Professional Affiliation

Assistant Professor, University of Virginia

Wilson Center Project

Jadid Reformism in Post-Soviet Uzbekistan

Project Summary

Discusses the importance of Uzbek national literature to the new era, as emphasized by Islam Karimov (president of Uzbekistan since 1991). This application compares the goals and methods of this cultural reform to the Soviet socialist realism -- and the relationship of the State to the artist in the context of nationalist identity. Discusses the use of jadid literature as a technique to rehabilitate jadid reformers. Places the debate in the context of democratic transition, and reform of cultural history.