Asrlar Sadosi Festival of Traditional Culture

“We are pleased to have an opportunity to learn more about the Uzbek traditions, culture, art and national cuisine… All the people we have met here are so friendly and hospitable. It is just amazing how local people are interested in this event. It shows how your people value their traditions and try to preserve their centuries-old cultural uniqueness”[5]

Brafor Lu - The head of the World Bank Representative Office in Tashkent

“I am being joined by my children here,” she said. “I am glad that they are also learning unique culture of Uzbekistan. I would like to especially note that the venue of the festival is just perfect. On the way here we have seen such beautiful landscapes and hills that amazed us. Also I am delighted that this festival has presented various directions of Uzbek culture, art and traditions. Usually, festivals cover only one direction or sphere, for instance, music festival, festival of applied art. But here in Kaynar we have seen the Uzbek culture, art, traditions, cuisine and national costumes in all their beauty. I commend organizers for their efforts”[5]

Anna Paolini. The head of UNESCO`s Representative Office in Uzbekistan

“Everything is marvellous! I think I need to come back to Uzbekistan and visit old cities Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Because I need to learn more about Uzbekistan, it rich culture and history” [8]

Benoit Toulin Vice – President of Chaumet jewelry house

“- I had a very good time during this Festival. It's good to see the young generation remember and honor our past. The pilaf event which was organized for all the war veterans gave us an opportunity to meet with our war fellows and reminisce about the past. This sort of understanding is very important for us.” [11]

Bekchan Jumaniyazov - a 100-year-old veteran, pensioner

“Hearing the music and seeing all the colors of the Festival is really great. Very nice to have such kind of Festival in such a special place like Khiva. It is a great idea that every year the Festival is held in different places. It gives people an opportunity to discover a new city.” [11]

Diane Polet - UNICEF Representative Office in Belgium

I am here to learn more about Uzbekistan`s artifacts, to make new contacts for further exchange and joint projects with our museum. This is my first visit not only to Uzbekistan but also to Asia!... The first thing that struck me upon arrival in Khiva is that Ichan-Qala architectural complex looks intact. I was also amazed by churches and madrasahs. It is very important to organize festivals like Asrlar Sadosi. So many people can come and it's an excellent opportunity to meet new people, establish ties and build a foundation for fruitful collaborative projects.[11]

Madeleine Leclair - Branly Museum (Paris)

“It is a wonderful experience to be here and join this wonderful festival. You see the authentic rich culture of Uzbekistan. We are most appreciative of the Fund Forum for organizing this event in Khiva…” [11]

Hilel Newman - Ambassador of Israel to Uzbekistan

“- This is my first time in Khiva. I`ve read a lot about it, but actually seeing it is incredible. I was lucky to see Samarkand, Bukhara and now I am here. So I can say that I saw 3 very fabulous cities. And comparing them, I can say that they all are equally fascinating in different ways. It is very nice to be here, to have relaxing days, to see activities of craftsmen, have a nice pilaf for lunch, to enjoy kurash wrestling… When you are going through the streets you can see people dancing, singing, lots of different aspects of culture. I think the activities of Fund Forum are very important. It's very important to work with young people, who are the future of the country. The Fund Forum keeps the future with the young and also the heritage of the past together. I think it's very important. And the British Council wants to promote Uzbekistan in the UK and the Fund Forum is a great partner for us to be able to do that” [11]

Steve McNulty - Director, British Council in Uzbekistan

It has been great fun for me to be here as a part of this cultural festival to see all of Uzbekistan come together in Khiva. We have enjoyed different cultural performances, met many artisans, it is really great! I enjoyed the energy in the city today. The festival brought together many people from all over Uzbekistan and a lot of tourists who came specially for the festival. I appreciate the work of the Fund Forum to highlight different aspects of culture, because it is very important to make sure that none of these traditions is lost. When you go through the Ichan-Qala gate you feel like you`re passing through the gate of time. For us, Americans, this is truly interesting because our country is comparatively young and our history is not that deep and rich.[11]

Molly Stevenson - Embassy of the United States in Uzbekistan

“Our collaboration with the Fund Forum is fruitfully developing for the years, particularly in organizing the festival. We are very happy, because culture is essential part for the UNESCO. In this country, in such cities like Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand we have to work to preserve not only the historical heritage, not only the ruins, the walls the fortress, the castles, the palaces, the madrassas, but also the living heritage, that has been sometimes intangible heritage. This is a young country, it is only 18 years, but it's an old nation, thousand years. It is important to keep a balance between the past and the present and the future in order to preserve this heritage for the new generation. And this festival is also meant to refill our willing to preserve our culture. The most important thing is that this festival is not only about music, there are also dances, handicrafts, workshops, national cuisine, the scientific conference and even sports as national wrestling Kurash, ram fights, cock fights. Everything is part of the culture. As a representative of UNESCO I want to say that we are very happy to work with the Fund Forum and its chairperson Gulnara Karimova. We have very good relations with the Fund Forum and now we are looking forward for extending our cooperation not only in culture, but also in education and sciences. The potential of this collaboration is big and we are really optimistic about it.” [11]

Jorge Espinal - UNESCO Representative in Uzbekistan

We are stunned by this holiday. Khiva is usually a quiet place, a very peaceful place, but today it's bustling! All that is happening here today reminds me of folk festivals in ancient castles on the river Rhine in France. I think that organizing this kind of festivals is good, first of all, for children because it's one thing to read about this in history books, but it's quite another to see living history with your own eyes.[11]

Hugues Pernet - Ambassador of France to Uzbekistan

“I believe that this Festival will tell the whole world about Karakalpakstan this year. We attach a lot of importance to collaboration with Uzbekistan in this area as France ranks first in Uzbekistan in terms of the number of tourists here.”[18] 

Francois Gautier - the Ambassador of France to Uzbekistan

“I have a keen interest in Uzbek culture and I am eager to see with my own eyes everything that will take place as part of this year’s festival. I am honored by the opportunity to attend the Festival because I know it’s going to be a very interesting experience.”[18] 

Chon De-wan - the Ambassador of South Korea to Uzbekistan

“Nukus is a city of contrasts as you can find deserts and oases, and the people here are incredible friendly and hospitable.”[18] 

Guy Vesey, Director of Christie’s

“This is my first time in Uzbekistan. I was particularly impressed by the National Dress Show because learning about current trends in fashion is what I’ve been doing all my life. I find Uzbek designers’ ideas very interesting.”[18] 

Mario Boselli, the President of Camera Nazionale della Moda

“I want to express my thanks to the organizers of Asrlar Sadosi Festival of Traditional Culture. This is an amazing project which brings nations, cultures and histories closer together.”[18] 

Koichiro Maccura, Special Advisor to the UNESCO Director-General