On August 4, 2016, Akie Abe, the spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe visited Bibi Hanum as part of her visit to Uzbekistan. She was accompanied by the delegation of cultural and art workers of Japan. Bibi Hanum had an important task to organize a special presentation representing its activities at the HYATT Regency Hotel in Tashkent.
Madame Akie Abe was delighted to meet the women behind Bibi Hanum. She was particularly interested in the social aspect of Bibi Hanum’s mission in creating economic opportunities for women.
Bibi Hanum demonstrated and explained the intricate aspects of ikat production process through video presentation as well as demonstrating the ikat weaving on the loom. The presentation also had the demonstration of the embroidery. Selected women from Nurota village arrived specially for Madame Akie Abe to show part of their craft that they do for Bibi Hanum.
Madame Akie Abe was accompanied by one of Japan’s most highly acclaimed fashion designers Koshino Junko. During the presentation Koshino Junko mentioned that it was a nice surprise that a Japanese television drama entitled “Carnation” was being aired in Uzbekistan at the time of their visit. The tv series was based on the life of the fashion designer Ayako Koshino who was the mother of Junko Koshino.
