Established in 1992 just after gaining independence, RICC contributes the development of national cultural centers rendering all-round practical and methodological assistance in their work on preservation and development of traditions and customs, language inherent in every people. It also carries out multi-aspect work on encouraging social initiatives directed in strengthening of tolerance, developing multinational culture and interethnic ties in the spirit of love for Motherland, mutual understanding and harmony.

Today, RICC coordinates the activity, renders the organizational and methodological assistance to all ethnic cultural centers (NCC) that counts more than 140, and 14 of them have the status of Republican. Within several years national cultural centers have turned into authoritative public organizations that are able to solve the tasks of cultural-enlightening, scientific, educational and spiritual format.

For these years the advancement of directions and forms of activity of RICC and NCC has been carried out. This process is linked with enthusiastic people who come to centers ready to work for to revive national cultures. Their diligence bore its fruits. Today, it is barely possible to find a representative of any nationality or minority knowing not about ethnic cultural centers.

The Republican Interethnic Cultural Center along with Ethnic Cultural Centers organize plenty of various actions – national holidays, festivals, evenings of music and poetry, meetings with renowned culture figures representing various diasporas. Major part of their work is directed in organization of joint conferences addressing the development of interethnic relations in Uzbekistan. Some of the latest are the conferences The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan: Rights, Duty and Responsibility, and Peace and Stability – Key Factor of Prosperity of Society. Centers actively partake in events timing to state holidays – Independence Day, Constitution Day, Navruz and others.   

The Republican Interethnic Cultural Center has turned a sort of headquarter coordinating the work of all national cultural centers. Besides, other important direction in the work of RICC is the conduction of scientific research on studying interethnic relations. Thus, since 2003 in conjunction with the Coordinating Committee for Development of Science and Technology at the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan scientific researches are being carried out on themes Increasing the Role and Value of Ethnic Cultural Centers in Strengthening Interethnic Harmony in Conditions of Independence, National Independence Ideas and Pressing Issues of Strengthening Interethnic Relations, Activity of Ethnic Cultural Centers in Conditions of Independence  - Key Factor of Development of National-Ethnic Cultures. Within projects there have been prepared and published more than hundred articles, reports and statements, as well as over tens of books come out.

The fact that many activists of centers have the state prizes could be served another confirmation of recognition of a big role of national cultural centers in maintaining in the country of peace and civil consent.

In view of jubilee of the Republican Interethnic Cultural Center the President of Uzbekistan issued a Decree on decoration of many of representatives of national cultural centers with titles of honor and state awards. The head of the Tatar Cultural center in Khorazm region Ravkat Shahmaev was awarded the title of Honored Teacher of Youth of Uzbekistan. Nazokat Aripova, key specialist at the information-methodological branch of the RICC, Marina Geytsin, deputy head of the German NCC in Farghona region, Aleksandr Kim, head of the Korean NCC in Navoi region, and Muratbay Taganmuratov, head of the Turkmen NCC in Karakalpakstan were decorated with Do’stlik order. Narzullo Boev, activist at the Arab NCC in Mirishkor district of Qashqadaryo region was decorated with Shuhrat medal, and many others.

Celebration of 20 years of RICC has become a significant event in the life of independent Uzbekistan. In his address to participants of the event President of the country said the following: “Celebrating this day, we all, representatives of various nationalities living in Uzbekistan, pay tribute to that during thousand-years long history of our Motherland people representing various culture and civilizations lived here on this generous and always friendly land in peace and consent. And, it contributed to the formation of a special mentality of our people distinguished with tolerance, kindness, peacefulness and generosity.

Such a national diversity and unity of the people is not only a singular feature, but a huge property the beneficial and mutual enriching significance of which could hardly be overestimated.

I am sure that all would agree that the true wealth and biggest achievement is the peaceful sky over our Motherland, interethnic and civil consent, atmosphere of friendship and cohesion dominated in the society.”

On the occasion of 20 years of RICC the republican scientific-practical conference Independence of Uzbekistan – New Stage in Development of Interethnic Ties has been held in the capital. The conference organized by the Republican International Cultural Center, Academy of State and Public Construction under the President of Uzbekistan and Committee on Religions under the Cabinet of Ministers brought together members of the Senate and legislators from the Legislation Chamber of Oliy Majlis, heads of governmental and public organizations, national cultural centers, scholars and experts.

