“People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.”
James Baldwin
In this issue, we explore how people are influenced by their times and cultures, and how they learn from and engage with the thoughts of their forebears. Also, we acknowledge the wealth of wisdom and life lessons carried within each person due to the events through which they have lived.
Amit Shankar Saha writes of then and now, memory and future, remembrance and forgetting, universal human questions. Duane Vorhees’ poetry evokes change, thought, aging, and the creative process.
Stephen Jarrell Williams speaks to memory and the human experience. Eva Lianou Petropoulou speaks to artists and authors’ learning from and being inspired by each other throughout the ages. Writer Rizal Tanjung offers up an existential analysis of Eva Petropoulou Lianou’s poetry.
Giorgos Pratzigos interviews Konstantinos Fais on his artwork and advocacy for rediscovering Hercules and ancient Greek virtues. Muxlisa Khaytbayeva records her grandfather Jumaboy Allaberganov’s memories of knowing famed Uzbek author Omonboy Matjonov as a young adult and discusses Matjonov’s contributions to culture. Shukurilloyeva Lazzatoy Shamsodovna relates her scholarly and personal journey to understanding and illuminating Russian writer Alexandr Faynberg’s poetic legacy and its influence on Uzbek culture.
Kuziyeva Shakhrizoda highlights the Uzbek government’s investment in the nation’s youth and the incredible potential of their young adults. Otaboyeva Khushniya outlines how the psychology of early childhood can inform education. Su Yun collects and translates the work of Chinese elementary school students.O’tkirava Sevinch outlines strategies for learning Mandarin Chinese as a second language and for teaching the language in Uzbek schools. Olimboyeva Dilaferuz outlines verb conjugation rules in the Uzbek language.
Mashhura Farhodovna Joraqulova’s short story encourages students from low-income families to persevere with their education. Sevara Kuchkarova outlines strategies to motivate students to complete work at school. Rashidova Shaxrizoda Zarshidovna honors the life and work of a woman who mentored many of the girls at her school. Dilbar Aminova advocates for a balanced approach to screentime in young children’s lives. Shahnoza Ochildiyeva reflects on the value of her journalism education at an Uzbek university. Xo’jamiyorova Gulmira Abdusalomovna highlights the role of emerging and young poets in Uzbekistan’s national destiny.
Duane Vorhees compares the poetry of Phillis Wheatley and Nikki Giovanni as part of a broader comment on changing Black consciousness in the United States.
Cherise Barasch writes with respect for the hardworking people she observes digging into the earth in the heat. Yongbo Ma brings a poetic and scientific perspective to fog. Sayani Mukherjee contemplates peaceful natural scenes in a reverie. Priyanka Neogi compares accepting life’s changes to living through different seasons and times of day. David Sapp reflects on the transcendent experience of seeing a peacock. Dilnoza Islamova looks to nature’s beauty as an invitation to spiritual faith and practice. Maki Starfield sends up elegant reflections on weather and fruits in Thailand as Maja Milojkovic meditates on sunflowers, existence, and perseverance.
Brian Barbeito lets his mind wander to cosmological and existential places while walking near birds by a lake. Orinbayeva Dilfuza rejoices in the beauty of nature at springtime as Dilobar Maxmarejabova shares the emotional significance of tulips in her life. Don Bormon revels in the fun of rain at school. Mark Young renders up more of his fanciful “geographical” maps of Australian regions. Mathematics is a language we use to describe nature, and Timothee Bordenave discusses how his geometric studies inform his artwork. Mesfakus Salahin speaks to drought in Bangladesh in a meditation on accepting life and nature’s cycles.
Bruce Mundhenke urges humanity to turn away from hate towards love and acceptance. Vo Thi Nhu Mai illuminates the beauty and communicative power of the craft of poetry.
Leslie Lisbona sends up a childhood memory of having fun dancing to and figuring out rap lyrics. Marjona Baxtiyorovna Jorayeva celebrates sports and their fandoms and their power to bring enjoyment and bring people together.
Kholmurodova outlines strategies to bring digital access and economic opportunities to the world’s rural women. Rakhimov Rakhmatullo outlines challenges and solutions for logistics technologies. Sa’dia Alisher outlines some benefits, problems, and challenges from modern digital technologies. Gulnora Rakhimjonovna Khomidova explores the educational potential of artificial intelligence.
Dr. Jernail S. Anand relates how, regardless of the tools we use to craft our work, restraint and discipline can serve as a creative force. Dr. Debabrata Maji highlights the power of perseverance and devotion. Azemina Krehic compares the care she has for her poetic works to the process of washing her clothes on a line. Hassan Mistura speaks to the journey of developing a healthy self concept. Surayyo Nosirova reminds us to let go of the illusion of more control than we have and to stay open to change.
