Photo exhibition about Tashkent continues its UK tour

October 4, 2010

Photo exhibition titled Tashkent – the History of One City charting the development of Tashkent opened to the public at Bath Central Library on October 4. The exhibition celebrates Tashkent`s 2200th anniversary and features 60 photos from the late 19th century to current day.

The exhibition contains photos from four sections of the album-book “Tashkent – the History of One City” published in 2009 by the Fund Forum in collaboration with UNESCO. The book tells the story of Tashkent city and contains 450 photographs which capture Tashkent across several time periods and since the photography became prevalent in the region. These shots have been taken in the course of 130 years by over 100 photographers. Six chapters cover the most important periods in the city`s history, from the late 19th century to the present day.

The Mayor of Bath Shaunn McGall, the Dean of the University`s School of Management Professor Richard Elliott, and Ian Crawford, a lecturer within the Accounting and Finance group at the University, were among those attending the opening ceremony.

In his speech at the event, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan in the UK, Otabek Akbarov, spoke about the history of the exhibition and previous exhibitions in the UK and other countries (Switzerland, Austria and China). He also talked about the Fund Forum, one of the organizers of the exhibition, its activities, achievements and partners abroad. To highlight the Fund Forum`s far-reaching activities, he noted its cooperation with the British fashion label Basso and Brooke and their Capsule Collection created under a joint project with the British Council, which will be presented at “Style.Uz 2010” Art Week in Tashkent on October 9-14.

The Mayor of Bath Shaunn McGall said that Bath is the third British city where the exhibition has been held (after London and Cambridge), which testifies to the British public`s interest in the history of Uzbekistan. He also noted that events of this kind will enhance the understanding and appreciation of Uzbek people`s culture and traditions and contribute to the development of cultural and educational links between the two countries.

Ian Crawford provided a historical analysis of the cities of Tashkent and Bath and stalked about documents testifying that Bath was founded in 860 B.C. and conquered by the Roman Empire in the year 50 A.D. In this sense, he said, the exhibition will inspire people in Bath to learn more about Tashkent.

The exhibition, which will close on October 9, has been organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the UK in collaboration with the Fund Forum, the British Council, the University of Bath, British-Uzbek Society, and Bath & North East Somerset Council.

More information about the exhibition is available on the websites of the embassy of Uzbekistan in the UK, the Mayor of Bath, and the electronic display of Bath Central Library.