An international seminar on the field of manuscript research has begun

Today, May 1, a seminar-training on “Elements of codicology of Central Asian manuscripts” started in the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center in cooperation with the Samarkand State Museum-Reserve under the Cultural Heritage Agency.

The event was attended by researchers from the Center and the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, the Samarkand State Museum-Reserve, the International Research Center of Imam Termizi, the State Museum of the History of Karakalpak Literature named after Berdak, Bukhara State Museum-Reserve, Fergana Regional State Historical and Cultural Museum, Samarkand State University, Karakalpak branch of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Karakalpak Research Institute of Humanities, main doctoral students, restaurateurs and scientists of the Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University.

At the opening of the event, the director of the Center welcomed the participants and noted that this seminar will provide an opportunity to improve the knowledge and skills of specialists in the field of preservation and research of manuscripts, and will also serve as a platform for mutual exchange of experience.
On the main part of the first day, Marie Efthymiou, a scientist of the Collège de France educational institution in Paris, doctor of philology and history, laureate of Imam Bukhari international scholarship, gave a lecture on the topic.
In her report, the researcher noted that the region’s rich cultural heritage arouses interest in the study of Central Asian manuscripts, because the region, considered a crossroads of cultures, is famous for its rare spiritual treasure.

The scientist described the collection of sources, the preservation of manuscript copies in them, from the period when a unique manuscript tradition appeared in Central Asia to the introduction of technologies such as lithography and printing, using the example of the Foundation of the Institute of Oriental Studies named after Abu Rayhan Beruni. Here, the speaker gave detailed information about the types of manuscript papers, inks and colors used, formatting and decorations. Key words, page marks, covers and colophons used in the manuscripts were also highlighted.

In the afternoon, local experts in the field shared their personal work experience and information about scientific institutions.
Derya Idikurt, scientist of the Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, doctor of philosophy, laureate of Imam Bukhari international scholarship, lecture titled “Uzbekistan’s heritage – in the Ottoman archives” aroused great interest among the participants.

It should be noted that foreign researchers have sufficient scientific potential in the field of codicology, which works with manuscripts and studies them as an archaeological object. The aspects that should be paid attention to and worth studying in the research they are conducting will serve to further improve the activities in this direction in our country.

The seminar will continue its work tomorrow.