Lola Karimova receives Fashion for Development’s Leading Lady Award

 

The 24^th of September was a great day for Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva. In front of a stellar collection of diplomats, artists, activists and fashion industry leaders, she took home the coveted, Fashion 4 Development award at the 9^th Annual First Ladies luncheon in New York.

Held in the gorgeous Pierre Hotel the function was organised by Evie Evangelou’s Fashion 4 Development. Founded a decade ago, its objective is to “support the UN Millennium Development Goals and ‘Every woman, Every child.’” Ms Evangelou’s vision is to further this goal through education, empowerment, enhancement and enrichment” Her organisation pursues this agenda in partnership with the fashion industry and others who share a passion for its goals. Much has been achieved in this short time. As Evie Evangelou explained, “It has been nearly a decade, with much to celebrate, and I am overwhelmed with the benevolence of the stakeholders and change agents”

 

With the objective of celebrating the achievements of powerful women who share a commitment to the UN’s development goals, it’s no surprise that Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva’s efforts came to their attention. Apart from serving as Uzbekistan’s ambassador to UNESCO for a decade, she and husband Timur Tillyaev, have set up and continue to operate several philanthropic foundations in the land of their birth. One example of this is the You Are Not Alone Foundation. Its priorities are closely aligned to both the UN Millennium Development Goals and Evie Evangelou’s Fashion 4 Development.

 

Just as the UN and Fashion 4 Development emphasise sustainability, education and empowerment, so does the You Are Not Alone Foundation. Lola Karimova’s foundation has assisted thousands of underprivileged children to access educational opportunities which they otherwise might not have – several hundred of whom have subsequently gone on to tertiary studies. Beyond this, the organisation also provides medical services to at risk children and orphans. In one prominent example it has set up a partnership with French NGO La Chaine de l’Espoir. Translated into English the name means, The Chain of Hope and it precisely offers that. Together the two organisations have provided over 130 Uzbek children with life-saving cardiac surgery.

 

Evidently then, by contributing her time and money towards the health and schooling of Uzbekistan’s youth, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva is directly enhancing their empowerment and education. Actions like these provide a strong impetus to the UN’s development goals and exemplify why Evie Evangelou and Fashion 4 Development would want to recognise her efforts. Lola Karimova was conscious of this when she spoke after receiving the award;

 “It is a great honour for me to be the recipient of this award that recognises not only my efforts but also the efforts of other people who are committed to safeguarding the health of our planet. Fashion 4 Development, thank you for  the immense work you have been doing for the future of our planet, for your strong commitment to creating the sustainable world, for raising the awareness of our common responsibility and making people think of what kind of legacy we will be leaving to future generations.”       

Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva is a proponent of philanthropy

If philanthropy means, the desire to promote welfare in others, then Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva is most definitely a proponent of that. Born in Uzbekistan, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva recognized a need back in her home country and responded by launching a foundation called You Are Not Alone in 2002. Along with her husband, Timur Tillyaev, the organization aids orphaned and abandoned children to have a second chance in life.

The concept of philanthropy differs from that of charity by looking beyond the immediate needs of those it assists. Where charity may breed dependence, philanthropy invests in the capabilities of those receiving assistance with the longer-term goal of imparting skills to enable them to achieve autonomy. In this way, over time, recipients develop the ability to support themselves unaided. It is for this reason that while, Lola Karimova and her foundation, You Are Not Alone do provide a variety of services like healthcare, the major focus is education. In their own words; “Education is at the heart of everything the You Are Not Alone foundation does,” (http://timurtillyaevtimurtilliaev.over-blog.com/you-are-not-alone-foundation-timur-tillyaev-lola-karimova).

Guided by the philanthropic ideal that, to give a man a fish and you’ve fed him for a day; teach him to fish you feed him for life, the You Are Not Alone Foundation’s Educational Centre has assisted over 2,500 children and seen no fewer than 240 go onto to university.

Though philanthropy by necessity requires a certain amount of financial resourcing, true philanthropy goes far beyond that. It entails a sincere investment of time and personal attention. Here too Lola Karimova demonstrates how philanthropy applies in the furiously-paced, globalized world of today. Whilst being a mum to her three children and running her own perfume house, The Harmonist, Lola still finds the time to be regularly engaged in You Are Not Alone, it is this personal commitment that truly demonstrates the depth of her attachment to philanthropy.

