Over 300 participants of folk groups walked through the central streets of old Bukhara in a festive procession, drawing hundreds of residents, tourists and guests into a festival whirlpool.

The ancient city of Bukhara has been chosen as the venue for the fourth “Asrlar sadosi” Festival of Traditional Culture. Around 100 ceramists, weavers, artists and jewelers from Bukhara and other regions of Uzbekistan formed long lines stretching from Bukhara Art to Labi Hauz Ensemble, demonstrating all the colors of traditional crafts. Ablaze in color, the shopping rows offer exquisitely patterned chapans (caftans), dresses, carpets, wooden boxes, toys, headwear, pictures and fabrics.

The highlight of all these goods is golden embroidered clothing as it is in this city that the art of golden embroidery reached its height back in the day. Bukharian embroiderers are famous well beyond the confines of Uzbekistan. Guests from Austria, Russia, France, the USA, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, Switzerland, the UK, Israel, Poland, Morocco and other countries, who had arrived to attend the Festival, were seen trying on golden embroidered pieces.

The first day of the Festival kicked off with a loud procession led by folk performers through the whole old city. Hundreds of people committed to the cause of conserving Uzbek originality came together in Bukhara in order to demonstrate the full diversity of traditions and customs of people who live here. Folk music groups, with their members clad in costumes indigenous to particular areas, danced and played music instruments greeting the Festival guests and inviting them to join the procession. The resonant voices and merrymaking combined into a song of joy and friendship.

A whole town of festivities and entertainment was bustling at Ark Citadel, where the string of festivities started. While the youth could participate in national games organized as part of the festival, adults could watch the exciting performance of tightrope walkers. All these contributed to the unique atmosphere of an oriental holiday. Watching the popular merrymaking and the enthusiasm of the people involved, it may be said with certainty that the Festival is sure to help conserve many types of applied art, sport, national cuisine and crafts for centuries to come.