When asked what a tangible sign of freedom is, various answers emerged from diverse personalities. Some said a restaurant, others said the New York Times and still others looked to the Statue of Liberty. However Vadim Isakov, an Uzbekistan journalist, had a different answer: a bookstore.
Hailing from a nation where journalists are imprisoned, their families raped and even killed, the possibility of a place existing where any ideas contrary to the nation’s government are welcomed was a drastic thought and an earth-shattering joy. Vadim shared his life story from being accredited by the Uzbekistan government with the condition of not printing anything incriminating against it, to preparing to write his “perfect story” but not going through with it in order to save a security guard’s life.
Vadim stressed the importance of telling the truth objectively and on every occasion. And above all else, hold a reverence for this country that allows people the choice to write and read what they so desire, for this utopian ideal does not reign across the entire globe.
