THE ROLE OF CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN EDUCATING YOUTH IN THE SPIRIT OF NATIONAL VALUES: THE CASE OF SURKHANDARYA REGION, 1991–2026

This thesis examines the role of cultural and spiritual-educational institutions in educating young people in  Surkhandarya Region in the spirit of national values between 1991 and 2026. During the period of  independence, museums, theatres, information and library institutions, cultural centers, spiritual educational structures, historical heritage sites, and public cultural events became important social  institutions for strengthening historical memory, national identity, patriotism, and respect for cultural  heritage. In 2024, the two operating museums in Surkhandarya received 52.3 thousand visitors, while school  pupils and students accounted for 14.7% of all visitors. In the same year, the region’s two theatres staged  509 performances and attracted 173 thousand spectators.v