Prominent educator and writer Jura Butakuz passes away at 99

Prominent Uzbek educator and writer Jura Butakuz, a member of the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan, passed away on August 7 at the age of 99, the Union’s press service reported.

Born in 1926 in Andijan, Butakuz’s early life was marked by migration. In the 1930s, his family moved first to Tajikistan, then in 1935–1936 to Afghanistan. Over the years, he lived in numerous countries including India, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United States.

While living in Pakistan in the 1950s, Butakuz taught himself Urdu by reading newspapers daily. He went on to master five languages fluently.

Butakuz made significant contributions to Uzbek literature. He famously sold his hotel to finance the publication of Abdulla Qodiri’s novels. In 1961, he arranged for Qodiri’s "O‘tkan kunlar" to be published in Pakistan and distributed it free of charge to Uzbeks living in exile. His dedication to national culture is reflected in mentions within works such as Tohir Malik’s "Shaytanat" and Khairiddin Sultan’s "Navoiy 30". He authored several works of his own, including "Bo‘tako‘znoma", "Ona tilimni deb", and "Bulujuston esdaliklari".

During the Soviet era, Butakuz was one of the rare individuals permitted to return to Uzbekistan from abroad. However, after arriving in the late 1960s, he was not allowed to leave the country again.

He lived to witness Uzbekistan’s independence, describing the moment the national flag was raised as profoundly moving:

“I cried when the blessed flag of our freedom was raised. I was honored to be one of those who received this grace and participated.”

The funeral was held on August 8 at the Abdulla Qodiriy House-Museum in Tashkent.

It is worth noting that on July 28 passing of renowned composer Sultanali Rakhmatov, who died at the age of 55 following a long illness.