[custom_adv] Samarkand, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest urban centers, has long storied relationship with music. Archaeological findings, such as the 3,000-year-old flute discovered around the old city, tell us that music culture has ancient roots in Central Asia. Additional studies provide evidence that the ud, a medieval variant of a lute, was spread throughout the orient much earlier than it was in Europe. One of the biggest influences on the music culture of Samarkand was its unique position as a crossroad of the Great Silk Road, a situation that allowed the melding of musical traditions from throughout Asia. [custom_adv] In support and recognition of its ancient traditions in music and its position as a crossroad, President Islam Karimov of the Republic of Uzbekistan initiated an international music festival called Sharq Taronalari (Melodies of the Orient). With the ornate architecture of Registan Square as the backdrop, Sharq Taronalari has been held between 25 and 30 August every two years since 1997 under the patronage of UNESCO. Other than the pure enjoyment of music, the main aims and objectives of the festival are to popularize the best achievements of traditional music art, to preserve and develop cultural traditions of people from all over the world [custom_adv] to encourage talents in musical and vocal sphere, to further international creative ties, to strengthen cultural-spiritual cooperation, and to promote peace, solidarity, and ideas of mutual respect. Because of these goals of promoting peace and intercultural dialogue and manifesting cultural diversity, the festival almost instantly won the approval of the international community, and it is now a premier international event for the arts. Testament to this is the extreme and rapid growth of the festival. The first Sharq Taronalari festival brought together artists from thirty-one countries, mostly represented by the Asia-Pacific region. The eighth festival held in 2011 included artists from fifty-six countries, representing Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America. [custom_adv] During the festival the performers are judged by an international jury made up of famous musicologists, art directors and managers of international festivals. This year’s panel of experts making up the jury hailed from Singapore, Belgium, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Morocco, Canada, Japan, China, India, Israel, and Uzbekistan. The function of the international jury is to select artists and groups for festival awards as a way encouraging artists and groups to further the transmission of music heritage to future generations. [custom_adv] Sharq Taronalari (“melodies of the east”) is held on an open-air stage equipped with the latest in lighting and sound, surrounded by medieval monuments. Aside from performances, there are also exhibitions and conferences, held for the participants, guests, and media. [custom_adv] Make sure to visit the exhibitions of traditional Uzbek clothing and musical instruments, and stay for the gala-concert at the end of the festival, where nominees and winners all perform. [custom_adv] Sharq Taronalari lasts a whole week, which means there is plenty of time to explore the whole festival. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Registan in a whole new way, and to turn your trip to Uzbekistan into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! [custom_adv] Sharq Taronalari is one of the largest musical and cultural festivals in Central Asia. Held every two years in Samarkand’s Registan Square since 1997, this festival brings together the most talented singers, dancers, and musicians to celebrate art from around the world.
