The 9th International Music Festival ‘Sharq Taronalari’ wrapped up in Samarqand, including a new page in its chronicles. The days of anxieties, competitions, and concert performances left behind. The long-awaited and most exciting closing day of this great music forum comes, where the winners are announced.

Unique samples of oriental music sounded in the days of the festival at the Registon Square, parks and palaces of the city caught the fancy of thousands of people. Especially vibrant were the visiting concerts organized in Oqdaryo, Jomboy, Pastdargom and Samarqand districts.

The locals welcomed the participants of the festival with great joy, they sang along with them and danced; they talked about the eternal - high art and folk art carefully preserved by many generations.

A variety of tunes and songs in many languages in performance of representatives of more than 50 countries all over the world united by one thing - they all sang about generosity, peace, friendship, and love.

This is understandable, because the International Music Festival ‘Sharq Taronalari’ for 16 years contributed to the development of world music, the preservation and popularization of universal values, as well as the glorification of the Uzbek national music. This time, it turned into the unforgettable holiday, the crown of which was the awarding ceremony of winners. The jury of the 9th International Music Festival ‘Sharq Taronalari’ decided to give the highest prize to the artists from India.

“It is hard to put into words our excitement and pride,” says the grand prize winner of the ‘Sharq Taronalari’ Festival, the leader of the music band from India Rashmi Agarwal. “I consider that the participation in this forum is already a great success. And the fact that the jury and experts liked our performance is a high assessment of the art of all our people. Taking this opportunity, I want to express my gratitude to the initiator of this wonderful and unique festival - President of Uzbekistan and its organizers. We are looking forward to the next festival and dream to perform on this majestic scene once again.”

The first place was shared by artists from Burkina Faso and Afghanistan, the second prize was awarded to musicians from China, UK, and South Korea, the third prize went three participants – the Uzbek musician Abror Zufarov, the Chikuyusha group from Japan, and the duo from Austria.

The winners in several other nominations have been announced as well, who received encouraging prizes from UNESCO, Samarqand administration, and the jury of the festival. The prize ‘For contribution to the development of national art’ was given to the participants from Karakalpakstan, while the audience award went to the singer Galit Giat from Israel.

The 9th International Music Festival ‘Sharq Taronalari’ came to end with a festive concert featuring the winners and well-known singers and musicians of Uzbekistan.

(Source: “Uzbekistan Today” newspaper)