The trip to Tashkent by the sixteen (16) members of the delegation was extremely successful! Many individuals arrived early in Uzbekistan, prior to the official visitation days, of August 29-September 2nd. Each person had a wonderful time sightseeing, or visiting friends or family.
The official delegation days included a 1.5 hour meeting with the mayor of Tashkent, and then visits to many wonderful museums and sights. It also included wonderful dinners almost each evening with Uzbek officials. We were very privileged to see the new mosque and see a copy of the Koran that was written in the early 700's. We also were very privileged to attend the Independence Day activities, which included sitting about 100 feet from President Karimov, as he made his speech to the nation on the 17th anniversary of their independence. The evening felt as if we were at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics; it was that special. The mayor of Tashkent also held a fantastic reception for us as well, with the country's top entertainers.
Our delegation leaders, Ms. Jan Drago, City Councilwoman from the Seattle City Council, and former Mayor Wes Uhlman, were excellent leaders and ambassador's for our city and the delegation. We were very fortunate to have them go to Tashkent and help make this trip so special.
The American embassy held a gathering at the Peace Park, to dedicate a new bench in the Peace Park and also have former Mayor Uhlman meet the former mayor of Tashkent (Mayor Kazimov), who signed the original sister city documents in 1972-1973. It was the 20th anniversary of the Peace Park. The embassy hosted an American barbecue at the park, and it was attended by hundreds of people. (You can see this event described at the American embassy website at http://www.usembassy.uz/home/index.aspx?&mid=909&overview=2425
We are working to add pictures from the delegation activities to our website in the near future, including the Peace Park event.
We also held two meetings with the Ministry of Economics regarding our grant application for Seattle and Tashkent to begin to work together on global warming issues. We hope that this grant is successfully submitted and approved.
While we had to deal with a few glitches, our goals for the delegation were fully met. We re-established our ties with Tashkent; we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the sister city relationship; we supported by our attendance the 17th anniversary of Uzbekistan's status as an independent, sovereign nation; and we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Peace Park. Plus, we all felt personal success in our time with family and friends.
We thank the membership of the STSCA for contributing to our organization so we had the resources to pay for the purchase and installment of a beautiful marble bench in the Peace Park to have all citizens recognize the long friendship between our nations.
Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Annual Navruz Celebration
Dear Members and Friends of the Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Association This information about three very important events: (1.) Our annual Novruz celebration; (2.) A special gathering for Zemfira Akmedova, for those who know her; and (3.) Information about a special award to City Councilmember Ms. Jan Drago.
Novruz:
Mark your calendars! We are holding our annual Novruz celebration on Saturday, March 21st. We will be sending you further information as this date approaches, but, please mark your calendar now so you can save this date.
We will have Uzbek food and dance, live music, and a very fun time celebrating Novruz together. The doors open at 6:00 PM, and the evening will conclude between 9 PM and 9:30 PM. The location is the same as the past two years, at the Sandpoint Education Center, 6208 60th Ave. NE, in Seattle.
Everyone is welcome--all those from Central Asia and anyone who loves that region. The cost is $5 per person if you bring a dish to share (not just cookies or candy). Children under 12 are free! If you do not bring a dish, then the cost is $10 per person.
We do need help!!If you are interested in volunteering to help with setup, ticket taking, distributing the food, clean up, etc. then please let me know right away. This event takes a lot of work to make it so successful.
Every year all present have had a great time together and love this event. Be watching for further information in the next few weeks. We hope to see you there!
Gathering for Zemfira Akmedova:
Join in greeting Zemfira Akmedova!
After an absence of 20 years, Zemfira Akmedova arrived in Seattle on February 3! From her position in the Tashkent's Mayor's Office of International Relations Department, Zemfira was instrumental in the success of the Peace Park and many other Seattle-Tashkent citizen diplomacy projects. We want to let her know how much we appreciate her and the help she gave us. There are several options to see Zemfira: There will be an old fashioned American pot luck dinner at Fred Noland and Susan Hansen's house this coming Sunday, February 8, at 5:00 p.m. Feel free to bring whomever you think would enjoy the opportunity to see Zemfira again and have supper with a great group of people. Fred and Susan live in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood at 1107 Grand Avenue. Send them an email (mailto:
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)and let them know if you're able to join the group and your anticipated food or drink contribution. Let them know, too, if you need directions. Whether or not you are able to join the Sunday potluck, Zemfira will be here until February 20 and would enjoy spending time with people individually. If, for example you would like to have Zemfira over for a meal or take her on an excursion to some favorite place or event, you can call Rita Hopstein (425-670-8200) who will be organizing Zemfira's overall schedule. Zemfira will be staying with Rita (through Feb. 11), with Fred Noland and Susan Hansen (Feb. 12-16) and with Rosh Doan and Ginger Warfield (Feb. 17-20). All of these hosts will be happy to “time share” during the periods when Zemfira is living with them. We hope to see you Sunday.
Uzbek Honor for City Councilmember Ms. Jan Drago:
Seattle City Councilmember Ms. Jan Drago has been a long time friend of the STSCA. The Uzbekistan embassy in Washington, D.C. has just honored and recognized her for her work in support of the positive relations between Seattle and Tashkent and the country of Uzbekistan.
There was a special ceremony at the Uzbek embassy on January 17, 2009, to present to Ms. Drago the Embassy's and Ambassador's Special Appreciation Award in “recognition of her outstanding efforts and commitment to developing Seattle-Tashkent Sister City ties and promoting better understanding between the United States and Uzbekistan.”
The award was presented by Ambassador Abdulaziz Kamilov. The STSCA appreciates Ms. Drago's longtime support for the STSCA and her friendship. Ms. Drago clearly deserves this recognition and our thanks!
Sincerely, Dan Peterson,
President, Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Association
