Majid bin Mohammed opens Eastern Masterpieces of Calligraphy and Miniatures exhibition of Uzbekistan

Unofficial translation from Arabian.

His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts at the headquarters of Al Owais Cultural Foundation in Dubai on Thursday opened an exhibition titled “Masterpieces of Eastern Calligraphy and Miniature Art” organized by the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation.

He expressed his admiration for Uzbekistan’s ancient heritage of different cultural and architectural periods, emphasizing the importance of cultural rapprochement between people and preserving the treasures of knowledge around the world. After the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony HH viewed the halls and pavilions of the exhibition, which presented the legacy of ancient Uzbekistan in three sections – medieval manuscripts, rarities and traditional culture – which were displayed at Al Owais Cultural Foundation and organized in cooperation with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

Important cultural figures also visited the ceremony, including: Abdul Hamid Ahmad, the General Secretary of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation and Saeed Al Naboodah, Acting General Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dr. Salah Al Qassim, Consultant of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dr. Mohammad Abdullah Al Mutawa and Nasser Hussein Alabudi, a member of the Board of Trustees of Al Owais Cultural Foundation and a host of representatives of Uzbekistan. The cultural event included a number of activities that focused on Islamic culture.

The home of Islamic culture

Gulnara Karimova, the chairperson of the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation, noted that her country was and still is one of the bright spots to Islamic culture, and luminaries of past have made their contributions not only to the development of Islamic culture, but also to the evolution of the global culture as a whole. These eminent people include Imam Bukhari, Khorezmi, al-Biruni and Ibn Sina and others.

The presentation of the book “Samples of Eastern Calligraphy and Miniature Art” is the most important element in this event. The book published by Fund Forum in 2009 is considered to be the first experience in cataloging rare pieces of Arabic calligraphy and Eastern miniature. The exhibition covers various font types, poetry, painting and miniatures in addition to the art of architecture, including artistic designs of Holy Quran.

The exhibition includes handicrafts, engraving on wood, metal, weaving, golden embroidery, and bright graphics and ceramics from Tashkent Museums, and creations of contemporary artists and craftsmen inspired by the heritage. In addition to works by contemporary artists from Uzbekistan, on display were rare historical pieces like clothing of Bukharian emirs, men’s and women’s clothes from different historical periods. Most of the exhibits belong to the Bukhara State Museum of Art and Architecture, the collection of the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation as well as private collections.

The cultural event culminated with performances of Uzbek folk and traditional music and expressive dances. The visitors also had the opportunity to try Uzbek culinary delights.

Source: http://www.albayan.ae/five-senses/culture/2012-04-03-1.1623576