In 2004, Lola Karimova expanded her philanthropic commitments in Uzbekistan by opening the National Centre for the Social Adaptation of Children. This ambitious project seeks to “provide life-enhancing opportunities to children with disabilities” and offers “diagnosis, orthopaedic and neurological treatment, speech therapy and education free of charge”.  Since opening, the centre has assisted over 7,500 children and their families.

Top 5 Amazing Attractions When Travelling in Bukara

Chor Minor, meaning the four minarets in Persian, would appear to be a fairly apt name for this gorgeous edifice. However, the towers do not function as minarets. The building was originally part of a much larger structure which has long been demolished. Happily, for us, Chor Minor did not meet the same fate for there is nothing else quite like in the entire city. Interestingly, each tower is decorated with unique motifs. It has been suggested that they reflect four of the major, historically significant religious influences of the region; Christian, Buddhist, Zoroastrian and Islamic. Thanks to the efforts of UNESCO of which Lola Karimova was a member, this jewel of Central Asian architecture has won the protection of World Heritage Listing. 

But who is Lola Karimova?

Lola Karimova is the perfect representation of Uzbekistan. Lola Karimova was born in Uzbekistan and is a businesswoman, mother and married to businessman Timur Tillyaeva.

Lola Tillyaeva loves Bukara and enjoying all the fantastic places that this city has to offer.

Few cities anywhere can offer a shopping experience quite like Bukara. Forget your glassed-in, air-conditioned, mammoth shopping malls with the music piped in. That just isn’t how things should be done on the Silk Road. Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo and other great travelers of yore. Since the 16^th  century, Bukara’s trading domes have drawn traders and merchants from near and afar. Designed to circulate cool air, the maze of domed rooves, bazaars and alleyways is an attraction in itself.

Central Asia in general is a tea-drinker’s paradise. In Bukara, you’ll find most folk drink green tea (kuk-choy) but black tea (kora-choy) is still common. What is less common is drinking tea with milk, so maybe leave your Irish nana at home. As a rule, the locals also drink their tea without sugar, so if you’ve a sweet tooth, best order kand-choy (tea with sugar). Apart from that, there’s an exciting array of spiced teas and herbal teas to explore. Probably the best place to start would be to plonk yourself down in chaikhana (teahouse) in one of the trading domes and just soak up the atmosphere. Though fans of the bean are less spoilt for choice, all is not lost. The internet is abuzz with reports of the rich, smooth cappuccinos at Wishbone Café.

Given Uzbekistan is a rich grain producing region, bread and noodles are common. Plov is the national dish and features rice, meat, carrot and onion. However, there is much, much more to it than this simple description would suggest. Like any national dish it varies enormously from place to place. In Bukara, for instance, their preference is to include mung beans. As sheep are widely farmed in Uzbekistan, meat lovers will be enticed by cutlets, stews, roasts and the ubiquitous kebab. Happily, most of Bukara’s best eating options are within strolling distance of the Magoki Attor Mosque. Hence, your best bet might be to simply amble about and follow your nose.

For a city of 250,000 people, Bukara punches well above its weight in terms of accommodation options.  200 Euros will allow you to live like a king at the Orient Star Varaxsha for a full weekend and still have enough left over to cover dinner. Alternatively, you could try the romantic, small scale retreat, Emir. Featuring a flower-filled courtyard, it is a gorgeous taste of traditional style Uzbek home-making.

Uzbekistan: An Experience of Cultural Treasures to Colour

In an age where media is very visual with many preferring to watch a Youtube video than plow through a thousand-page history book, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, ‘Uzbekistan: An Experience of Cultural Treasures to Colour’ may be set to change that dynamic.

The book is arguably quite ingenious. It not only talks about Uzbekistan’s culture and history in quite delightful ways, but it allows the reader to express themselves artistically. Next to beautiful illustrations of Uzbekistan’s cultural treasures are short descriptions. Next to these are spaces to draw and color in your own version of what you see. This interactive element of the book draws you in. You feel you have become part of the book and contributed to it, and indeed, you have.

Uzbekistan’s History in Colour and Words

The book tells the story of the country in quite strikingly powerful imagery. The country which was once fundamental to the Silk Road has a history that Hollywood producers dream about. It has iconic architecture, and since it regained independence from the former USSR, it is a country that is once again inspiring travellers to journey east.

The country was put on the map when China started to export goods in what would become the Silk Road. Back then, around 138 BC, Uzbekistan was three kingdoms. As the kingdoms became prosperous, they attracted the attention of conquerors who prized the riches the Silk Road brought. As such, the region fell under the rule of one empire or another, and this influence can bee seen in Uzbekistan’s customs, and cultural treasures.

Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva’s book brings these treasures alive. Featuring photographs of murals, ceramics, tapestries, and ornamented textiles, and architecture, context is provided by passages of text. This gives you a strong visual message and the context to know their place in Uzbekistan’s rich history. 

The book also highlights the people of Uzbekistan. The Silk Road not only brought trade, but it also brought different cultures and peoples together. The trade route spanned continents and reached Europe in the west. It went south through what we now know to be the Middle East and India and reached and traded with much of Africa.

Customs, traditions, cultures, religions, ideas were exchanged. Merchants that passed through cities such as Samarkand, which at the time a major trading post, would have sold art in one form or another. They would have bought locally produced goods. All of this made a significant impact on the region. 

In the 15th century, Ulugh Beg made significant scientific breakthroughs and established one of the oldest universities in the world. He invited the finest Islamic scholars to study there. His efforts brought much enlightenment to the world.

This melting pot was a significant factor in shaping today’s Uzbekistan. The influences can be seen today in all aspects of life in the country. This has all been depicted in Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva wonderful book, ‘Uzbekistan: An Experience of Cultural Treasures to Colour’.

The book would make a wonderful Christmas present. You will enjoy learning about the country and have a chance to express your artistic side.

Discover Bukhara

The Uzbek city of Bukhara is a city of cultural delight and significance. Currently, it has a population of around a quarter of a million and was a famous city on the Silk Road.

The region around Bukhara has been inhabited for around five millennia, and today the city remains an important cultural, religious, trade, and education center.

In 1938 it was described by the British diplomat to Russia, Fitzroy Maclean, in his memoir Eastern Approaches as an “enchanted city”.

The City Museum

Bukhara is often known as a city museum. UNESCO has made the city center a World Heritage Site thanks to its 140 architectural monuments most of which are mosques or madrassas. The streets in the center are narrow, and as you walk, you tend to feel like you are walking back in time. The buildings here have been beautifully preserved and is one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in the world.

A Brief History of Bukhara

The city has existed for about 2500 years. During the age of the Samanids, it became the second most important intellectual center in the Islamic world. Baghdad was the first. The city has been ruled over by various empires and was once besieged by Genghis Khan for 15 days.

In 1920, the Soviet Red Army attacked the city under the command of Mikhail Frunze. The Emir Alim Khan escaped to Kabul. The fighting lasted for four days and The Ark, the Emir’s citadel was destroyed.

Once conquered, the Bukharan People’s Soviet Republic was established and existed until 1925 where it was amalgamated with the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1991 it regained independence from the Soviet Empire along with the rest of the country.

During the age of the Silk Road in the 9th and 10th centuries, the city was one of the most important. It was a major trading hub, and merchants and trade caravans would meet here and conduct business. This is a legacy that serves the country well. Now the old trade domes are a much sought after tourist attraction. Although it is no longer a bazaar, you can pick up souvenirs and other trinkets.

Tourism

As Uzbekistan continues to redefine itself after independence from the Soviet Union, Bukhara continues to redefine itself in today’s world. As the city has come back into the limelight and has become more accessible, tourism is becoming a growth industry. It is popular with backpackers who want to see the world, but also more conventional tourists attracted by the historical wonders.

Popular Bukhara tourist spots include:

•           The Ark – An ancient fortress that was still in use up to 1920 when the Red Army destroyed it. Subsequently, it was rebuilt. It is believed that the Emir destroyed some of it himself, so it didn’t fall into ‘heathen hands’. The mosque and the undulating wall are the main draws.

•           Po-i-Kalyan Complex – At one time, its minaret was the tallest building in the world. It is so impressive that even Genghis Khan did not destroy it. To this day, it remains one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world.

•           Chor Minor – Comprised of four minarets the quaint mosque was completed in 1807. It is part of the historic center, and many come here to get a souvenir while traveling through.

Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva Made a Dame of the Royal Order of Francis I

Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva has joined a long list of distinguished women by becoming a Dame of the Royal Order of Francis I. She was presented with the prestigious award by Prince Charles and Princess Camilla de Bourbon-Two Sicilies.

The Royal Order of Francis I recognizes those who have made an outstanding contribution in the fields of humanitarian causes, public life, science, the arts, agriculture, and commerce. The roots of the Order go back to the 1800s. Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and her husband Timur Tillyaev, fall into this category thanks to their work through various charities and trusts.

