The 4th International Bakhshi Art Festival was solemnly opened on the stage of the ancient Ichan Kala in Khiva. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, sent a festive greeting to the forum participants, which was read aloud by Presidential Advisor Odil Abdurakhmanov.

In his address, the Head of state emphasized that the international prestige of the festival continues to grow each year, and that holding the current forum in Khorezm, the pearl of the East, lends it a special spirit and significance. The President noted the rich history of the region’s school of storytellers, which played an essential role in forming world-renowned classical songs, melodies, and dances, including the famous “Lazgi”.

“The gifted folk bakhshi nurtured by this sacred land – Bola Bakhshi Qurbonnazar Abdullayev, Qalandar Bakhshi Ruzimboy Normatov, Abdulla Qurbonnazarov, and Yetmishboy Abdullayev – with their powerful voices and poetic talent, have elevated the performance of folk dastans like “Oshiq G'arib and Shohsanam”, “Go'rug'li”, “Avazkhon”, “Alpomish”, and “Khirmondali”. Today, we gratefully acknowledge the esteemed place these masterpieces occupy in our spiritual treasury as the invaluable heritage of national culture and wish creative success and continued growth to the current and future masters of bakhshi art”, stated in the President’s address.

Around 200 Bakhshi artists from more than 40 countries are participating in the festival, including representatives from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Türkiye, France, Japan, and many others. The opening ceremony was held in vibrant colors, offering the audience an unforgettable atmosphere of national spirit and the friendship of peoples.

One of the key events will be the international competition, scheduled for April 27. Participants will compete in two categories – “Dastan” performance and instrumental performance. The winners will be determined by an international jury composed of representatives from Uzbekistan, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kuwait, and Mongolia.

The Grand Prix of the festival will amount to $7,000. The laureates of the first three places in each category will receive monetary awards of $5,000, $3,500, and $2,500, respectively.

Aziza Alimova, photos by Bekzodbek Saidov, UzA