In his remarks at the 4th International Bakhshi Art Festival, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) Mehmet Süreyya Er emphasized that Khiva, the ancient capital of the Khorezm Khanate, stands as a living testament to the cultural and architectural grandeur of the Turkic world.

On behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Culture for inviting him to the International Bakhshi Art Festival and for its impeccable organization.

Mehmet Süreyya Er noted that the festival is not merely a celebration of performance art, but a significant cultural event that reaffirms the vitality of the art of bakhshi. This ancient tradition unites the peoples of the Turkic world. In his view, bakhshi is not only a form of storytelling, poetry, and music, but also a philosophy that embodies moral values passed down through generations.

The Head of TURKPA emphasized that the revival and development of the bakhshi tradition through the festival movement is a historic step toward preserving cultural heritage. Including this art form in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity served as important recognition of its global significance. Since the inaugural festival in 2019, the event has become a landmark occasion that fosters cultural exchange and promotes the bakhshi tradition. Each year, the number of participants and countries involved continues growing, which is evidence of increasing international interest in this unique genre. Bakhshi represents a living embodiment of the epic tradition, echoing from the valleys of Anatolia to the steppes of Kazakhstan, from Kyrgyz manaschi to Azerbaijani ozans and ashughs. Despite linguistic and regional differences, bakhshi art carries shared moral values and spiritual meanings. Thus, the festival serves as a performance stage and a platform for profound dialogue across cultures, generations, and regions.

In his work “Muhakamat al-Lughatayn”, Alisher Navoi wrote:

“Language is the blooming tulip of this garden,

And words are the dewdrops that adorn it.

A word can revive a pure soul in a lifeless body,

Yet even a living soul can be ruined by a word”.

Thus, Mehmet Süreyya Er emphasized, the power of the word conveyed through bakhshi is immense and demands respect, contemplation, and support. 

The TURKPA Secretary General expressed deep confidence that the International Bakhshi Art Festival will significantly contribute to the preservation, development, and popularization of this unique genre while strengthening cultural cooperation, spiritual kinship, and friendship among the Turkic peoples. He reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural, historical, and spiritual heritage of the Turkic world.

In his words, safeguarding cultural traditions is an expression of respect for the wisdom of our ancestors and a sacred duty to future generations. By celebrating timeless values, the bakhshi festival reinforces the unity of the Turkic peoples and affirms the vitality of their shared civilization. May the sacred songs of the bakhshi resound not only in Khiva but far beyond, carrying wisdom and inspiration to new generations!

Aziza Alimova, UzA