Essay from Federico Wardal

Rome. An astonishing Mega-Event and Spectacle dedicated to Dante Alighieri on Via Margutta—a Street linked to Fellini, Picasso, Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn. Billy Wilder Celebrated in SF and Naples.

By Federico Wardal

Rome. In early December of last year, *Il Messaggero*—a newspaper that frequently reaches one million readers a day—published a massive article about me (https://www.ilmessaggero.it/roma/eventi/wardal_amato_da_fellini_da_hollywood-9232025.html?refresh_ce), an article that would restore my full renown throughout Italy. Around Christmastime, a magical encounter took place between myself and Tina and Teresa Zurlo—the curators of one of Europe’s most important art galleries. 

It is located  at number 90 on the legendary Via Margutta, this street is inextricably linked to my mentor, Federico Fellini (who lived at number 110), as well as to Pablo Picasso; it is also famously known as the setting for the film *Roman Holiday*, starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, which was filmed at number 51. 

Via Margutta also played a starring role during the years of Fellini’s *La Dolce Vita* and the era of his paparazzi—foremost among them the globally famous and celebrated Rino Barillari, known as “The King.” 

During our meeting, the Zurlo sisters and I discussed Fellini, as well as a major exhibition dedicated to him by the renowned painter Mario Russo—an event graced by the exceptional presence of his daughter, the famous actress Adriana Russo, serving as its godmother. However, as I was unable to return to Rome due to filming commitments in Hollywood, I sent a video message offering my greetings and recalling my personal bond with Fellini. The video proved to be a great success, and the brilliant Zurlo sisters subsequently informed me that they wanted me to serve as the absolute star of a grand event dedicated to the “Supreme Poet ” Dante Alighieri—an event that would extend into a subsequent tribute to Pier Paolo Pasolini and Dario Bellezza.

Inspired, I bring forth—from “the strata of the rock of history”—a short theatrical piece titled: *Dante, Pasolini, Dario Bellezza, Wardal: Infernal… all of them*. It is a reverse journey for the poet Virgil, who guides Dante into the contemporary world of Pasolini, Dario Bellezza (a friend of mine), and myself. Enrico Bernard—a playwright and director of exceptional caliber—directs me; the popular flutist Andrea Ceccomori graces the performance with magical musical moments (much like in the film *Anita*); and Antonio Zaru has designed for me a floor-length tunic of “Inferno-red” sequins.

My entrance is planned to take place from a luxurious automobile—naturally, also “Inferno-red.” An event constructed from such elements—never before blended in this way—has already circled the globe before it has even taken place. The glamour enveloping the event serves as a garment through which—with increasing clarity—emerge political, social, and moral issues: questions regarding peace, and the rampant psychological toxicity pervading both personal relationships and fluid modern connections. It feels as though a “Golden Age of Hollywood” has returned—a legacy that belongs to me through my friendships with Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Wilder. Indeed, I am bringing Billy Wilder back into our present times, envisioning him as the potential protagonist of a mega-event spanning San Francisco and Pompeii—the latter being close to Ischia and Sorrento, where Wilder filmed *Avanti!* with Jack Lemmon.

From the Cannes Film Festival, stars are already booking their attendance for the Roman event scheduled for May 22nd; meanwhile, in Egypt, *The Times International*—edited by Ibrahim Shehata—has published a fascinating article on the subject: https://www.thetimesinternational.com/?p=169588. A flurry of activity is currently underway, forging connections between an American film festival—active across California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York State—and the Vesuvius Film Festival in Pompeii, presided over by architect Giovanna D’Amodio. Meanwhile, the film *Anita*—based on a poem by the hero Garibaldi and a winner at both the SF New Concept IFF and the Vesuvius FF—is enjoying special screenings in Brazil at the Gramado IFF, as well as at Andrea Priori’s Cortintelvi IFF (located between Como and Milan); it has also garnered interest in France at the *Festival International du film d’histoire*.

By now, the role of “puppeteer” seems to be taking hold of me—a role I embrace in order to bring to life these cultural and artistic bridges that constitute my lifelong dream. The very latest news concerns the event scheduled for May 22nd in Rome: the occasion will be graced by exceptional patrons—the legendary impresario of Tina Turner, Domenico Modugno, and the longtime head of the Sanremo Festival, Adriano Aragozzini—alongside Francesco Garibaldi Hibbert, a direct descendant of the “Hero of Two Worlds” who is currently making waves in the film world with *Anita* (a film about his famous ancestress, Anita Garibaldi). The event’s distinguished hostess will be the great actress Adriana Russo. Also taking center stage will be prominent ladies such as the Hon. Angela Alioto and *Cavaliere* Silvia Gardin.

