In Uzbekistan great att entio n is paid to the preservatio n and reviv al of natio nal values, the development of Uzbek music and further augmentatio n of its fame throu ghout the world.

Less than a month is left until the most anticipated celebration of music – traditional international music festival “Sharq taronalari” to be held in Samarkand, on 25-30 August this year. And the preparation for this big event is already in full swing. The history of this music forum dates back to 1997, when by the initiative of President Islam Karimov, for the first time music of various nations sounded in the Registan Square.

This year the International Music Festival “Sharq taronalari” will be held for the ninth time. Multiplying the glory of a rich and unique musical culture of our people, it helps to strengthen friendship and creative relationship among musicians from different countries. So far the festival has covered almost all continents. Every year the number of participating countries is increasing. If the participants were 33 on the first festival in 1997, the festival was attended by the representatives from over 50 countries in 2011.

This year the festival Directorate expects the huge inflow of people wishing to visit our country – said the Deputy Executive Director of “Sharq taronalari” Aida Ibragimova. – Today, 47 countries have expressed their interest in the participation for the festival. Several official television, print and electronic media have expressed their desire to cover the course of the festival. It is no wonder that many tourists are eager to get to Samarkand in the days of the festival. And there are musicians, who by sending a request to participate, express their interest in whether they can bring their friends, family along, for which they want to turn the tourist trip into an unforgettable celebration of art.

It gives a special flavor that the festival is held in the beautiful and fabulous Samarkand, the birthplace of the world-renowned scholars, poets, musicians, artists, and statesmen. From time immemorial, artistic traditions, the art of music preserved and developed in Samarkand.

– Currently a huge preparation work is on in Samarkand so that the festival will be held at the highest level – mentioned the Head of the Department of Cultural and Sports Affairs in Samarkand Rita Makhmudova in an interview. – In addition to the main stage of the competition area “Registan”, four more parks will be opened, where every day visitors and residents of Samarkand will enjoy “musical gifts” of various countries. In the overall program a number of interesting musical ideas are included and they are divided into parts that help viewers learn more about Uzbekistan. Rehearsals of folk and dance ensembles began. Directors, their assistants, designers, artists who are working on the sketches of national costumes and design of the amphitheater are involved in the preparation of the festival. Initial arrival of participants, are expected from July 25 on.

It should be noted that according to tradition after the end of the competition program, performances and interaction among the participants of the festival will go on in the streets and in the lobby of the hotel “Afrasiab”, where musicians from all over the world continue to share musical experience until the early hours in an informal setting.

– The festival is of great political and cultural significance, – considers the honored worker of arts, chairman of the Composers’ Union of Uzbekistan Rustam Abdullayev. – It is visited by people of different mentality, in the process of communication a kind of association enrichment, great cultural exchange occur that promote the development of cross-cultural communication, enhance mutual understanding and respect among people. Such a large-scale event is not only an honor for any country, but also a great responsibility in the international community. This music forum is important in the broad dissemination of Uzbek musical art – the jewels of our rich culture in the world.

– The Festival is the celebration for not only the representatives of music, but also all our fellow citizens – says the People’s Artist of Uzbekistan Munojot Yulchieva that has repeatedly served as a member of the jury of the festival “Sharq taronalari”. – This festival corresponds to a country where there is peace and tranquility. The festival shows the entire planet a peaceful, tranquil and prosperous life in Uzbekistan, the constant pursuit of our people to goodness and perfection.

The opening ceremony of the festival itself is unique, which is never repeated, acquaints the visitors with the origins of the musical culture of the Uzbek people, with the achievements of modern art in Uzbekistan, its variety of genres and styles. And it all happens with the attendance of “live sound”! Soon at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan there will be qualifying rounds, where the names of local artists will be determined to be honored to represent the art of our country at such a high level.

Traditionally, symposiums, meetings, conferences are included in the festival “Sharq taronalari” which have become a shining example of fruitful creative communication of musicians from different countries.

This year the theme of the scientific conference that will be held during the festival is “Musical traditions of the Orient in the context of contemporary culture”. Well-known scientists, art historians, and young researchers, music managers, directors of the festival and representatives of international organizations will participate in the conference. Today we can say that the festival has taken a worthy place in the world community, and the interest in it is growing year by year. The inscription of the festival in the number of international cultural events of UNESCO shows its high political and spiritual significance.

It is considered that the conduct of International Music Festival “Sharq taronalari” in Samarkand plays a significant role in maintaining and further developing the traditional music of the East, in the upbringing of the younger generation in the spirit of love for these traditions, the synthesis of national traditions and ontemporary musical language. The festival will stimulate the creativity of artists; promote the formation of students’ interest on performing tradition.

(Source: “Uzbekistan Travel News- Íîâîñòè òóðèçìà Óçáåêèñòàíà” newspaper)