The presentation of Abdullah Qodiriy’s “Bygone Days” (“O‘tkan kunlar”) first book published in the U.S. in English was held at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington.
The novel was translated by an American scholar, former Director of the Center for Regional Studies of the US Naval Academy, Mark Reese. He was one of the first Peace Corps volunteers in Uzbekistan, where he worked in 1994-1996.
The work on the translation of the novel lasted more than fifteen years. The process of publication of the novel noticeably accelerated with the active support of the Embassy, our compatriots in the United States, as well as Uzbek experts. The book went on sale and has a five-star rating.
660 pages of the book contain more than 400 explanations of various terms and idioms used by the author, as well as comments explaining the peculiarities of the culture, traditions and customs of Uzbek people.
Opening the presentation, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan Javlon Vakhabov informed in detail with measures taken by the country’s leadership to perpetuate the memory of our great ancestors, the wide celebration in the country of the 125th anniversary of the founder of Uzbek Romanism, a prominent representative of the Jadids movement, writer Abdullah Qodiriy’s birth.
Mark Reese shared his memories of the years in Uzbekistan, spoke about the results of his work and urged everyone to visit Uzbekistan at least once and witness the rich historical heritage, unique architecture and noble people.
Following the presentation, an agreement was reached with Mark Reese on organizing the presentation of Bygone Days in Uzbekistan in spring 2020 in English, as well as on discussing the project for translating the novel by Abdullah Qodiriy “Mehrobdan chayon” (“Scorpio from the Altar”).
