Dushanbe is set to welcome researchers, community members, and international guests, generating significant anticipation for the upcoming international conference on the Yaghnob Valley, officially named:
“Ancient Sogdiana: Past, Present and Future”,
October 18–19, 2007 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
For background on the event, see the official Information Letter and full Conference Agenda, both now available.
INFO LETTER
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Why Yaghnob?
Yaghnob is not merely another mountain valley in Tajikistan; it is the living embodiment of Sogdiana, a significant civilization of the ancient Silk Road. However, the Yaghnobi language, a direct descendant of Sogdian, is now perilously endangered, with only a handful of thousands fluent speakers left.
The 2007 conference convenes at a crucial moment. Forced displacement during the Soviet era, coupled with persistent economic marginalization, has severely strained both the Yaghnobi people and their cultural traditions. The roads are in disrepair or nonexistent. Access to education and healthcare is restricted. And without official recognition, the language remains absent from school curricula.
This summit is designed to instigate change.
The Idea and the Organizers
The initiative is spearheaded by a collaborative group including UNDP Ayni and the UNDP Country Programme, the District Development Committee of Ayni District, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Tajikistan, and the Tajik Socio-Ecological Union, with backing from DFID. These organizations aim for this event to be a pivotal platform for developing long-term strategies for both sustainable development and cultural preservation.
Three Key Objectives of the Conference
The summit’s core objectives, detailed in the official Information Letter, center on three primary aims: first, to evaluate recent research findings; second, to establish a strategic plan for future research and policies, including support for community infrastructure, healthcare, and education; and third, to investigate the feasibility of creating a Natural-Ethnographic Park within the Yaghnob Valley. Organizers characterize this assembly as the inaugural catalyst for the Yaghnobi people’s socio-economic advancement as a distinct cultural group.
What’s Happening at the Conference
The gathering at Dushanbe’s Kayon Hotel will unite diverse participants, including leading experts from Tajikistan, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Bulgaria, alongside government officials, embassy representatives, NGOs, and crucially, Yagnobi community leaders and youth. The meticulously planned two-day agenda promises a dynamic exploration of the Yaghnob Valley, featuring a screening of “The Sogdiana Way” and in-depth presentations covering language, ecology, economics, and sustainable tourism. Breakout sessions will tackle critical areas such as History & Linguistics, Geo-ecology & Development, and Cultural Heritage & Poverty Reduction, culminating in a “Realization of Dreams” session to share personal stories and celebrate grassroots commitment. Furthermore, a complementary photo exhibition, watercolor artworks, and potential excursions to Varzob and the Yaghnob Valley itself will provide a richer context for understanding the valley’s profound significance.
Momentum and Expectations
The conference, while limited to two days, signifies a crucial shift, recognizing Yaghnob’s preservation as a matter of national and international importance, not solely a local one. This occasion marks the first time such a diverse array of institutions have united for this cause, sparking genuine hope for significant advancements. Potential outcomes include renewed investment in the Yagnobi language and education system, the implementation of policy frameworks to protect Yagnobi territories and economic activities, and the realization of the Yaghnob Park, a concept dating back to 1991. For many attendees, this event is deeply personal, representing a struggle for justice and the very survival of their community.
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