We anticipate a veritable flood of VIPs, aristocrats, academics, stars (whose names we will reveal only after the performance), and filmmakers—including, of course, the performance’s director, Enrico Bernard. They will be joined by directors Antonello Altamura (*Ancient Taste of Death: The Sinister Legend of Wardal*)—who has a “top-secret” surprise in store!—as well as Andrea Marfori (*SHEMSU-HOR*), Jason Zavaleta (*Start on Market*), Sherif El-Azma (*Al-Maza*), and Jennifer Glee (*Narcisse Fluid*). All will be there with me, accompanied by the stars of their respective films—my heartfelt thanks to them all! Also in attendance will be director Agostino Marfella, who, like me, shares a theatrical bond with the poet Dario Bellezza.

But hopefully, all of this will be replicated live in NYC, LA, SF, and the Bay Area—and certainly on both Italian (TV programs featuring Maria Luisa Lo Monte) and American television networks.

Essay from Azamova Feruza Abduholiq qizi

Ways to Improve the Efficiency of the Service Sector in Uzbekistan

Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute
Student of the Economics (Branches and Sectors) program

Azamova Feruza Abduholiq qizi

E-mail: azamovaferuza68@gmail.com
Tel: +998-95-373-76-78
ORCID ID: 0009-0000-6122-5666

Abstract:This article analyzes the role of the service sector in the economy of Uzbekistan, its current level of development, and ways to improve its efficiency. The service sector constitutes a significant share of the country’s gross domestic product and plays an important role in ensuring employment. The study examines existing problems in the service sector, including low service quality, insufficient level of digitalization, and lack of qualified personnel. The results show that the introduction of innovative technologies, digitalization of services, improvement of human capital, and the development of effective management systems are key factors in enhancing the efficiency of the sector. In addition, the need to improve state support mechanisms and expand private sector participation is substantiated.

Keywords:service sector, efficiency, digitalization, innovation, service quality, management, economic development

Introduction

In the modern economy, the service sector is one of the fastest-growing industries. The experience of developed countries shows that the share of services in the economy plays a dominant role and becomes a key driver of economic growth. In Uzbekistan, special attention has been paid in recent years to the development of the service sector. In particular, large-scale reforms are being implemented to increase the volume of services, create new jobs, and improve the standard of living of the population.

However, despite these efforts, a number of problems still exist in this sector. In particular, insufficient service quality, low level of adoption of modern technologies, and underdeveloped service culture negatively affect efficiency. The purpose of this study is to identify scientifically grounded ways to improve the efficiency of the service sector in Uzbekistan.

Methods

This study is grounded in a systematic and integrative approach to analyzing the development trends of the service sector in Uzbekistan. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the subject. In particular, economic analysis was used to evaluate the role and contribution of the service sector to national economic growth, while comparative analysis allowed for the examination of differences between Uzbekistan and selected international benchmarks.

Statistical data were collected from national and international sources and were processed through generalization and trend analysis techniques to identify key patterns in service sector development. Additionally, elements of empirical observation were applied to assess real-world practices within service enterprises.

A review of international experience was conducted to identify best practices in improving service efficiency, especially in countries with advanced service economies. Furthermore, the study incorporated a factor analysis approach to determine the key drivers influencing service sector efficiency, including digitalization level, workforce qualifications, management practices, and market competitiveness. This multi-method approach ensured the reliability and validity of the research findings.

Results

The results of the study reveal several strategic directions for improving efficiency in the service sector of Uzbekistan. First, the acceleration of digitalization processes has a significant positive impact on both the speed and quality of service delivery. The integration of electronic services, digital platforms, and automated systems reduces operational costs, minimizes human error, and enhances customer satisfaction by providing faster and more accessible services.

Second, the improvement of human capital within the service sector emerged as a critical factor. The findings indicate that organizations with highly skilled and well-trained employees demonstrate higher service quality, better customer interaction, and increased operational efficiency. Continuous professional development, training programs, and education initiatives are therefore essential for sustainable sector growth.

Third, the adoption of customer-oriented management systems was identified as a key determinant of service efficiency. Businesses that actively incorporate customer feedback, personalize services, and implement modern customer relationship management (CRM) practices achieve stronger customer loyalty and competitive advantage.

In addition, the expansion of small businesses and private entrepreneurship plays a vital role in enhancing market dynamics. Increased competition within the service market encourages innovation, improves service standards, and drives firms to optimize their performance. The study also finds that regions with higher levels of entrepreneurial activity tend to exhibit more diversified and resilient service sectors.

