DUSHANBE, September 24, 2013, Asia-Plus -- On the occasion of the 90th anniversary declaring Dushanbe the capital of Tajikistan, the Dushanbe mayor’s office has announced contest among electronic and print media on determining seven symbols of the city.

An official source at the Dushanbe mayor’s office says the main purpose of the contest is in determining seven facilities (buildings, monuments, or cultural and entertainment centers) that could embody the symbols of the Tajik capital.

Dushanbe is the capital and the largest city of Tajikistan.  Situated at the confluence of two rivers, Varzob and Kofarnihon, Dushanbe, which means “Monday” in Tajik, developed on the site for a Monday marketplace village, Dushanbe-Bozor.  Although archaeological remnants dating to the 5th century BC have been discovered in the area, there is little to suggest that Dushanbe was more than a small village until the early 20th century.