The attendees noted the high role of representatives of various nationalities and minorities living in Uzbekistan in social-political, economic and cultural life of the country, their worthy contribution in strengthening independence of the state, building democratic society and developed market economy. A new documentary In One Family was also demonstrated within the conference, as well as presentation of the book Development of Interethnic Relations in Independent Uzbekistan.

The Central Exhibition Hall of the academy of Arts of Uzbekistan has opened the exhibition Prosperity of Motherland – Achievement of Multinational People. The exhibition displays the samples of fine, applied and decorative art, as well as photo works reflecting the achievements of independence, the people potential, peace, tolerance and unity of representatives of various nationalities and ethnic minorities.

The festive meeting and concert held in Turkiston Palace have gathered in one place heads and activists of national cultural centers, members of Parliament, and representatives of governmental and public organizations, diplomatic corps accredited in Uzbekistan. 

At the meeting, the group of activists from national cultural centers, decorated with titles, orders and medals, were presented with high awards of the Motherland. Honored Worker of Culture of Uzbekistan, activist at the Polish Cultural Center, head of a department of the Uspensky Republican Specialized Music Academic Lyceum Pavel Borisov and holder of the Do’stlik order, activist at the Azerbaijani National Cultural Center in Sirdaryo region, poet Nasirli Ali Geydar-ogly made a speech at the meeting and expressed sincere gratitude for the constant attention and care on further strengthening of interethnic peace and consent, creation for representatives of many nationalities and minorities living in the country of all conditions for developing their national cultures.

Activists of national cultural centers noted the active participation of representatives of all nationalities in building of a new life and creation of modern society in the multinational Uzbekistan, increasing the spirituality of the people, and especially, the younger generation, in wide-scaled reforms carrying out in the country. This finds its reflection in culture, art and other spiritual-enlightening spheres. As, value and significance of social cooperation, interethnic consent, religious tolerance concern everyone. The meeting was crowned with gala-concert with participation of masters of art and culture, as well as art collectives of national cultural centers operating in the country.

“I would like to note that the Republican Interethnic Cultural Center since the first days of its activity plays rather singular role in strengthening solidarity, consent and harmony between various nationalities living in the country, preservation and development of national values. It hugely contributes in deepening mutual understanding and communication between Uzbekistan and other countries.

 It is noteworthy the date of creation of RICC concurs with the 20 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Uzbekistan. I am confident that the Republican Interethnic Cultural Center would make its contribution to consolidation of friendship and widening of cultural exchange between our peoples for the good of partner relations and cooperation between People’s Republic of China and the republic of Uzbekistan.”

“Today we live in one single friendly family, and each of regardless of his nationality and religion tries to contribute for the prosperity of the society and country. Hard and fruitful work in the name of Motherland is what that unites representatives of nationalities living in the country. Interethnic harmony makes the people stronger in fulfillment of noble deeds for the future of Uzbekistan.

Interethnic and interconfessional tolerance, mutual understanding and friendship are the basic criteria in life of the society. Today, RICC coordinates the work of more than 140 ethnic cultural centers. Democracy of reform being carried out in all spheres of human activity vividly demonstrates all those opportunities existing in independent Uzbekistan fro representatives of various nationalities. They have all conditions for supporting and developing their culture, habits and traditions, organizing festivals, concerts and exhibitions. Significant part in their activity goes for participation in the social life of the republic, including organization of various theme conferences addressing the development of strengthening in the country of interethnic ties on the basis of friendship and mutual understanding.”

“We all, representatives of various nationalities and minorities are untied with the aspiration for gaining lofty goals, adherence to ideas of peace, good and endeavor. It is already for twenty years we have been working for the prosperity of our Motherland.

