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
