International Makom Festival “Great Silk Road” Opens in Margilan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The International Makom Festival “Great Silk Road” has opened in Margilan.

The festival features exhibitions of traditional crafts, performances by makom masters, and a celebration of sharp-witted folk storytelling known as askiya.

Participants include artistic ensembles, craftsmen, art enthusiasts, and youth not only from various regions of Uzbekistan but also from Turkey, Azerbaijan, as well as neighboring Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

The festival’s main goal is to promote unique examples of oral folk art, preserve and develop these traditions, and strengthen interstate and interethnic friendship.

Guests explored craft exhibitions from Namangan, Andijan, and Fergana regions, appreciating the skill of local artisans.

Performances by makom ensembles and folklore groups added special grandeur to the event, while the “Askiya Festival” with masters of folk humor brought joy and smiles to the audience.

The festival also hosted a national scientific-practical conference, “The Phenomenon of Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Art of Askiya and Humor,” and participants were presented with exhibitions of artists and collections of oral folk traditions.

Currently, performances are being evaluated by the jury to determine the best representatives of the international festival.