Ark of Bukhara, Uzbekistan
“I found in this library such books, about which I had not known and which I had never before seen in my life. I read them, and I came to know each scientist and each science. Before me lay the gates of inspiration into great depths of knowledge which I had not surmised existed.” — Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
Avicenna (980 – 1037) — philosopher, poet, astronomer, mathematician, physicist, the father of early modern medicine, among many other things — has been known to us as a Persian polymath. But he was, in fact, born in Uzbekistan. His early education began here in Bukhara.
The library in the Ark of Bukhara has not survived the many conquests that Bukhara has been through, although this enormous structure that dwarfs me continued to be a fortress from circa 500CE until it fell to the Red Army in 1920.
Sadly, there is no way for me to find the books of which Avicenna wrote, but the book wide open before me now is Bukhara… and I am savoring every line.
The Book-Butterfly 
Those walls are just so huge! So impressive! I didnt know Avicenna was born in Uzbekistan! You learn something new every day when you read! X
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In reply to your last line: Yes, indeed! I’m not sure if you remember that Uzbek novel I mentioned earlier this year, the same author has a book about Avicenna but my copy did not arrive in time for the trip! I’ll surely post and share about it once I get to read it. ❤
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Hmmm i cannot remember what i did yesterday let alone the book you mentioned earlier this year! Lol! But i look forward to hearing about the book once you read it.
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Just looked in my notebook. the devils dance by Ismailov? I wrote it down in my “books to buy list” its a huge list because of you! Lol 😂
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While driving around Tashkent, I also noticed pharmacies and clinics named after Avicenna. Apparently, he is huge in Uzbekistan. Haha
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Hahaha! Funny! But yes, Hamid Ismailov’s the one!
Just so you know: I, too, have a list filed under “Anna’s Book Recos”. Haha!
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