Grant Guy offers up stage directions for absurdist theater, an artistic reaction to periods of rapid social change. Ahmed Miqdad speaks to the absurd persistence of normal life amid wartime. Mykyta Ryzhykh, in a similar vein, evokes the quest for queer love and sensuality among bombs and bullets.
Pat Doyne laments violent immigration enforcement overreach in Los Angeles. Otabayeva Khusniya reveals the deeply humane vision of Erkin Vahidov’s work Rebellion of Souls, a tribute to the memory of Nasrul Islam and other artists who died as a result of unjust persecution. Chimezie Ihekuna shares some of life’s paradoxes and urges nations and groups of people to move away from war as a solution to issues. Mahbub Alam also puts out a call for peace, remembering the many people lost to war. Boboqulova Durdona laments the many civilian deaths in Gaza as Stephen House highlights war’s effects on ordinary people, especially children.
Muslima Olimova reflects on surviving an unhappy marriage and urges families to welcome young brides and for women to carefully consider before marrying. J.J. Campbell speaks to the lingering effects of trauma on people and the tension between hope and disillusionment. Dr. Bindu Madhavi speaks to the inner battles many of us fight as Mirta Liliana Ramirez evokes the pain of loneliness.
Doug Hawley’s short story presents several characters representing a mix of lawful and roguish motives and actions. Taylor Dibbert’s poem lampoons the worldliness of a priest and the devotion it still inspires. Sarvinoz Sobirjonova Abdusharifova depicts the dual nature of humanity: kindness and cruelty.
Kelly Moyer uses vegetable humor to convey and navigate the experience of chronic illness. Alan Catlin frames evocative images with words, plumbing the imagined photos for meaning.
Mark Blickley, a combat veteran who finished education later in life, reflects on what he gained as a person and an artist from popular literature and reminds the “literary” crowd not to so easily dismiss popular writers.
In a world where diplomas are often seen as mere tickets to employment, the true purpose of higher education is sometimes forgotten. But for students like me, university is not just a stepping-stone — it is a transformative experience. It’s where knowledge becomes purpose, curiosity becomes direction, and youth finds its voice.
In 2024, I was admitted to the Uzbekistan University of Journalism and Mass Communications (UzJOKU) on a state scholarship. I study English Philology and Language Teaching under the Faculty of International Relations and Social-Humanitarian Sciences. For me, this wasn’t just the fulfillment of a dream; it was the beginning of a lifelong journey in the pursuit of knowledge and meaningful communication. UzJOKU was established in 2018 by Presidential Decree No. 3737 and holds a unique place as the only specialized media university in Central Asia. In just seven years, it has evolved into a vibrant hub of journalism, international relations, media design, psychology, political science, and philology. But beyond degrees and disciplines, UzJOKU is a space where theory meets practice. Its modern facilities — from professional video studios to audio recording labs — allow students to apply what they learn in real-world settings. What sets UzJOKU apart, however, is not just its infrastructure. It’s the energy that flows between people. Here, passionate teachers transfer their knowledge — and their inspiration — to students who arrive each morning with eyes full of hope and hearts full of ambition. The university’s motto, often repeated by its rector Sherzodkhon Qudratkhoja, captures this spirit perfectly: “A university is the place where people and knowledge meet.”
At a recent Student Media Conference, Rector Qudratkhoja reflected on the institution’s rapid growth:
“These seven years were not ordinary. They were equal to many more. We’ve built the foundation of journalism and the social sciences — once scattered, now unified. The world has changed. That’s why what lies ahead is greater than what we’ve already achieved.”
Today, with nearly 5,000 students and a faculty of distinguished scholars, UzJOKU stands not only as a university but as a movement. Its rector — a renowned journalist, TV presenter, political scientist, and academic — leads with a vision grounded in national values and global thinking. He is also the chairman of the Uzbekistan National Media Association and holds the title of Doctor of Political Science and the prestigious “Mehnat Shuhrati” (Labor Glory) Order.
What I’ve found at UzJOKU is more than education — it’s connection. It’s the meeting point of experience and ambition, of heritage and innovation. It’s where I learned that energy isn’t only physical — it’s emotional, intellectual, and deeply human. And here, that energy is contagious. In a time of information overload and global complexity, institutions like UzJOKU remind us that shaping minds matters. That a university can be more than a building — it can be a living idea. I am proud to be part of this idea, to grow with it, and to contribute to a future where media is not only a profession, but a responsibility.
UzJOKU is not just where I study. It’s where I belong. It’s where people and knowledge truly meet.
About the Author
SHAHNOZA OCHILDIYEVA is a second-year student at the Uzbekistan University of Journalism and Mass Communications (UzJOKU), majoring in English Philology and Language Teaching.
