U.S. EMBASSY PUBLISHES AMERICAN FABLES AND FAIRYTALES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN UZBEK

The U.S. Embassy Tashkent worked with local Uzbek partners to produce a book of American fables and fairytales in the Uzbek language, “Amerika ertak va afsonalari.” The colorfully illustrated book, which includes over 60 short stories about animals, birds, ghosts and other interesting characters, taken from www.americanfolklore.net, was published by the Baktria Press in Tashkent.

Uzbekistan has made big efforts to popularize reading culture, especially among its youth. While many people know and have read American classics by authors such as Ernest Hemingway, Theodore Dreiser, and Mark Twain, young readers are less familiar with American literature. With this new book, the Embassy is pleased to make a contribution to the development of book publishing for young readers, through translation from original English.

“Amerika ertak va afsonalari” will be distributed to public libraries and schools throughout Uzbekistan. They will be also available at American Center Tashkent and American Window at the National Library. Ambassador Rosenblum and English Language Fellows will conduct reading sessions with students to talk about the importance of books, literature and reading.

The new book will join previously Embassy-sponsored publications in Uzbek: American Short Stories, Two Legends of Uzbekistan, and Dancing Bear.