Culture of Tajikistan Malika Sobirova won a gold medal in an international ballet competition. Since independence, there has been a pre-Soviet cultural revival in an attempt to foster a sense of national identity. Novelist Taimur Zulfikarov, and professors Rahim Masov and Bozor Sobir being prominent. Culture of Tajikistan The culture of Tajikistan has developed over several thousand years. Tajik culture can be divided into two areas, Metropolitan and "Kuhiston" (Highland). Modern city centres include Dushanbe (the capital), Khudjand, Kulob, and Panjikent. Zoroastrianism had been adopted by Persian emperors as a state religion, and was practiced in Central Asia as well. It eventually declined
1991 Uzbek independence election the proposal that the country "should remain part of a renewed Union (federation) as a sovereign republic with equal rights". However, following the attempted coup d'état in August, it was decided to seek independence. Independence was subsequently declared on 31 August, and the Soviet Union ceased to exist on 26 December 1991, three days before the referendum. 1991 Uzbek independence election An independence referendum was held in the Republic of Uzbekistan on 29 December 1991, alongside presidential elections. The result was 98.3% of voters in favour, with a turnout of 94.1%. In a USSR-wide referendum held in March, 95% of