Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Tashkent House of Photography hosted the opening of the exhibition “Lullaby in the Moonlight” (“Oy Yodusida Itilgan Alla”), dedicated to the history of the traditional baby cradle - beshik. The exhibition was organized by the Karimov Foundation and is open to visitors until 25 November 2019.

This exhibition project aims to popularize the rich cultural and historical heritage and traditional crafts of Uzbekistan. The exhibition acquaints the audience with the creative works of the best beshiksoz masters of Uzbekistan from cities such as Tashkent, Margilan, Andijan, Khiva, Gijduvan. In addition, the exposition presents photographs demonstrating the traditional process of making beshik, from the preparation of a wooden frame to the application of various patterns. A variety of samples of works of folk artists, the accuracy of every detail and the originality of colorful ornaments allow the viewer not only to contemplate the beauty of the national culture, but also to feel the historical and everyday significance of the Uzbek cradle.

For many centuries, the thread of life passed through the space of the cradle - Beshik, which is a model of the universe of the child. Being the first home of the child, Beshik was a way of new life in the worldview culture of the peoples of Uzbekistan and occupied a special place in their life. Passing from generation to generation, Beshik managed to survive to this day and become part of the traditional culture of the Uzbek people in the modern world.

Since the mid-1990s, old centers for the manufacture of beshiks began to revive in Uzbekistan. Today this craft is practiced in some villages and cities. Among the most significant in this regard, Andijan, Namangan, Margilan in the Ferghana Valley; in the central and northern regions of the republic - Tashkent, Urgut near Samarkand, Gijduvan in Bukhara and Karmana in Navoi regions; in the Surkhandarya region, such fishing is developed in Baysun; in Khorezm region cradles are made in Urgench, Khazarasp and Khiva. Each region has its own recognizable features in the manufacture and coloring of this product.

Hereditary masters have been studying this craft for years, so that, having mastered all the subtleties of the production process, they will find a unique authorial “style”. Passing from master to student, this work includes the creation of something unique, while maintaining a “lullaby” tradition.

Having appeared in the depths of centuries, Beshik became a part of the culture of ethnic groups living in Central Asia, managed to survive to this day and even take its place in the modern world. And all thanks to the catchy symbolism, which was so revered by the Uzbek people, who gave the cradle a truly sacred meaning.