Samarkand                                       
August 26-30, 2024

Under the auspices of UNESCO, the XIII "Sharq Taronalari" (Melodies of the East) International Music Festival was held in the ancient and unique city of Samarkand, known as "The Ornament of the Earth," from August 26-30.

"Sharq Taronalari" is considered one of the largest festivals in Central Asia. The primary goal of the festival is to widely promote the achievements in national music art, preserve and develop the cultures and traditions of different nations, support talented young musicians and singers, expand international creative ties, and promote ideas of peace, friendship, and mutual tolerance.

The first "Sharq Taronalari" International Music Festival was organized in 1997, with musical groups and performers from 31 countries participating. By the XII festival in 2019, the number of participating countries had increased to 75.

The XIII "Sharq Taronalari" International Music Festival, held from August 26-30, 2024, saw the participation of nearly 300 representatives from about 80 countries worldwide.

On August 26, the official opening ceremony of the XIII "Sharq Taronalari" International Music Festival took place in Samarkand. Over 400 artists, scholars, and representatives attended the ceremony.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, participated in the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. In his speech, he emphasized that the "Sharq Taronalari" festival has, in essence, become a "World Melodies" event today.

The President also focused on strengthening friendship and harmony among nations, studying musical heritage, and passing it on to future generations. In this context, the initiative to create a special encyclopedia encompassing the history of the "Sharq Taronalari" festival and musical culture, along with its virtual version, was proposed. The initiative also included the establishment of an international "Do‘stlar klubi" (Friends Club) of the festival. Additionally, the suggestion to organize concert programs featuring the festival's winners and laureates on prestigious stages worldwide was put forward.

On August 27-28, an International Scientific-Practical Conference on "Musical Culture of Eastern Peoples: Principles of Creative Harmony in the Processes of Globalization" was held. For the first time, the conference brought together more than 50 leading experts in the field from 32 foreign countries, including musicologists, folklorists, cultural scholars, rectors of prestigious universities, and heads of international research institutes and scientific-creative centers.

The conference also included an expanded meeting with the participation of the rectors of art universities from Turkic states, namely Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. At the end of the meeting, a resolution on the "Union of Art Universities of Turkic States" under TURKSOY was adopted.

Furthermore, 12 cooperation agreements were signed between leading higher education institutions and international research centers from China, France, Russia, Germany, Gambia, Oman, and Jordan.

In a short period, over 100 articles were received on the history of world music, performance styles, philosophical-aesthetic principles, music education, and related issues. These articles were compiled into a "Maqolalar to‘plami" (Collection of Articles) published and presented to all conference participants and honorary guests.

Among the authors were prominent scholars and researchers from countries such as Germany, France, the USA, Japan, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, India, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, which further highlighted the significance of the scientific-practical conference.

A resolution was also adopted to preserve and develop the musical art traditions of Eastern peoples, to further promote Uzbek national music and maqom art, to study their scientific-practical principles, and to increase the effectiveness of the work carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Samarkand Regional Administration, UNESCO, the International Festival Directorate, the "TURKSOY" International Cultural Organization, and the Uzbek National Music Art Institute named after Yunus Rajabiy. The resolution also aimed to expand the platforms for intercultural dialogue.

On August 27-28 (at 19:00), a competition among nearly 50 groups and performers from 27 countries (Uzbekistan, Latvia, Japan, Greece, Turkmenistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Sudan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Bulgaria, Malaysia, France, Russia, Hungary, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Armenia, Indonesia, Pakistan, China, Egypt, Colombia, Mali) was held as part of the XIII "Sharq Taronalari" International Music Festival. The performances were evaluated by an international jury.

An international jury of no less than seven members was formed by the Organizing Committee to evaluate the performances.

The jury members included:

- Sahib Pashazade (Azerbaijan Republic)

- Furat Al-Qadduori (Iraq)

- Danzan Enkhtsetseg (Mongolia)

- Arman Nurmakhamatuly (Kazakhstan)

- Cihan Yurtçu (Turkey)

- Noh Tae Cheol (Republic of Korea)

- Toir Qoziyev (Republic of Uzbekistan)

The international jury included highly qualified foreign and local musicologists, renowned artists, composers, and representatives of international art festival organizations from foreign countries.

The main criteria for the competition included the national character of the songs, the harmony and meaning of the lyrics with the melody, the level of performance, the cultural aspects of dress, and stage movement.

On August 29, the official closing ceremony of the XIII "Sharq Taronalari" International Music Festival was held in Samarkand. The winners were announced and awarded.

The competition winners were awarded diplomas, statuettes, and cash prizes in the following amounts by the Organizing Committee:

- "Grand Prix" — $10,000

- First place (in each category) 2 x $5,000 — $10,000

- Second place (in each category) 2 x $3,500 — $7,000

- Third place (in each category) 3 x $2,000 — $6,000

Participants who did not win were awarded with the Diploma of the Laureate of the "Sharq Taronalari" International Music Festival.

