An international cultural and scientific event will be held at the building of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London on the occasion of the 690th anniversary of the birth of Amir Temur — a great statesman, outstanding commander and patron of enlightenment, founder of a powerful state, and one of the greatest figures in world history.
In accordance with the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on the broad celebration of the 690th anniversary of the birth of Amir Temur, this significant date is being widely commemorated on an international scale around the world. In this regard, the month of April has been declared the Month of Amir Temur.
From April 8 to 12, 2026, an international scientific and practical conference dedicated to the role and significance of Amir Temur and the Timurid civilization in world history was held in the cities of Tashkent and Samarkand.
As a continuation of the anniversary program, on April 22, an international scientific and educational event was organized in Madrid with the participation of scholars, experts, and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
This event in London is a continuation of the extensive anniversary celebrations and represents the organic continuity of the centuries-old intellectual and cultural dialogue between East and West.
Within the framework of the event, presentations and discussions are planned with the participation of leading national and international scholars, experts, representatives of international organizations, and partner institutions.
Additionally, issues of protecting cultural heritage, preventing the illegal trafficking of historical artifacts, strengthening international legal cooperation, and preserving world cultural heritage will be discussed with the participation of representatives from the OSCE and relevant law enforcement agencies of Great Britain.
Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, Chairman of the Board of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan (WOSCU), Firdavs Abdukhalikov, commented on this, stating:
“The most important part of the upcoming event will be the ceremony of the solemn handover of illegally removed cultural artifacts to the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. This situation is a vivid expression of the international community’s support for the policy of the President of Uzbekistan regarding the return of cultural heritage. Furthermore, this demonstrates the strengthening of international cooperation in protecting cultural and historical heritage, restitution, and preserving the memory of humanity. We are also planning to participate in auctions such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s, and to visit a number of art galleries with the aim of acquiring several unique items related to the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan.”
Within the framework of the event, a presentation will also be held of a new fundamental scientific publication published by WOSCU — the work titled “Manuscript Heritage of Central Asia in the Libraries of Cambridge University,” which is part of the series “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in World Collections.” This scientific project was prepared over three years in collaboration with Dr. Firuza Melville and specialists from Uzbekistan.
The event is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Academy of Sciences, the World Society for the Preservation, Study and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan, as well as a number of state and public organizations.
Today, the name of Amir Temur is being mentioned with particular significance — he is emerging as a symbol of wisdom in state administration, strategic thinking, and cultural creativity. This forum taking place in London once again confirms that the Timurid heritage continues to play an important role in uniting peoples, states, and scientific communities in the modern world.
