from the US Embassy Website / Tashkent Uzbekistan

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Seattle and Tashkent, the U.S. Embassy organized a Clean-Up of the Seattle Peace Park in Tashkent on March 29. To help clean the park, U.S. Embassy staff gathered, along with more than 60 others, including alumni of USG-exchange programs, regular visitors to the Embassy’s Information Resource Center and students from a nearby lyceum.

The Embassy donated two dozen shrubs, 20 tree saplings and over a hundred flowers to plant in the park, while the Tashkent city mayor’s office provided necessary equipment, including rakes, shovels, brooms, and a truck to remove debris. The Hokimyat had also repaired the fountain in the park, greatly improving the feel of the area. U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Richard Norland and his wife Mary Hartnett also pitched in to beautify the park. Upon arriving at the park, they were greeted by local government and media representatives.

Working with Deputy Hokim of Tashkent City Agzamjon Rizashev, the Ambassador planted several new trees himself. Members of the Marine Security Guard participated as well, throwing themselves into digging holes for new trees. All participants could see the results of their hard work immediately -- in less than two hours the group managed to plant all the trees and flowers, and the whole park was shining like new. This year promises to bring many additional joint activities between the residents of Tashkent and Seattle as they continue to celebrate the 35th anniversary.

The Seattle Peace Park is located in the center of Tashkent and covers a territory of 1.5 acres. The Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Association along with Peace Corps Volunteers created the park in 1988, decorating it with a fountain, a mosaic map of the world, a striking sculpture by a Seattle-based artist, many decorative and unique tiles designed by Seattle citizens, and planting the trees that have grown over the years and now shade half of the park.

http://www.usembassy.uz/home/index.aspx?&mid=834&overview=2302

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