Big success of «Asrlar Sadosi» Art Festival

Shepherd’s dance of Uzbekistan. Asrlar Sadosi (Echo of Centuries) traditional art festival initiated by "Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan" Fund held at Kaynar Village of Kitab District in Kashkadarya Province on May 3-4, 2008. was rated as one "Asrlar Sadosi" (Echo of Centuries) traditional art festival initiated by "Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan" Fund was held at Kaynar Village of Kitab District in Kashkadarya Province on May 3-4, 2008.

Participants as well as the guests of festival have enjoyed all the variety of national culture, uniqueness of customs and traditions of Uzbekistan.

The small township made up of colorful marquees has emerged on six hills in the open air where masters of applied arts, painters, designers, chefs, and other people of culture and arts from all parts of Uzbekistan presented their masterpieces. An exhibition fair of ceramics, coinage, gold-embroidery art, miniature, textile, wood engraving, and national dolls was held as a part of the festival.

The festival agenda also included shows and contests of folklore music bands, baxshis (folklore storytellers), presentation of national costumes, as well as national games such as ulok-kupkari (contest of equestrians), kurash (national wrestling), shows by darbozes (rope-walkers) which took place in the open, as well. And literally the most enjoyable part of the festival was the contest of chefs who presented their tastiest masterpieces of national cuisine.

Although the Festival was taking place for the first time it has generated tremendous interest among many who applied for participation in the event. Among them were about three hundred folk performers: musicians, dancers, folk narrators and others. Besides, 26 designers took part in the festival of national costume during the event. 31 masters of applied arts, over ten chefs of the Uzbek national cuisine were among festival participants and more than 30 horsemen performed their skills in traditional form of horse racing - ulok. Participants represented all the regions of Uzbekistan.

The participation in the Festival of Young Talents - winners of major national contests such us "Kelajak Ovozi" (Voice of the Future), Festival of Child Art “Yangi Avlod” (New Generation) and other youth projects run by the Fund Forum Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan drew a special attention of the audience.

Young designers performed their collections of the "Ethno" style fashions made from national textiles, embroidery and other elements of traditional outfit in the festival of national costumes.

The best masters of traditional applied arts exhibited their works of ceramics, engraving, gold-embroidery, miniatures, textiles, wood engraving and others.

Despite the fact that it was the first festival of its kind it drew a massive interest. Initially, only 5,000 people were expected to take part in the festivities, but by the end of the day this figure rose to 30,000 people. Prominent people of art and culture from Uzbekistan, Japan, France, China, Bulgaria, Austria as well as representatives of diplomatic corps and international organizations accredited in Tashkent were also among them.

The head of the World Bank Representative Office in Tashkent Brafor Lu arrived in Kaynar with his spouse. “We are pleased to have an opportunity to learn more about the Uzbek traditions, culture, art and national cuisine,” he said. “All the people we have met here are so friendly and hospitable. It is just amazing how local people are interested in this event. It shows how your people value their traditions and try to preserve their centuries-old cultural uniqueness”.

The head of UNESCO`s Representative Office in Uzbekistan Anna Paolini has also shared her impressions about the festival. “I am being joined by my children here,” she said. “I am glad that they are also learning unique culture of Uzbekistan. I would like to especially note that the venue of the festival is just perfect. On the way here we have seen such beautiful landscapes and hills that amazed us.

Also I am delighted that this festival has presented various directions of Uzbek culture, art and traditions. Usually, festivals cover only one direction or sphere, for instance, music festival, festival of applied art. But here in Kaynar we have seen the Uzbek culture, art, traditions, cuisine and national costumes in all their beauty. I commend organizers for their efforts,” Ms. Paolini concluded.

Aimed at preserving and developing traditional culture the "Asrlar Sadosi" Festival will be held every year in different historical and cultural sights of Uzbekistan in the form of outdoor event.

Источник: www.koreapost.ru