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Address by H.E. President Islam Karimov at the
festive opening ceremony of the Seventh “Sharq Taronalari” International
Music Festival
Dear festival participants!
Distinguished guests!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Today, on this ancient and incomparable land of Samarkand I am
boundlessly pleased to see and welcome you – our dear guests who have
arrived from near and far countries, the participants of the “Sharq
Taronalari” (‘Melodies of Orient’) Festival famous throughout the world,
all our friends and brothers, as well as the people of Samarkand who are
the dearest to me. I am happy to express my sincerest wishes to all of
you.
In this beautiful and magnificent evening the presence together with you
of the representatives of the prestigious international institution of
UNESCO, International Organization of Folk Art (IOV) and the ambassadors
of foreign countries at the majestic Registan Square is accepted by us
as a sign of respect, above all, to the Uzbek people and this wonderful
event, and we thank you all for this.
Today, standing at this high rostrum, acting on my noble duty, on behalf
of our entire nation sincerely greeting you, the dear guests from
various continents and regions of the world, allow me to express my
respect and esteem by saying to you “Welcome to the glorious city of
Samarkand, welcome to Uzbekistan!”.
Dear friends, distinguished guests!
We all know that there are numerous and a wide variety of festivals of
art and music in the world. Certainly, they all have their own goals and
objectives, differ on their uniqueness, essence and value, as well as
their own topic and ideas, authority and recognition.
From amongst such festivals I believe that no one can deny the very
Oriental essence and significance, incomparable spirit and image, which
are peculiar to the International “Sharq Taronalari” Music Festival that
we established twelve years ago.
Above all, this festival expresses the melodies and songs, as well as
the ancient pictures that portray the Oriental world and its philosophy,
unequaled beauty, grace and elegance, and is capable to reach the most
sensitive strings of human soul. And by this it will surely encompass
and charm the entire being of a man.
Along with this, the festival deserves a special acknowledgment thanks
to the fact that it serves such noble goals as consolidation of
cooperative ties between nations and nationalities in today’s restless
and extremely complicated time that we are living in, through the
enlivening tunes of music it inspires the noble human feelings in the
souls of people, as well as links the common roots to one another.
Since there is the most powerful and most influential tool that unites
hundreds of nationalities and peoples on Earth irrespective of their
language, nationality, religion and customs, and this is music, this is
a tune, and this is a melody.
I am confident that the more the tunes of music, classical melody and
songs, that know nor boundary or barrier, will penetrate deeply into our
lives, and firstly, to the minds and hearts of our children, in its
turn, the more it helps to bring nations closer to one another, promotes
cooperation and friendship, and in a full meaning of this word it turns
into an invincible power.
We would speak the very truth if we say that holding of this festival,
which enjoys ever increasing recognition in the world, in one of the
most ancient cities of the globe - the beautiful and legendary Samarkand,
where every inch of the city fragrances a breath of the East, gives this
event the endless beauty and deep meaning.
I believe that each and everyone present at this square will agree with
me if I say that this city, which reflects the immortal spirit of the
East, its ancient and ever young look, takes pride of unique
architectural monuments, as well as the hospitable and kind people
living here, who for over the span of many centuries embodied the most
noble qualities and characteristics, language and nature of various
nations and ethnicities, shall turn into an integral and splendid part
of this festival and give it a new freshness, charm and fascination.
As a person, who was born and raised in this great city, addressing to
the people of Samarkand and praising them, I am never tired of speaking
time and again about my devotion and sonly love to them. And I do feel
that I always owe to this sacred soil.
Dear friends!
Speaking about the seventh festival that opens today, we can say that
this event will occupy a special place in the history of the “Sharq
taronalari” music festivals by the number of its participants and
geography of partaking states. This festival is also special as it sings
of the invaluable spiritual wealth of various nations, brings together
the new and new talents and world-famous artists, as well as
demonstrates the diversity of its musical world.
Just one example alone vividly confirms the aforesaid, i.e. if the
representatives of 31 countries participated at our first festival, then
this festival of music sees participation of more than 260 skilful
musicians and singers from 47 states.
In our country we make comprehensive and thorough preparations to hold
the “Sharq Taronalari” festival at the highest level and spread its fame
around the world.
The Uzbek people, who love art and music from the bottom of their hearts
and worthily cherish the people of art, keenly look forward to each
occasion of the “Sharq Taronalari” festival as a grand holiday, treat
with high respect the art of all participants, sincerely welcome their
appearances and express their joy and gratitude.
I believe that this event will further upgrade the profile of the “Sharq
Taronalari” music festival in the world of art, ever increase its
uniqueness and beauty, as well as remain as a glorious page in terms of
preserving and advancing the highest humanistic ideas and goals, as well
as the peculiar traditions accumulated in this prestigious cultural
forum.
I once again congratulate you on this holiday of art and elegance and
wish you all a sound health, happiness and good luck, as well as a
success to the festival.
Thank you.
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