On 20 October, the Museum of Roman Civilisation (Museo delle Civiltà) in the Italian capital hosted the grand opening of the first large-scale international exhibition “Tajikistan — A Land of Unique Heritage”, timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the state independence of the Republic of Tajikistan. Asia-Plus attended the exhibition on its opening day.
The project was organised by the National Museum of the Executive Office of the President of Tajikistan together with Italian partners, and marks an important step in strengthening cultural cooperation and academic ties between the two countries.
The exhibition’s chronology spans a vast historical period — from the 6th century BC to the 20th century AD. On display are exceptionally rare artefacts from celebrated archaeological sites: Takht-i Sangin, ancient Panjikent, the Buddhist monastery of Ajina Tepa, and other monuments.
“The exhibition, which is being held in Italy for the first time, presents 80 of the most unique masterpieces reflecting the history of the Tajik people and their ancestors. Among them are a seal with a Sogdian inscription, a Sogdian inscription on stone, wall paintings from ancient Panjikent — renowned as the Pompeii of the East — gold coins from the Samanid period, and copper coins minted on the orders of Ismoil Somoni, the founder of the Tajik state.
Also on display are unique exhibits from the late 19th century: suzani, embroidery, copperwork, and musical instruments. All the exhibits were found on the territory of Tajikistan and are originals,” noted Zafarshо Ibragimzoda, Director of the National Museum of Tajikistan, at the opening ceremony.
The exhibition attracted considerable attention from foreign guests, experts, members of the diplomatic corps, and local residents.
“The exhibition is well organised and of the highest standard. Talking to people, I can see that many are taking great pleasure in discovering our culture and traditions, whose roots go back to ancient Sogdiana. We have much to share and much to surprise with. I urge everyone to take this unique opportunity to explore and discover the world of Tajik culture,” said Rauf, a WFP staff member in Rome and a native of Tajikistan.
“It was very pleasant to receive an invitation to visit the Tajikistan exhibition. It is wonderful to see such an event organised here in Rome. A large number of unique exhibits are on display, and I can see great interest in the exhibition both among expats and among Italians themselves,” noted Togrul Guliyev, a visitor from Azerbaijan living and working in Rome.
“A wonderful exhibition! Of course, for us as citizens of Tajikistan living far from home, this is something we have greatly missed. For us, it is a breath of fresh air — to meet and connect at events like this. I think it is marvellous!” said Maria, a compatriot living in Rome.
True rarities made it onto the exhibition list
Bronze ram heads (Achaemenid period, 5th–4th centuries BC). Both artefacts were found in 1979 in Kanibadam (Isfara Valley) and belong to the era of the first Persian Empire. Executed with anatomical precision, they apparently served as sculptural decoration for a royal throne or palace temple.
The first head (bronze, weight 14.8 kg): distinguished by a massive horn base decorated with a fine geometric ornament of rectangular elements. The relief grooves of the horns run downward, indicating the animal’s age. Clear traces of ancient severance are preserved on the neck section.
The second head (bronze, weight 8.1 kg): shares a similar stylistic pattern, but the grooves on the horns are oriented upward. It has retained the large sculptural treatment of the eyes, with detailed eyelids, eyebrows, and mouth.
Female sculpture / Kore (Takht-i Sangin, 3rd–2nd centuries BC). A clay statue 87 cm tall and weighing 20 kg. Although the head and arms below the elbows have not survived, the sculptural treatment of the draped, folded dress and the red band beneath the bust convey the finest aesthetics of Hellenism. Art historians associate the figure with the Greek Kore — the embodiment of eternal youth.
Bronze lamp with crowned faces (Kabadian, Kushan Kingdom, 2nd–3rd centuries AD). Height 12 cm, diameter 14 cm. On all four sides of the lamp, relief human faces are depicted wearing trefoil crowns, with massive torques around their necks and plaited braids falling to their shoulders.
Stone kohl vessel in the form of a bird (Farkhor, 2nd–3rd centuries AD). A miniature cosmetic container (4×4.5 cm) carved from stone. The bird is depicted with outstretched wings, detailed plumage, a distinct beak, and eyes. A square recess for kohl has been hollowed out on its back.
Male head. Fired clay. Zakko Tepa (city of Tursunzoda, 4th–5th centuries AD). A chance find. Height: 10.3 cm. Made using carving prior to firing. The face is flat, the forehead relatively low, the nose long and straight, the mouth wide, with a moustache joined to a thin beard. The eyes are elongated, almond-shaped, and slightly convex. The man’s ears are clearly defined, with a 2.5 mm hole in the earlobe for earrings. The hair is curly.
Samanid gold, Sogdian seals, and ethnography. In addition to the most ancient sculptural works, wall paintings from ancient Panjikent, Sogdian seals and documents, gold coins from the era of Ismoil Somoni, and an architectural column capital from Shahrinav (discovered in 1961) were also sent to Rome.
The 20th-century ethnographic section features chakan embroidery, inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, decorative suzani, painting in the kundal technique, and traditional musical instruments, including the shash-jur, which combines six instruments on a single base.
