
The project clearly demonstrated the many common roots shared by the centuries-long histories of two peoples. A striking example was a unique manuscript of the Quran with commentary from the 15th and 16th centuries, transcribed by the Turkmen court calligrapher 'Iyd Muhammad al-Khwarizmi.
It was noted that the foundations have been laid for future collaboration between the State museum of Turkmenistan and the State museum of Timurid history in Tashkent. Online discussions were held on joint exhibition projects with the «Ichan-Kala» Museum-reserve in Khiva.
In addition, in October 2025, as part of the «Days of culture of Turkmenistan in Uzbekistan», ethnographic exhibitions were held in Tashkent and Urgench, and lectures were given to Uzbek students of the National institute of arts and design named after Kamoliddin Behzod.
The speaker expressed his admiration for the opening of the New Centre for Islamic civilisation in Tashkent. The unique architecture and stunning exhibition, which features the original VII century Quran of caliph Usman, are according to Charyyev, greatest achievement of Uzbekistan, representing a significant contribution to world culture.
In conclusion, director of the State museum of Turkmenistan Meretgeldi Charyyev expressed deep gratitude to the leaders of the two fraternal states – President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev – for their continued support of centuries-old relations and for creating favourable conditions for the development of cultural cooperation.