Participants recognized by the independent jury members from organizing, creative associations, foundations, and other organizations, as well as by the audience, were awarded special diplomas and cash prizes of $500 for categories such as "Youngest Participant," "Best Participant According to the Audience," and "Best Instrumental Music Performer," among others.

Each participant of the festival was awarded a certificate of active participation in the "Sharq Taronalari" International Music Festival.

List of winners (festivals I and XII) at the “Sharq taronalari” International Music Festival from 1997 to 2019

 

List of award winners at the “Sharq taronalari”  I International Music Festival. 1997
Position held	Full name	Country	Awards (US)
Gran pri	Simara Imanova	Azerbaijan	10.000
1-place	Munojat Yo'lchiyeva	Uzbekistan	5000
	Shannu Khurana	India	5000
2-place	Se Liin	China	3500
	Shahrom Noziriy	Iran	3500
3-place	Aleksandr Samojikov	Russia	2000
	B.Ganbat	Mongolia	2000
	Ramazan Stamgaziyev	Kazakhstan	2000
Special Jury Prize	Turkmenistan music group		"Neksiya" automobile
	Egyptian national music ansam
UNESCO trophy	Afganistan music group
List of awards at the “Sharq taronalari”  II international music festival. 1999
Gran pri	Nasiba Sattorova	Uzbekistan	10.000
1-place	Muhammad Omon	Saudi Arabia	7000
	Yun Kong Son	Korea	7000
2-place	“Lashari” ensemble	Georgia	5000
	Jaspinder Narula Xonim	India	5000
3-place	Olim Boboyev	Tajikistan	2000
	Ustod Ali Hamidxon	Pakistan	2000
List of awards at the “Sharq taronalari”  III International Music Festival. 2001
Gran pri	-	-	-
1-place	Alim Gasimov	Azerbaijon	7000
	Sohibjon Niyozov	Uzbekiston	7000
	Abdunabi Ibrohimov	Uzbekiston	7000
2-place	“Lashari” ensemble	Georgia	5000
	Madkhushri Ramsonder Badaltjavhariy	India	5000
3-place	Milliy musiqa ensemble	Greece	3000
	Nohide Tokguz	Turkey	3000
Special Jury Prize	"Altay" group	Russia	1000
	"Музыканты" group	Kyrgyzstan	1000
Festival organizing committee trophy	"Angan al-Shabab" group	Egypt	Maxsus mukofot
List of awards at the "Sharq taronalari"  IV International Music Festival. 2003
Gran pri	"Uranhay” ensemble	Russia (Tuva Republik)	10.000
1-place	Dilnura Mirzaqulova	Uzbekiston	7000
	Fozil Jamshidiy	Iran	7000
2-place	Ozoda Ashurova	Tajikistan	5000
	Zabit Nabizade	Azerbaijan	5000
3-place	Milliy musiqiy ensemble	Afganistan	3000
	An'anaviy musiqiy ensemble	Bangladesh	3000
UNESCO trophy	Abduhoshim Ismoilov	Uzbekiston	1000
	Musiqiy ensemble	India	1000
	Roman Kehman	Israil	1000
List of awards at the “Sharq taronalari” V International Music Festival. 2005
Gran pri	-	-	-
1-place	Aygun Biylar	Azeribajan	7000
	Nodira Pirmatova	Uzbekiston	7000
2-place	"Viulan" group	Italy	5000
	Kuwait Academy of music string instrument ensemble	Kuwait	5000
	Urna Chahar Tuhchi	Mongolia	5000
3-place	Korean music group	South Korea	3000
	Shilpakala Academy musical group	Bangladesh	3000
	"Nazaret" Orchestra	Israil	3000
Special Jury Prize	National Brass Band	Egypt	2000
UNESCO Special Prize	musical group led by Hanif Nabizoda	Afganistan	1500
List of awards at the “Sharq taronalari”  VI international music festival. 2007
Gran pri	Kuwait Music Institute group	Kuwait	10.000
1-place	South Korean music institute group	South Kora	7000
2-place	"An-Nil " national musical instrument group	Egypt	5000
	Music group	Italy	5000
3-place	"Ratang" group	Keniya	3000
	"Seri Maharani Gazal" group	Malasia	3000
	China National Youth Center Group	China	3000
YUNESKO sovrini	Youngest participant Arzu Aliyeva	Azerbaijan	2000
List of awards at the “Sharq taronalari” VII international music festival. 2009
Gran pri	Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Lale Begnazarova	Turkmenistan	10.000
