Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan were relatively unfamiliar to me until the dismantlement of the Soviet Union in 1991.
My fascination with these Central Asian countries, particularly Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, dates back to the early 1990s when I was deeply involved in the raw cotton business. The Korean Kabul Spinning Company, in collaboration with Kabul Uzbekistan and Kabul Tajikistan, was a prominent player in the textile sector of the countries. I supplied cotton to various companies. Additionally, I promoted the cotton of these nations to other countries through my head cotton merchant in Paris.
I had the honor of visiting Uzbekistan and Tajikistan at the invitation of the Korean Kabul Spinning Company to attend the dedicatory ceremony of the Kabul Uzbekistan and Kabul Tajikistan Company in 1996.
The trip comprised a Korean business delegation composed of leading textile experts, cotton merchants, financial groups and bankers, who were warmly welcomed by both nations.
In particular, during our visit to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, the welcoming dinner was held by the then-vice prime minister of Tajikistan in honor of our business delegation. Although almost three decades have passed, I still cherish fond memories of the trip. Arranged just four years after gaining independence from the Soviet Union, the two countries still bore vestiges and influences of the Soviet era.
The celebration dinner for International Nowruz, held on March 25 at a hotel in Seoul and hosted by Salohiddin Kirom, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Korea, was a remarkable occasion.
Nowruz is a spring festival steeped in millennia of history, believed by many to trace its origins back to Jamshid-i Peshdadi, though evidence suggests its roots may be even older. The term Nowruz translates to "New Day," embodying the essence of nature's renewal and the commencement of a fresh year.
Formally acknowledged by the government of Tajikistan in the late 1980s, Nowruz attained national holiday status, with March 21 designated as its official celebration. Following Tajikistan's independence in 1991, Nowruz flourished, its festivities expanding in scale and grandeur. The holiday's duration stretched to a week, granting ample time for individuals to fully engage in traditional customs.
Nowruz's significance transcends Tajikistan's borders, leading to its global recognition. In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz. Moreover, Nowruz was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, underscoring its shared importance across various nations.
At its essence, Nowruz embodies the spirit of peace, tolerance and new beginnings. It unites people, irrespective of religious or social affiliations, in reverence for nature and aspirations for a prosperous future. Its advent heralds not only the arrival of spring's beauty but also the promise of a fresh start.
Despite 21st-century advancements, Nowruz remains a cherished source of spiritual and social cohesion for Tajikistan and neighboring communities.
With a legacy spanning six millennia, Navruz is deeply ingrained in Tajik collective consciousness, serving as a poignant reminder of cultural heritage and fostering profound intergenerational connections.
These nations hold a significant place in my heart due to a poignant migration episode experienced by the Koreytsi — a term coined here to denote Goryeoin, or Koreans who settled in the far-eastern part of Russia during the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. In 1937, Joseph Stalin initiated their deportation to Central Asia under the pretext of spying for Japan. Forced to resettle in barren lands, they endured harsh restrictions, including a ban on their language and travel.
Tajikistan and Central Asia have a profound impact on me, weaving personal experiences with rich cultural insights. From business ventures to cultural celebrations and poignant migration stories, these lands offer a tapestry of resilience, heritage, and human connection. Let us embrace diversity, learn from one another and foster understanding across borders, honoring the past while shaping a more inclusive future.
Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co. and founding director of the Korean-Swedish Association.
Remembering Tajikistan
20
1
03.04.2024
Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan were relatively unfamiliar to me until the dismantlement of the Soviet Union in 1991.
My fascination with these Central Asian countries, particularly Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, dates back to the early 1990s when I was deeply involved in the raw cotton business. The Korean Kabul Spinning Company, in collaboration with Kabul Uzbekistan and Kabul Tajikistan, was a prominent player in the textile sector of the countries. I supplied cotton to various companies. Additionally, I promoted the cotton of these nations to other countries through my head cotton merchant in Paris.
I had the honor of visiting Uzbekistan and Tajikistan at the invitation of the Korean Kabul Spinning Company to attend the dedicatory ceremony of the Kabul Uzbekistan and Kabul Tajikistan Company in 1996.
The trip comprised a Korean business delegation composed of leading textile experts, cotton merchants, financial groups and bankers, who were warmly welcomed by both nations.
In particular, during our visit to Dushanbe, the capital........
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