August 26, 2014
The Ancient and Modern Bukhoro. 2
Melting Metal to Make Works of Art2
REGIONS: bukhoro province
The Ancient and Modern Bukhoro
Bukhoro is one of the three most attractive tourist cities of Uzbekistan. The city attracts travel enthusiasts from all over the world not just with its architectural monuments of medieval times, but also with one hundred years-long history of market relations’ development.
Many tourists and guests arrive in Bukhoro by train. Railway station is located in Bukoro Region’s city of Kogon. It is easy to get to the regional center even if you travel alone. Most of citizens of Bukhoro speak Uzbek, Tajik and Russian languages. However, lately they have started to speak English. You may easily use public transport such as van share route taxi, taxi cars, or a bus. In mostly half an hour you get to architectural monuments where you may start both touristic and business trip. All facilities such as hotels, restaurants, where you may meet your partners and friends, are created for tourists. At the same time, tourism infrastructure such as new hospitality facilities is always developing.
Just glancing through the car window, you get impressed with the local peculiarities for the first time. Majority of modern buildings are erected of brick, concrete, iron and roofing slate with pastel colors. It is a tribute to the builders of the ancient city, where all the buildings of clay and sand purchased elegance thanks to its shape, unlike color. But this is just the outside. Inside, all buildings are full of shades of all colors of the rainbow and scenic designs. Not only bright is painting of the walls, but also carpets, suzani and other traditional decoration. Masters of the past created their masterpieces, where the abundance of colors does not offend the eyes and visually pleasing.
Another peculiarity of Bukhoro, even its new part, is absence of straight streets, which is probably also peculiarity of the local town-building. In fact, they differ with their width from the streets in old part of the city.
Pillar cranes and construction sites are the familiar landscape of modern new part of the ancient city and all the settlements of the region. However, people not only focus on construction of modern homes and offices and industrial facilities, but also the restoration of architectural monuments under the program, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan. Now, there is a reconstruction of three houses simultaneously. One of them is the world famous Arc – the residence of the Emir of Bukhoro, where nowadays museum of local lore is established. Here, the reconstruction of the fortress wall is going on. Part of it was recovered from a special bricks a few decades ago, and the other one requires protection from the damaging effects of sun, rain and other external factors. Today a group of restorers and builders work on it.
Long stay among the plethora of landmarks involuntarily evokes the idea that hospitality and architectural monuments, trade in various souvenirs and handicrafts is the whole life modern citizens of Bukhara. To make sure that it is not the truth, you just go beyond the old part of Bukhoro. Here, productive life of the modern city goes, roads are full of cars, the construction of new residential and office premises goes on, education, health, cultural and sports facilities operate, centers of financial, consumer and commercial service as well as modern enterprises are developing, and agrarian sector is in operation outside the city limits.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Melting Metal to Make Works of Art
Supplemented by modern technologies, the traditional crafts still thrive in the workshops of the historic city.
The blacksmith shop of Shokir Kamalov, a sixth generation blacksmith, is a living blacksmith ‘museum’. The blacksmith and his sons at work is the main display of this ‘museum’. Master Shokir is happy to see every guest in his shop and tell them about his craft and his family.
An unusual shape of the furnace in the form of a pitcher in the shop where the Kamalovs forge their products attracts the attention of his guests.
“My father said that a pitcher in the house is a symbol of prosperity and happiness. Therefore, I made the furnace to have such a shape. A pitcher is also a part of the brand logo I put on my works”, says Shokir.
After telling us about the basics of blacksmithing, the host invites us to the hall with a display of his family’s history and other objects. Previously, his family used a pair of bellows to keep the necessary temperature in the furnace. Now, they use an electric fan. While Shokir’s father used a special manually operated machine to sharpen knives and other cutting tools, his son does so with the help of electric drives. His hall also features a display of products he makes in his shop.
Blacksmiths do not only make working tools, but also create works of art. Proving this fact are the works by Shokir and his sons displayed in another hall. The guests visiting it are usually quite impressed by their elegance. There is a figure of Kalon Minaret with the legendary Humo bird flying over it, for example – a work of art with all its elements perfectly balanced. The hall also features numerous knives made of Damascus steel and other metal ornaments.
There are many famous people among those visiting Bukhoro workshops. According to eyewitnesses, Gerard Depardieu, enraptured by the work of the craftswomen of the company Bukhara Silk Carpet, bought three silk handmade carpets there.
