Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia, once a crucial 'hub' on the Silk Road. This is the region's cradle of culture for more than two millennia, where cities like Samarkand and Bukhara evoke images of once great empires. Rulers like Genghis Khan and Timur, however ruthless their rule, seem to resonate in many corners of Uzbekistan. Before becoming part of the Russian empire in the 19th century, Uzbekistan was conquered by nomads who spoke Eastern Turkic languages, which is the foundation of today's Uzbek language.
In the 20th century, Uzbekistan became part of the Soviet Union until it collapsed in the early 90s. Surprisingly, many people have managed to hold on to their traditional culture, despite the long Russian influence. Islam is still the main religion, and the vast majority of the population are Muslim.
In 2013, I traveled across Uzbekistan, visiting places like Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, and the Fergana Valley. Despite the current political and economic situation in the country, the Uzbek people I met remained good spirited, and showed an incredible hospitality.
The people of Uzbekistan are the main theme in this clip, at work, in restaurants, in busy bazaars, and other places.
I used a traditional song to accompany the images.
Copyright of all footage: Hoffer Media