Uzbekistan: Largest music festival of the East being held in Uzbekistan

The major music festival of the East “Sharq Taronalari” is being held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on August 25-30. Sixty nations attending the event.

On the eve of 22nd anniversary of Independence of Uzbekistan, the country is holding its ninth traditional international music festival, “Sharq taronalari,” in Samarkand held under the patronage of UNESCO.

Currently, 60 nations inclunding Latvia, Burkina Faso, Russia, Japan, Turkey, Austria, Georgia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Great Britain, China, France, Madagascar, the United States, Thailand, Czech Republic, South Korea, Spain, Estonia, Egypt, and others have confirmed their participation, and media from 15 nations are covering the event.

The festival program includes performing competition in areas such as traditional vocal – a competition for best folk songs, and traditional national instrumental music – competition for the best performance of national melodies of the peoples of the world and their interpretation in the modern musical art.

Traditionally, the festival as well includes seminars, roundtables, conferences, inclunding art and music shows.

This year there will be a scientific conference, “Musical traditions of the East, in the context of contemporary culture,” which will bring together prominent scientists, art historians, musicologists, directors of music festivals, and representatives of international organizations from around the world.

Presently on the Registan Square in full swing, rehearsals of folk and dance ensembles of the festival grand opening are being held. In preparation, involved directors, choreographers, designers, and artists are working on sketches of national costumes, the design of the amphitheatre, and varied concert programs.

This festival has won a wide popularity and has become one of the majority prestigious international forums of music, and the interest in it is growing annually. And the fact that it is recognized as the major music festival of the East and is held under the patronage of UNESCO, means this event is of high political and spiritual significance.

The history of the International Music Festival, “Sharq Taronalari,” began in 1997, at the same time as at the initiative of the chief of national, for the initial time under the roof the Registan sounded music of various cultures. At that time, performing groups and artists from 31 nations participated in the festival. Each year the number of participants increased. In 2011, the festival was attended by representatives from over 50 nations around the world.