“Every guest can see us weaving our carpets”, says the manager of Bukhara Silk Carpet Sabina Burkhanova, who comings from a family of artisans. “Our guests can even book a show about Bukhoro history of carpet weaving, with some very interesting facts about it. For example, Bukhoro residents prefer silk carpets with short piles, not long woolen ones, because there is a lot of dust in the city. The extensive cultural relations of Bukhoro with Central Asian regions and Caucasus resulted in adoption of carpet patterns from those regions. Each carpet design has its own history rooted in ancient times.”
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Three Whales
“Foreign demand for Uzbek karakul-made clothing is rising again. We sell our goods in Russia, Turkey, Italy and Germany. This is the result of widening of the product line, consideration of modern fashion trends and implementation of cutting-edge sewing technologies. It’s high time to develop and increase production.”
(From an interview with Kholmurod Hakimov, Director of Mekhovaya Moda LLC).
“Businesses of petrochemical, light and food industries are still holding the field. They provide 80% of the regional production,” emphasized Hayot Eshev, the head of the department of prognosis and monitoring of comprehensive development of the economic administration of the Bukhoro Region. “Branch of building materials is developing steadily. In 2009 it comprised 3.8% of the production, and in 2013 this index reached 8%.” Not only manufacturing of traditional building materials, but also production of modern materials such as dry blends and plasterboard increases production volumes. Knauf joint venture, the leader of Uzbek building industry successfully operates in this field.
Petrochemical branch is another ‘whale’ of the region’s industry; it comprises 41.4% of the production. The industry’s giant is Bukhoro Oil Refinery. “Putting Bukhoro Oil Refinery into operation is a great event not only in the history of Uzbekistan, but in the life and fate of each of us,” stressed president Islam Karimov at the ceremony of opening in 1997. Today it produces aviation fuel for modern planes, motor petrol, two types of diesel oil, fuel oil and hydrocarbon solvent. For the years of operation, the factory has built its own infrastructure: houses for workers and household plot with greenhouses.
Another unique energy branch manufacturing giant is the one established jointly with Russia’s Lukoil. In will be put into operation in 2016 and will have 100 gas-extractive wells, gas collection system, gas-processing factory with capacity of 8.1 billions of cubic metre a year, export gas pipeline of more than 70 kilometers long, 56 kilometers long railroad system, 120 kilometers long external highways and even its own gas-turbine electric power station with capacity of 80 megawatt. A borough designed for 1,400 people with all the conditions for involved specialists will become an important object of social infrastructure of the new gas-processing factory.
Companies of textile and light industry take the second place according to the production volume. Especially young companies producing and exporting ready-to-use fashionable clothes are in focus.
For instance, Bukhoro-komfort-tekstil LLC produces a wide range of goods. Special attention is paid to export-oriented goods.
“One of our achievements is entry of Uzbek knitted clothing into Russian market,” says Botir Jumaev, director of the business. “Sport shirts and underwear are in demand. To strengthen our positions we work on our assortment.”
OFS LLC produces clothing from local and imported fabric. Recently its facilities have enlarged from 840 to 2,000 square meters.
“We produce modern men’s clothes such as jackets, pants and suits,” says Olim Fazylov, the director of the company. “The quality of our products equal to that imported. Last week we have exported our goods for the first time to Turkmenistan and we are discussing export opportunities with our Kazakh and Russian partners.”
OFS stands for Olim Sulaymonovich Fazylov. The company was the life of Olim Fazylov and the director named his company after himself. He himself was a tailor and used to teach the youth. His business started to developed and as a result, a new prospective company emerged, equipped with cutting-edge technologies.
Karakul-based production is the pride of Bukhoro Region. “The demand for Uzbek karakul-made clothing has been rising again abroad,” says Kholmurod Hakimov, the head of Mekhovaya Moda LLC. “For the last three years we have been exporting our goods to Russia and European states and this has encouraged us finally. The Company has been renting sites but now we are building our own facilities. We are focusing on creating all the necessary conditions to show our collections and to conduct negotiations. Increase of demand will force the development of karakul-breeding businesses. However, so far, we buy Afghan and Turkmen karakul pelts, and we use our local material to cover the shortage of the raw materials.”
How can one dislike such produce? It is a unique work starting with raw materials up to the efforts of master-women. They examine each millimeter of pelts, combine appropriate colors, sew them, cut out the width and then sew women’s fur coats, cardigans. Some models are created from small pieces of about several square centimeters like a mosaic.
Region’s food industry rapidly develops following other branches. It focuses on processing the increasing amount of agricultural production. Since the beginning of the year 35 investment projects worth of 6.3 billions soums have been already finished. (Currency rates of CB from 25.08.2014 1$= 2348.03 soums)
“Our company has its own farm and processes meat and milk produce. Due to the high demand for it we buy additional raw materials from farmers,” says Olima Mahmudova, chief specialist of Sulsherjahon private business. “The development of processing industry allows for reasonable use of agricultural products as well as for widening the assortment of the production offered in stores and markets.”
“It is worth mentioning that all branches of district’s economy contribute to the widening of the assortment of goods,” highlights Hayot Eshev. “In the first half of the year our companies have put into operation the manufacture of a new goods such as polypropylene and polyamid threads used in production of carpets as well as disposable children’s health aids, sulfonic acid, household chemicals and synthetic lawns.”
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Africa in Bukhoro
Mumin Mahkamov, head of the farm Murgak of Bukhoro District, loves ostriches and hopes his passion will bring him profit.
The farmer who once was a hired laborer at a poultry farm does not fear to pursue his dream of creating a profitable ostrich farm despite the lack of experience of ostrich breeding and first failures.
“Patience as well as information from the Internet help to overcome all the difficulties in ostrich breeding,” Mumin Mahkamov says. “Six years ago, I failed in my first attempt to start an ostrich farm. None of the nestlings had hatched out from the eggs I had brought from Russia. At second attempt, I was luckier. I bought three three-month ostriches from Tunisia from a company specializing in wildlife trade. I reared them and learned to breed the nestlings with the help of an incubator. At first, I had many losses, due to my lack of experience and delicate health of ostriches. Now I do not have these problems.”
The farmer is only expecting his ostriches to bring profits. So far, his farm survives through breeding and selling quails and chickens.
Mumin Mahkamov sells only live ostriches. His small farm is already well known among the local lovers of exotic animals. Farmers from Navoi and Tashkent regions have already bought nestlings. Currently, the farmer is negotiating with Khorazm entrepreneurs.
“The more farmers are breeding ostriches, the more livestock will be in the market. This will help to promote them,” Mumin Mahkamov shares. “Ostrich bodies are waste-free. An ostrich will give eggs and 40 kilograms of meat, a tasty diet food. We just need to promote its consumption. The leather can be used for making clothes; we just need to organize its processing. Doctors are already using certain parts of the eye of ostrich as transplants in some countries. Even claws, eggshells and feathers are used in making souvenirs.”
Despite the difficulties, the farmer never doubts that ostrich breeding in Uzbekistan will soon become a profitable business activity. His son who has just received a diploma of a breeder and a veterinarian is going to help him.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Food Abundance
“Fish-breeding farms leaped forward in the first half-year period. They have produced 513 tons of fish, which is 55% higher compared with the same period of last year. These rates are expected to remain the same and the following new species of fish will come to the markets in the region: African sharptooth catfish, flatfish, hybrids of carps and crucians, as well as carps and grass carps.”
(From a talk with Farhod Jumaev, Chief of Bukhoro Region Department of Agriculture and Water Resources)
Crop production and livestock farming have almost similar parts in gross regional agricultural product of the Bukhoro Region.
Alkali soil is the main problem of crop production in the region. This makes the industry strongly water-dependent; water is used for purging the soil and watering the plants. Due to this fact irrigation and melioration systems upgrades are essential. Pumping plants and waterworks facilities are being updated.
We visited one of the biggest construction sites – it is the Polyakov waterworks facility in the village of Koza of Vobkent District. Construction workers have reinforced the banks of the future waterworks facility and have finished mounting of the water streams control equipment.
“The capacity of the old facility built in 1947 was not sufficient and the structure needs to be replaced. That is why we are building a new facility with the capacity of about 100,000 cubic liters a day – 20,000 – 30,000 cubic liters more – using cutting-edge technologies and materials,” says Davlat Azimov, chief engineer of the construction company Romitandavsuvmakhsuspudrat. “This object is responsible for the stability of irrigation water supply for enlarged areas under crops not only in Vobkent, but also in Peshku, Romitan and Jondor districts.”
Major crops of the region are cotton and grain. Water conservation activities and water supply systems’ enhancement allowed farmers to increase the efficiency of the soil. Last year the average crop capacity was 59.8 centners per hectare and this year the results have increased and have made up 60.2 centners per hectare. Farmers hope to gather rich harvest of cotton as well.
