“Spring has come to ask you…”

In cool mornings, almond blossoms,

Purple lip, spring on the ground.

The flight of birds, the gentleness of the winds,

Spring in velvet valleys, hills.

«Purple lip, spring on the ground....» As spring arrives, we instinctively recall these lines. And it’s no coincidence— in Uzbekistan, spring is marked by the birthday of the renowned poetess Zulfiya Isroilova, the author of these words. More than just a poet, she embodied the spirit of Uzbek women, using her voice to champion peace and unity on global platforms on behalf of all Eastern women.

Zulfiyakhanum was born on March 1, 1915, in Tashkent. Throughout her life, she wrote about the prosperity of her people, love and loyalty, and the emotional depths of Uzbek women. Her poetry is diverse – some verses reflect on the complexities of the human spirit, while others are filled with spring and blossoming gardens. This range makes her work so captivating, no matter the stage of life, one can always find words that resonate deeply and provide answers to personal reflections.

Her first poem was published in 1931 in the newspaper Ishchi. Just a year later, in 1932, her debut poetry collection, Leaves of Life, was released. She solidified her place in the literary world with subsequent works such as Temiroy (1934), Poems, and The Song of Girls (1939).

It is impossible to speak of Zulfiyakhanum without mentioning her husband and fellow poet, Hamid Alimjan. Uzbekistan was gifted not one but two extraordinary poets, and their hearts were bound in a profound connection. Their mutual support fueled their creative endeavors and strengthened their personal lives. Tragically, their love story was cut short when Hamid Alimjan passed away in 1944, after just nine years of marriage. Zulfiyakhanum never remarried, dedicating her entire life to preserving their love. For this, she is revered as the "Poetess of Devotion", with her love-filled verses often recited through tears.

Her poetry evolved even further with the publication of collections like His Name Was Farhad (1943), In the Days of Separation (1944), and Khulkar (1947). The poems written in the wake of Alimjan’s death carried an unparalleled depth of emotion, marking a turning point in her creative journey. Through these works, she not only expressed her sorrow but also echoed the pain of a nation devastated by World War II.

This artistic evolution continued with later works, including Meeting (1972), Years, Years... (1975), and the epic poem The Sun’s Feather (1970), dedicated to the memory of the writer Oybek. These pieces showcased her poetic brilliance at its peak.

Beyond her literary achievements, Zulfiyakhanum greatly contributed to the field of translation. She translated into Uzbek the works of legendary poets such as Pushkin, Lermontov, Nekrasov, Vakif, Lesya Ukrainka, Dilbozi, Kaputikyan, Ognisvet, Amrita, and Bagryana. In turn, her poetry has been translated into numerous languages, including Russian, Tajik, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, Uyghur, English, French, German, and Chinese.

For many years, Zulfiyakhanum served as the chief editor of the magazine Saodat, which became a platform for the empowerment of Uzbek women, especially in the years following Uzbekistan’s independence. Even today, Saodat remains a leading voice in the cultural and spiritual development of women, reflecting the evolving role of modern Uzbek women in society. At the same time, ELLE Oʻzbekiston celebrates the achievements of today’s most inspiring Uzbek women, offering insightful advice, trends in beauty and fashion, and stories of empowerment. Together, both magazines continue the creative vision of Zulfiyakhanum, shaping the modern portrayal of the Uzbek woman she once dreamed of.