Samarqand has hosted the grand opening of the Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival. If the 1st Sharq Taronalari brought together 57 artists from 31 countries of the world, this year the Festival has involved 241 talented performers from 58 countries.
Art is a means of expressing aspirations, joys and cares, inner experiences. Music is especially strong at that, the language understandable for everyone. Music acquaints and brings peoples and cultures closer, establishes a strong spiritual connection between them. All those visiting today Samarqand can feel the festive, friendly atmosphere reigning in the city. The Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival, founded on the initiative of the First President of our country Islam Karimov 20 years ago, is held for the eleventh time.
Along with the participants and guests of the festival from more than 60 countries, it is attended by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization Taleb Rifai, Chairman of the Assembly of Parliaments of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Christine Muttonen, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Abdulaziz Bin Othman Al-Tuwaijri. The high-ranking guests include Halit Ehren, Director General of the International Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture, Hyun-suk Mun, Secretary General of the International Organization of Folk Art for the Asian Region, Sergey Lebedev, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Mikhail Shvydkoi, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation, Boris Kandov, President of the Congress of Bukharian Jews of the USA and Canada.
In his welcoming speech to the participants of the festival, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed: “In the present extremely difficult time, when various challenges and threats are intensifying in the world, as well as confrontations, the role and importance of musical art increases, which without interpreters unites millions of people of different nationalities, languages and religions, further strengthens the bonds of friendship, cooperation and harmony. In this regard, the Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival, which this year marks its 20 years, acquires a special meaning.”
Why It the Festival held in Samarqand? A convincing answer to this question we find in the history itself.
Since ancient times, trade between the peoples of the West and the East has been conducted through Samarqand, where different cultures interacted and mutually enriched. This city was considered a bridge between two parts of the world, the center of the Great Silk Road. Merchants from Samarqand led caravans to China, Iran, Egypt, India and Byzantium. The expression was popular at that time: “Rome – in the West, Samarqand – in the East”, because these cities for the huge role in the fate of mankind became famous as ‘eternal cities.’
During the reign of the great Amir Temur, new pages were opened in the history of Samarqand. In the period of ruling of Amir Temur and the Temurids, Samarqand was not only the capital of the state, but also the most beautiful city, major economic, political and cultural center of the whole East.
Inner city had the palaces of Kuksaroy and Bustonsaroy, craft workshops, markets, caravanserais, hospitals, and other cultural and public buildings. The gardens of Boghi Behisht, Boghi Dilkusho, Boghi Shamol, Boghi Baland and others went famous all over the world. Bibikhonum Mosque, Amir Temur Mausoleum, Shokhi-Zinda Complex, Mirzo Ulughbek Madrassah and many other famous architectural monuments still attract travelers from all over the world.
Samarqand, one of the major scientific centers of our time, keeps the heritage of our great ancestors including Mirzo Ulugbek, Khoja Akhror Valii, Kozizoda Rumii, Ali Kushchi, Sharafiddin Ali Yazdiy, Davlatshoh Samarkandiy, Alisher Navoi, Abdurahmon Jomiy and others. The city was visited by many outstanding statesmen, generals, creative people…
Sharq Taronalari serves to preserve and develop the achievements of the peoples of the world in the field of music, strengthens friendship and cultural ties among peoples through art, rally people around noble ideas, promote talented young people and further strengthen international creative ties.
Participants of the international music festival, in addition to performances on the main stage in the Registon Square, also present their concert programs in Oqdaryo, Samarqand, Pastdargom and Jomboy districts. Meetings are held in parks and alleys, theaters, children’s music and art schools.
Sound to the whole world, the melody of the East!
