FAU Delegation Explores Uzbekistan: Academic Exchange and Cultural Immersion in Central Asia
Our delegation of sixteen people – students from FAU and members from the Chair of Modern and Eastern European History – embarked on an exciting week-long journey to Uzbekistan. The trip combines work and exploration, with plans for numerous meetings at the National Archive of Uzbekistan, the National University of Uzbekistan, and Kimyo University, as well as visits to museums and historical sites across Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara.
On September 28, the very first day of our group’s visit, we had the honor of meeting Prof. Nodira Mustafayeva, a respected colleague at the Academy of Sciences. She warmly invited us into her home, where we commemorated our dear colleague, Prof. Julia Obertreis, who passed away in 2023. As the former head of the Chair of Modern and Eastern European History at FAU and an esteemed scholar of Uzbekistan’s history, Julia was well known to Prof. Mustafayeva. This made our gathering a heartfelt and meaningful tribute to her legacy.
Prof. Mustafayeva also guided us through her neighborhood – a traditional Uzbek mahalla – where we were warmly welcomed by the head of the mahalla and his co-workers. Experiencing the incredible Uzbek hospitality was an unforgettable highlight of the trip – from sharing a delicious meal of Plov, Shashlyk, and melon to learning more about the daily life and culture in Tashkent.
This visit was a beautiful start to our journey, offering us a deeper connection with the people and traditions of Uzbekistan.
