24th anniversary of Independence of Uzbekistan.. 2
President of Uzbekistan to visit China. 5
The Eternal Memory of Ancestors. 5
10th Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival.. 6
Sharq Taronalari Airs to the Entire World. 6
24th anniversary of Independence of Uzbekistan
Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov at the Festive Ceremony Dedicated to the 24th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Dear compatriots!
Distinguished guests!
Today I am greatly happy and honored to welcome you, my dear compatriots, in this beautiful and sublime square and from the bottom of my heart to congratulate all of you, and in your person our entire nation, on our greatest and dearest holiday – the Independence Day of Uzbekistan.
The Independence stands for us as a great event which has entirely changed the meaning and essence of our life and opened up a new page in our history. The Independence is valued and revered by us as it has liberated our Homeland and our people from the chains of old despotic regime, paved way to establishing a national democratic state and building a prosperous life being equal to all countries and nations.
It is the Independence that will remain forever in our history since it has paved way to restore our trampled down values, faith and religion, honor and conscience, to realize our identity and build our future that corresponds to the dreams and aspirations of our people and its national interests.
It is thanks to the Independence and owing to the world-famous work accomplished by our brave and steadfast people, in a historically short period of time, our towns, villages and entire country are ever flourishing and prospering, the living standards and quality of life of our people are raising, and today our Uzbekistan is joining the ranks of modern states. My dear friends and compatriots, please tell me, could ever we achieve such results, which were hard even to imagine, without gaining Independence?
No, definitely no.
It is not difficult to see and observe the vivid confirmation of these words, above all, in the path that we have traversed and the steps made by our country.
Certainly, no one can remain indifferent to the fact that despite the still ongoing global crisis, during the years of Independence the Uzbekistan’s economy grew more than 5,5 times, the real income of our population per capita increased 9 times, the average life expectancy of our people made up from 67 to 73 years, and for women – 75 years.
Today our country ranks fifth among the fastest developing states in the world and during the last 11 years our gross domestic product growth rate makes up more than 8 percent. It is natural that the aforementioned facts draw everyone’s admiration and delight.
At present, according to the latest data by the world’s most prestigious economic and social centers, in the Happy Planet Index Uzbekistan holds the 44th place among 158 countries and in the Commonwealth of Independent States our country occupied the
1st place, respectively. And this fact makes all of us proud and calls upon to reach the new horizons.
We can, certainly, speak a lot on the achieved growth rates, secured frontiers and reasons which made possible them. However, speaking about this, it is noteworthy that there is a crucial factor and criterion of such enormous successes, i.e. with changing time they become apparent on the growing worldview, conscience and mindset, legal awareness and political activeness, civic responsibility and duty of our people.
Most importantly, since the early days of Independence we have established a brand-new system which is completely free of clichés and dogmas of the old regime and aimed at upbringing a young generation as a force with independent thinking, new view of life and capable of great accomplishments.
Annually, over 600 thousand young specialists who meet the modern requirements are entering the mature life in our country. This is the youth who mastered at least two or three professions, foreign languages, Internet and information technologies, summits of modern knowledge, as well as stand ready to compete with their peers in the developed countries. These are our sons and daughters with sparkling eyes who are now turning into a truly decisive power of our society.
The nation, which has such a young generation who are our solid buttress and stronghold, the nation with such an unmatched potential can never be turned back from its path and can never be defeated. We are all confident about this.
Dear friends!
Dear compatriots!
It is an open secret that in building a life in our country, which is appropriate and suitable for ourselves, we did not allow for haste, short-sightedness, careless and slapdash work.
Unlike others, we did not join the contests to come to finish first. We did not copy others and kept ourselves away from short-sighted «advisors».
Most importantly, we did not look at our destiny, our future light-mindedly, and were not mesmerized by the offered credits and thus have not run into debts.
In a word, we have indeed practiced the principle «The reforms are not for the sake of reforms, but, above all, for the sake of a human». To accomplish our goal, we have strictly adhered to the path of step-by-step and evolutionary progress.
The elaboration and implementation of the deeply and thoroughly thought-out strategic program of development, which is based on the famous five principles and now acclaimed in the world as the «Uzbek model», will definitely leave an indelible trace in our history.
Dear friends!
I believe that all of us are well aware of our kind dreams and aspirations along the path of achieving our supreme goal, i.e. to join the ranks of developed countries, ensure the decent standards and quality of life for our people and win a high respect and recognition in the international community.
Along with this, all of us well know that the 21st century, the rapidly developing processes of globalization, intellectual labor and deep penetration of the Internet into our life, the ever growing scales, intensity and ruthlessness of competition in the world market are setting an extremely important and urgent requirements before any state and any nation.
Today, unless anyone and any state follows those harsh requirements and lives in harmony with them, undoubtedly, such a state will inevitably be left in the periphery of global progress.
I believe I will express the opinion of our entire nation, if I say that we have no right whatsoever to allow this in Uzbekistan.
