Navoi: A Universal Legacy
On September 20, 2025, a major cultural and educational event titled “Navoi: A Universal Legacy” was held at Alisher Navoiy Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, with the participation of a delegation from Soka University, Japan. At the beginning of the event, a sakura tree was planted at the foot of the statue of the great thinker Alisher Navoi in the university’s “Garden of Friendship.” This honored tradition symbolizes the friendship between Japan and Uzbekistan and was dedicated to Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, founder of Soka University and a promoter of peace and humanistic values, who greatly admired Navoi’s literary heritage.
The ceremony continued in the university foyer with the opening of a photo exhibition under the same title, featuring rare photographs taken by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda. In a generous gesture, the delegation gifted 35 historical photographs to the university.
At the university conference hall, a video presentation dedicated to the life and work of Dr. Ikeda was shown. Following the screening, speeches were delivered by University Rector, Academician Shuhrat Sirojiddinov, Soka University President, Professor Suzuki, Delegation Leader Dr. Yoshiyuki Nagaoka, and representatives of the Agency for Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Uzbekistan, highlighting the shared values between Navoi’s humanism and Ikeda’s philosophy of peace.
The event concluded with a creative program prepared by TashDO‘TAU students, which was presented to the guests.
This meeting once again demonstrated the harmony between the wise call of our great ancestor Alisher Navoi — “support each other as long as you live” — and Dr. Daisaku Ikeda’s practical efforts for peace. It also served to strengthen educational and cultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan.