Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - As a sign of solidarity with the Uzbek people in their fight against coronavirus, the founder of the Silk Road Dance Company, Professor Laurel Gray, hung the national flag of Uzbekistan on the porch of her house in Washington, Dunyo news agency reports.

Laurel Gray appealed to the Uzbek people to support the efforts of the leadership of Uzbekistan to quickly respond to the spread of coronavirus, to protect each other. She also expressed her good wishes for a speedy recovery and return to her families to all infected.

“Assalom Alaykum, Uzbekistan! In our city, too, everything is closed, and we sit at home. These difficult times, in fact, have rallied us all. We must thank the President of Uzbekistan for his wise and proactive measures to introduce a number of restrictions and close the borders. Of course, it is very difficult for all of us. But we must accept this as a gift, an opportunity to implement those plans for which there was not enough time before. For example, I’m going to read the book “Baburname.” You can also ask your parents, grandparents how they spent time when they were children. In 1939, Uzbeks managed to build the Great Ferghana Canal in 45 days. And now you just need to sit at home surrounded by family and friends. It is amazing what this little virus made with our lives. But you need to find positive points, take this opportunity to communicate more with your family members, and observe safety measures. We all must work together to overcome this problem.”

Gray is an international cultural scientist, performer and choreographer who has devoted her life to the study and mastery of the dances of the cultures of the countries of the Silk Road. In 1984, she founded the Uzbek Society of Dance and Culture, and in 1994 established the annual Central Asian Dance Camp. She was awarded the International Prize for the title "Best Choreography" (2003) and "Best Ethnic Dancer" (1999).

Silk Road Dance Company, founded by Gray, regularly participates in international cultural festivals and events. Organized under her leadership, the Central Asian Dance Camp provides an opportunity for Americans to learn traditional Uzbek, Tajik, Uighur, Afghan and Persian dances.

She visited Uzbekistan about 15 times, collaborated with the Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theater, was a member of the jury of such international festivals in Uzbekistan as Raqs sehri (Dance Magic), Sharq Taronalari and others.