Abdulla Oripov, an Uzbek poet, literary translator and politician
The following article was contributed by the Uzbekistan Embassy in Seoul to the Korea Post media for publication.—Ed.
If you grew up in Uzbekistan, Abdulla Oripov is a household name. He was an Uzbek poet, literary translator and politician. He is known as the author of the words of the national Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Besides writing his own poems, accordance has translated the works of many famous foreign poets, such as Alexander Pushkin, Dante Alighieri, Nizami Ganjavi, and Taras Shevchenko into the Uzbek language.
The Life of Abdulla Oripov
Abdulla Oripov was born on 21 Mar 1941 in Nekuz village of Kashkadarya in the then Uzbekistan. After graduating with honors from high school in 1963, he studied journalism at Tashkent State University. During this time, Oripov started writing poetry, a passion that was with him for the whole of his life.
His first collection was published in 1965 two years after graduating from university. This was “Mitti Yulduz” which translates in English to “The Little Star”.
Abdulla Oripov’s Literary Works
From 1965 to 2015, including compilations, Abdulla Oripov penned twenty-five books on poetry. His work has become revered in Uzbekistan circles. The subject matter speaks to the reader as he conveys his views on all aspects of the human condition and life in Uzbekistan. It is spiritual in nature and talks about the history of his people.
Abdulla Oripov’s writings touched the hearts of the nation. His work would go on to be taught to every child in the country. Abdulla Oripov is well known for composing the lyrics to the National Anthem of Uzbekistan when the country regained her independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
As well as writing poetry he translated other famous poets into Uzbek. This included Alexander Pushkin, Dante Alighieri, Nizami Ganjavi, and Taras Shevchenko. Perhaps most famously he translated Dante’s Divine Comedy into Uzbek.
Although he will always be remembered as a poet, he worked for a long time in the publishing industry. For over ten years he worked for various publishing houses and then periodicals such as “Sharq Yulduzi” (The Eastern Star) and “Gulxan” (Bonfire) until 1980.
Abdulla Oripov was a Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan members from 1971 until 2009. In 1994 he would become head of the organization.
Awards
With a career and life ad distinguished as Abdulla Oripov, it is no surprise that he collected award after award. In 1989 he won the State Hamza Prize and became the National Poet of Uzbek in 1989. In 1992 he won the prestigious Alisher Navoiy State Prize. Best of all, he won the Hero of Uzbekistan award which is the highest honor an Uzbekistan civilian can be awarded.
Abdulla Oripov entered politics in 2005 when he entered the Senate of Uzbekistan. He remained a member until his death in 2016. He also was the head of the Copyright Committee of Uzbekistan from 2000 until 2016.
Abdulla Oripov would die in 2016 in Houston, Texas, the United States where he was receiving medical treatment.
He left a profound legacy and impression on the people of Uzbekistan at every level of society. The poet will always be revered in Uzbek society.
In 2021, Uzbekistan will widely celebrate the 80th anniversary of the birth of the famous poet, public figure, author of the National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Hero of Uzbekistan, People's Poet Abdulla Oripov, who made a great contribution to the development of literature and art of Uzbekistan.
On December 2, 2020, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted a resolution on the wide celebration of the 80th anniversary of Abdulla Oripov.
According to this decision:
- In the third decade of March 2021 in the Palace of International Forums of Uzbekistan will be held a solemn literary and artistic evening dedicated to the memory of Abdulla Оripov;
- Abdulla Оripov's two-volume "Selected Works", collections of poems translated into Karakalpak, Russian, English and other languages, as well as the book "Abdulla Oripov - in memory of contemporaries" will be prepared and published;
- Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature named after Alisher Navoi will host an international scientific-theoretical conference on "The role of Abdulla Oripov's creative heritage in the development of Uzbek and world literary and aesthetic thinking" and the conference materials will be published in a separate collection;
- Will be made a documentary about the life and work of Abdulla Oripov;
- Performances based on the works of Abdulla Oripov will be staged in the theaters of Uzbekistan;
- "Why do I love Uzbekistan?" dedicated to the life and work of Abdulla Aripov among students of secondary schools, creative schools and higher education institutions essay competitions on the topic.