Babur Culture and Recreation Park

The Babur Park of Culture and Recreation, now known as Friendship Park, is a favorite place for walking residents and visitors of Tashkent. On its territory there are artificial lakes and bridges, sports grounds, attractions for children and areas equipped for roller skating. There are outdoor cafes and fountains scattered along the central alley, near which it is pleasant to sit in the summer heat.

The city park celebrates Earth Day, which is designed to make people more sensitive and careful about the environment. Every year on April 22, the Peace Bell rings here, and themed events and contests take place near it.

History

The chronicles of Babur Park consider 1932 to be the starting point. The walking area owes its appearance to the initiative of employees of the Tashkent Textile Mill. Then it was not uncommon and even got a special term — "national construction". According to the same principle, another metropolitan park was laid out in the capital, named after Alisher Navoi.

The territory of the former Konstantin von Kaufmann stables became the place for the organization of a new walking area. Since 1867, he served as the Governor-General of the Turkestan region. The park was named after Zahir al-din Muhammad Babur, the Timurid commander, Uzbek writer and poet.

Since the beginning of its existence, the facility has been repeatedly closed for reconstruction and expanded. In the 1980s, the main alley acquired tiles, which served as a symbol of hope for a progressive and peaceful future. The history of their appearance is connected with schoolchildren from Seattle, Tashkent's twin city since 1973. This case was the first in the history of the USSR.

In April 2003, one of the Bells of the World appeared in Babur Park. The monument is an impressive signal instrument installed in a domed gazebo with arches. Since then, it has become the central object of events dedicated to Earth Day. Its ringing calls for peace, non-violence, friendship and harmony between all nations.

Another monument stands 40 m from the bell — the Monument of Friendship of Peoples. It is dedicated to the generosity of Uzbeks who have sheltered hundreds of orphaned children evacuated from other republics. Initially, the monument was erected on the square near the concert hall of the same name, after it was moved to the outskirts of Tashkent to meet the guests. In May 2017, at the initiative of city activists, the monument was erected in Babur Park.

There is also another cultural site on its territory — Seoul National Park, a gift to the capital from South Korea. Its construction took two years. The official opening took place in September 2014.