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International

We have gone through a very difficult situation
everywhere. How was the situation for the
Uzbek artists?
It was a very difficult situation in 2020, but
now the situation is stabilized. All the persons
working in the Ministry of Culture are
vaccinated.

During the pandemic situation, there were
no concerts or cultural gatherings not even
weddings. The population got used to different
forms of social life, and that was the reason
why we were slow to re-open all the theatres,
museums, and exhibitions.

For the people in the countryside and
in the towns, there was only one type of
entertainment for them – and even that was
abandoned. So that is the reason why we “Actually, Maqam, from a scientific point of
decided to open the social venues for them. view, is in no way inferior to operatic music.”

The Uzbeks love to visit people, relatives. I
do not know why, but it’s perhaps due to our
heritage. So, today, all the social venues are
Interview with His Excellency this arena. For instance, our recent relationship open, and there have been no cases of new What about the other types of art? Visual arts
for instance?
infections.
Ozodbek Nazarbekov with Tajikistan, with which we have had some In our globalized world, how do you protect In Uzbekistan we have art academies, but
these are under another ministry, not under
misunderstandings, did not prevent us from
Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan having cultural events in their country. I have Uzbek culture from the influence of Coca the authority of the Ministry of Culture.
performed there myself. Cola and other such entities pushing what is However, in some music schools painting is
It is not every day that you have a chance to meet a world-famous basically a commercial culture? taught, and these are under the Ministry of
singer, who has also become the Minister of Culture. His songs are I knew President Mirziyoyev when he was It is a subject that we can talk about for hours Culture. Approximately 30% of places in the
very well known to most Uzbeks as His Excellency used to be one the Prime Minister. He liked my music and and hours. All generations are involved in this music schools are allocated to low-income
of the most popular artists in his country. asked me often to perform. Later on, he endeavor. children, and the tuition is free of charge. There
asked me to be a member of the team. It was are lots of opportunities for the children.
His singing makes the words go directly to the heart of the listeners. a good experience, and I learned to conduct It seems to me that you have a very strong
There is not a person in the country who would say the contrary. meetings, organize events and to become a popular culture. Do you sing Maqam yourself?
As soon as you mention his name, the first response is the beauty politician. The President taught me a lot about This is the result of an overarching decision I would really want the people of Europe
of his voice and words. His Excellency was also often invited to politics, and about how to be in the public eye made on the government’s side. It was to get acquainted with and appreciate our
perform at official gatherings. A living icon many would say, when in that context. necessary to establish basics regarding the Maqam. We are even willing to assist them
they talk about him. We had a chance to meet with His Excellency Third Renaissance, regarding music, culture, in this matter. Actually, Maqam, from a
who, despite his very busy schedule, took time to receive us for I started my political career as a Deputy dance as well. It is imperative for us to be aware scientific point of view, is in no way inferior
more than an hour and to reply to all our numerous questions. Your Minister of Culture. I’m not a bureaucrat of our cultural heritage and our cultural past. to operatic music. Ordinary people did not
Excellency, the floor is yours… and dislike protocol. [Editor’s note: As His For example, without knowing about Maqam, understand the art of Maqam because they
Excellency is an artist at heart, this is quite you would never be interested in that type of were under-educated. You need to have read
understandable.] art, so, today schools teach Maqam. at least 50 books to understand this type of
You were a famous and very popular singer, music, so it was really a music form for the
and today you are the Minister of Culture. Do you think you are born an artist, or do you Next year we plan to open music and singing elites. It is proven that Maqam influences our
How was it to go from the artist to the other become one? courses for children in the kindergartens and psychology, and that it touches our soul in a
more political side? I am convinced that I was born an artist. It is a to make them familiar with music such as way. This type of entertainment is very ancient.
I started my career as a singer and conducted gift from God. At the age four, I decided that I Maqam. We are also setting up some special It was my predecessors in the Soviet times
concerts for approximately 15 years. would become a singer! At that age, I did not dance and singing courses, and these are free who classified Maqam as folklore and who
In our culture, politics does not play a role in know if I was going to become a good artist. of charge. relegated Maqam to the folklore arena.

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