Digital Inequality and Rural Women: Opportunities, Barriers, and Solutions
Sh. Kholmurodova — Student of Social Work, National University of Uzbekistan
Introduction
In 2024, the number of internet users in Uzbekistan reached 80%. But what proportion of this number consists of women living in rural areas? While digital transformation is rapidly becoming an integral part of our daily lives, not everyone benefits equally from this progress. Unfortunately, many women living in rural areas of Uzbekistan still do not have sufficient access to digital technologies. This gap is giving rise to a new form of social inequality — digital gender disparity.
1. The Concept and Relevance of Digital Inequality
Digital inequality refers to the disparity in access to and use of the internet and digital technologies among different segments of society. These disparities often reflect and reinforce existing economic, social, cultural, and gender-based inequalities. Compared to men, urban populations, and high-income groups, rural women face the most significant barriers. These include:
– Lack of access to digital devices and stable internet
– Low levels of digital literacy
– Gender stereotypes and traditional social norms
– Lack of economic independence
Moreover, factors such as marital status, age, and family responsibilities also influence digital access. Married women or mothers with multiple children often have less time and opportunity to use digital technologies.
2. Research and Statistical Data
According to the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan (2024), 73% of women in urban areas use the internet, compared to only 48% in rural areas.
The UN’s 2023 *Gender and Digital Equality Report* indicates that in developing countries, women are 30–40% less likely to use the internet than men.
UNESCO’s 2022 study highlighted that many rural women have only heard of digital services but rarely use them in practice due to lack of digital skills.
A 2024 social survey conducted in the Sariosiyo district of Surkhandarya region revealed that 61% of women respondents could not use government e-services or online payment systems.
3. Opportunities and Positive Initiatives
There are several existing opportunities to integrate rural women into the digital world:
– Free training through the “Women’s Notebook” social support program
– Access to IT education through IT Park, “DigitALL,” and “One Million Uzbek Coders”
– Remote employment opportunities: e-commerce, content creation, and freelancing
– Special grants, microloans, and startup funding for women entrepreneurs
– Establishment of digital information centers for women within local communities
Pilot projects supported by local authorities, NGOs, and international donors have shown early success. For instance, the IT Park’s “Coding for Women” program has demonstrated positive results in rural areas.
4. Barriers, Stereotypes, and Practical Challenges
Despite the potential, many of these initiatives do not fully reach rural women due to the following barriers:
– Low self-confidence among women
– Family restrictions and lack of support for digital activities
– Poor digital infrastructure in remote areas
– Limited availability of user-friendly content in local languages
– Weak cooperation between local governments, NGOs, and grassroots activists
In addition, there is a shortage of community-level professionals — such as mahalla leaders, social workers, and teachers — who are aware of the issue and can actively facilitate solutions.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Ensuring that rural women can access digital opportunities is crucial for promoting their economic empowerment, social inclusion, and self-development. Achieving digital gender equality should be a central goal in Uzbekistan’s digital transformation strategy.
The following practical recommendations are proposed:
Organize digital literacy courses — mobile outreach units in communities
Develop user-friendly apps designed specifically for women (in Uzbek, with voice features)
Invest in rural internet infrastructure, especially in remote regions like Sariosiyo
Create motivational content that highlights success stories of female digital role models
Establish local women’s digital centers — offering free Wi-Fi, training, and consultation
Clearly designate implementing organizations — including the Ministry of Digital Technologies, the Ministry for the Support of Mahalla and Family, IT Park, UNDP, and local NGOs
References
1. United Nations. Gender and Digital Equality Report, 2023
2. Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan. Statistical Bulletin, 2024
3. UNDP Uzbekistan. DigitALL: Digital Literacy Platform for Women, 2023
4. Social Survey Report: Sariosiyo District, Surkhandarya Region, 2024
5. UNESCO. Digital Literacy for Women in Rural Areas, 2022
The sun was out, and the temperature had risen. The previous day’s flooding that saturated much, was gone, having receded and also, I suppose been absorbed into the land. Some wind was there, and the paths were winding around trees and then going along the river and over bridges wooden but strong and reliable.
Away from the world, and sometimes other good souls went past, enjoying the routes and the sanguine hint of spring after a long and horrendous winter. One could think of shiny crystals, old books, smiles, coffee, blankets, music, the height of summer, paintings of wild wolves drinking water under the moonlight, and many good things, like some kind of visual manifestation. Or even of divinity, incarnations, gurus and sacred texts, plus the cosmos and its destiny and that of individual soul destinies. Where had everything come from? and where was it going? Sun star lake breeze the earth and trees, cities and countryside’s, billions literally, of souls traversing. Existence was, if anything, big.
A stand of trees had a stone under it, and then another tree more in the sun had a group of smaller rocks washed by the rains and previous waters. Tall beige and golden strands of some kind of wheat-like growths or reeds did reach up confidently to the brightness of the upper air then. And down the way,- flowing water and at times a broken branch for the too strong and fierce nocturnal storms.