Overall, the results highlight that a combination of digital transformation, human capital development, effective management strategies, and competitive market structures is essential for significantly improving the efficiency of the service sector.

Discussion

The results of the study show that a comprehensive approach is necessary for the development of the service sector. In particular, it is important to widely introduce innovative technologies, develop digital infrastructure, and improve service quality control systems.

Moreover, strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors, attracting investments, and improving support mechanisms for the service sector are essential. International experience demonstrates that the development of the service sector is a key factor in ensuring economic stability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, improving the efficiency of the service sector in Uzbekistan requires the implementation of digitalization, innovation, enhancement of human capital, and the establishment of effective management systems. These measures will contribute to improving service quality, meeting consumer needs, and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

References

  1. World Bank. (2023). World Development Report 2023: Digitalization for Development. Washington, DC: World Bank.
  2. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2022). Enhancing the Contributions of SMEs in a Global and Digitalised Economy. Paris: OECD Publishing.
  3. United Nations. (2021). World Economic Situation and Prospects 2021. New York: United Nations.
  4. State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics. (2024). Statistical Review of Uzbekistan. Tashkent.
  5. Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan. (2023). Annual Report on Economic Development. Tashkent.
  6. Asian Development Bank. (2022). Uzbekistan: Country Partnership Strategy 2022–2026. Manila: ADB.
  7. International Monetary Fund. (2023). Republic of Uzbekistan: Staff Report for the 2023 Article IV Consultation. Washington, DC: IMF.

Poetry from Stephen Jarrell Williams

A New Beginning???

I can’t tell

if it’s early morning

or late evening,

it’s not cold,

a little warm,

comfortable,

everyone sitting outside,

fluffy chairs,

relaxed,

quiet,

not waiting but

content,

with no buildings,

no houses,

no mountains,

no hills,

just a slight curve

of the earth,

waiting for

the sun

to come up,

and the stars

to shine

into the far distance

of a city of gold.

Essay from David Kokoette

Since the beginning of time, men have always sought for power, an ability to make other men do things with or without their will power. To induce submission and perhaps loyalty, to bend others to their will. Kings and emperors in ancient times lived in power, a dynasty of strong people. This power was the very fuel that ignited their dominance. The strong preyed on the weak, who wouldn’t wish to be the former. The struggle for power has pushed men into condemnation, its pursuit has been characterized with murder, lies, cowardice and deception. Power has been the line that divides the society, the origin of class and hierarchy. Whoever possessed power was feared or respected and in rare cases, they had both.

It is important to pinpoint a fact, from whatever any angle your view emanates from, all would agree that all fingers are not the same, some are short while others are long. This is the same with humans and humanity as a whole. Some possessed or were blessed more than others. Some were born with a deformity, however humanity has put us all in the same world and has interconnected us with a fabric of similarities so that no matter how powerful or strong you are, at the tail end you were human liable to death, sickness, thirst and starvation.

Power is said to be like alcohol, or a drug of some sort so that it changes people. Men who have been used to power react differently as opposed to men who were recently introduced to power. Like a slave who became king, and a king who came from a long line of kings (dynasty), there is always a visible difference. Naturally, all men are greedy, power is the blood that runs through the veins of this greediness. A man who was just introduced into power tends to be, for a lack of a better word mad or drunk. He tends to show qualities and behaviors that even he himself did not know he had inside him. An illustration would suffice, therefore picture this scenario.

In a company or a household, MR A used to be gatekeeper, while MR B was the owner of the estate, MR B displayed pride, bending MR A to his will with a confident minded willpower that MR A would not be able to do otherwise even if he wanted to. MR A possessed a sort of wittiness and envied MR B for the power he possessed, all of a sudden, either by the work of providence or metaphysics, MR A becomes the new estate owner, another side of his personality would be born, he has acquired the silk from India. For the first few weeks, MR A would display cockiness at an extreme capacity while exhibiting his newfound power.

The principle of Dominance
Dominance has been in existence along with humanity since Cain killed Abel, stronger cities conquered weaker ones and annexed them while enforcing taxes and coercing their women and children into slavery. Anyone who toples or conquers a strong principality replaced it. Men ignorantly sought power, without a proper understanding of how dominance works. It is one thing to be powerful and it is another thing to remain in power so that if you kill Goliath, you become the new Goliath. You need to understand this principle if you want to understand how power and dominance works.

I am from a country called Nigeria, during my National youth service at the Keffi orientation camp Nasarawa state, i understood how shallow men can be while searching for power, like a slave that became king, they lacked a knowledge of the principle of dominance. My experience there showed me one thing, men are shallow, myopic and stupid if i was to add. The quest to dominate one another pushed them into a stupendous cycle that projected their ignorance at the highest height. The principle of dominance is the territory no one shows you on your quest for power.

