On 4-5 May Asrlar sadosi traditional festival of culture took place in Navbahor district of Navoi region. 

Under the guidance of President Islam Karimov a special attention is paid to renewal and preservation of centuries-old traditions and righteous values, communicating their essence to our people, especially the younger generation. 

The main purpose of the traditional Asrlar sadosi festival, held since 2008 by the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation and the representative office of the UNESCO in our country, is to introduce compatriots and foreign guests to the ancient customs and traditions of our people, different areas of the national culture and arts. 

There is some merit in the fact that this year the festival is held in the Sarmishsay gorge in Navbahor district of Navoi region. This national park-museum with invaluable monuments of ancient culture attracts tourists and compatriots, interested in the history of our country. More than ten thousand petroglyphs on both sides of the gorge reflect the culture of our ancestors. In particular, these rock carvings depict the processes hunting, domestication of wild animals and livestock development. The artistically ingenious petroglyphs demonstrate that arts and culture had developed to a high level since ancient times and our ancestors had broad outlook towards the world. 

Farming culture on both sides of the river had a developed nature and a system of efficient water usage.

This beautiful place has been prepared for the sixth Asrlar sadosi traditional festival of culture. In particular, on the gorge banks dozens of saplings of ornamental trees and flowers have been planted. An intensive organizational work in order to demonstrate the broad historical patterns of national culture to welcome local and foreign tourists and provide them with exemplary service have been carried out. 

Navoi railway station and Navoi international airport have undergone a festive make-up and the highways and roads have been renovated. Navbahor, Nurota and Karmana districts have seen large construction boom with many shopping and service facilities available for the festival. 

The resounding sounds and rhythms of Uzbek national music instruments have ushered in the annual cultural celebration: in keeping with the festival tradition, the event participants – folk music groups from across Uzbekistan – have made up a procession along the main “street” of the venue while demonstrating unique ethniс wealth: music, dances, costumes and customs... 

Asrlar sadosi-2013 have been widely promoted in several international tourism fairs in various countries. This has been important in attracting ever more foreign guests willing to take part in the festival, to see our land, traditions, values, culture and hospitable and sincere people. In order to increase awareness among our compatriots a gala-concert at the Turkiston palace in Tashkent have been organized. 

For two days lyrics and melodies continued non-stop. There was an immense interest in the fair of products of the masters of applied. The artisans and their students, who came from all corners of our country, offered their best creative works. 

“ At this festival I have seen that Uzbek national traditions and values have been respectfully preserved over the centuries”, says a head of Oriental culture and arts department of the Musee du Louvre (France) Ronte Rocca. – There are lots of festivals and contests of traditional cultures. Asrlar sadosi shows high spirituality, creative and intellectual potential, vivid reflection of unique and rich historical heritage  of the Uzbek nation. 

As part of the festival, a conference “The Architectural Epigraphy of Uzbekistan in the Context of Cultural and Spiritual Legacy: Research, Discovery and Prospects” was held in Bukhara on 4 May 2013. It  was attended by scientists on epigraphy of Uzbekistan, France, Italy, Canada, UNESCO specialists, representatives of diplomatic missions, NNO, grant receivers of Mehr Nuri Foundation, students of madresahs, etc. The presentation of six books, dedicated to the architectural epigraphy of Bukhara, Navoi, Andijan, Namangan, Khiva and Karakalpakstan was held at the event. 

Many researches and scholars participated at creation of the books. Six regions of Uzbekistan presented six books, dedicated to inscription at ancient architectural monuments. Major part of the monuments belongs to Islamic period, but there are also ancient inscriptions. 

On the same day hundreds of festival attendees flocked to the unveiling of Bibi Orifa Mausoleum (in Bukhara Region) which has been given a full facelift by Mehr Nuri Foundation. The opening was followed by a presentation of scholarships to a group of students from Uzbek madrasas. 

– Your country enjoys peace and tranquility, pacing forwards in the development ladder and this festival is a vivid manifestion, says an Italian singer Massimo Galfano. I have been amazed by beautiful places, sincere people. On my return to Italy, I am planning to write a song on Uzbekistan. 

On 5 May fairs, wrestling competitions, national games, performances by folk bands, the national cuisine competition and festival continued. 

Another glowing event within the festival- the national costume show illustrated the history of national Uzbek costumes, traditions, present and future. The unique peculiriaties of costumes, pertinent to the Zarafshan valley have drawn attention in many festival participants. 

At the closing ceremony of the festival, chairwoman of the board of trustees of the Forum of culture and arts of Uzbekistan Foundation G.Karimova underlined that the Asrlar sadosi festival, taking place in a country where science, arts, culture and education are rapidly developing, serves to implement new projects, preserve the rich spiritual heritage of our people, to raise the status of our Motherland in the world community, to increase the younger generation’s spirituality. 

The festival finished with a concert of young artists, foreign performers, and musicians. The most active participants were awarded diplomas and presents. 

source: www.uza.uz