UZBEK «STEPPE» TEXTILE IN THE FOCUS OF THE MULTIMEDIA PROJECT «CULTURAL LEGACY OF UZBEKISTAN IN THE WORLD COLLECTIONS»

Abstract

Abstract: An important part of the cultural heritage of the Uzbek people pertains to the artistic traditions of Uzbek pastoralist tribal groups. These tribal groups, historically affiliated with the Dashtikipchak tribal association, have played a pivotal role in preserving the memory of their nomadic past, particularly that of the Lakays and Kungrats. The artistic heritage of the region is most vividly represents in the form of textiles, such as embroidery and carpets. These have become recognizable as assets of world artistic culture. Due to historical circumstances, a substantial proportion of these artefacts are currently located outside of Uzbekistan, within museum and private collections worldwide. Consequently, the textiles of the semi-nomadic Uzbeks have been the subject of more extensive research and better known abroad than in their homeland.

The project “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan in the Collections of the World” has led to the identification and publication of numerous collections of Lakai and Kungrat textiles from various countries. A series of book-albums published under the project has made this stratum of Uzbek heritage accessible to domestic specialists. The article under discussion herein sets forth a discussion of a number of significant collections that currently held within the United States of America.