“Within the last few years, the selection activities have improved significantly,” emphasizes Farhod Jumaev. “Preference is assigned to high-yielding varieties. For example, ‘porloq’ named new domestically developed variety is actively spreading. It relates to middle fiber length varieties but allows for manufacturing longer length and finer length cotton. Three years ago only one farm business grew it and today eight farms cultivate it. The total area under this variety of cotton has exceeded 400 hectares.
Great attention is paid to the development of traditional gardening as well as technologically intensified gardening. More and more areas are allotted to greenhouse construction. Constructing special refrigerators allows of keeping of the agricultural products. As a result, markets and stores always have a wide range of fresh vegetables and fruits all the year round.
We visited Jushkan Permast farming business of the Ghijduvon District. It mainly occupies with cultivation of cotton and wheat as well as dual-purpose livestock farming. This year the first harvest of the greenhouse has come out.
The greenhouse is one of the biggest and modern in the district. It occupies an area of two hectares and is constructed with the use of Korean triple-layer technology along with the system of drip irrigation. Now it has two tractors, which the farmer has bought himself this year.
“The harvest was less than expected; the soil was plowed not deep enough. At the time, workers are removing the upper layer and are loosening and fertilizing the bottom layers. Now roots of tomatoes and cucumbers will be alright,” commented Akmal Teshaev, the head of the business. “For the last years demand for this product has risen not only abroad, but also on the inner market. You see how our ration has changed: today we always have traditional dishes certainly along with fresh vegetables.”
Livestock farming has developed intensively. Mirkhon Khodiev, the chief specialist of the Bukhoro Region Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, mentions that head of cattle, sheep and goats increased by 5-10% in contrast to the first half of the last year. Production of meat, milk, wool and karakul pelt has also increased. Poultry farmers, too, achieved high rates of production growth – by 15%.
Attention is also paid to the developing of desert areas. Today, karakul-breeding businesses actively operate in those areas. The department of Forestry uses them for reproduction of camel’s-thorn: this plant strengthens sandy soils and is a perfect melliferous plant. This year, the amount of honey-bee colonies has increased by 15% compared with the first half of the last year.
The production of fish-breeding farms has increased by 55%. There are eight natural ponds used in the fish-breeding production. 120 farmers have studied the technology of fish-breeding in artificial ponds and are now responsible for the total pond area of 160 hectares.
“Our goal is to intensify fish-production as well as to widen the range,” says Khuseyn Gafarov, the head of the association of fish-breeding farms of the Bukhoro Region. “We produce eight species of fish, such as zander, catfish, bream, vobla, asp, silver carp, grass carp, carp and crucian. We have brought African sharptooth catfish here and they are acclimatizing now. This fish gains commercial weight in half a year – twice as faster that Asian catfish. Another novelty is flatfish. We try to grow this salt-water fish in the Dengizkul Lake. And one more surprise: we have brought uterine livestock population of hybrids of carps and crucians and hybrids of carps and grass carps from Russia. Their distinguished feature is their unpretentiousness to the quality of water. We think they will get acclimatized in our ponds.”
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Village for Tourists
“Several kilometers off Bukhoro, a village for tourists is being built. While temporarily settling in it, you may learn a life style and work of rural dwellers – agriculturists and stock farmers. A real village life will be shown there to tourists by specially trained people, who will feel comfortable while being observed by a great number of tourists.”
Passage from an interview with Bekzod Idiev, leading specialist of Bukhoro Regional Branch of Uzbektourism)
Many tourist companies include a visit to Bukhara in their itineraries. If tourists stay in Samarqand and Khiva for a day or two, then in Bukhoro tourists traditionally stay for three or four days to see all historical landmarks, observe the numerous workshops of artisans and shops with souvenirs. Masters and traders are willing to talk about traditional crafts Bukhoro endlessly. Just start to speak…
At the same time, representatives of the hospitality sphere are convinced that this ancient city can be even more interesting for foreign tourists. The Regional Office of Uzbektourism and local entrepreneurs take measures – develop infrastructure. The creation of the village for tourists is a project of this kind.
“We are proud of the fact that the number of tourists to Bukhoro has been on the rise, we welcome guests to our city every year from over 100 countries and we want that number to increase,” Bekzod Idiev said. “To do this, we are developing a network of hotels and restaurants. For example, the first specialized hotel for the traveling family will be built soon. We do our best to appreciate the wishes of the tourists who want to see more and learn about the life of the region. We also develop special events and agro- or -ecotourism, prepare new routes. We create conditions for tourists can relax not only in restaurants but also in a variety of leisure facilities in breaks between tours.
