UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

04/01/2025 | News release | Archived content

Honouring Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage and the Legacy of Khudaibergan Devanov

Honouring Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage and the Legacy of Khudaibergan Devanov
Paris, April 1, 2025
PGC
UNESCO
3 April 2025
As the countdown begins toward the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference, the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan to UNESCO, in partnership with the Art and Culture Development Foundation, hosted a compelling cultural event at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

As the world looks ahead to the 43rd General Conference foreseen in Samarkand later this year, today's event set a deeply symbolic tone: one of remembrance, pride, and the shared responsibility to preserve the stories that define us.

The exhibition, "Uzbekistan: A Beautiful World," opened its doors on April 1st with a vibrant celebration of history, memory, and resilience through the photographic legacy of Khudaibergan Devanov-widely considered the father of Central Asian cinema.

The inauguration was marked by a stirring address from H.E. Ambassador Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the 42nd session of the General Conference of UNESCO. Speaking before dignitaries, cultural leaders, and members of the diplomatic community, H.E. Ambassador Miculescu paid tribute to Devanov's legacy, describing him as "a master of light, a guardian of memory."


Like all of you, I am delighted to begin our journey to Samarkand through the visionary lens of Khudaibergan Devanov. His camera did not merely capture motion-it rescued worlds from forgetfulness
H.E. Ambassador Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the 42nd session of the General Conference of UNESCO
H.E. Ambassador Miculescu emphasized the importance of cultural preservation, calling Devanov's work a vital reminder of how culture, in all its forms, must be protected, shared, and transmitted. "This photographic journey invites us to remember: culture is fragile. Documentary heritage makes it endure. And this is what UNESCO stands for-to protect, to inspire."

She warmly congratulated H.E. Kamol Mukhtarov, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Uzbekistan to UNESCO, and the organizers for curating an exhibition that offers "a profound and subtle initiation into the spirit of Uzbekistan and of its people."

The event, held in Ségur Hall and followed by a reception in Pas Perdus Hall, welcomed delegates, cultural envoys, and guests for an immersive visual experience that connects the past with the present. With Devanov's pioneering photographs at its heart, the exhibition celebrates Uzbekistan's rich cultural landscape and its enduring place on the global heritage map.