Bakhshi art is a traditional and eternal art form that dates back thousands of years.The ancient history and culture of any nation are, first and foremost, reflected in its oral creativity—in its folklore, epics, and narratives. These serve as invaluable sources for understanding a nation's identity, and for preserving and developing its unique national values and traditions.

To preserve and develop the unique examples of Uzbek national bakhshi and dastan (epic storytelling) art, to widely promote it, to instill respect and attention toward this art form in the hearts of the younger generation, and to strengthen ties of friendship and brotherhood among different peoples, as well as to expand creative collaboration and cultural-spiritual relations on an international scale—the International Festival of Bakhshi Art has been held since 2019.

The festival was first held in 2019 in Surkhandarya region, then in the Republic of Karakalpakstan in 2021, and in Syrdarya region in 2023.

From April 26 to 28 this year, the 4th International Festival of Bakhshi Art will be held in Khiva under the auspices of UNESCO and ICESCO.
The festival is expected to host nearly 200 participants from over 40 countries around the world.

On April 26, a grand opening ceremony of the 4th International Festival of Bakhshi Art will take place in Khiva.

On April 26–27, within the framework of the festival, the “Second Forum of Turkic World Culture” and the international scientific-practical conference titled “Bakhshi Art in New Uzbekistan: Contemporary Research and Prospects” will be held.

On April 27, an international competition among representatives of foreign countries and Uzbekistan will take place as part of the festival.

On April 28, the festival’s closing ceremony and awards presentation for the winners will be held.

The jury panel for the international competition consists of representatives from Uzbekistan, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kuwait, and Mongolia.

For more information:The Grand Prix award amounts to $7,000 USD.For 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, prizes will be awarded in two categories—Epic Performance and Instrumental Performance—with monetary awards of $5,000, $3,500, and $2,500 USD, respectively.

Also, the festival is expected to host as honorary guests the Secretary General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture – TURKSOY, Sultan Raev; the President of the Foundation for Turkic Culture and Heritage, Aktoty Raimkulova; the Head of the International Cooperation Sector of ASESCO, Z. Mohammed; the Secretary General of the Turkic Parliamentary Assembly, Mehmet Sureyya Er; the President of the Turkic Academy, Shahin Mustafayev; the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, Adil Kerimli; the Deputy Minister of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, G. Abdukalikova; as well as rectors of prestigious higher education institutions of Turkic countries.

Participating countries in the festival: Oman, Gabon, Brazil, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritania, Egypt, Morocco, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Serbia, Republic of Belarus, France, Afghanistan, Japan, United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, Sweden, Jordan, Switzerland, Sudan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Slovakia, the Philippines, Qatar, Pakistan, Uzbekistan.

Additional Information:In accordance with the Resolution No. PQ-3990 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated November 1, 2018, “On the organization of the International Bakhshi Art Festival,” the International Bakhshi Art Festival has been held every two years. The first festival was held in 2019 in the city of Termez, with the participation of folklorists and scholars from various countries. In 2021, the second International Bakhshi Festival was held in Nukus, showcasing the rich heritage of Karakalpak culture and the Bakhshi art. The third International Bakhshi Festival was held in 2023 in Gulistan, bringing together musicologists, folklorists, bakhshis (epic storytellers), and performers from various countries.

Furthermore, as emphasized in the Resolution No. PQ-4320 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated May 14, 2019, “On measures for the further development of the Bakhshi art,” significant efforts are being made in our country to preserve and develop this unique art form created with the high artistic genius of our people. In this regard, it is worth noting the wide-scale celebration of the 1,000th anniversary of the epic “Alpomish” in Uzbekistan, the construction of memorial complexes in honor of this great cultural monument in Termez, and in memory of prominent bakhshis in Samarkand, as well as the establishment of the honorary title “People’s Bakhshi of the Republic of Uzbekistan” by the state.

For details: +998 91 588 90 85