The initiators of the traditional measures for the development of event tourism are the owners of hotels and restaurants. They become organizers of the events, as well. The traditional festival ‘Silk and Spices’ has become the largest project initiated by Raisa Gareeva, the manager of the hotel Salom. This is a real opportunity to get acquainted with the customs and traditions of the Uzbek people, national crafts and cuisine. Festivals pilaf and melons are equally popular in tourists. Here you can enjoy a variety of national dishes and the best domestic varieties of melons.
Bukhoro restaurants are also expanding their services. Not only they feed their guests, but also offer various programs with a combination of the useful with the pleasant.
“Our restaurant is located near the famous Labi Hovuz, in Caravan Serai dated from 19th century. The next is one of the oldest residential areas of modern Bukhoro that makes the event fascinating,” said Farangiz Kushaeva, manager of the restaurant Adras. “Our guests participate in master classes on pilaf cooking, baking of flat bread and samsa. All, who attend the restaurant, is impressed with the theatrical show of the traditional dress of people of Bukhoro.”
There are not many routes as to the agricultural and ecotourism, but existing ones are already used. Agricultural-touristic tour is the attending to vineyards and gardens located near Bukhoro. There, guests are offered to try local wines. Lovers of ecological tourism are invited to Jayron Ecological Center. The tour’s purpose is to show how endangered species of animals and birds are being taken care of in wild life conditions.
Exotic recreation centers, whose services are attended by local residents and foreigners, began to appear in the city. For example, a few months ago, the first public swimming pool was put in operation. For a city where every drop of water is considered precious, the first pool was a sensation.
“The idea to build a swimming pool in the city was born a long time. Specialists observed a foreign experience in the construction of such facilities in Antalya, China and Cyprus,” said Rahimjon Ruziev, head of Atlantis Pool LLC. “Finally, the dream came true. People can enjoy three swimming pools and saunas. One pool is of indoor-type, professional, other two, including a children’s pool with attractions, are open ones.
About a half a year ago, first bowling center appeared. Currently, specialists think of expanding of the sphere.
“We are planning to open a VIP-hall,” said Mansur Shamsiddinov, manager of the Bowling Center. “This will help to cope with increasing demand for or services and create additional facilities for attendants.
In short, Bukhoro is the city where you can have a great time.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Avicenna’s Successors
The hospitality of Bukhoro people is well illustrated by their attitude towards foreign tourists. In Bukhoro, the newly married couples freely talk with foreign guests and take memory pictures with them; they often try to invite them to take part in their weddings. It seems that Bukhoro people are naturally born hosts, though most of them do not work in the hospitality industry. Most Bukhoro people live an ordinary life, building houses, working in agricultural or manufacturing industries, getting married and raising children.
Bukhoro is the birthplace of many prominent people. Abu Ali Ibn Sino, the famous scholar of the Middle Ages, was born there. There is an Avicenna museum in his native village of Afshona in Peshku District – a motivating factor for students of the medical college located near it. Dozens of winners of various international competitions in chemistry, mathematics and physics are the graduates of the local schools: specialized school No. 58 of Qorakul District and the academic lyceum No. 3 under the Bukhoro State University. Abbos Atoyev, Rishod Sobirov and Sharif Khalilov, London Olympics medalists, also come from Bukhoro Region.
For centuries, Bukhoro was a major academic center of Central Asia. Nowadays, dozens of newly built schools, professional colleges and academic lyceums provide the twelve-year compulsory education system in the cities and villages of the region. The local authorities also take great care of the development of extra curricular educational system in the region. They build and reconstruct children’s Schools of Music and Arts, Barkamol Avlod Children’s Creativity Centers, and modern sports facilities with youth sports schools. The regional system of higher education is also crucial for the development of the region, the authorities claim.
Recently, the Bukhoro branch of the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Land Reclamation completed the construction of the campus featuring modern educational and laboratory facilities. The graduates from the branch work in Navoi, Khorazm, Qashqadaryo and Surkhondaryo – regions with similar climatic conditions. The Bukhoro Engineering Technological Institute has almost finished the construction of its new campus to unite the departments located in different parts of the city. The graduates from the institute are working in oil and gas, food, and electrical industries.
“We anticipate the completion of the construction and supply of educational and laboratory equipment”, says Ulugbek Muhamedkhanov, Rector of Bukhoro Engineering Technological Institute. It will be another campus built for the Institute in the years of independence.