In this regard, our main task is to increase the competitiveness of our economy through further deepening the reforms underway in our country, modernizing and renewal of our economy and its branches, extensive introduction of information and communication systems, and thus secure a deserving niche in the world market.
At present, the implementation of policy of structural changes in the economy, diversification of the industry, establishment of new production lines and creation of new jobs based on advanced technologies must be our utmost priority and the most urgent task.
All of us must deeply realize that to further develop the sphere of private property and private entrepreneurship enshrined in our Constitution, today the life itself demands us to grant this sphere a complete freedom, remove all obstacles and restrictions that hinder it, reduce the share of state in our economy to a justified level.
Dear friends!
Nowadays, if we look at our near and far neighborhood, we cannot but see the escalation of various confrontations and tensions, clashes and bloodshed, conflicts and hostilities, in short, the situation becomes extremely dangerous and acquires yet more complex and tense character.
In this tremendously threatening situation our current policy envisages the following: compliance with the basic principles stipulated in the United Nations Charter, international laws and norms; addressing the arising confrontations and conflicts not by using force, but only by peaceful and political means: unconditional ceasing of wars and bloodshed which continue today in various regions of the world.
I believe it is necessary to stress time and again: Uzbekistan will not join any military and political bloc, will absolutely not allow deploying of foreign military bases on its territory and will not allow presence of our servicemen abroad. We consider these principles, which are elevated to the level of the state law of Uzbekistan, such a deeply elaborated path and this very policy to be the most correct and most suitable for us, and we will never turn back from this course.
As I said it before: we, our people need only peace and tranquility. This is the wish of the Uzbek people. This is the objective of the Uzbek people. This is the decision of the Uzbek people.
The time we are now experiencing requires from all of us to live alert and vigilant, struggle for our peaceful and tranquil life, safeguard our clear sky.
For this purpose, we consider as our priority task to find a common language with our near and far neighbors, further strengthen the mutually friendly relations, cooperation and accord in our region.
Availing myself of this opportunity, allow me to sincerely welcome the ambassadors of foreign countries and representatives of international organizations, who closely render us support and assistance, offer the hand of cooperation and always show their goodwill, as well as all our guests from abroad who have joined us in this festivity today.
My dear compatriots!
I wish we never forget one truth. During the 24 years of our independent development we have achieved enormous successes, our life is becoming more flourishing and prosperous, and we see how our people are getting more pleased with their lives. In the core of these achievements there is a selfless work, wisdom, astuteness and strong will of our people who have been preserving peace and tranquility, carefully safeguarding such aspirations from the old times as an apple of an eye – in a word, those who bring up our young generation in this very spirit.
Today, standing on this high rostrum, on behalf of you, my dears, and on behalf of myself, I believe it is my duty and obligation to bow low before our diligent, magnanimous and noble people.
I wish happiness and well-being, plenty and abundance to the homes of our most beautiful and kindest women and sisters in the world who illuminate our families and lives with the ray of virtue and love.
Once again, I would like to express my sincere reverence and deep confidence to you – the youth who have gathered in this magnificent square, and through you, to all sons and daughters of our country, my dear children.
I am confident that thanks to the strength, inspiration and steadfastness so much peculiar to you, by constant discovery, by mastering the modern knowledge and skills, all of you will certainly achieve the noble aspirations of yours, secure commendable and firm place in our society.
Never give up, my dear children! Tomorrow, the future is yours!
My esteemed compatriots!
In these exciting and unforgettable moments, I am happy to once again congratulate you on the 24th anniversary of Independence of our Homeland and express my most heartfelt and sincere wishes.
Let Almighty support and help us in all our noble endeavors!
Let our country be peaceful, our skies clear and our people safe and sound!
Let our Independence be eternal!
POLItiCs
President of Uzbekistan to visit China
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov will pay the visit to China on 2-3 September on invitation of the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.
President Islam Karimov will participate in events dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the victory in the World War II.
(Source: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
Society
The Eternal Memory of Ancestors
Extensive endeavors were embarked on in Uzbekistan under the leadership of President Islam Karimov from the very first days of national independence to restore the names of our forefathers who had given their lives for the freedom of the Motherland and to perpetuate memory of them. Establishment of the Shahidlar Khotirasi (Memory of the Fallen for Freedom) memorial complex in Tashkent and declaration of August 31 as the Day of Remembrance of Repression Victims constitute the expression of deep respect and reverence for the memory of the best sons of our people.
As the tradition goes, in the early hours of August 31 the Shahidlar Khotirasi memorial complex hosted an event in tribute to the memory of our compatriots who fell for the freedom and independence of the native land.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov took part in the event.
The head of our state expressed his views about the socio-political processes taking place in the country today and the world, and outlined the ways of addressing the important tasks standing out in connection with this.
Visiting these kinds of shrines, remembering our compatriots who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation, we realize more profoundly what price of a great loss and hardship has been paid for the independence of our country, for the current peace and prosperity. At this moment one realizes all the greatest significance of the independence dreamed about by our ancestors for centuries.
