Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

As you know, these days the “Boysun Bahori” International Folklore Festival is taking place in Boysun district of Surkhandarya region.

The festival is being held from May 1 to May 7 this year at the tourism complex located in the “Bibishirin” neighborhood of Boysun district.

Yesterday, on May 3, the winners of the folklore category as well as the national folk games and performance arts category of the international festival were awarded.

In the folklore art category of the “Boysun Bahori” festival, the following winners were determined:

1st place – “Boysun” folklore-ethnographic ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Surkhandarya region;

2nd place – “Jondor” folklore-ethnographic ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Bukhara region;

2nd place – “Belaruski gassines” ensemble – Republic of Belarus;

3rd place – “Xushanzamon” folklore-ethnographic folk ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Navoi region;

3rd place – “Shaamemastana Bazm Boyz” ensemble – Islamic Republic of Pakistan;

3rd place – “Ko‘zmunchoq” folklore-ethnographic ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent region.

By nominations:

For high mastery in performing national values – “Kifti-ob ohanglari” folklore-ethnographic ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Kashkadarya region;

Best folklore group recognized by the audience – “Dilgir” folk dance ensemble – Kyrgyz Republic;

For demonstrating high instrumental performance skills in folklore presentation – “Barkon Dance Ensemble” – Hungary;

For the most captivating performance reflecting the spirit of national traditions on stage at a high artistic level – “The London International Klezmer Experience” – United Kingdom;

For expressing a high level of artistry through songs and performance – “Kyklos” traditional dance ensemble – Greece.

The winners in the national folk games and performance arts category were also awarded.

In this category, the following winners were determined:

1st place – “Bog‘don” folklore-ethnographic folk ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Jizzakh region;

2nd place – “Radoves” folklore ensemble – Russian Federation;

2nd place – “Meros” folklore-ethnographic folk ensemble – Republic of Karakalpakstan;

3rd place – “Zilol” folklore-ethnographic folk ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Andijan region;

3rd place – “Xorazm” folklore-ethnographic folk ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Khorezm region;

3rd place – “Tumor” ethno folklore ensemble – Republic of Kazakhstan.

By nominations:

For a performance program reflecting national values – “Sayxun yigitlari” folklore-ethnographic folk ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Syrdarya region;

For the most skillful performance in field performance art – “Surxon dorbozlari” group – Republic of Uzbekistan, Surkhandarya region;

For exemplary collective performance and stage harmony – “Ohangrabo” folklore-ethnographic folk ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent city;

For a significant contribution to preserving, developing, and promoting traditional games and performances – “Ki Ageng Ganjur” national ensemble – Indonesia;

For perfectly expressing national traditions and customs in artistic and stage interpretation – “Farg‘ona gavhari” folklore-ethnographic folk ensemble – Republic of Uzbekistan, Fergana region.

For information, in 2001 UNESCO recognized Boysun culture as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Boysun was selected among cultural heritage objects of the world community in 19 nominations. In 2008 it was included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The first open folklore festival featuring performers from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan was held in May 2002. The festival, which attracted attention not only from locals but also from foreigners, was discontinued in 2005 for certain reasons and was not held for 11 years. It resumed in 2016. During the pandemic, it was again suspended in 2020–2021. Since 2022, it has been organized once every two years.

At the 2026 festival, more than 100 folklore groups from over 40 countries are participating.

The “Boysun Bahori” International Folklore Festival is ongoing.