Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  The international music festival "Sharq Taronalari" has opened in Samarkand. The opening ceremony was attended by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The President emphasized that the "Sharq Taronalari" festival, held after a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic, was eagerly anticipated by many representatives of the musical arts and its admirers. He noted that this year, the festival welcomes everyone with a renewed spirit and splendor.

"The forum, which is being held for the thirteenth time in our country, is named ‘Sharq Taronalari’ — ‘Melodies of the East.’ However, we all see that in its essence and significance, it has become a festival of ‘Melodies of the World,’" said the President.

According to Shavkat Mirziyoyev, while representatives from 31 countries participated in the first festival, this year the number of participants has significantly increased — more than 400 artists and scholars from nearly 80 countries across all continents.

"Like all the peoples of the world, the Uzbek people, known for their kindness and tolerance, highly value peace and tranquility. A fundamental principle of the foreign policy of New Uzbekistan is also the development of peaceful, friendly, and partnership relations with different states," the President added.

The President also noted that alongside the "Sharq Taronalari" festival, Uzbekistan regularly hosts other international festivals, such as the Makom Art Festival, the Bakhshi Festival, the Crafts Festival, the folklore and dance festivals "Great Silk Road" and "Lazgi," as well as the Tashkent International Film Festival. These events have become symbols of Uzbekistan’s commitment to peace, harmony, friendship, and unity.

"Today, the world is changing before our eyes: a new, unstable, and tense geopolitical and geo-economic architecture is forming. Conflicts between countries are intensifying, distrust is growing, and within societies, a spiritual crisis is emerging. In such troubling times, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain humanistic values," Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized.

He expressed his belief that true art, music, and literature, inspired by sacred origins, should become a force bringing peace and goodwill to people, overcoming the boundaries of time and space.

The President also proposed creating an encyclopedia and its virtual version dedicated to the history and traditions of the "Sharq Taronalari" festival to collect in one place information about the rich and diverse musical culture of the East.

"I am confident that you will actively participate in preparing this encyclopedia, gathering valuable data stored in various museums, libraries, archives, and funds around the world, creating a unified database and passing it on to future generations," he added.

The President also proposed creating an international "Sharq Taronalari" Festival Friends Club to further expand its scope and enhance its appeal.