Conclusion
Power and dominance goes hand in hand, like the two sides of a coin, one can not exist without the other. Dominance is the after product or the result of expressing or exhibiting power, not just an expression but a successful expression of power. One must possesse the ability to be champion and to stay the champion. 

Poetry from Alan Catlin

On a Poetry Professor’s Presumption That All Political Poetry

Is a Rant and Therefore Unsuitable as a Subject for

Real Poetry and His Assignment of “Grandmothers” 

as an Appropriate Topic for Students

after Antler’s “Writer’s Workshop”

In this war, this pre-

emptive war, this

ethnically cleansed,

this genocidal hell,

the woman described

as having a shattered

skull, having her brain

removed, having her

breasts ripped off, having

her chest cavity rent,

this scarecrow woman

impaled on a pole in a

plowed-by-armored-vehicle,

she dead

That woman was someone’s

grandmother

You don’t want to believe it

I could show you pictures

“A poem, even a bad poem, was harder to kill than

a cockroach.”  Karl Shapiro

Bred in the dark

like tiny monsters

with flexible spindle

thin legs for scuttling

the way crabs do,

shunning the light

the feral tide of

whiskey scented winds

No hermetically sealed 

container can prevent

them from wheedling

their way inside,

from stealing letters

from the alphabet

for food,

nourishment in the form

of images as 

palpable as the represented

object of desire,

the actual thing

implacable as a spoken

truth; they are what

words infer they are,

sometimes more, often less

War Game Docudrama

movie made for

BBC in middle 60’s

re after the atomic bomb

falls

truths and consequences

for England

but never shown on

TV as it was declared

“too disturbing”

Seen now as

somewhat quaint

though still controversial

for realistic death scenes by:

fallout

fire

radiation sickness

oxygen depravation

special effects lame

compared to what modern

viewers are used to

the reality they show  

much much

worse

Tall Bound Blindfolded Man in Frozen Frames

The silence is absolute after

the rifles’ fire

Five grey gusts of smoke

motionless just beyond the barrels

And the odd, contorted face of

the El Capitan after the order to shoot

has been given

You have to imagine the sound

of his voice

The rifles’ retort

And the echo after in the courtyard

Bullets finding their mark in

the tall, bound, blindfolded man

or gone astray

with others from days past

in the thick, adobe walls that lie

just beyond the limp figure of the target 

12 Safe Places to Die

1-In a graveyard, reading the headstones,

in the rain

2-Over the waterfall, on raft, still

wearing the flag

3-In the desert, before sunrise, on 

a flat alkaline plain

4-By the lake, with the loons calling,

the fog rising

5-In the helicopter, over the LZ,

almost home free

6-Strapped in with the crash test dummies,

heading toward a wall

7-On the beach at low tide, among the men

of war, on the flat blue sea

8-Three fathoms deep, enraptured by 

the deep

9-Sky diving, free falling the currents, no

parachute to interrupt the flight

10-On the golf course, under a spreading

chestnut tree with a nine iron

11-In a bank vault, all the safe deposit boxes

open, all the security cameras off

12-In the underground White House, with the chosen

few, after the bombs have begun to fall

Another Tasteful Discussion of Contemporary War  

The children’s crusade begins at noon,

a massacre of innocents follows soon

after and the plasma, wall-sized TV they

are watching is either out-of-focus, tuned

into some modern artist’s patterned canvas 

or else troop movements and new recruits 

have been camouflaged by a new kind of sky

blue and white pattern, everyone, everything

blended so perfectly no one can sense

a vertiginous loss of place, the weightless

soldiers and their ships neither up nor down,

not anywhere in time or place in this room

or any other room as the well-groomed guests

and their hosts sip amber cocktails, not really

watching what is happening, what the TV

represents, what is slowly being absorbed

into the blood.

Essay from Charos Mansurova

The Role and Impact of Loanwords in Modern Korean Speech: A Socio-Linguistic Analysis

Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies

Faculty of Philology and Language Teaching (Korean Language)

1st-year student: Mansurova Charos

Abstract: This study examines the integration of loanwords (oerye-eo) into the modern Korean lexicon and their functional role in contemporary communication. Through a quantitative analysis of 500 media texts and social media samples, the research explores how foreign linguistic elements, particularly “Konglish,” adapt to Korean phonetic and morphological structures. The findings indicate that loanwords constitute over 30% of modern terminology in key sectors, reflecting broader trends of globalization and cultural shift within South Korean society.

