International Maqom Art Forum Opens

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the opening ceremony of the Third International Maqom Art Forum in the city of Namangan and delivered a speech.

Welcoming forum participants, foreign guests, and representatives of culture and arts, the Head of State highlighted that maqom art serves as a spiritual bridge uniting people’s hearts and paving the way for goodness.

The forum, now a longstanding tradition in the country, has become a global platform that highlights the importance of maqom art.

The event is attended by leaders of UNESCO, ICESCO, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Turkic States, TURKSOY, the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, as well as other international organizations. It also includes ministers of culture, foreign ambassadors, and approximately 250 cultural and arts representatives from over 80 countries.

The President of Uzbekistan also emphasized the distinct culture and art of Namangan region, which is hosting the forum this year. He highlighted the hard work and creative potential of its people. The rich legacy of renowned poets and thinkers such as Boborahim Mashrab, Nodim, Fazli, Majzub Namangani, Sufizoda, Ibrat, Usmon Nosir, and Chusti was acknowledged with deep respect. Additionally, the important contributions of singers, musicians, and composers to the development of national musical art were also recognized.

It was noted that the 65th International Flower Festival is also continuing at a high level in Namangan. It was emphasized that, in the context of New Uzbekistan, the Flower Festival has evolved from an ordinary exhibition into a major cultural event that has gained international recognition and has become a distinctive national brand.

It was highlighted that over 150 million flowers were planted in Namangan this year. This accomplishment gained international recognition and was officially recorded in the Guinness World Records.

The President highlighted the importance of maqom art in both national and global culture. He stressed that maqom, recognized by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is more than just music – it embodies the nation’s memory, the essence of the people, and the soul’s voice echoing through history.

The primary goal of the Third International Maqom Art Forum is to conserve, examine, and advance this distinctive heritage, ensuring its transmission to future generations.

In recent years, elevating the status of maqom art, both nationally and internationally, has become a key focus of cultural policy in New Uzbekistan. Currently, the country is not only preserving maqom’s performance traditions but also conducting detailed study of its theoretical foundations.

It was highlighted that a system has been created, connecting “music school – specialized school – higher education institution”, along with creative associations across 21 cultural and arts sectors, including maqom art. From now on, competitions for young maqom performers will be organized at the mahalla, district, regional, and national levels.

The President proposed several new initiatives to promote maqom art.

It was proposed that the grand Maqom Center, currently under construction in New Tashkent, be designated as a world center and that an International Maqom Academy be established there. In addition to Uzbek maqom schools, the Academy will also teach Arab, Turkish, Persian, Tajik, Indian, and other Eastern classical music traditions.

An International Digital Library and laboratory will be set up at the Center, showcasing rare musical manuscripts, audio recordings, and sheet music archives of worldwide importance. It was emphasized that the complex will serve as a global platform for scientists and art historians to gather and collaborate.

An initiative has been proposed to develop a World Anthology of Maqom, showcasing classical music traditions from diverse cultures, including maqom, mugham, muqam, and dastgah. This comprehensive collection will feature sheet music, recordings, videos, and scholarly studies, all accessible through a unified digital platform. Additionally, a mobile app focused on maqom performance will be introduced, with its audio library continuously growing.

To promote academic research in maqom, an international fund was proposed to provide grants for scholarly studies, support the exploration of rare sources, fund innovative projects, and offer financial incentives to professionals in the field.

It was suggested that an International Maqom Award be created with the fund’s resources, to be awarded biennially to scholars and artists who have significantly contributed to the development of maqom.

Furthermore, a cultural and tourism route called “The Maqom Route” will be introduced across the regions, highlighting the six branches of Shashmaqom. The plan includes creating themed tourist streets dedicated to different maqom traditions in Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, Kokand, Shakhrisabz, and Tashkent.

It was announced that the Maqom Ensemble named after Yunus Rajabi, known for its extensive repertoire and popularity among the public, has been officially recognized as a National State Ensemble.

The Head of State highlighted that the International Maqom Art Forum is evolving into a key platform for dialogue, helping to preserve this enduring heritage and pass it on to future generations, while also fostering friendship and cultural exchange among different peoples.

Following his speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev extended his good wishes for health, inspiration, and new creative success to the forum participants, then officially declared the Third International Maqom Art Forum open.

The Head of State also discussed the national football team’s role in the World Cup, highlighting that the players fulfilled the nation’s 34-year dream.

The President voiced confidence that the national team will uphold the country’s sporting honor in today’s game and extended best wishes to the players.

A vibrant concert program was showcased during the ceremony.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev concluded his visit to Namangan region and then departed for Tashkent.