On 18 July 2024 in Tashkent City Mall will open a new multimedia exhibition ‘Jadids. Letters to Turkestan’ dedicated to the initiatives of the Jadids in the field of education and enlightenment. The exhibition tells the story of students from Turkestan who were sent to Germany to study. Especially for the exhibition ‘Jadids. Letters to Turkestan’ exhibition, a separate space of more than 1,400 square metres was allocated in the shopping centre.

‘Jadidism, as a significant socio-political and cultural movement of the early 20th century, played a key role in the development of Central Asia. Jadidism catalysed many important changes in the region that continue to influence society today. This chapter of history demonstrates how the pursuit of knowledge and progress can change society, help overcome obstacles and create a foundation for a bright future,’ - Saida Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The exhibition ‘Jadids. Letters to Turkestan’ is designed to draw the attention of a wide audience to an important chapter in the history of Central Asia. Jadidism, as a progressive movement that originated here in the early twentieth century, played a key role in the history of Central Asia.

‘The new multimedia exhibition project promotes information about Jadidism through modern technology, in a new, understandable and accessible format for young people. We aim to make the history accessible and interesting for all generations, thanks to which visitors will be able to learn about the significance of Jadidism and its impact on the modern world,’ - Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation.

The exhibition features several sections accompanied by visual and sound installations in three languages, presenting visitors with a unique experience of immersing themselves in the past through archival materials collected by Bakhrom Irzaev, PhD in Historical Sciences.

‘The exhibition presents rare historical documents and materials that show how the ideas and actions of the young generation of Jadid contributed to the formation of modern Uzbek society. I hope that visitors to the exhibition will be able to appreciate the contribution of the 73 students of the Jadid generation to the cultural and intellectual heritage of our region and be inspired by their pursuit of knowledge and progress,’ - Bakhrom Irzaev, Ph.D. in Historical Sciences.

The scenography and soundscape of the exhibition is presented through multimedia projections that showcase the history of the Jadidis and their quest for enlightenment and national independence. The stage design of the exhibition itself is divided into five chronological and thematic zones that tell the story of the students of the Jadidism era.

The exhibition will also showcase rare archival materials: letters, articles and photographs from the Jadid era. Many of them will be presented for the first time.

In the first quarter of the twentieth century, the Jadids of Turkestan believed that education was the most reliable tool for the development of society. The newspapers ‘Tarakkiy’, ‘Najot’, ‘Shukhrat’, ‘Samarkand’, ‘Sadoi Turkiston’, ‘Sadoi Fargona’ and the magazine ‘Oyina’ were created to put society on the path of progress. In the first half of 1922, the Kumak Society was established by the Jadids, which played an important role in preparing the youth to be sent abroad for study and cultural exchange, serving as a support and platform for the further development of ideas of enlightenment and national independence.

‘During this period, it was necessary to overcome social and economic backwardness. The Jadids realised that it was only through education that progress could be made. Their educational reforms not only increased literacy and broadened the horizons of the youth, but also paved the way for subsequent socio-economic transformation. Thanks to the efforts of the Jadids, education became a powerful tool for changing social life, laying the foundation for the further development of Central Asia’ - Adib Khalid, Professor of History at Carleton College (USA) and a leading expert on Central Asia.

The multimedia exhibition ‘Jadids. Letters to Turkestan’ - is an invitation to self-exploration and reflection on the importance of education, cultural exchange and the pursuit of progress. Dive into this fascinating account of the past and present, discovering the history of the Jadids from a new perspective.

  • The exhibition is open from 18 July
  • Daily from 10:00 to 22:00
  • Tashkent City Mall