American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 34, November - 2024 159 | P a g e DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP IN UZBEKISTAN Klichev Ulug'bek Abdumavlonovich MIA Sirdarya Academic Lyceum Syrdarya Region, Syrdarya City, Bakht-Iqbal Street, 15. E-mail: u-klichev-80@umail.uz Abstract In this article, it can be seen that the support and development of national crafts has risen to the level of state policy. The importance of the legal normative documents adopted by the head of state and the government of Uzbekistan is discussed. The article shows the relevance of the topic, its scientific novelty, the measures implemented for the further development of the national craft industry, and the practical aspects of the problems that are waiting to be solved these days. Ferghana Valley has long been one of the main craft centers in the region. In many cities, such as Kokan, Margilon, Andijan, Shahrikhan, Chust, national crafts are developing - knife making, weaving, hat making, pottery, blacksmithing, tailoring, blacksmithing, wood carving, painting, carving, crib making, jewelry, goldsmithing. Among the cities of our country, only the city of Ko'kan was awarded the title "City of World Craftsmen" for the first time in the history of Uzbekistan. The reason for this is the existence of about 100 craftsmen in the city of Ko'kan and its surrounding settlements, and the second reason is the recognition of Uzbek national culture as a part of world culture. Such issues are detailed in the article. Keywords: Craftsman, applied art, woodcarving, knifemaking, pottery, jewelry, tourism, festival, apprentice. Introduction The relevance of the subject is that the research of the problem related to the field is the level of employment of young people and their effective work in the fields of national handicrafts, the ways of developing domestic and foreign tourism, the presentation of folk handicrafts as Uzbek national heritage in the world, the analysis of the tasks and goals aimed at it, the real nature of the problems showing nowadays, is important both scientifically and practically. The main scientific news raised in the article is an objective assessment of the role of crafts in the social and economic life of our country and the place of national crafts in the world culture. In Uzbekistan, national crafts, cultural heritage of the people, preservation of traditional national values, and care for craftsmen have risen to the level of state policy. Preservation American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 34, November - 2024 160 | P a g e of national culture and its development and restoration of traditionality in production in the field of handicrafts have become a natural process. A number of foundations and associations were established in the republic in order to provide comprehensive support to national handicrafts. Decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and government decisions are of great importance in the development of folk arts and practical crafts. On March 24, 1997, the decree (1) "On measures of state support for the further development of folk arts and crafts" signed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I.A. Karimov, was announced. According to the decree, one of the important tasks is the practical support of the local governments to the people's artisans who produce high- quality artistic crafts at home. In order to economically support artisans, they were exempted from income tax for up to five years; customs duties for folk handicrafts exported from the republic were canceled. This decision raised the development of the craft sector to a higher level. At the same time, on March 31, 1997, the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures to support the further development of folk arts and crafts" (2) became important. In the development of national culture, the opportunities to increase the importance of folk arts and crafts, to restore the age-old traditions and unique types of handmade art products, and to provide state support to folk craftspeople were used. At the same time, in the era of the market economy, to provide moral and material support to the folk craftsmen who produce artistic items at home by providing them with local raw materials, materials, tools, and small mechanization tools, holding exhibitions and auctions, and organizing a network of specialized stores for the sale of finished products. Practical works were carried out. In particular, provision of practical assistance in creating the necessary conditions for training young people in the skills of folk-art masters was included among the most important tasks of local administrations, republican ministries, and agencies. Starting from April 1, 1997, individuals engaged in self-employment, producing national handicrafts and applied art items, registered in the prescribed manner with the administrations and tax authorities, were exempted from paying income tax for a period of 5 years. (3). On May 1, 1998, the honorary title "People's Master of the Republic of Uzbekistan" (4) was established in order to encourage the services of the best representatives of national crafts and applied arts and their contribution to the further development of national culture and the training of talented students. It should be noted that attention to national crafts is seriously increasing. As proof of this, on April 1, 2008, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On additional measures to encourage the development of folk arts and crafts" (5) was announced. Encouraging the further development of folk arts and crafts and creating favorable conditions for attracting a wide segment of the population, especially young people, to the field of folk art is becoming more important in state policy. Also, the exemption of American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 34, November - 2024 161 | P a g e individuals engaged in self-employed work on the production of folk-art crafts and practical art items at home from paying fixed taxes until