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FEATURES OF CULTURAL POLICY IN NEW UZBEKISTAN
Jumanazarov Zohidjon Eldor Ugli
Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture
Abstract:
This article examines the organizational and legal foundations for managing cultural
policy in New Uzbekistan. It explores the pivotal role of state institutions, public associations,
and civil society organizations in the development and implementation of cultural policy.
Keywords:
Cultural policy, New Uzbekistan, public associations, legal mechanisms, state
regulation, copyright, intellectual property, cultural institutions, cultural governance,
administrative mechanisms.
Cultural policy
refers to a set of principles, administrative mechanisms, and financial procedures
that form the basis for state actions in the cultural sphere. It outlines the strategic directions for
the development of cultural processes and practices within the context of a specific country,
region, or municipality.
The primary objectives of cultural policy include creating favorable conditions for the
preservation of cultural heritage, ensuring the production and dissemination of cultural products,
supporting creativity, fostering scientific research, and providing education and training for
cultural professionals. Additionally, it encompasses the development and improvement of the
legal and institutional frameworks governing the cultural sector, as well as the enhancement of
the activities of cultural institutions.
Key tasks of Uzbekistan’s cultural policy include:
Preserving historical and cultural heritage and utilizing it effectively in the upbringing of
younger generations;
Instilling national and universal values in the consciousness of youth, safeguarding ethnic
cultural traditions, and supporting folk creativity on this basis;
Creating and expanding opportunities for the population, especially young people, to
realize their creative potential;
Broadly implementing modern information and communication technologies in the
cultural sphere and effectively utilizing innovative ideas and technologies in the study and
promotion of culture;
Ensuring active participation and social inclusion of all citizens – including persons with
disabilities – in cultural life and access to cultural services;
Establishing and developing effective international cooperation in the cultural sector,
promoting a vision of national culture as an integral part of world culture, and emphasizing equal
rights and respect for human rights in this regard;
Ensuring that adopted economic, social, and cultural decisions align with a unified state
policy in the cultural field;
Supporting the full operation of cultural and art institutions, strengthening their material
and technical base, and introducing public oversight in the maintenance and protection of
cultural facilities.
Cultural policy is shaped not only in accordance with the state’s overarching priorities but also
by taking into account the unique historical and cultural traditions of individual regions. It is
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aimed at ensuring protection from the potentially negative impacts of market relations on cultural
development, integrating scientific and technological advancements into cultural activities, and
establishing a system that guarantees public participation in cultural life.
In essence, cultural policy represents the strategic management of processes within the cultural
sphere. It manifests across the full diversity of cultural practices and forms – ranging from
cultural monuments, folk arts, museums, and libraries to performing arts institutions such as
theaters and philharmonics. The implementation of cultural policy relies heavily on the operation
of numerous cultural organizations and institutions that actively engage in cultural activities.
However, cultural policy is not merely about the direct administration of cultural activities.
Rather, it is concerned with creating and supporting the necessary conditions for meaningful
spiritual and creative endeavors, as well as the production and consumption of cultural goods.
These enabling conditions are established through the introduction of specific principles of
cultural financing and the development of effective economic mechanisms for their realization –
such as programs supporting talented performers, the provision of benefits and subsidies, and
other forms of financial assistance.
The effectiveness of cultural policy is closely tied to national development priorities and the
guiding principles of state budgeting. In line with the goal of further enhancing cultural policy in
New Uzbekistan, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted Resolution No.
988 on December 15, 2017, which approved the Regulation on the Information and Analytical
Department for Issues of Culture, Art, and Youth Policy.
The organizational foundations of Uzbekistan’s cultural policy include preserving and enriching
the nation’s cultural and spiritual heritage; raising the cultural literacy of the population;
supporting the creative potential of youth in consideration of society’s growing intellectual,
aesthetic, and cultural demands; and implementing measures to strengthen the material and
technical infrastructure of cultural institutions and children’s music and art schools. These efforts
aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of institutional operations across the cultural
sector.
Market-Oriented Cultural Policy
Here, culture functions within market conditions. Cultural events and activities are largely
financed through commercial sources, including private foundations and sponsorships.
It is important to note that both of these models have their respective advantages and
disadvantages. The former ensures stability and accessibility of cultural services but may lack
dynamism and innovation. The latter fosters flexibility and responsiveness to demand but may
neglect cultural preservation and inclusivity.
In the first model, culture is directly controlled. There is virtually no opportunity to support
creative initiatives that do not conform to state regulations. A centralized management system
and conservatism – understood as a set of ideological, political, and cultural currents based on
tradition and continuity in social and cultural life – tend to reject innovative and non-standard
cultural practices. Historically, conservatism has taken various forms, but its core characteristic
is a tendency to preserve existing and stable social systems and norms, avoiding revolution and
radical reform.
In the second model, little attention is paid to general national cultural trends. The market often
hinders the development of socially significant directions in traditional culture, and self-
expression is not always supported within the commercial environment. Undoubtedly, the most
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acceptable approach is a certain balance between these models, taking into account the historical
and cultural context and the socio-economic development of the state. Another method of
modeling cultural policy is based on the relationship between the state and culture. However, this
approach considers only certain elements of these relations. Depending on how the state
constructs its strategy for managing culture, the following foreign models of cultural policy can
be distinguished.
Main Directions of Cultural Policy in New Uzbekistan
The main goal is to support the development of national culture by the state, ensure the
preservation of historical and cultural heritage, and further develop folk art. Currently, several
reforms are being implemented to introduce public-private partnerships in the field of cultural
activity, to meet the cultural needs of the population, to improve the quality of cultural services,
and to create and enhance conditions for the realization of youth's creative potential. This also
includes training talented youth, developing highly qualified personnel, improving their skills,
and fostering international cooperation.
Decisions regarding cultural objects under the jurisdiction of ministries and agencies are adopted
in agreement with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, following the
procedure established by law.
Cultural policy plays a significant role in the development of the cultural sector. The
development of cultural practices largely depends on the principles and priorities set through
cultural policy mechanisms. The state has defined priority directions to support the development
of cultural spheres.
References:
1. Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On approval of the Concept of
further development of national culture in the Republic of Uzbekistan”. 28.11.2018. No. PP-
4038. Source: https://lex.uz/docs/4084926
2. https://qomus.info/encyclopedia/cat-k/konservatizm-uz/
3. Decree of the Chamber of Copyright Protection of Artists, Creators and Performers of the
Republic of Uzbekistan dated January 20, 2021 No. 668 “On Cultural Activities and Cultural
Organizations”. Source: https://t.me/siipuz
4. Decree of the Chamber of Copyright Protection of Artists, Creators and Performers of the
Republic of Uzbekistan dated January 20, 2021 No. 668 “On Cultural Activities and Cultural
Organizations”
