British-Uzbek Society Annual Dinner 2019: Celebration of the Life and Work of Dr Shirin Akiner
British-Uzbek Society is pleased to introduce the II part of the video-film dedicated to celebration of the life and work of Dr Shirin Akiner, a former Chairwoman of British-Uzbek Society and an outstanding scholar of Central Asian studies. Sadly, Shirin passed away on 6th April 2019 but her work, passion and dedication provide an inspirational framework for the present and future activities of the British-Uzbek Society.
The video includes speeches of the honoured quests invited to the BUS Society Annual Dinner 2019. Dr David Mitchell, Shirin’s husband, gave a very moving and heart-warming speech about Shirin: her family of a mixed heritage, her international upbringing and the various interests she pursued since her youth, her passion for life, knowledge and education, her amazing bravery in the most extraordinary circumstances, her strength and consistency in following her principles and beliefs, and her inexhaustible passion and love for Central Asian studies.
Dr Harun Yilmaz shared his reflections on Shirin as a Scholar, Expert, and Mentor – Shirin played a very important role in Haruns’ own academic formation and achievements. In his speech, Harun cited Shirin’s achievements and some fascinating facts about her life, research and academic work.
Christian Mitchell, Shirin’s grandson delivered a reading, written by Colonel Nick Kitson DSO. The reading was dedicated to Shirin Akiner, who together with her husband David Mitchell provided an unconditional, all rounded support to Nick throughout a very difficult period of his military service in Afghanistan.
British-Uzbek Society would like to express its gratitude to Mrs Anna Skyner, who spent a lot of time and efforts on filming, editing and putting this wonderful video-film together. The video includes some of the family photos of Shirin and her mother, kindly shared with us by her husband, Dr David Mitchell.