We closely cooperate with cultural centers of the country, implement joint projects. The prestige of centers considerable increased due to the organization in 2003, 2005, 2009, and 2011 of republican festivals Uzbekistan Is Our Common Home, and in 2006 festivals Our Strength in Unity and Cohesion, Motherland Is One and Single occasioned to the country’s independence. They were organized in more than 70 towns and settlements of the country and turned bright, wide scaled and emotional festivities of national cultures and demonstrated the unity and friendship of multinational population of Uzbekistan.”

“It is for 70 years representatives of Crimean people live in Uzbekistan that turned their home place. Strengthening of interethnic consent, peace and stability in the country, preservation and development of centuries-old national traditions and habits of representatives of various nationalities and ethnic minorities living in the country is the main goal of the National Cultural Center of Crimean-Tatars. The center started its work in Tashkent in 1997.  Much has been done since that time: various meetings dedicated to celebrated people of literature and art, distinguished representatives of the Diaspora, as well as concerts of ensembles Vetan, Haytarma, K’aranfil, various art exhibitions, and, of course, learning of mother tongue. The film unit set up by the center actively works as well. The unit has already shot four video films about life of most famous representatives of Crimean-Tatars in Uzbekistan.”

“Thousands of Byelorussians live in the republic. Many of them have not known their language, history and culture. It becomes possible after Uzbekistan’s gaining independence. The Byelorussian Cultural Center named Svetanak (Dawn) was established in Tashkent in October 1993. The center organizes cultural-enlightening actions, lectures and concerts. For example, the choir of veterans Katyusha was created in 1996 and last year it celebrated its 15 years. And, the dancing band Movement that participates in various festive concerts held across the country. We also organize various evening dedicated to renowned people of Belarus, Days of culture and written language, charity actions, and mark jubilee dates of national writers of Uzbekistan and Belarus.”

“Republican Interethnic Cultural Center is one of the parts of the system created in the independent Uzbekistan called to provide interethnic and inter-religious harmony, unity and cohesion of multiethnic people of Uzbekistan. This is not only objective reality, but the basis of constructive endeavor and major changes typical to this land and people. More than 140 ethnic centers have managed to firmly established and succeeded in creation of effective network of national cultural centers in the capital and regions of the country, and turned the structure that authored hundreds of interesting scaled actions on reviving spiritual and cultural heritage, traditions and habits of multiethnic Uzbekistan.”

“Major part of activists of the center is the youth, and it’s great, as it is quite interesting to learn the Georgian culture, ancient customs and traditions, national cuisine, dances, songs and many other things together with my peers. We are constant participants of various contests and festivals. It is good in Uzbekistan there are favorable conditions for developing the culture of Georgians, thanks to which cultural values get preserved and pass over from generation to generation. In our center every willing can learn the Georgian language which is very important for the unity of people and development of culture. Besides, I am keen in exploring cultures of other peoples.”

“20 years of the Interethnic Cultural center is a great occasion for all cultural centers of Uzbekistan that symbolizes our friendship, harmony and joint development. I am hugely glad our dancing collective perform in the grandiose concert at Turkiston Palace timed to this significant date.

Today the activity of various cultural centers gets flourishing, every people have the opportunity to develop their national culture, learn mother tongue, traditions and habits. Lots of various interesting actions are held where we can showcase our national peculiarities and cultural values.”

“In my view, one of the key tasks of the Interethnic Cultural Center is spiritual enriching of people, especially the youth. As, knowing various cultures, learning foreign languages, acquainting with customs and traditions of other peoples opens vast spaces for the advancement of personality.

With great pleasure I participate in numerous actions organized by the Polish Cultural center. I do like Polish national songs, therefore I decided to learn singing and now I am soloist at the music ensemble run by the Polish Cultural Center.

I am happy to be the part of this country where peoples live in peace and consent and believe we will continue these remarkable traditions of creativity and friendship.”

“I dance in the ensemble Azari Girls operating under the Azerbaijani Cultural Center. We learn not only Azeri, but Uzbek, Iranian and other dances of peoples of the world, and it makes our learning much interesting. I think cultural centers operating in our country fulfill two tasks: create conditions for development and preservation of cultural traditions of various nations and at the same time enrich the worldview of the youth, and familiarize them with art and creativity. Dancing and singing collectives from various cultural centers took part in the festivity. I consider it is a great occasion in the cultural life of the country.”