The construction works have also been completed in the Bukhoro State University training academic personnel for the entire region. Meanwhile, the Bukhoro State Medical Institute is building its own clinical centre in the centre of the city, and the Tashkent State Dental Institute is expanding by building its own branch in Bukhoro.
The Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan reconstructs the medical facilities of the region: in Bukhoro, Qorakul, Peshku, Olot, Jondor and Vobkent districts. “We replace the old decrepit buildings by the new facilities that comply with the required sanitary norms and rules. They will feature high-tech equipment”, says Ikhtiyor Abdulhakov, head of the control inspection of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan in Bukhoro Region. “We also renovate the regional multidisciplinary medical centres for children and adults”.
The Bukhoro Regional Oncology Center that works for people from Navoi, Khorazm, and Surkhondaryo regions has done a major overhaul recently. “We have constructed a new building for the department of radiation diagnosis and therapy. This year, we are conduct an overhaul of the medical building with 120 beds. We anticipate the new equipment being installed soon. The equipment includes CT scanner, modern ultrasound scanner, and brachytherapy appliance – provided by the Ministry of Health and the Islamic Development Bank”, says Gafur Saidov, head of the Oncology Center. “Now we master the surgery to remove tumors of the brain and spinal cord, as well as and the technology of reconstructive surgery of the head and neck”, he adds.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Family Business
The secret of happiness, according to Akram Sharipov and his wife Gulnora Kudratova, is simple. They are always together, at home and work, understanding each other perfectly.
Akram and Gulnora are family entrepreneurs. In the first years of the independence they traded imported goods in the local market. Then, they opened a furniture store. A few years ago they decided to open a small hotel. It became one of the first hotels opened under the recently adopted law on family business. Gulnora proposed the idea, and her husband acted as an accountant and project manager. The idea of opening a hotel was an improvisation. “We had a plan to build a furniture store when we bought the land. But during the construction of it, we came up with the idea of opening our own hotel”, says Gulnora Kudratova. “I have always worked together with my husband. As our daughters had grown up, we needed another business that would unite all our family at work. It is the business we all love, for we love receiving guests”, she adds.
The new three-star hotel is designed for those who want to plunge into the atmosphere of modern Bukhoro and learn more about the daily life of ordinary Bukhoro people. Unlike most Bukhoro hotels, which are located in the old part of the city, their hotel Nurafshon is in the new part of it. The hotel stands at a distance of only a few hundred meters from one of the seven historic gates of Bukhoro recently restored. The popular Samanid Park and the historic sites around it are only a few minutes drive from the hotel.
The hotel’s interior features modern Bukhoro style: bright colors, geometric decorative designs and wooden elements. The halls and spacious rooms feature upholstered furniture.
The family plans to receive their first guest in the coming months. “Our business plan includes a project of further development of our hotel”, says Akram Sharipov. “We are going to build a swimming pool and other amenities for our guests once things go into the mountain”, he adds.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Imaginative People
Cheerful and creative people living in Bukhoro visit two theaters – the local musical theater and the puppet one. In Bukhoro Region 27 folk groups operate. Some of these days, they were certified by the Ministry of Culture and Sport.
“In the Bukhoro Region, there are eight folk groups, eight song and dance groups, five national theaters and three musical bands. According to the program on strengthening of the tangible assets of the centers of culture and leisure of the population, they begin to work harder,” said Muhammad Rahmatov, chief specialist on the organization of creative associations and folk art of the Board of Cultural Affairs and Sports of Bukhoro Region.
“Now, not only the availability of rooms for clubs, but also the room for the assembly hall is a key factor. Modern culture and leisure centers of population in Jondor, Bukhoro and Qoroulbozor districts meet the contemporary requirements. Works in similar institutions of Olot, Romitan, Peshku, Vobkent and Kogon districts will soon be completed. And all 49 leisure centers will be reconstructed in the next two or three years.
“I remember a performance of folk-ethnographic group Afshona of the Center for Culture and Leisure of population in Peshku District, under the leadership of Burkhon Avezov, which I visited a few years ago. The performance impressed me with peculiar music, colorful costumes and catchy performances. The program consisted of the acts performed by aged and young people to symbolize the continuity of generations. I think that in the new comfortable hall that this team will use after the completion of repairs of the Center for Culture and Leisure, these performances will be even more brilliant and more memorable. Attraction of more attention of young people to the folk art will contribute to its preservation and expansion.”
Program of development of recreation parks also contributes to the creating favorable conditions for cultural recreation. Currently, a range of measures designed to create parks in every district with modern attractions, venues for the public festivals and performances of creative groups is implemented.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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