Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- An opening ceremony of the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan has taken place at Uzbekistan Palace of International Forums.

Opening the ceremony, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated guests from the fraternal Kazakhstan.

 “The Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan testifies to the dynamically developing strategic partnership, the growing confidence, mutual support, the inseparability of the bonds between our two countries. This momentous event is also a symbol of the eternal and sincere friendship, cultural and spiritual community of the two peoples”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

Our peoples have always served as a foothold for each other, they withstood the challenges and threats together, and today they are building a common future.

Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan to bolster the bonds of fraternity and good neighborly relations

“This historic day for Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan relations will serve as a solid foundation for further development of friendly relations between our peoples”, the Head of the state noted.

2018 was declared in Kazakhstan as the Year of Uzbekistan. Within its framework, over one hundred events were held in the field of culture, arts, literature, science, tourism and other fields. Tours of theater and folk groups, pop artists were organized. Days of Uzbek Literature took place in Almaty, Days of Uzbek Cinema were held in Taraz, Shymkent, Kyzylorda and Turkestan.

The resolution of the President of Uzbekistan, signed on 13 March 2018, triggered a broad study of the creative legacy of the outstanding Kazakh poet and thinker Abai Kunanbayev. 577th anniversary of our great ancestor Alisher Navoi’s birth was celebrated on a grand scale in Kazakhstan.

The President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude for the attention paid in Uzbekistan to development of the Kazakh language and culture. He noted that the events of the Year of Kazakhstan will further strengthen the cultural ties between our fraternal peoples.

In Uzbekistan, extensive preparations have been carried out for this occasion. Events within its framework will open up new horizons for representatives of the arts, science, education, business of the two countries to expand mutually beneficial contacts, exchange knowledge and achievements. All this will contribute to the mutual enrichment of cultures and further harmonization of our peoples.