Lazgi International Dance Festival continues in Khiva. An International Scientific and Practical Conference “Khorezm dance “Lazgi”: Development of national dances and their current significance” was held within its framework.

The Khorezm dance “Lazgi” is included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as an element of the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan. This decision was adopted on December 12, 2019, at the 14th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Initiated by the President and held every two years, the international festival also plays an important role in the preservation and promotion of the “Lazgi’ dance art.

Art historians and specialists from many countries took part in the international festival organized by UNESCO, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, the Ministry of Culture, the Hokimiyat of Khorezm region and other agencies.

Foreign scientists and researchers, together with representatives of Uzbekistan, took part in the scientific and practical conference, which was held within the framework of the festival. The participants exchanged views on the place of the Uzbek national dance in world dance art.

The Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan Ozodbek Nazarbekov addressed the event. People’s Artist of Uzbekistan Gavkhar Matyakubova was awarded the title of “Honorary Professor of the State Academy of Choreography of Uzbekistan” for her huge contribution to the inclusion of the “Lazgi” dance in the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The participants of the conference discussed, along with Uzbek dances, the history of the origin of foreign dances, their similarities and differences.

Within the framework of the Lazgi International Dance Festival, an exhibition is held dedicated to dance art, a demonstration of national musical instruments and costumes, handicrafts, works of fine and applied art, sculptures, a screening of feature and documentary films, a presentation of audio and video discs, books, albums, photographs, as well as their sale on the territory of the Ichan Kala complex.

“Lazgi” dance competition in three nominations, “Best Solo Dance Performer”, “Best Dance Team” and “Best Dance”, was also organized within the framework of the festival.

Akhmadjon Shokirov, UzA