When discussing book-loving, one often envisions magnificent libraries, young people reading, and book festivals. Undoubtedly, these are the most beautiful and noticeable aspects of this process.
The Book as a Strategic Resource
However, in today's global world, the book has ceased to be merely a spiritual value; it has transformed into a strategic resource that shapes human capital. This is why the publishing sector, which is the most important and fundamental part of the learning chain, requires a completely new perspective today.
Since any outstanding work cannot reach the reader on its own, complex and laborious stages follow, such as professional translation, meticulous editing, modern design, and quality printing. It is important that in Uzbekistan, the development of book-loving is aimed not only at propaganda but also at forming an entire ecosystem for creating books.
Changing Reader Needs
For a long time, the book market was understood primarily as fiction. However, times have changed, and the worldview and demands of readers have reached a completely new level. Today, youth, entrepreneurs, and specialists do not want to limit themselves only to fictional works. They need real, practical sources of knowledge in science, technology, economics, strategic management, and business.
The emergence of specialized private publishers to meet this social need is pleasing. A bright example is the project of the 'Gutenberg' publishing house, presented at the exhibition on Youth Day organized for June 30th, and which was presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The Philosophy of Gutenberg Publishing House
A publishing house should not just be a print shop, but a platform of knowledge that solves certain societal problems. As young entrepreneur Ravshan Burkhonov emphasizes, the 'Gutenberg' publishing house was created precisely on this philosophy:
'Before starting our activities, we conducted serious research on the issue: 'Where should we start?' Our observations showed that most local business entities opened between 2002 and 2022 had ceased operations. By studying the root causes, we found that our entrepreneurs primarily lacked sufficient qualifications and skills in running a business and defining strategy. There was almost no professional literature in the market to enhance their knowledge and potential. We accurately identified this gap. Our goal was to present the best practices of leading global business schools and universities in the Uzbek language, and today we specialize only in translating business and popular science works,' says the head of the publishing house.
International Cooperation and Results
According to the head of the publishing house, Ravshan Burkhonov, they have currently established official partnerships with authoritative educational institutions worldwide, such as Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge. This partnership is evident not only on paper but also in real results.
Iles Tribulaev's book 'Entrepreneurial Thinking' sold 10,000 copies within a month. Furthermore, the HBR (Harvard Business Review) collection, published in collaboration with Harvard Business School, quickly reached nearly 9,000 readers.
These figures are not just indicators of successful sales. They demonstrate the growing need of the modern reader for reliable sources of knowledge concerning modern management, entrepreneurship, and business. This indicates that interest in high-quality, popular science, and professional literature in the country is reaching a new level.
State Support for Sector Development
A significant impetus for such active development of private initiatives in the field is the creation of systemic conditions by the state. In particular, the President's decision from January 15 of this year 'On measures to develop the culture of book-loving and increase public interest in reading' opened a new chapter in the industry's development.
The Fund for the Development of Book-Loving Culture, established based on this document, was able to become a remedy for the most acute problems of publishers. A system of partial coverage of costs for copyright fees, as well as the labor of translators and editors, was introduced. This allows publishers to translate the most famous world works into the Uzbek language without fear of financial risk.
Transformation of the Role of Publishers
Modern publishers are radically changing their model. They are no longer just technical enterprises accepting orders and printing finished texts. Today, publishers are becoming professional platforms that solve specific intellectual challenges of society.
The example of the 'Gutenberg' publishing house shows that research conducted before the project began indicated that many local business entities face crises due to a lack of modern knowledge and management skills. Thus, localizing the experience of leading business schools is not just about publishing books, but a direct investment in the domestic economy and the country's human capital.
Today, the attitude towards books in Uzbekistan has fundamentally changed. A book is no longer just a way to spend free time meaningfully or a means of spiritual perfection. It has become a vital strategic resource for economic progress, training competitive personnel, and building an innovatively thinking society.
A society that invests in knowledge is investing the most reliable resources in its future. The essence of today's reforms aimed at supporting book-loving and publishing is based precisely on this life philosophy.
