Artists of the Turkic World came together at the Great Silkroad Festival

The “Great Silk Road” International Folklore Music Festival was held in cooperation of TURKSOY  with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Uzbekistan and the Governorate of Fergane Governorate.

The Opening Ceremony of the Festival  held in Margilan, Uzbekistan on  May 29th, 2023  gathered  TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Uzbekistan Bahadir Ahmedov and the Deputy Governor of Fergane Khurshid Ahmedov.

In his opening speech, TURKSOY Secretary General Raev expressed his pleasure to meet Uzbek art lovers in the city of Margilan which is  one of the most ancient cities of the Great Silk Road, the capital of civilizations, the centre of culture, trade and handcrafts.

Drawing attention to the importance of Margilan not only for Uzbekistan but also for the Turkic World, Secretary General Raev said: “in his work “Babürname”, Zahiriddin Muhammad Babür, the great poet and statesman,  who lived in the 15th century, founded the Mughal Empire and was  one of the leading figures of the Turkic World who left indelible traces in world history, said the following about Margilan: “The city of  beautifulness. Its peaches and pomegranates are also very beautiful.” From these words of the famous scholar we understand that the soil of this beautiful city is also very  fertile and as precious as gold. It is also the city where famous artists such as the great Islamic scholar Burhaneddin Margilani, the poets Uvaisi, Saodat Kabulova and Tamarahanim were born and raised. TURKSOY supports the “Great Silk Road” International Folklore Music Festival, which has been traditionally organized since 2019 upon  initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Mr. Shovkat Mirziyoyev, and we would like to express our readiness to make our best contribution to it too. To conclude, let me express my gratitude to  all organizations which have contributed to this festival and wish success to its distinguished participants.”

The festival, which has become a meeting point for artists and intellectuals of the Turkic World will take place from May 29th to May 31st, 2023 and gather nearly 200 artists including 20 art ensembles from 12 provinces of Uzbekistan and neighbouring countries; Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.