‘Heritage in Motion: Uzbekistan’ brings living legacy into focus through its must-see works

Doha, Qatar - The Museum of Islamic Art's (MIA) exhibition, 'Heritage in Motion: Uzbekistan', explores cultural heritage as a living legacy that continues to shape the present. Through different aspects of Uzbekistan's cultural legacy, the exhibition showcases the relevance of its traditions and their place in the lives of its people today.

Must-see works in the exhibition include a fragment of a wall painting from ancient Samarqand, the 16th-century Tashkent Scrolls, a folio of the Katta Langar Qur'an, and a yellow paranja, or full-body veil for women. Among these, the cenotaph from Khiva stands out, with its Persian inscriptions revealing deeply moving mourning poetry.

The exhibition's curator, Anastasiya Silkatcheva, emphasized that the traditions and knowledge embodied in these objects continue to hold meaning in the present day. She aimed to convey the idea of heritage as a living legacy, showcasing Uzbekistan's cultural traditions as they evolve rather than remain static.

Silkatcheva's approach to the exhibition highlighted the central idea that Uzbekistan's cultural traditions are not preserved solely as reminders of the past. Instead, they continue to shape modern Uzbek culture, presenting a broad look at the elements that contribute to this living legacy.