Center for Islamic Civilization. Photo: Fergana
A unique collection of artifacts from Italian museums and private collections will be showcased at the museum of the Center for Islamic Civilization (CIC) in Tashkent. The exhibition will coincide with the grand opening of the center, according to the press service of the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage (WOSCU).
The project was made possible through agreements reached during a visit to Italy by a CIC delegation led by its director, Firdavs Abdukhalikov.
“We are deeply grateful to our Italian colleagues and friends for their decision to participate in such a significant event for us. Until now, we have shared information about Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage through illustrated books and albums. But now, for the first time—thanks to the initiative of our esteemed president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the support of our international partners—we will be able to see these artifacts in person at the exhibition in the Center for Islamic Civilization. I am confident that the Italian section of the display will captivate all those who cherish our country’s cultural legacy,” Abdukhalikov noted.
A selection of the artifacts that will be on display in Tashkent was previously featured in the 35th volume of the multimedia project Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of the World. Among the exhibits are the famous Afrasiab ceramics with epigraphic inscriptions bearing wishes for prosperity and well-being, unique medieval metalwork, and Uzbek textiles from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The exhibition will also feature rare pieces of artistic metalwork from the private Aron Collection of Islamic art. This collection includes medieval metal artifacts from Khorasan and Mawarannahr, with a particular highlight being a finely engraved bowl from the Karakhanid rulers. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to view ceramic works from the Samanid era.
Veronica Prestini, a representative of the Aron Collection, emphasized the significance of participating in the exhibition, noting that the collection was previously displayed at the Museum of Oriental Art in Turin.
“In November 2023, I attended the seventh WOSCU Congress in Samarkand, where I had the opportunity to present photographs of some of these artifacts, which were then exhibited at the Museum of Oriental Art in Turin. The congress was an incredibly enriching experience for me, both intellectually and personally—one I will never forget. I witnessed firsthand how much President Shavkat Mirziyoyev prioritizes international cooperation, particularly in the fields of science and education. With the opening of the Center for Islamic Civilization, we are honored to bring these masterpieces to Uzbekistan and showcase them in this special exhibition. The very concept of this exhibition is truly inspiring,” Prestini stated.
The Antonio Ratti Foundation, which holds a remarkable collection of Uzbek textiles, has also joined the initiative. According to its representative, Maddalena Terragni, the exhibition at the CIC is a “historic opportunity to showcase the magnificence of Uzbek silk—its colors, patterns, and delicate craftsmanship.”
“It is a great honor to organize an exhibition of these works of art in their homeland,” Terragni remarked.
