Samarkand: A Symbol of Silk Road Heritage and City Diplomacy in Central Asia

Samarkand, Uzbekistan, stands as a pivotal symbol of Silk Road heritage and diplomacy in Central Asia. Its historical sites, spanning from Achaemenid to Timurid eras, reflect a unique fusion of cultural exchange, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status in 2001. The city's strategic role in Soviet-era Pan-Asian cultural diplomacy has been leveraged post-independence by Uzbekistan to bolster international recognition and support for heritage preservation and tourism. This study highlights Samarkand’s ascendance as the representative Silk Road city, emphasizing collaborative efforts between UNESCO and the Uzbek government to safeguard its legacy.

Shin, B. (2023). Samarkand: A Symbol of Silk Road Heritage and City Diplomacy in Central Asia. The Journal of Slavic Studies, 38(2), 241–258. https://doi.org/10.46694/jss.2023.6.38.2.241