On June 17, 2025, Nurlykhan Aljanova met with the protagonists of the book *Roots of Heritage: Honoring Hunarmandchilik Tradition in Uzbekistan – 17 Narratives of Craft Entrepreneurs on Preserving the Nation’s Culture and Tradition* in the historic city of Bukhara. The meeting brought together several featured artisans whose life stories and work form the heart of the volume.
Among them was Davlat Toshev, a master of Persian miniature painting and founder of the art center Uztoz-Shogird. Having learned the delicate techniques of miniature painting in secret from his father during a time of official discouragement, Davlat now restores ancient manuscripts and creates new artworks, sometimes using silk paper that is over 200 years old.
Another participant was Mahfuza Salimova, a fifth-generation master of *zarduzlik* (gold embroidery), who continues her family's centuries-old tradition in Bukhara. Despite the economic hardships following the Soviet era, she chose to remain in Uzbekistan and transform her heritage into a thriving business that now employs 150 workers. Her intricate embroidery plays a vital role in Uzbek ceremonial life and is highly valued both locally and internationally.
Among them was Davlat Toshev, a master of Persian miniature painting and founder of the art center Uztoz-Shogird. Having learned the delicate techniques of miniature painting in secret from his father during a time of official discouragement, Davlat now restores ancient manuscripts and creates new artworks, sometimes using silk paper that is over 200 years old.
Another participant was Mahfuza Salimova, a fifth-generation master of *zarduzlik* (gold embroidery), who continues her family's centuries-old tradition in Bukhara. Despite the economic hardships following the Soviet era, she chose to remain in Uzbekistan and transform her heritage into a thriving business that now employs 150 workers. Her intricate embroidery plays a vital role in Uzbek ceremonial life and is highly valued both locally and internationally.
Anvar Kurbanov, a renowned metal chaser, grew up surrounded by the artistic spirit of Bukhara. Under the mentorship of a local *usto*, he mastered the ancient craft and, together with his family, restored a 16th-century caravanserai, transforming it into a training center dedicated to preserving traditional metalwork and passing it down to future generations.
Zulfiya Tairova, founder of the women’s transformation center Tarika, blends ancient rituals rooted in Zoroastrianism with modern psychological techniques. Through transformation tours and inner healing practices, her work empowers women by creating a space where tradition meets contemporary wellness and self-realization.
*Roots of Heritage* is a tribute to the resilience, creativity, and cultural devotion of Uzbekistan’s *hunarmand*—craft entrepreneurs who continue to preserve and transmit cultural memory and artisanal excellence across generations.
Zulfiya Tairova, founder of the women’s transformation center Tarika, blends ancient rituals rooted in Zoroastrianism with modern psychological techniques. Through transformation tours and inner healing practices, her work empowers women by creating a space where tradition meets contemporary wellness and self-realization.
*Roots of Heritage* is a tribute to the resilience, creativity, and cultural devotion of Uzbekistan’s *hunarmand*—craft entrepreneurs who continue to preserve and transmit cultural memory and artisanal excellence across generations.
Anvar Kurbanov gifted NURCE one of his favorite works, a brass plate titled *“1001 Nights.”* The piece depicts one of Bukhara’s ancient 12th-century landmarks from the Karakhanid era. Crafted from brass using deep chasing techniques and finished with a glazed coating, the artwork took 12 days to complete.
The book project emerged from fieldwork conducted two years ago by Professor Shumaila Yousafzai of Nazarbayev University and Dr. Nurlykhan Aljanova as part of a research initiative on cultural entrepreneurship and nation-building in Uzbekistan. The book is co-edited by NURCE postdoctoral researchers Indira Alibayeva and Nurlykhan Aljanova, along with Professor Yousafzai.
The book project emerged from fieldwork conducted two years ago by Professor Shumaila Yousafzai of Nazarbayev University and Dr. Nurlykhan Aljanova as part of a research initiative on cultural entrepreneurship and nation-building in Uzbekistan. The book is co-edited by NURCE postdoctoral researchers Indira Alibayeva and Nurlykhan Aljanova, along with Professor Yousafzai.
