The opening ceremony of the music festival was held at the Berlin Philharmonic, where the C5+1 concert made its debut. This special performance featured three musical ensembles from each of the Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan.
Musicians from six nations, including Uzbekistan, took to the stage, showcasing the diversity and richness of both traditional and contemporary music. The compositions were inspired by the six fundamental elements of nature: wood, air, fire, earth, metal, and water.
Organized by "Dr. Gabriele MINZ GmbH Internationale Kulturprojekte" with support from the German Foreign Ministry and the Ministries of Culture from Central Asian countries, along with their embassies in Germany, the festival is part of an initiative launched by the President of Uzbekistan. The initiative was first introduced at the "Central Asia - Germany" summit in Berlin in September 2023, and aims to bring the cultural and artistic heritage of Central Asia to the German capital.
The event was attended by members of the German government, officials from various ministries, diplomats, business leaders, as well as residents and visitors from Berlin, including members of the press.
Gabriele Minz, the head of the organizing company, emphasized that the festival’s primary objective was not only to showcase the cultural ties between Central Asia and Germany through music, but also to foster future collaboration in the fields of music and art. "To achieve this, we involved young musicians and singers in the festival. Before the concert’s premiere, they spent a week at the Berlin Academy of Music, where they worked closely with German composers to develop new pieces and collaborate on creative compositions. This experience set the stage for future musical partnerships," Minz explained.
Central Asian performers also played a significant role in the festival’s cultural exchange. A trio from Uzbekistan, performing in their native language, captivated the audience with compositions inspired by the theme of the six elements, blending traditional sounds with modern interpretations.
The festival provided a platform for each country’s musical groups to present fresh arrangements that reflect their cultural heritage. Through collaborative efforts, these musicians not only performed their own compositions but also harmonized them with artists from other nations, creating innovative joint pieces.
The Berlin music festival plays a crucial role in elevating Uzbekistan’s cultural presence on the global stage, highlighting rich Uzbek musical traditions and art. The event not only inspired young artists and provided them with an international platform to showcase their talents, but also contributed to the development of cultural diplomacy, strengthening international relationships and fostering deeper ties between Central Asia and Germany.
In conjunction with the music festival, the ongoing screening of films from the participating countries continues as part of the "Central Asian-German Cooperation: The Future Begins Today" series.
