The 3rd International Bakhshi Art Festival took place in the city of Gulistan, Uzbekistan.
This year, the bakhshi festival in Gulistan was held for the third time. The first time was organized in Termez in 2019, the second Bakhshi Festival took place in Nukus in 2021.
The 3rd International Bakhshi Festival was held in the city of Gulistan, Syrdarya region from 6 May through 8 May this year. The festival was attended by musicians, singers and guests from more than 30 countries, including Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Hungary, South Korea and Japan.
The festival was opened by the theatrical concert program “My Freedom, Happiness, Blue Sky!”, during which such ensembles as “Sabo”, “Lazgi”, “Shodlik”, as well as ballet dancers of the Karakalpak State Academic Musical Theater and other groups performed. Overall, more than 1,500 artists took part in the celebration, which was closed with fireworks.
The adviser of President Odil Abdurakhmanov read out a holiday greeting from the head of state to the guests and participants of the event. He noted the importance of the art of bakhshi, which stands at the origins of Uzbek oral folk art, and glorifies the noble feelings and qualities of a person.
The President drew attention to the fact that in recent years Uzbekistan has been working on the further development of the cultural sector, including the art of bakhshi. Thus, the Republican Bakhshi Art Center and the Bakhshi Art Development Fund operate in Uzbekistan today. In addition, there are ensembles of this genre in various regions of Uzbekistan. All this makes it possible to form a golden fund of dastans and songs from talented folklore masters.
The art of bakhshi is the presentation of poems in the doston genre, based on myths, legends, folk tales and legendary chants, to the accompaniment of Uzbek musical instruments, including dombra and kobuz. Bakhshis (storytellers) tell stories from memory, respecting cultural traditions and customs. The Uzbek literary and musical art of the bakhshi was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Music performers from more than 40 foreign countries and international organizations participated in the event. It is noted that the selection committee considered about 300 participants for the festival this year. Thus, 64 performers competed in the creative competition of the event, including 10 local and 54 foreign bakhshis.
Organizing these kinds of international art and cultural events indeed is another fun activity for those tourists who travel to Uzbekistan to get familiar with Uzbek art and culture as well. Foreigners who visit Uzbekistan can not only travel to Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and other historical cities of our country but also attend international art & cultural events and festivals being held as well.
