A teacher at D. Ovezov Turkmen State Music School Elmira Oveniyazova told readers of CentralAsia.news about the interesting features of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan Friendship Festival, which was held in Dashoguz on November 16-17. The specialist focused on the dynamic development of not only cultural relations between the two countries, but also interaction in education, science, and economics.
“For a long time, the Turkmen and Uzbek peoples have been linked not only by geographical proximity, but also by the common cultural traditions, national customs, and intangible values accumulated over the centuries. The opening of the Tashkent Park in the capital of Turkmenistan, as a grateful response to the opening of the Ashgabat Park in the main city of Uzbekistan, has become a symbol of friendship between the two fraternal peoples. The monuments to the great poets Magtymguly Fraghi and Alisher Navoi have been built in the capitals of the two states. Fruitful cooperation in science, education and economy continues to develop, cultural ties are growing stronger and creative contacts are expanding,” Ovenyazova said.
The art critic noted that the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan Friendship Festival is not the first experience of staging such an event in Dashoguz. The city has hosted numerous creative delegations from Uzbekistan. This year, the guests and participants of the Friendship Festival include well-known cultural workers and artists, representatives of public organisations and the media and employees of various institutions and enterprises.
“Dashoguz is one of the most picturesque cities of the northern region of Turkmenistan, located near the border of Uzbekistan. The city of Dashoguz that was the cultural capital of the CIS in 2016 continues to attract scientists, historians, cultural workers and tourists, as an object of ancient historical and cultural heritage of world civilization. Today, Dashoguz is a developing city with a modern architectural ensemble adorned with dozens of social and cultural facilities. One of them is the White Yurt building in the national style that played host to the opening ceremony of the Friendship Festival,” the teacher said.
The musicologist emphasised that President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev cordially congratulated the participants of the event and wished them every success in their creative activities aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. The specialist added that the programme of the Friendship Festival included theatrical performances, gala concerts, film festival, art exhibitions, craft fairs, creative meetings and performances by musical groups of the two countries.
“The cultural programme of the Uzbek delegation, consisting of about a hundred people, included guided tours to the famous ancient monuments in the Kunyaurgench State Historical and Cultural Reserve. The high level of organiыation and the scale of the colourful events of the Festival impressed the guests and participants. The cultural event has become a celebration of the unity of the two peoples,” Elmira Ovenyazova concluded.
