Asrlar Sadosi: Young image of centuries old traditions

May 3, 2009

The Second Festival of Traditional Culture «Asrlar sadosi» («Echo of Centuries») held on 1-3 May 2009 in historical districts Akkurgan and Bustanlik near the Uzbekistans capital Tashkent, has become a true cultural-fiesta offering its participants to sense and feel the philosophy of ancient traditions and customs with unique and diverse colors. Organized by the Fund Forum and UNESCO, this years festival was dedicated to celebrating 2200th anniversary of Tashkent city, an important destination on the main highway of the ancient Great Silk Road and one of the most ancient cities in the world.

This year Tashkent becomes a venue for many cultural events on the occasion of its jubilee. The festival was attended about 15 000 people including more than 100 international guests, prominent culture and art figures, scientists and researchers, representative of international organizations and mass media from Russia, France, Turkey, Korea, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Austria.

Among the gusts of the Festival - Caroline Sarkozy; Sandor von Habsburg-Lothringen, archduke of Austria, Prince of Toscana, inventor and philanthropist, founder of the Peace Flame Foundation; Herta Margaret Oefferl, President of Peace Flame Foundation; Francois Le Troquer General Manager of Cartier Russia and CIS; Benoit Toulin Vice-president of Chaumet; MHB SA`s president, Marie-Helene Berard; LLuis Gibert representative of ASAP company; Oskar Dalan General Manager of the Arredi Contract Design S.r.I, Italy; Shinobu Fujita President of «Strategic Consulting Firm»(Japan), as well as representatives from international media: Jean Pierre Partouche the Vice-President of Fashion TV; Gertrude Tauchhammer Editor-in-Chief, SOCIETY Magazine, Austria; Alan Friedman the executive chairman of FBC Media, correspondent of the Wall Street Journal; Ahn Sang-Kyu, Editor JoongAng SUNDAY Media Company; representatives of the «Tatler Russia» and the «Russia» TV channel.

Participants and guests of Festival have enjoyed all the variety of national culture, uniqueness of customs and traditions of Uzbekistan.

Scientific aspect was one of the visible features of this years festival which started on 1 May with the presentation of the book «Civilizations, Nations, Cultures of Central Asia» by academician Edvard Rtveladze.

The presentation was attended by well-known scientist-archaeologist Kato Kyudzo from Japan, the winner of the «Dustlik» Order; Frederique Bressand Secretary-General of the International Society of Timurids, France were among other international guests.

On the same day participants of the festival also visited «Masterpieces of National Art: Past and Present» show-exhibition which was on display at the Tashkents Youth Creativity Palace.

On the second day of the festival prominent scientists and archeologists of Uzbekistan held educational master classes at the ancient Kanka settlement, Akkurgan district, which is the first and the greatest center of Tashkent oasis in the ancient and medieval period. Thus the participants and guests of the Festival, who joined the «caravan» of «Asrlar sadosi», including representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations, culture and art people from foreign countries, had an opportunity to learn about the secrets of the ancient Kanka. Master classes helped to recreate the image of the ancient capital in the smallest details.

Upon completion of lectures, guest and participants of master classes went to Bustanlik district where the folk festival was in full swing.

The program of the Festival was quite diverse and intensive: exhibition of applied arts and crafts, folklore performances, national games such as rope-walkers, cock-fights, magicians show, contest of chefs who presented their tastiest masterpieces of national cuisine etc.

Throughout the day more than 150 folklore groups from all over Uzbekistan performed their program.

The first Festival of Traditional Culture Asrlar Sadosi was held on 3-4 may in 2008 near the historical city Shakhrizabz in in Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan. Every year the festival is held in one of the cultural and historical centers of the country.

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