Fergana regional administration

At the ceremony, the Governor of the region, Khayrullo Bozorov, read out the congratulatory message of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed to the participants of the 3rd International Festival of Handicrafts and the International Pottery Forum.

By the decision of the World Crafts Council, such ancient cities as Bukhara, Kokand, and Margilan were awarded the high title of "World City of Craftsmen." This year, the cities of Rishtan and Shahrikhon have also joined their ranks.

These days, by the initiative of the TURKSOY Secretariat, Kokand city has been granted another honorable title – "City of Craftsmen of the Turkic World." “We regard all this as yet another international recognition of our efforts aimed at developing folk applied arts in our country,” the message reads.

At the event, the President of the World Crafts Council, Saad al-Qaddoumi, also delivered a speech, noting that the festival serves as a bridge between the past and the future, provides an opportunity to promote diverse cultures, traditions, and history to the whole world, and calls all artisans to unity and solidarity. He emphasized with satisfaction that thanks to the wise and far-sighted policy of the head of state, various branches of handicrafts are rapidly developing today.

Later, Uzbekistan’s representative to TURKSOY, Shavkat Ortikov, read the congratulatory message of the Secretary-General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) and presented the Mayor of Kokand with a special certificate granting the city the status of "City of Craftsmen of the Turkic World."

The opening ceremony of the Handicrafts Festival was accompanied by a grand concert program featuring People’s Artists of Uzbekistan Gulomjon Yoqubov, Mahmud Namozov, Zulaykho Boykhanova, Yulduz Usmonova, Honored Artist Abdurashid Yuldoshev, Botir Qodirov, as well as famous performers Muhammadziyo, Imron, Jasmin, and various art groups, which created a festive atmosphere for the audience.

The solemn ceremony concluded with a dazzling fireworks display lighting up the sky.