Keywords: Korean linguistics, Loanwords, Konglish, Sociolinguistics, Language Globalization, Oerye-eo.

Introduction

Language is a dynamic organism that constantly evolves through cross-cultural interaction. In the 21st century, the acceleration of globalization has intensified linguistic exchange, with the Korean language serving as a prominent example of rapid lexical transformation. While historically influenced by Sino-Korean characters (Hanja), contemporary Korean is experiencing a significant influx of Western terminology.

The purpose of this research is to analyze the prevalence of loanwords in South Korean daily discourse, media and technology. This study argues that these elements have transitioned from mere technical necessities to essential components of modern stylistic expression and social identity.

Literature review

The study of loanwords in the Korean language has been a focal point for many linguists over the past few decades.

Traditional Perspectives: Early researchers like Sohn (1999) categorized Korean vocabulary into three distinct layers: native Korean words, Sino-Korean words and loanwords (oerye-eo). Historically, Hanja occupied the prestigious position that English occupies today.

The “Konglish” Phenomenon: Kent (1999) and Lawrence (1912) explored the concept of “Konglish”-words derived from English but adapted with unique Korean meanings or structures (e.g., handphone for mobile phone). They argue that Konglish is not a “broken” language but a creative adaptation.

Sociolinguistic Impact: Park (2009) emphasizes in South Korea is closely linked to status symbols, where Western terms often convey modernity and global connectivity.

Research methodology 

To determine the role of loanwords in modern Korean discourse, a multi-methodological approach was employed:

1. Descriptive Analysis: Theoretical literature and lexicographic sources were examined to establish the conceptual framework.

2. Quantitative Method: A corpus of 500 text samples was collected from prominent  South Korean media  media portals ( Naver News, Daum) and social media platforms ( Instagram, You tube).

3. Comparative Analysis: Traditional Sino-Korean borrowings were compared with modern Western influences regarding their frequency of use.

Research results

The following data represents the empirical findings from the corpus analysis:

Distribution of Loanwords across Sectors 

            Sector  Loanword Proportion             (%)    Primary Source          Language                     
Information Technology            72%          English
Fashion and Beauty            65%      English, French
Youth Slang & SocialMedia            50%          English 
General News & Media            30%      English,Japanese

1. Source Distribution: A significant majority (85%) of these borrowings originate from English, while 15% are derived from Japanese, German, and French.

2. Morphological Integration: Data shows that 90% of English-derived verbs integrate via the Korean auxiliary verb –hada ( e.g., 드라이브하다 – drive-hada). 95% of nouns are transliterated directly into Hangul without phonetic reduction.

Discussion

The results confirm that the Korean language is undergoing an intensive process of “Anglicization”. The fact that loanwords exceed 30% in general media suggests they are no longer merely auxiliary tools.

The high concentration in IT (72%) is attributed to the lack of traditional  equivalents for rapidly evolving global technologies. Furthermore, the 50% usage in youth slang confirms Park’s (2009) theory of status symbols; younger generations perceive “Konglish” as a marker of being globally connected. Unlike Sohn (1999), who observed a lower percentage of loanwords, our findings suggest that the pace of lexical borrowing has doubled in the last 25 years due to digital acceleration.

Conclusion 

 In conclusion, this study demonstrates that loanwords (oerye-eo) have evolved from auxiliary technical terms into essential components of modern Korean identity and stylistic expression. The quantitative analysis confirms that foreign-derived vocabulary now constitutes over 30% of contemporary media discourse, with a dominant 85% originating from English. These findings answer the primary research question by highlighting that “Konglish” acts as a marker of modernity and global connectivity, particularly among the younger generation. Practically, this linguistic shift necessitates a revision of current educational materials to reflect the reality of active Korean speech.Future research should focus on the sociolinguistic gap between generations caused by this rapid lexical transformation.

References

1. ​Kent, D. B. (1999). Speaking in Tongues: The Role of English in South Korean Society. Korea Journal, 39(4), 187-209.

​2. Lawrence, C. B. (2012). The Korean-English Linguistic Landscape. World Englishes, 31(1), 70-92.

3. ​National Institute of Korean Language. (2022). Report on the Use of Foreign Loanwords in Mass Media. Seoul, South Korea.

4. ​Park, J. S. (2009). The Local Construction of a Global Language: Ideologies of English in South Korea. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

​5. Sohn, H. M. (1999). The Korean Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

6. ​Kiaer, J. (2018). The Routledge Course in Korean Translation. London: Routledge. (Chapter 4: Loanwords in Korean: Their History and Development).