Spiritual and Cultural Development in Uzbekistan During the Years of Independence
Keywords:
history of Uzbekistan, independence period, spiritual transformation, cultural policy, national identity, historical memory, cultural heritage, de Sovietization, spirituality, cultural integration, social consciousness, national ascent.Abstract
This scholarly article analyzes the spiritual and cultural transformations that have
taken place in Uzbekistan during the years of independence, within the historical
context from the initial period of state sovereignty to the present stage (1991
2026). The relevance of the research is determined by the necessity of
comprehending national identity, rehabilitating cultural heritage, and ensuring
the security of the spiritual space amid globalization following the collapse of
totalitarian ideology. The objective of the study is to identify the stage-by-stage
developmental patterns of cultural evolution during the independence period and
to evaluate the conceptual foundations of cultural policy from historical and
source-study perspectives. The methodological basis of the research is
constituted by the principles of historicism, objectivity, systematicity, as well as
comparative-historical and historical-genetic methods. Archival documents,
collections of normative-legal acts, periodical press, and works by local and
foreign historians served as primary sources. As a result of the conducted
research, three main institutional stages of spiritual and cultural development
were identified and their distinctive characteristics were elucidated: de
Sovietization and national revival; stability and cultural sovereignty; globalization
and national ascent. The processes of restoration of tangible and intangible
cultural heritage objects, the transformation of the status of the Uzbek language,
and the de-politicization of historical memory were analyzed. The research
conclusions demonstrate that Uzbekistan's cultural policy during the
independence years represents a complex synthesis of tradition and
modernization, which has served as a leading factor in strengthening the
foundations of national statehood. The results of the article may provide a
scientific-theoretical basis for the study of modern Uzbek history, cultural studies,
and state policy strategies.
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