• “Meros” handicraft association

    Samarkand handicraft Association “Meros” is a non-governmental organization that supports Uzbek artisans access the global market through sponsoring and participating in artistic exhibitions. The organization was founded under the Cultural & Cognitive Tourism and Crafts Development in Uzbekistan program by UNESCO?UNDP in March 1996. its mission is to preserve, develop, and revive the artistic traditions of Uzbekistan, and to foster a sense of cultural heritage amongst the Uzbek people.

    Currently Meros has over 50 craftsmen in the organization producing a variety of traditional handicrafts ranging from ceramics and porcelain; textile and embroidery, hand-made silk, wood carving and stone engraving, jewelry, hand-made paper, traditional toys and miniature figuring and musical instruments.

    Hand-made paper was first manufactured in Samarkand in the 8th century. Its production was initiated by Chinese captives, after the war in Talas in 751 AD. It was the first city in Central Asia and the second city in the world to produce its own paper. Samarkand paper was made from mulberry tree, henna, and rose water, and was renowned for its light color and fragrances. The paper was revered and coveted by dignitaries and artisans alike for nearly a century.

    Due to technological advances, some political and economic reasons the art of hand-made paper began to dwindle. By the middle of the 19th century, it had virtually disappeared from the world. Here at Meros the artisans have revived this ancient tradition of the hand-made paper production and reintroduced Samarkand paper to the world. In Samarkand village Koni Ghil with the help of grants allocated by UNESCO and JICA a water mill has been constructed. The mill produces the Samarkand hand-made paper. The picturesque location as well as opportunity to watch the process of paper production and possibility to take part in it attract in Koni Ghil numerous tourists.

    Visitors will be: 

    1)       informed about getting mulberry tree bark, its cleaning in the Siyob river, its boiling in a pot 

    2)       showed the old water mill in work 

    3)       showed the process of paper pulp production in the water mill 

    4)       indicated the process of hand made paper production inside the water will:

    -          cutting the mulberry tree bark

    -          mixing the paper pulp with river water

    -          filtering the mass with reed net

    -          pressing the paper pulp

    -          drying of paper on board or glass

    -          polishing the surface of paper 

    5)       showed the process of marble paper production 

    6)       demonstrated the ancient art of ceramics, pottery, making miniature figures 

    7)       given the opportunity to practice in the craft chosen