ASIA FORUM: CHAPTER 9- UZBEKISTAN: A Report By Ms. Neeti Parti

 Continuous and relentless in its efforts, Asian Literary Society promotes Asian art, culture, and literature.

In a groundbreaking effort, the Asian Literature Society and Journal of Asian Art, Culture and Literature (JAACL) connected with CENTRAL ASIA and organised ASIA FORUM CHAPTER 9 on 25th August 2021, 7.15 PM onwards with the focus on Uzbekistan.

List of Participants:

Mr. Sherzod Artikov, writer

Ms. Mohira Eshpo’latova, writer

Ms. Neeti Parti, Programme Coordinator, educationist, author, and poet

The event opened with a welcome of the audience and the esteemed panel by Founder of Asian Literary Society and Editor-in-chief JAACL, Mr. Manoj Krishnan, who also introduced Ms. Neeti Parti as the Moderator.

Ms. Neeti Parti spoke in glowing terms about Uzbekistan, the land of knowledge through which the ancient Silk Route runs. Since the writers wanted to read their stories and the country has a rich treasure of folk tales, she related an Uzbek folktale titled ‘The Golden Watermelon’.

Mr. Sherzod Artikov gave a brief insight into the literature of Uzbekistan which was followed by a round of Storytelling.

Mr. Sherzod Artikov read a story titled, ‘Following the Dream’ inspired from Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy ‘King Lear’. The plot centers around the protagonist of the tale, Uncle Nurmat, a seventy years old man, who is ridiculed for unsuccessfully chasing his lifelong dream of playing the part of King Lear.

Ms. Mohira Eshpo’latova read out a self-composed love story titled, ‘Happy Birthday’. The story originally written in the Uzbek language was translated into English by Hilola Mirzayeva.

Ilyas, the main character turns 18 years old and receives greetings of the day from all friends but not his heartthrob Sabo. Sabo calls at the end of the day because her grandmother has been unwell. Ilyas asks her if she recognizes the name Edwin Aldrin who stepped on the moon just minutes after Neil Armstrong but almost no one knows it as the world only recognizes those who come first. He tells Sabo that she will always be his number one priority, second to none, and leaves her to make her decision of life as she wishes to.

Mr. Manoj Krishnan concluded the forum by offering the Vote of Thanks.