April 1, 2010 created new opportunities for more rapid and effective development of the industry. Thanks to the attention of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sh.M. Mirziyoev, a new era has begun in the development of national crafts. This process is particularly evident in the policy of developing handicrafts and tourism. It implies comprehensive coverage of the ancient history and cultural life of our people, broad demonstration of multifaceted Uzbek national crafts, which are our intangible cultural heritage, and promotion of its unique examples. In addition, in order to further strengthen friendship and cooperation between different peoples, to strengthen cultural and humanitarian relations at the international level, and to preserve and restore professional traditions and craft schools passed down from generation to generation, the President's order of November 17, 2017 "Further development of handicrafts» and the decree on comprehensive support measures for craftsmen" (6) serve as an important program in this regard. With the document, the following were defined as the main directions for further development of national crafts, folk art, and practical art in the republic: First, all-round support to citizens and families engaged in craft activities, especially to artisans who have started their activities from scratch, to improve the activity and efficiency of "Master-Apprentice" schools and to create new jobs on this basis; Second, to assist craft entities in passing state registration, allocating land and buildings to them, connecting to engineering and communication networks, providing them with tools, equipment, raw materials, and materials, and implementing effective measures to provide them with preferential loans; thirdly, to establish craft development centers in cities and districts with widely developed folk crafts and creative traditions, to restore and further develop unique types of crafts, and to form a market infrastructure for supplying craft products to consumers; fourth, to encourage the export of handicraft products, to promote the presentation of national handicraft products at exhibitions and fairs held in foreign countries. On November 1, 2018, the decision (7) of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sh. Mirziyoev, "On preparing for the International Crafts Festival" was adopted. It can be said that on November 1, 2018, the International Handicrafts Festival will be organized in the city of Ko'kan once every two years, and for the first time, this festival will be held as well as a scientific-practical conference on the topic "Prospects for the development of handiwork and folk art" within the framework of the festival on September 10-15, 2019. The decision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted. Today, about 2,000 artisans work in the Fergana region. In 2018-2019, 304 projects aimed at the development of crafts are being implemented in the region. The international festival "Atlas Bayram," which is traditionally held in the city of Margilon, is also of special importance in the wide promotion of national handicraft products on a global scale. American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 34, November - 2024 162 | P a g e The international craft festival traditionally held in the city of Ko'kan at the initiative of the head of our state serves to continue the work in this direction at a new stage. The city of Kokan has long been known as a place of national handicrafts, and the values of handicrafts have been passed down from generation to generation. The students diligently study ancient crafts such as wood carving, knife making, carving, and blacksmithing. At the moment, significant work is being done to develop the industry and increase tourism destinations. For example, a craft and tourism complex is being built in the city. The project "Master-apprentice: Ko'kan experience" is being implemented by the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations, the Youth Union of Uzbekistan, and the "Hunarmand" association. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sh.M. Mirziyoev, gave a speech at the opening ceremony of this festival. It was the first time that the head of state of Uzbekistan participated in the festival of artisans. 111 prestigious organizations from 72 countries were registered to participate in the international festival. In particular, more than 200 craftsmen from 5 continents participated in 24 directions. For information, it can be said that the city of Ko'kan was recently awarded the title of "City of World Craftsmen." Since 2014, only 30 cities in the world have been awarded the title of City of World Craftsmen. The city of Kokan became the thirty-first city and the first among the CIS countries to receive this title. The international festival held in the city of Kokand has its own logo (Fig. 1). Figure 1. The logo of the international festival held in the city of Kokan. The World Craftsmen's Council (WCC) was established in 1964. It is an international organization that works to develop world handicrafts, to establish mutual exchange of experience of craftsmen, to further expand the cooperation of organizations operating in the field of handicrafts, and to support craftsmen. "Craftsman" association of the Republic of Uzbekistan became a member of the World Council of Craftsmen in March 2019. In conclusion, it can be said that the development of national crafts has risen to a new level in state policy. Measures to support artisans and masters, improve the activities of master- apprenticeship schools, promote vocational education, improve domestic and foreign tourism, and create new jobs are being implemented. References 1. Art of Uzbekistan. -Tashkent.: Sharq, 2001. - B. 10. 2. Bulletin of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Tashkent.: March 1997. #3. - B.21-22. 3. Bulletin of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Tashkent.: March 1997. #3. - B.21-22. 4. People's word. 1998. May 3. 5. People's word. April 4, 2008. 6. LEX. Uz. 7. LEX. Uz.