There are about 18,000 Belarusians and people who identify themselves as ethnic Belarusians living in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Most ethnic Belarusians came to Uzbekistan during the Great Patriotic War during the evacuation from the occupied territories. The second stage of resettlement of Belarusians was the sending of specialists who participated in the reconstruction of Tashkent immediately after the earthquake of 1966, as well as the relocation of specialists from Belarus in 1970-1975 in connection with the opening of the Tashkent tractor factory. Currently, the number of Belarusians in the country has somewhat decreased due to the relocation of compatriots for permanent residence in the Republic of Belarus.
Popular and cultural diplomacy plays an important role in the relationship between Belarus and Uzbekistan. Thus, in 2019, the Days of Culture of Uzbekistan were triumphantly held in Minsk and Bobruisk. In September 2020, the Days of Uzbek Cinema were held in Minsk. One of the films presented at the show was partially filmed in Belarus. Last year, Uzbekistan revived the Tashkent Film Festival, where Belarusfilm presented its films. In 2019, the Joint Belarusian-Uzbek Interdisciplinary Institute of Applied Technical Qualifications in Tashkent (hereinafter referred to as the Institute) was established by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The Belarusian Cultural Center "Svitanak" in Tashkent is the center of cultural diplomacy of Belarus in Uzbekistan. The largest of them were the event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of M. Topivoldiev, a hero of the Soviet Union, a participant of the Partisan Movement in the Mogilev and Vitebsk regions, the commander of the reconnaissance unit of the 5th detachment of the Partisan Brigade "Chekist", the large Belarusian exposition in the 17th festival of cultural traditions and national dishes in Tashkent, the Belarusian language literature exhibition, the holiday event "Christmas Carols" (January) and others.
February 14, 2022 the Institute's management, as a follow-up of the agreement on the visit of BNTU delegation headed by Rector S. Kharitonchik to the Belarusian Cultural Centre "Svitanak" in Tashkent in November last year, visited the Institute. During the meeting, the sides discussed future directions of cooperation in culture and education. In particular, holding cultural and educational events, lectures, concerts and events to mark important events. The dialogue also touched upon an initiative to create the Belarusian Cultural Center at the Institute.