But yes, then the day and sun, a treat from the universe for a nature writer, a solitary wandering poet, a soul something like a mixture of vagabond and visual artist, mendicant and monk, wanderer and way-shower.
This article presents the inspiring journey of Shukurilloyeva Lazzatoy Shamshodovna — recipient of the prestigious Faynberg Scholarship. It explores her deeply personal and intellectual encounters with the legacy of Russian poet Aleksandr Faynberg, her collaboration with renowned translator Rustam Musurmon, and her own contributions to making Faynberg’s poetic heritage accessible to English-speaking audiences.
More than a story of achievement, this piece reflects on cultural devotion, literary translation, and the profound impact of scholarship as a bridge between nations.
Article Title:”In the Footsteps of Faynberg: Scholarship, Poetic Legacy, and the Intellectual Journey of Shukurilloyeva Lazzatoy Shamshodovna”
More Than a Scholarship: My Journey with Faynberg’s Legacy “To love a land not by birth, but by heart — is the poetry of belonging.”— A. A. Faynberg
When I first heard the name Aleksandr Arkadyevich Faynberg, I didn’t yet know he would soon become an anchor in my intellectual and emotional world. At the time, I was simply a student looking to better understand literary translation — to make meaning move across languages without losing its soul.Little did I know that this quest would lead me deep into the life and poetry of a man who loved my homeland — Uzbekistan — with astonishing sincerity.
Faynberg was a Russian poet. But his soul seemed to have crossed borders before his poems ever did.He revered Uzbekistan not merely as a distant land, but as something akin to a spiritual home.I was moved to learn that on Alisher Navoi’s birthday, Faynberg would go to the Milliy Bog’ (National Park) in Tashkent — sometimes even before local Uzbek admirers — to pay tribute to the great classical poet. “I visit the garden not as a guest, but as a grandson returns to the shade of his grandfather’s tree,” Faynberg once wrote in a letter to his friend.
Through his poems, he made Uzbek literature accessible to Russian readers. That effort — that reverence — touched something deep within me. I thought: If he worked so lovingly to introduce our heritage to others, why shouldn’t I do the same for his legacy?
But I didn’t know where to start. Then came a fateful day — one I now call a turning point. I had the privilege of meeting Rustam Musurmon, a renowned Uzbek poet who had translated Faynberg’s works into Uzbek. Meeting him face-to-face was not just an academic experience — it was a spiritual alignment. He offered insight, encouragement, and, most importantly, he gave me the sense that this work was worth doing.
From that day forward, I began to translate Faynberg’s poetry — not into prose, not into mechanical language, but into English verse that tried to preserve the emotional resonance of the original. Translating poetry is often described as “dancing with a ghost.” You must move with what you cannot see, yet must feel. With each poem I translated, I felt closer not just to Faynberg, but to his vision — of cultures intertwined, of languages as bridges, not walls.
Soon, I found myself writing articles about him, publishing in respected literary journals, organizing and participating in evenings dedicated to his memory, and speaking at events where his name, once unfamiliar to many, began to gain recognition. In a quiet, beautiful way, Faynberg became part of my life — not as a historical figure, but as a silent mentor. And then, came that unforgettable day.
At the Council meeting held in Uzbekistan State World Languages University to honor academic and cultural achievements, I heard the voice of our distinguished Rector, Professor Ilhomjon Madamonovich Tuxtasinov, call out: “The recipient of the Faynberg Scholarship Shukurilloyeva Lazzatoy …”
When she said my name, something inside me shifted. It wasn’t just excitement — it was a sense of fulfillment. I felt gratitude, pride, and a strange kind of peace. Not because I had “won” something — but because I had understood something. I had come to see that my purpose was never just to win a scholarship. Even if I had not received it, I would still be grateful for what this journey had taught me: That cultural memory, when translated with sincerity, can become a form of love.
This was never about a certificate. It was about discovering what it means to carry someone’s voice across languages, to protect their memory, and to give them new life in the minds of others. Through Faynberg, I learned that true poetry is not written — it is lived. It is in walking to a monument in the early morning out of respect. It is in crossing the border of language, not to invade, but to embrace. It is in the quiet work of making another’s vision visible again.
As Faynberg once wrote: “One who loves another land may die in silence — but his echo, if translated well, will outlive us all.”I now know what that echo feels like. And I am proud — humbled, truly — to be part of it.
Postscript
As I continue translating his works and sharing his legacy with the world, I remember that the truest scholarship is not always found in awards, but in the lives we honor, and the meanings we carry forward. Faynberg may have passed, but his poetry lives — in Russian, in Uzbek, and now, little by little, in English.
