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c u l t u r e

XII International Music Festival

« Sharq taronalari »

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

A UNESCO recognized cultural event

Sharq Taronalari is one of the largest music festivals in of the great state of Amir Temur, while the Registan
Central Asia. Held every two years in Samarkand’s famous Square reflects the heyday of Mirzo Ulugbek. This legacy
and historical Registan Square since 1997, this festival brings has attracted scientists, artisans and artists for centuries.
together the most talented singers, dancers, and musicians Ms Azoulay, further emphasized that the preservation of
from around the world. the universal heritage, the development of musical art as
a universal language of intercultural dialogue is part of
The festival was officially opened by the President of UNESCO’s mission, and that the organization seeks to develop
Uzbekistan, Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 26th August. In full-scale cooperation with Uzbekistan in this direction.
his speech, the President said that the festival has become This year’s festival was attended by 340 artists from 75
a platform for dialogue among diverse cultures and countries. Representatives of Argentina, Myanmar and the
civilizations, countries and peoples. Each artist, the President Fiji Islands attended the Sharq Taronalari for the first time.
said, performing on stage, at the Registan Square, glorifies
the high ideals of humanism uniting people regardless of The twelfth festival was different than the previous ones.
their ethnic origin, language or religion. The performers participated in a competition for the best
professional performance of folk songs and melodies.
Ms Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General, in her An international jury consisting of 11 representatives of
speech highlighted that Samarkand embodies the magnitude international organizations, musicologists and composers

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