Throughout all periods of history, reading books has been an integral part of the Tajik nation’s life, and today this tradition has gained renewed importance and influence in modern society.
According to references in the immortal Shahnameh by Abulqasim Ferdowsi, the work Tajiks by academician Bobojon Ghafurov, as well as The Language of the Nation is the Essence of the Nation and Tajiks in the Mirror of History by the Founder of Peace and National Unity — the Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Tajiks have long possessed a rich culture of writing, preserving, and studying books, considering them sacred and using them to solve life’s problems.
One of such sacred books was the Avesta, which reflected science, culture, history, politics — in other words, both spiritual and worldly knowledge. Its guiding principles were “good thoughts”, “good words”, and “good deeds”, forming the foundation of Aryan life philosophy.
Unfortunately, this sacred book was destroyed by Alexander the Great in an attempt to eliminate knowledge. However, our ancestors revived it and created other works such as Yodgori Zariron, The Tree of Asurik, Dinkard, and others, preserving knowledge for future generations.
Even after the Arab conquest, poets, thinkers, scholars, and philosophers continued to write and transmit knowledge, both openly and secretly.
Tajik poet Bozor Sobir wrote:
“Hundreds of preachers fell from the pulpit,
But never from their native language.
Hundreds of poets gave their lives,
So that the value of words would not fall.”
Despite historical challenges, great figures such as Rudaki, Robia Balkhi, Ibn Sina, Nasir Khusraw, Saadi Shirazi, Kamoli Khujandi, Zebuniso, Sadriddin Aini and others preserved and passed on a rich literary heritage.
In this context, the national contest “The Dawn of Knowledge is a Book” initiated by the Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon plays a crucial role in enhancing intellectual and cultural development.
As one poet beautifully stated:
“The dawn of wisdom is a book,
It nourishes the soul — believe it.
If you seek purity of heart,
Learn from Rudaki and Bal’ami…”
This initiative significantly improves literacy, expands worldview, and strengthens intellectual thinking among young people.
The founder of Tajik literature, Sadriddin Aini, wrote:
“Come, friends, let us learn,
Let us not remain in ignorance.
Whoever is idle in the world
Becomes insignificant in the eyes of all.”
Therefore, today’s and future generations must turn more to books, as the proverb says: “If you don’t read for three days, your speech loses its sharpness,” and “The sun lights the world, but books enlighten the mind.”
Thus, a book is a faithful companion and a guide to success. As poet Rustami Vahhob wrote:
“The light of the universe comes from the sun,
The light of life comes from the book.”
