The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized a press conference on preparations for the second International Dance Festival “Lazgi”, which will be held in Khiva on April 25-30 this year.

This festival was held for the first time in 2022, and artists from more than ten countries participated. This year, representatives from France, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Russia, Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Brazil, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Egypt, Iran, and Azerbaijan are expected to participate in the festival.

“The festival is organized to preserve and popularize Lazgi dance, increase the flow of tourists to our country, and demonstrate the tourism potential of Khorezm”, said Deputy Minister Mr. Majidov. “This festival is held under the auspices of UNESCO. Its first stages took place in early April. Currently, work is underway to form the composition of the international jury”.

“This year, representatives of almost twenty countries are expected to participate in the festival”, said the Rector of the State Academy of Choreography of Uzbekistan, Shukhrat Tukhtasimov. “Our academy is responsible for holding a scientific and practical conference within the framework of the festival. In addition to the history of Lazgi, the stages of its development, and the future, the dances of the world’s peoples will also be discussed in detail. Our compatriots and foreign guests will have the opportunity to follow the festival events together”.

As noted at the press conference, participants must perform a dance of their people and a sample of lazgi.

At the festival, the winner of the Grand Prix will receive $7,000, the winners of 1st place in the nominations “Best Solo Dance”, “Best Dance Group”, and “Best Staged Dance” will receive $5,000 each, the winner of 2nd place will receive $3,000, and the third–place winner will receive $2,000. Participants in incentive nominations are also planned to be awarded.

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Nazokat Usmanova, UzA