Samarkand 2025 Opening Ceremony – “Islamic World Capital of Culture”
City of Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan
Our institution participated in the official opening ceremony of Samarkand 2025, held to celebrate the city’s designation as the “Capital of Culture in the Islamic World” by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO). The official events took place in Samarkand between 12 and 28 May 2025, culminating in the international forum held from 26 to 28 May under the theme: “Spiritual Heritage and Cultural Expression in the Islamic World: Calligraphy, Music, Poetry, and Solidarity.”
Samarkand is considered one of the oldest and most renowned cities in the world, standing alongside Rome, Athens, and Babylon in terms of antiquity and historical significance. The city has long been a crossroads of civilisations and a key station on the Great Silk Roads that traversed Central Asia. Known as the “Pearl of the East,” Samarkand has preserved its architectural, artistic, and cultural heritage for centuries, making its selection as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2025 a fitting and meaningful tribute to its rich legacy.
The opening ceremony featured a diverse and deeply cultural programme, beginning with a moving Qur’anic recitation, followed by a visual presentation highlighting the history of Uzbekistan and Samarkand’s role as a beacon of civilisation. Opening speeches were delivered by several prominent figures, including Mr. Nazarbekov, Mr. Boboyev, and Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Malik, representing ICESCO. The ICESCO flag was formally handed over to the city as a symbolic inauguration of a year filled with cultural events.
The accompanying international forum addressed key topics in Islamic culture, particularly Arabic calligraphy, traditional music, poetry, and the role of culture in fostering unity among peoples. The ceremony also included artistic performances, such as a classical orchestra during one of the formal evening events, along with cultural exhibitions and guided tours of Samarkand’s historical landmarks, showcasing the city’s architectural and civilisational richness.
During our participation, we had the opportunity to meet several high-level dignitaries, opening up new avenues for collaboration. Among the most notable encounters was a meeting with His Excellency the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, who expressed his full support and willingness to assist in organising a student trip to Samarkand in April 2026. We also met Dr. Abdulhakim Assanan, Director of the ICESCO Centre in Baku, who welcomed the idea of academic collaboration and proposed a virtual meeting to explore potential partnerships. Furthermore, we were introduced to Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who showed openness to cultural cooperation and may be invited as a distinguished guest in our upcoming conferences. A promising exchange also took place with the President of Samarkand State University, who expressed interest in institutional engagement, laying the groundwork for academic exchange initiatives.
Our participation in the Samarkand 2025 events highlighted the importance of institutional representation at major international forums, particularly those attended by ministers, ambassadors, and organisational leaders. This experience underscored the value of direct engagement with global partners and their positive impact on expanding the institution’s strategic network. We recommend following up on the outcomes of this participation, especially regarding the proposed student trip, and broadening cooperation with educational and cultural institutions in the region.
