Monument to Khoja Nasreddin

There is a unique monument in the heart of the historical center of Bukhara, near the famous Lyabi-Hauz Square. He is like a spark of light among the imperturbable masterpieces of ancient architecture. This is a monument to the legendary character Khoja Nasreddin Efendi.

Many people have probably read legends, anecdotes and fables about this oriental hero, wit, buffoon and joker, who deftly turned clever combinations and fought against the vices of humanity.

An eloquent wit, a folk sage, a virtuoso and a talker - that's how Khoja Nasreddin can be described. In his anecdotes, he ridicules the vices of greedy rulers, petty bourgeois and petty bourgeois, hypocrisy and cowardice, bribery and litigiousness. Ridiculing human vices, and getting out of even the most difficult situations, he is always close to the people, because he himself is from the people, always his own, simple and cheerful guy.

In our country, this crafty old man with a donkey is revered as a folk hero.

Why is his image associated with Bukhara, you may ask.

For the inhabitants of our country, this colorful character was discovered by the Soviet writer Leonid Solovyov. He wrote two novels about the adventures of Khoja Nasreddin: The Enchanted Prince and The Troublemaker. In the second work, the hero Khoja Nasreddin travels around Bukhara and ends up in the court of the Emir of Bukhara. A film based on the novel was made in 1942. And this character has taken root in Bukhara to such an extent that it has even become a national symbol. In 1979, a monument to this legendary hero was erected in Bukhara. And every year in spring, a humor festival is held in Bukhara in honor of Khoja Nasreddin.

Even today, the monument is always crowded, and children especially love it. In Bukhara, there is a belief that if you put a child on his donkey, then his life will be filled with joy and a sea of positive emotions.

Indeed, if you come closer to Nasrudin and look at his cunning smile, you can see that it radiates some kind of positive energy and warmth, charged with which you can have a good day.