1-place	Gochag Askerov	Azerbaijan	7000
	People's artist of Uzbekistan Matluba Dadaboyeva and ensemble of folk instruments	Uzbekistan	7000
2-place	"Vinalog" rok-pop group	South Korea	5000
	"Shem Tov Levi" ensemble	Israil	5000
3-place	Ensemble of folk instruments of the State Institute of musical arts	Kuwait	3000
	Laura Molika	Italy	3000
Special Jury Prize	"Kunsu" opera artists	China
	"Borte" group	Mongolia
	"Big Mountain" group	US
	Musiqiy group	India
	"Shilpakala" national ensemble of the Academy of music	Bangladesh
List of recipients at the “Sharq taronalari” VIII international music festival. 2011
Gran pri	"Park Jong-Vuk va Park Jonguk"	South Korea	10.000
1-place	"Dunhuang nude vords"	China	7000
	"Aysva"	Lithuania	7000
2-place	"Lider" musiqiy group	Russia	5000
	"Sato" musiqiy group	Uzbekistan	5000
	"Ovoi mehriboni" music group	Iran	5000
3-place	"Talilema"	Madagascar	3000
	"Chvenburebi"	Georgia	3000
	"Galkinish" group	Turkmenistan	3000
UNESCO Special Prize	Ilyos Arabov	Uzbekistan
	Jivan Gasparyan	Armenia
	Nazeket Teymurova	Azerbayijan
For his contribution to the development of National Music	"Huk Mongol"	Mongolia
	"Dror"	Israil
	"Yorqin ijrolar"
	"Varsi brazers"	India
Fan recognition	"Hidden Dragen"	Japan
Samarkand City Hall Award	Afghanistan Institute of Arts team
Registan award of Samarkand regional government	Xurshed Ibragimov	Tajikistan
Special Jury Award	"Bogʻ aro"	Uzbekistan
List of awards at the “Sharq taronalari”  IX International Music Festival. 2013
Gran pri	Rashmiya Agarval	India	10.000
1-place	"Sadoi Pamir" group	Afganistan	7000
	"Lanaya" group	Burkina Faso	7000
2-place	"Pentan" group	Great Britain	5000
	"Sarihyun Gayageum Byungchangdan" group	Republic Of Korea	5000
	National opera and drama theatre team	China	5000
3-place	Abror Zufarov	Uzbekistan	3000
	"Chikuyusha" group	Japan	3000
	Catch-pop String-strong	Austria	3000
Special award winners	Sanam Marvi	Pakistan
	Galit Giat	Israil
	Taul Triini	Estonia
	Nadi Singapura	Singapore
	Salomat Ayapov	Karakalpakstan
	Sedar Hills	US
"Sharq taronalari" List of awards at the X international music festival. 2015 < BR >
Gran pri	"Jiangsu" women's orchestra	China	10.000
1-place	"Shamisenʼ group	Japan	7000
2-place	Chelm	Poland	5000
	Silver Sepp	Estonia	5000
3-place	"Quelite"	Costa Rica	3000
UNESCO Special Prize	"Ayqulash yulduzlari"	Uzbekistan	1500
Samarkand City Hall Award	Didgori	Georgia
Samarkand regional government award	"EVA" ensemble	Bulgaria
Special Jury Award	Afrikan voice	JAR
Festival Direction award" Sharq taronalari	Birjan Baziljanov	Kazakhstan
Ministry of culture and Sports Award	"Sedaa"	Mongolia
Special awards	Pung Ryu	Republic Of Korea
	Lingua Franca ansambli	Greece, Cyprus
	"Baxshi" trio	Turkmenistan
	"Laus Nova" group	Italy
	Yulduz Turdiyeva	Uzbekistan
	"Buta" team	Azerbaijon
Ucell Communications special award	Modern Maori Quartet	New Zenland
List of awards at “Sharq taronalari” XI international music festival.
Gran pri	Sohib Poshazoda	Azerbaijan	10.000
1-place	Mohichehra Shomurodova	Uzbekistan	7000
	"Keosong"people's artistic collective	South Korea	7000
2-place	Kyrgyz artistic team	Kyrgyzstan	5000
	Litwa artistic team	Litwa	5000
3-place	"Nagesh" artistic team	Iran	3000
	Indonesia artistic team	Indonesi	3000
	Turkish artistic team	Turkey	3000
List of recipients at the “Sharq taronalari” XII International Music Festival.
Gran pri	Mehrinigor Abdurashidova	Uzbekistan	10.000
1-place	"Qomuzchilar" duet	Kyrgyzstan	5000
	Parviz Gasimov	Azerbaijon	5000
2-place	"Archabil" group	Turkmenistan	3500
	"Xatan" group	Mongolia	3500
3-place	"Ayarxan" group	Russia	2000
	"Badaxshon" group	Tajikistan	2000
	Azizjon Abduazimov	Uzbekistan	2000
	Ulugʻbek Elmurodzoda	Uzbekistan	2000