Fund Forum outlines major events for 2012

Among the new projects is the first Children`s Ecological Park which is to be opened in Tashkent in the spring of 2012 with support from Mitsubishi Corporation, which signed a cooperation agreement with the Fund Forum. The agreement includes a program to support social welfare, healthcare and education in Uzbekistan. The new part is expected to become a spot where children engage in play while at the same learning more about the importance of nature for people and how to take better care of the environment.

Preparations are already under way for the second Tashkent International Cinema Forum, which will take place in autumn. One of the goals of the Cinema Forum is to support Uzbek cinematography and popularize it internationally.

The third “In the Name of Life” charity marathon, scheduled for April-May 2012, will draw thousands of people. As in previous years, the marathon will raise funds which will be channeled into fighting breast cancer in Uzbekistan and funding treatment for women living with breast cancer.

The third Tashkent International Theatre Festival, Theatre.UZ, set to take place in October, will give the local public an opportunity to view plays staged in Tashkent by theatre teams from other countries. More than 15,000 people attended theater plays held as part of the festival in 2011.

The fourth International Contemporary Choreography and Sporting Dance Contest (autumn) will bring together the most talented participants from Uzbekistan and other countries who will strut their stuff before a jury and broad audience.

The fifth Navqiron O’zbekiston (Young Uzbekistan) Festival of Traditional and Contemporary Art, set to be held in August-September, is one of the Fund Forum’s maiden projects seeking to discover and support budding artists and applied art masters. It is held twice a year and is one of the most awaited events organized by the Fund Forum.

The fifth Asrlar Sadosi (Echo of Centuries) Festival of Traditional Culture (April-May 2012), a major project overseen by the Fund Forum, presents the entire diversity of Uzbekistan’s traditions, customs, national cuisine, oral tradition and its unique intangible legacy. Presently, discussions are under way as to the choice of the venue for the Festival, which is traditionally held in a different Uzbek city every year.

The fifth “In the Name of Childhood” Charity Ball, which is held annually in June, is a colorful event designed for children and their parents. It includes a series of interesting and exciting events. The funds raised by an auction held as part of the Charity Ball go toward purchasing clothing, food and school supplies for children living in orphanages across the country.

The fifth Woman of the Year National Contest (autumn), held annually by the Women’s Council in conjunction with the Fund Forum is aimed at supporting women who combine household chores with endeavors to scale new heights in a particular professional activity relying on their knowledge and skills.

The fifth “Baby” International Calisthenics Tournament (June-July) will feature performances by young gymnasts from all parts of Uzbekistan. The project aims to support budding athletes and to popularize calisthenics among children, especially in remotes areas of the country.

The sixth Bolajonlar-shirintoylar (Sweet kids) Children’s Fashion Festival will showcase children’s clothes and include an exhibition of national toys as well as competitions to select the best graphic works, school uniforms, best designer, best fashion show as well as children’s performances.

The seventh Style.Uz Art Week (October) is perhaps the largest and most multi-faceted event annually put together by the Fund Forum. It brings together many types of art and offers a broad array of events such as exhibitions, fashion shows, conferences, concerts, workshops and master classes. Art Week is attended annually by a host of international celebrities.

The seventh M&TVA Awards Ceremony is a glittering event held every December. The coveted award is doled out to singers, actors, film directors, radio and TV hosts, etc selected as winners by a jury and the broad public who vote on a website and through sending text messages. The M&TVA Awards is one of the brightest events of the year that features Uzbek celebrity performances and brings together the Tashkent beau monde.

The eighth Kelajak ovozi (Voice of the future) Talented Youth Contest (spring-autumn) is a project that aims to discover young talents willing to contribute to the development of Uzbek culture, arts and science. The contest tests the participants’ skills in architecture and design; IT; fine and applied art; and literature.

The ninth Yangi avlod (New generation) Children’s Art Festival (autumn) is designed to discover young talents and help to develop their skills in music and fine art, and support their creative endeavors. The winners in the music category perform on the same stage with Uzbek celebrities.

The tenth (spring 2012) “Bazar-Art” Applied Art Fair, organized in conjunction with IJOD Association of Artists, Art Historians and Craftsmen, will offer a treasure trove of exquisite artistic items created by leading Uzbek artisans, which can be purchased by visitors.