Kokand, located at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, combines the traditions of ancient history and modern progress.

Kokand, located at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, combines the traditions of ancient history and modern progress. Thanks to eastern grace and splendor, consonant with the modern spirit of civilization, it attracts the attention of the entire world community.

Currently, handicraft has an even stronger place in the daily life of our people. The unique architectural design and beauty of Khudoyarkhan Urda, enhancing the attractiveness of Kokand, amazes everyone. The magical spirit of the East reigns here.

This ancient and captivating city is famous all over the world as a forge of skilled craftsmen, a center of folk art and applied art.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev sincerely congratulated the participants and expressed gratitude to foreign guests for their attention and respect for the country, for this event.

In Fergana, there are over four thousand workshops in all areas of handicraft. Among the masters there are dynasties that founded their own schools, participants of international exhibitions and festivals, holders of state awards.

Handicraft of Kokand has a peculiar history, differs in working methods and traditions. About 30 of its types are widely developed here, 400 artisans ensure the transfer from generation to generation of the profession inherited from their ancestors.

The festival program, developed in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Hunarmand Association, the Ministry of Culture, the State Committee for Tourism Development, the Academy of Arts, the Writers’ Union, Fergana regional khokimiyat, is diverse and rich in cultural and enlightenment events.

At Kokand Fashion Week, which was held within the framework of the festival, foreign and domestic designers, as well as young designers from Kokand, demonstrated their creativity.

Presentation of the project “Online Encyclopedia of Crafts in Asia Pacific Region (APR) Traditional Handmade Products” was held within the framework of the festival. This encyclopedia contains 445 entries from 120 writers from the 50 countries of the Asia Pacific Region. This is a flagship project under the Presidency of Ghada Hijjawi-Qaddumi. According to Dr Ghada, “The project of the Encyclopedia of Handicrafts emerges from my enthusiasm and sense of duty to serve the World Crafts Council’s mission and objectives to nurture, strengthen and promote an important component of humanity’s cultural heritage, which hopefully creates awareness of cultural differences that will eventually lead to networking, that promotes intercultural dialogue which will consequently bring them to know each other, accept one another and ultimately establish friendship, harmony and peace”.

The international scientific-practical conference on “Prospects for development of handicraft and folk-applied art” was attended by scientists, specialists, high-ranking honored guests, representatives of the spheres of culture and tourism from more than 30 foreign countries, professors and teachers of domestic and foreign higher education institutions, students, art historians, museologists, artisans.

The exhibition and sale of products of domestic and foreign artisans, festivals, performances of puppet theaters, tightrope walkers and folklore groups, a concert program prepared by the regional departments of culture, competitions of cooks, master classes impressed the guests.

The festival participants also represent the city of skillful potters of Rishtan and the hometown of silk and abra fabrics, the ancient city of Margilan.

Within the framework of the festival, a presentation of the book-album “Masterpieces of applied art of Uzbekistan” on contemporary national handicraft and applied art, the art of craftsmen, an exhibition of ceramic products “The blue legend of Rishtan” and a competition of artisans, will be also held. The winners of the competition by the organizing committee will be awarded a diploma, statuette and cash prizes.

The solemn event ended with a concert program of domestic artists and young performers. Colorful fireworks that painted the sky over Kokand, gave everyone joy and good mood.

The square where the festival takes place is festively decorated. Exhibitions of artisans from Karakalpakstan and all regions of the country, neighboring countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, as well as foreign countries are organized here.

After the opening ceremony, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with these exhibitions, talked with artisans.

As the Head of the state noted, this international festival is a holiday not only for the multinational people of Uzbekistan, but also for artisans and craftsmen around the world. It will serve as an important bridge that will connect people of the world and their multifaceted culture.