The Mysterious Uzbekistan

“This book presents not only the traveler Getov’s absorbing account of Uzbekistan. This is a kaleidoscope of meetings with interesting people, marvelous cultural and natural landmarks, historical references... This book can serve as your tour guidebook if you haven’t visited the country yet, but it is much more than that. You have the accounts of a person who wants to discover what lies underneath the superficial exotics. I can assure you that after four years as a European Union Ambassador in Uzbekistan, I am impressed by the author’s penetrating stories. May this book be as “hospitable” to its readers as the way the Uzbeks welcome you with abundant tastes, colors, and good quality.“

- Yuriy Shterk, a diplomat, ambassador, and Head of the European Union Delegation in Uzbekistan 2012-2016.

“Two years ago, on my way back from a conference in Kazakhstan, I had the opportunity to go around the unique Uzbekistan. This was an old dream of mine because, being an archaeologist, I knew there were traces of great civilizations there, including proto-Bulgarian. Even though I was prepared, I was amazed at the magnificence of Khiva, Bukhara, and, of course, Samarkand with the mausoleums of the “conqueror of the world” – Khan Tamerlan. I was left with many impressions, which I recalled after reading Lubo Getov’s book. It is a genuine “manual” not only about the historical landmarks but also about everything interesting that can be seen in this Middle Asian country.

Bon voyage, dear reader!“

- Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov

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Lubomir Getov was born in 1973 in Sofia. He spent his childhood in Mongolia, where his parents worked in the Bulgarian Embassy. Thanks to his experiences in those years, he fell in love with Central Asia forever. In the last ten years, half of his time has been dedicated to the countries in this region. He has worked actively in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kirgizstan, but mainly in Uzbekistan.

The projects Lubomir Getov has taken part in brought him many times to all the country’s regional centers and numerous smaller towns and villages. He has been able to immerse himself in the national way of life and culture of the fairy Uzbekistan. His stories are absorbing and full of personal experiences and various curious, little-known facts about the country and its inhabitants.

This book will intrigue and delight everybody who wants to feel the pulse of

a dynamically developing country bearing the spirit of a great empire.