On October 5, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, participated in and addressed a ceremonial event held in the city of Kulob in honor of the national celebration marking the 35th anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan.

At the outset, President Emomali Rahmon warmly congratulated the proud and patriotic people of Kulob on the 35th anniversary of State Independence and on the State Language Day, an important national date that represents one of the sacred values and enduring cultural foundations of the ancient Tajik nation.

It was emphasized that 35 years ago, the Tajik nation achieved its centuries-old aspiration of establishing an independent and sovereign state. During this relatively short historical period, through tireless work and the strong will of the honorable people of Tajikistan, the foundations of national statehood have been strengthened, and beloved Tajikistan has been transformed into a developing country enjoying a worthy reputation in the international arena.

President Emomali Rahmon described the achievements of the period of independence—including the construction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges, power plants and industrial enterprises, as well as the development of education, healthcare and culture and the significant improvement in the living standards of the population—as the result of independence and freedom and the dedicated work of the people of Tajikistan, including the patriotic residents of Kulob.

It was noted that the ancient city of Kulob, with its rich history and glorious past, occupies a special place in the history of Tajik statehood. The residents of this historic city are proudly fulfilling their sacred mission as heirs to the world-renowned history and civilization of the Tajik people.

According to President Emomali Rahmon, the inclusion of dozens of historical and cultural monuments of Khatlon Province under the designation “Ancient Khuttal” on the UNESCO World Heritage List represents international recognition of the ancient culture and civilization of this historic land of the Tajik people.

Recalling the early years of independence, President Emomali Rahmon highlighted the unique contribution of the proud and patriotic people of Khatlon Province, particularly the courageous and honorable young men of Kulob, to restoring the constitutional order and strengthening peace and stability in the country.

It was noted that during the years of independence, with the continuous support and care of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and through the dedicated and constructive efforts of its residents, the city of Kulob has undergone significant development, becoming increasingly prosperous and modern, with its appearance fundamentally transformed.

In preparation for the 35th anniversary of State Independence, 493 production and social facilities had been commissioned in Kulob by October 1, 2026, exceeding the planned target. On October 5 alone, 51 new facilities, including 15 industrial enterprises, were inaugurated in the city, creating more than 2,500 new jobs.

It was reported that during the period of independence, more than 3.9 billion somoni from the state budget had been allocated for the socio-economic development of Kulob. During the same period, a total of 1 billion somoni in foreign direct investment had been attracted to the city’s economy.

President Emomali Rahmon stated that 25 state investment projects had been implemented in the fields of education and healthcare, roads, energy and other sectors, while the implementation of another 20 state investment projects is currently underway.

It was also noted that 77 industrial enterprises are currently operating in Kulob, and during the first eight months of 2026, industrial production increased by more than 18 percent compared with the same period of the previous year.

The President analyzed the socio-economic situation of the city’s population and emphasized that improving housing conditions has also remained a priority during the years of independence. During this period, residential buildings with a total area of 618,000 square meters were constructed and commissioned in Kulob. Land plots for the construction of residential homes were allocated to more than 8,000 families.

The Leader of the Nation emphasized that during the years of independence, 53 educational institution buildings with 17,000 student places had been constructed and commissioned from all sources of financing. During the same period, 84 healthcare facilities were built and inaugurated in Kulob to promote the development of healthcare and ensure public access to quality medical services.

Taking the opportunity, President Emomali Rahmon expressed his sincere gratitude to the hardworking residents of the city, patriotic entrepreneurs and philanthropists who have made a valuable contribution to the development and improvement of the ancient city of Kulob, particularly during preparations for the 35th anniversary of State Independence.

The President of the country also spoke about the constructive measures undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan to build industrial enterprises, highways and railway infrastructure, including the 132-kilometer Bokhtar–Kulob railway, as well as the reconstruction and modernization of Kulob Airport, the construction of road bridges along the Guliston–Kulob route, the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the 33-kilometer Guliston–Kulob road, the 12-kilometer Kulob–Shamsiddin Shohin highway, and the construction of a number of industrial enterprises.

In conclusion, President Emomali Rahmon expressed confidence that the residents of the ancient city of Kulob would continue to preserve and promote national customs, traditions and cultural values and, most importantly, would continue the process of constructive development and nation-building with a strong sense of national identity, patriotism and devotion to the homeland. He expressed hope that they would achieve even greater success in the development of their city and beloved independent Tajikistan.

Following the address by the Leader of the Nation, a festive cultural and concert program was held at the central stadium of Kulob to mark the 35th anniversary of State Independence and State Language Day.

The grand cultural event featured melodious songs and dances as well as a colorful theatrical performance.

Renowned Tajik artists and performers from Kulob presented songs based on the works of distinguished poets and composers, celebrating Tajikistan, State Independence, lasting peace and national unity, the state language, the Leader of the Nation, and other national values and achievements of the period of independence.

The festive program, distinguished by its rich content, artistic performances and colorful stage presentations, added special splendor to the celebration and left a memorable impression on the participants.