Every one of knows well what a great deal of efforts has been undertaken in the years of independence toward the revival of our spiritual values, increasing the realization of national identity. However, the rapidly changing life, the challenges and requirements of the times confront us with ever new tasks. Issues related to upbringing the younger generation in the spirit of respect for national and universal values, guarding them from destructive ideas foreign to our mentality have been gaining in urgency, Islam Karimov insisted.
We must never forget that those who, pursuing their own selfish interests, push these vicious ideas, first and foremost, seeking to disorient the youths who still do not have sufficient experience and firm socio-political stance, to use them for their disparaging plans, the head of our state said. Therefore, we should always be vigilant and careful, and protect our young people from the negative impact of the ideas alien to us.
President Islam Karimov visited the Mustaqillik (Independence) Square and laid wreath to the Monument of Independence and Humanism, a symbol of our freedom, bright future and noble aspirations. The head of state noted the need to further continue the improvement and landscaping of the Square, with special attention paid to planting even more of ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers that cater to our climate.
The President of our country also visited the Republican Children’s and Youth’s Specialized Chess School of Olympic Reserve, whose building combines the traditions of national architecture art and modern designing solutions. Islam Karimov reviewed the hall for holding international chess tournaments and the opportunities available for chess players. Corresponding officials received relevant instructions pertinent to further improving the conditions created here.
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On the same day, flowers were laid to the Monument of Independence and Humanism by representatives of the Oliy Majlis, Cabinet of Ministers, ministries, other government agencies and the general public of the nation.
(Source: UzA)
10th Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival
Sharq Taronalari Airs to the Entire World
The official opening ceremony of the 10th Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival took place 28 August in Samarkand
The ancient and eternally young Samarkand is now permeated with the spirit of two holidays. Preparations for the 24th anniversary of independence of our country and the 10th International Music Festival Sharq Taronalari (Melodies of the East) have added to the increasing transformation and beauty of the city. Colorful flags are fluttering on the broad and smooth streets. The joy on the faces of the citizens and guests is indicative of the approaching great celebration.
Music has always been a means of uniting people, helping to know each other better, to get closer and make newfriends.
Today, the festive atmosphere is felt and seen in every corner of Samarkand. The city hosts for the international music festival the tenth time, organized at the initiative of President Islam Karimov. Looking at the sincere and friendly conversations of musicians from sixty-six countries, seeing great interest in myriads of music lovers and tourists, one recalls the words by the head of our state, delivered at the opening ceremony of the first festival: “I believe the Sharq Taronalari music festival will help enrich the cultural heritage of our people, bring together nations and peoples regardless of their nationality, ethnic origins or religious beliefs.”
These noble goals are being confirmed by life itself. Held since 1997 every two years, the international music festival serves as a unique means of mutual cultural communication between the peoples of the world.
On August 28, 2015, the Registan Square in the heart of Samarkand played host to the grand opening ceremony of the 10th Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov delivered a keynote welcome speech at the event [the text of speech can be seen in separate page].
Also speaking, UNESCO Assistant Director-General Eric Falt emphasized that under the leadership of President Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan has been carefully preserving its historical and spiritual heritage, and demonstrating dynamic development in all spheres.
The opening ceremony of the International Music Festival continued with a gala concert. Uzbek classical songs and dances gave all spectators a true delight. The performance of local artists also included world classics.
In our country the art of music has evolved from ancient times. Found in Muminobod village near Samarkand, the bone-made nai was made 3,300 years ago. In addition, the images of singers and musicians on Afrasiab frescoes, as well as philosophical and aesthetic doctrine of the music of our great ancestors are indicative of the high musical culture of our people.
In his treatise “The Big Book of Music”, Abu Nasr Farabi explores the origins of sounds, the laws of harmony and rhythm of melodies. Abu Ali ibn Sino (Avicenna), in his work “The Canon of Medicine”, wrote that the treatment of cardiac, nerve diseases through music gives good results. Komil Khorezmi invented Khorezmian music notes to use them to record the introduction to the maqom “Rost” composed by him.
In the era of Amir Temur, along with many areas of science, music and performing arts were highly developed, too. Samarkand used to gather singers and musicians from different countries. It hosted musical evenings, where everyone sang songs and melodies of their peoples.
Today, it is difficult to find a village or mahalla in our country, which would not have their singers and musicians. Almost every family has Uzbek musical instruments – dutor, doira, which also speaks of the boundless love of our people for arts.
Under the leadership of President Islam Karimov, wide-ranging efforts have been undertaken in Uzbekistan in the years of independence, directed at the deeper study and further development of national music. Shashmaqom, Katta ashula, Askiya have been included in the UNESCO List of World Intangible Heritage as masterpieces of world culture. State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, dozens of theaters and cultural centers, professional colleges and academic lyceums, children’s music and art schools have been built across the country.
(Source: UzA)
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