People's Poet of Uzbekistan Sharifa Salimova Passes Away at 74
People's Poet of Uzbekistan and prominent public figure Sharifa Salimova passed away on August 5 at the age of 74.
Sharifa Salimova, the esteemed People's Poet of Uzbekistan, passed away on August 5 at the age of 74, as reported by UzDaily.uz.
The Union of Writers of Uzbekistan announced her death, extending profound condolences to her family, friends, and the literary community. The organization emphasized that her passing represents a significant loss for Uzbek literature and culture.
Salimova dedicated over five decades to enriching Uzbek literature, beginning her career in the 1970s. She gained widespread recognition for collections such as "Hayot zavqi" ("Joy of Life") and "Mening bahorim" ("My Spring"), which explored themes of patriotism, spiritual and moral values, family, youth development, and the role of women in society.
Her extensive body of work includes poetic and journalistic publications like "Xizr bulog‘i" ("Khizr's Spring"), "Yetti oqqush" ("Seven Swans"), "Giyohlar bilan tillashgan inson" ("The Person Who Spoke with Herbs"), "Ayolga ehtirom" ("Respect for Women"), "Tongga qasam" ("Oath to the Dawn"), "Diydor saodati" ("Happiness of Meeting"), "Olimlik va odamiylik" ("Scholarship and Humanity"), "Vatan suvrati" ("Image of the Motherland"), "Vafoning iffat yo‘li" ("The Path of Loyalty and Chastity"), and "Bedor tun tomchilari" ("Drops of a Sleepless Night").
Salimova also authored the lyrics for numerous popular songs, including "Keep Your Head High, Woman!", "Motherland", "Mother's Call", "My Great Ruler", "Peace", "My Native Language, Mother", and "We Will Never Part with You, Motherland!".
Historical themes held a prominent place in her writing. In 2024, despite battling a severe illness, she completed the verse novel "Qabohat saltanati yoxud qor qo‘ynida lolalar" ("Kingdom of Atrocities, or Tulips in the Snow"). This work focused on the experiences of Uzbek women who faced repression after studying in Germany in the 1920s and has been lauded as a significant contribution to modern patriotic literature.
Beyond her literary achievements, Sharifa Salimova was an active participant in Uzbekistan's public life. She served as a deputy of the Oliy Majlis from 1999 to 2009, where she chaired the Commission on Family and Women's Affairs. As a member of the Union of Writers of Uzbekistan, she was committed to nurturing young talent and fostering the literary process.
In recognition of her profound impact on literature and culture, Sharifa Salimova was bestowed with the honorary titles of "People's Poet of Uzbekistan" and "Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan," and was awarded the Order of "Mehnat Shukhrati" ("Labor Glory").