The Work of Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev

For over fifteen years Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children in need. In keeping with the Orders remit of helping cross cooperation among religions, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva’s Karimov Foundation has a remit of promoting Uzbek culture internationally.

To help people in need Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev have started several charities and foundations. This includes:

•            The You Are Not Alone Foundation – The bulk of the charity work is to help orphaned, and low-income families have better lives. A strong emphasis is placed on providing medical care, and thanks to partnerships scores of children have received life-saving surgeries. The charity has renovated Mercy Homes (Orphanages) throughout Uzbekistan, and it has invested in education helping to raise their aspirations.

•            The Karimov Foundation - The Karimov Foundation started in 2016 and partnered with UNESCO to bring better education, science, and culture to the people of Uzbekistan. This takes the form of scholarships for young adults to go into higher education which is funded by Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva personally. The scholarships cover all living expenses and fund university education in some of the top universities in Europe.

Both Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev have a strong belief that through the sharing of cultures breaks down barriers and strengthens cooperation.

In 2016 Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva has started The Harmonist, a maison de parfum. The brand has expanded rapidly and is now found on both sides of the Atlantic. The perfume is developed using the Feng Shui ethos of harmony and balance.

This has led to the development of several artistic projects designed to start the conversation around water conservation. The Droplet, a tear-shaped sculpture, has recently gone on tour and is exhibited at various locations around the world.  

Both Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev continue to work through supporting children, promoting education and culture, and through efforts to fight climate change. 

Among the Order’s prominent knights and dames are former British Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the Governor of Makkah Province Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, former President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and Princess Benedikte of Denmark.

Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva’s foundation builds new Mercy Home.

Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev have opened the premises of a new orphanage in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. The new Mercy Home was built with the financial support of Karimova-Tillyaeva’s charity “You are not alone” to provide children left without parental care with good standards of living and better opportunities for their development and education, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva’s official website reported on 5 July. The newly built orphanage will be home to 198 children, aged between 3 and 16, who previously lived in two orphanages in Tashkent.

Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, the younger daughter of the Uzbek president Islam Karimov heads two charitable organizations in Uzbekistan, which help orphaned children and children with special needs.

The newly built Tashkent orphanage was provided with advanced facilities needed for children’s overall development and education. “Specialists have developed a programme to create an environment conducive to the development of children’s intellectual and creative abilities, as well as to improve the efficiency of the overall learning process,” the website reported.

Karimova-Tillyaeva’s charity is well known for its work in the area of improving living conditions in orphanages across Uzbekistan, which includes renovating the premises of existing orphanages, as well as providing them with furniture and other facilities needed for children’s development.

“There was a need to completely change the structure of and approach to the construction of mercy homes in order to improve the overall standards of living there, making them close to the home environment, as well as to provide children left without parental care with better opportunities for education. To this end, a team of leading specialists - teachers, psychologists, social workers and medical staff - have been employed to work at the new Mercy Home,” Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva wrote on her Facebook page on 5 July after attending the opening of the new orphanage.

The press release posted on her website said the total territory of the mercy home covering an area of 2.5 hectares comprises administrative premises, a medical unit, three residential buildings, offices for extra curriculum activities and social adaptation, a teaching centre, a conference room, a large library, a sports centre, three swimming pools, a conference hall, a dining room and a summer amphitheatre. 

“Providing children left without parental care with good education is one of the top priority areas of the foundation’s work. The new Mercy Home has employed the best professionals: teachers, psychologists and social workers, whose main objective is to impress upon children that quality education, the pursuit of knowledge and constant self-development - are the foundations of getting good profession and decent standards of living in future,” the press release said.

The premises for extracurricular activities have studios where children will be able to receive vocational training in sewing, hairdressing, pottery, culinary, household activities, IT, photography, fine arts and other areas, which will help them in choosing their future professions. 

“Dear children, I hope we have managed to create favourable conditions for your education, development and creative skills,” Karimova-Tillyaeva said in her Facebook post.

Last September Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev inaugurated premises of Mercy Home No 10 in the city of Samarkand following its extensive renovation, which was carried out with the backing of “You are not alone” foundation.

“A total of 1,418 children have been raised in the Samarkand Mercy Home since it was founded in 1943, and at present the orphanage is home to 138 children,” the report posted on Lola Karimova’s website said.

Karimova-Tillyaeva’s second charitable organization, the National Centre for the Social Adaptation of Children, provides assistance to children with special needs in the areas of diagnosis, orthopedic and neurological treatment, speech therapy and education.