PATRIOTIC EDUCATION THROUGH HISTORICAL MEMORY: THE ROLE OF WAR AND LABOR VETERANS IN MODERN UZBEKISTAN

Historical memory serves as a cornerstone of patriotic education, transmitting collective experiences of heroism, sacrifice, and national resilience across generations. This study explores the role of war and labor veterans in fostering patriotic consciousness among Uzbek youth through the lens of historical memory in the context of contemporary patriotic education policies. Drawing on collective memory theory and social identity frameworks, the research analyzes official documents, including Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 34 (January 28, 2026), which established a comprehensive patriotic education program in the continuing education system, alongside scholarly literature and practical implementations in schools and higher education institutions. Veterans of the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945), home-front laborers, and post-independence defenders act as living bridges to historical narratives, delivering “lessons of courage,” participating in roundtables, and sharing personal testimonies in educational settings. Findings demonstrate that veteran-led activities significantly enhance emotional attachment to the homeland, civic responsibility, and ideological resilience against globalization’s fragmenting effects. The paper proposes an integrated model for scaling veteran involvement within the Tarbiya (upbringing) curriculum and the 2026 national roadmap, emphasizing intergenerational dialogue, digital archiving of testimonies, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. This contributes to Web of Science-aligned scholarship in educational psychology, history didactics, and citizenship education, with implications for post-Soviet states preserving national identity amid modernization.