Bobojon Ghafurov Museum

The National Museum of Academician Bobojon Ghafurov is located in the city of Ghafurov, Sughd region. The museum is dedicated to the life and activity of the outstanding state employee and prominent Tajik scholar, Academician Bobojon Ghafurov. Built according to international standards, the museum was opened in 1998 on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Academician Bobojon Ghafurov. The National Museum of Academician Bobojon Ghafurov is located in the city of Ghafurov, Sughd region.

History of the museum's construction

The first project for the museum's construction appeared in 1986 at the initiative of the Committee of the Leninobod district. In 1989 the first "House-Museum of Academician Bobojon Ghafurov" began operation. Photographs, materials and valuable documents for the museum were collected by Professor Habibullo Kholjuraev (group leader), A. Azimov, G. Musobekov. After the reconstruction (1988 – 1996) the museum was rebuilt in 1998.

Statue of Bobojon Ghafurov on the museum grounds

On 14 November 2023 in the Bobojon Ghafurov district, the Founder of peace and national unity – the Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, unveiled the statue of Academician Bobojon Ghafurov. The statue of the Hero of Tajikistan, which stands on the grounds of the National Museum of Academician Bobojon Ghafurov, was created with high-quality art from fine marble. The statue's pedestal is 2.6 meters, and the height of the statue itself is 4.2 meters. On the left side of the statue a marble sculpture – “Tajiks” – is placed, which undoubtedly indicates the importance and value of this creation. High-quality decorative stones were used with a special architectural style to adorn the pedestal.

Museum construction

The concept for the museum's construction was created by Academician Nu'mon Ne'matov, Professors Habibullo Kholjuraev, Saidullo Abdulloev, associate professor Ukhtam Juraev and A. Qodirov.

Exhibits, photographs, valuable documents and scientific works of academician Bobojon Gafurov are located in three halls:

Hall 1 – The main hall is devoted to the history of the writing of academician Bobojon Gafurov’s masterpiece, the book “Tojikon”.

Hall 2 – Dedicated to the life and activity of the distinguished state servant and prominent scholar of the Tajik people, academician Bobojon Gafurov.

Hall 3 – Dedicated to “Bobojon Gafurov’s contribution to the development of the science of history and Oriental studies”. At the end of the hall, exhibits, photographs, valuable documents concerning the contemporary development of Tajikistan are placed.

Museum activities

From the earliest days of the museum’s activity, it has become a center of education and a hub of scientific history and country studies of the nation. In the museum’s work, various forms of public‑propaganda, cultural‑entertainment, educational‑training activities are carried out, aimed at guests, residents of the region, youth and children. Near the museum, at the initiative of the first director of the museum, Professor Habibullo Kholjuraev, the Scientific Center of historians “Gafurov studies” (“Gafurovology”) was established; the results of its scientific research on the scientific heritage of academician Bobojon Gafurov and the history of famous personalities of Gafurov district and Sughd region have been compiled and published (see the bibliography). Museum staff have also contributed to the compilation and publication of literary works. They have translated several collections of literary works into Tajik and Uzbek. Since 2015, the museum’s periodic publication “Yodnoma” has been compiled and distributed to district residents for reading.

Museum staff regularly, in connection with the reception of international and republican holidays, organize public‑educational events and prepare new exhibitions of the museum’s exhibits.

Ignoring the financial supply difficulties (the museum of the Ghafurov district is a branch of the museum and is funded from the district budget), the head of the museum, Professor Habibullo Kholjuraev, continuously finances its water and development from his personal financial resources.

In its activity area near the museum: Museum complex of Professor H. Kholjuraev (consisting of a library, collections of “History of Tajikistan”, “Prominent Figures of Sughd Region”, “Scientists of the Region”, “Physicians of the Region”, “Heroes of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) from Sughd Region”, “Natural History Museum”, “B. Ghafurov Academic Museum Branch on the open-air stage” and others) prepared for citizens and guests. The scientific center “Ghafurov studies” (“Ghafurovology”) conducts scientific research on the scientific heritage of academician Bobojon Ghafurov and other historical and regional studies. The center has published several scientific monographs and popular science books in Russian, Tajik and Uzbek, with the scientific leadership of Doctor of Historical Sciences Habibullo Kholjuraev as well as the museum scientists Ra‘no Irkayeva, Sharif Nuriddinov, Akmal Qalandarov, Oktam Ergash, Mawluda Muradova contributing.

Renovation of the academician Bobojon Ghafurov Museum

On 14 November 2023 in the Bobojon Ghafurov district, the Founder of peace and national unity — the Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, visited the building of the Republican Museum of academician Bobojon Ghafurov after its reconstruction and renovation, and became acquainted with its activities.

Winter visits were reported, indicating that the Republican museum is a major scientific, cultural, educational, moral, and propaganda‑stimulating center, consisting of 18 separate halls. In the museum, exhibits are arranged chronologically, covering work and life, prolific activity in various fields, scientific achievements, literary works, and awards and gifts of academician Bobojon Gafurov.