Uzbekistan is embarking on an ambitious state-led initiative to foster a robust reading culture among its young population by translating major global scientific and literary works directly into the Uzbek language. Known as the "Thousand Books for Youth" project, or 1000KITOB, the program is spearheaded by the country's Youth Affairs Agency, which was established in 2020 to address issues in the youth sector and cultivate intellectual and creative potential.
The project seeks to address a historical gap in Uzbekistan's academic landscape, where advanced scientific and scholarly works have long been predominantly accessible only in Russian or English. By translating prominent texts directly from their original languages, organizers aim to strengthen national translation traditions and expand the capacity of the Uzbek language to handle modern scholarship, technology, and complex scientific thought. Once translated and published by the state, the project provides these translations to external publishers free of charge to facilitate wider publication.
To secure high-quality material, the initiative licenses translations and copyrights from prestigious international institutions, including Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press. Under a presidential decree, an expert council compiles a preliminary list of recommended books each year. This list is then opened for public review and selection before the council finalizes and approves the final titles for translation.
The physical books are distributed directly to libraries, government agencies, and administrative bodies. Additionally, the Youth Affairs Agency hosts electronic versions on its dedicated reading application, Mutolaa, which translates to "reading" in Arabic. According to project head Egamberganov, 140,000 copies of 47 different books have already been distributed to physical libraries, and 33 books have been uploaded to the Mutolaa platform.
Data from the Mutolaa team shows that the app has registered more than 4.8 million users. Between September 2025 and July 2026, over 25,000 people read e-books through the "Thousand Books for Youth" initiative. The three most popular titles accessed through the project so far are "Psychology," "Philosophy," and "Politics" from Oxford University Press’s Very Short Introductions series. Egamberganov noted that readers typically discover these newly translated works through social media promotions and dedicated book launch events.
The real-world impact of the project is already being felt by students like Zuhra Turdibekova, who studies at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers. Turdibekova shared that she had been searching for an academic book on ethnology and was deeply gratified to find a translation available in her native language through the project, highlighting how meaningful it is to access specialized knowledge in Uzbek.
Despite these successes, the project faces several structural and linguistic hurdles. Chief Editor Akmal Jumamurodov explained that translating complex works without losing their original meaning or sounding unnatural to Uzbek readers is a constant challenge. He emphasized that the project views translation as conveying the author's core ideas, style, and spirit clearly. To achieve this, every book undergoes a rigorous multi-stage process involving translation, editing, and expert review. Jumamurodov asserted that a successful translation should feel as though it was originally written in the Uzbek language.
The selection process itself has also raised conceptual questions. Nazarbek Nazarov, another project editor, explained that a board of recognized specialists recommends the "best" books in their respective fields to compile the longlist, prioritizing globally acclaimed or award-winning works. However, observers note that relying solely on international recognition does not provide a clearly defined intellectual framework for why specific titles should be prioritized for Uzbek readers. Furthermore, because Western academic traditions dominate global awards, this framework risks narrowing the perspectives available to readers, potentially overlooking valuable insights from Muslim, Eastern, or other diverse intellectual traditions.
Linguistic stagnation presents another significant barrier. Project editor Odilkhon Orifjonov pointed out that while contemporary international books explore postmodern realities, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence, the Uzbek lexicon is not coining new words fast enough to keep pace. This lack of consistent terminology in specialized fields often forces translators to mix pure Uzbek words with foreign terms, creating what Orifjonov describes as an "archaic patchwork" that can feel alien to readers. He emphasized that translators must deeply understand a book's logical and philosophical context to construct meaningful sentences.
Looking ahead, the sustainability of the project remains tied to funding and public engagement. Project manager Sobir Kuldashev revealed that they have designed a research study to identify barriers to reading among the population, though it is still uncertain whether this research will receive funding. Egamberganov stressed that the "Thousand Books for Youth" project is a long-term initiative whose ultimate success will depend on maintaining high translation standards and fostering genuine academic interest among youth. Ultimately, while the state can establish the necessary infrastructure and provide high-quality books, a true reading culture must be voluntarily shaped by the values and moral outlook of the people themselves.
