Surkhandarya is one of the most ancient cultural centers of Uzbekistan with an entirely original history and a unique course of evolution.

As part of empires that were among the highest developed cultures in Asia, namely the Greco-Bactrian and the Kushan empire, and located along one of the world’s most important trade crossroad, Boysun in Surkhandarya is continuing in the footsteps of its ancestors, keeping up the ancient traditions of the forefathers and maintaining the unique monuments of material and spiritual culture they call their very own. The Boysun area is today a reserve of folk art whose branches, the ancient rites, are carefully protected so as to flourish further and develop.

Independence of Uzbekistan has generated the special impulse that was needed to strengthen the traditional folk culture. The government of Uzbekistan has declared the identification of national values a top-priority task for cultural development. This act subsequently attracted the world attention to the country’s unique regions, of which there are many, where the heritage of the ancestors is still alive.

The international community fully appreciated the meaning and significance of Surkhandarya’s traditional culture - in March 2001 UNESCO proclaimed the cultural space of Boysun as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The interest to this unique region was again proved by the fact that on May 23 - 27, 2002 in the town of Boysun, the very first Open Folklore Festival "Boysun Bahori" was held, a festival of peace, friendship, humanities and cooperation. The Festival programme included concerts, a parade of folklore ensembles, competition of traditional musicians for the Turgun Alimatov award, competition of epic narrators, the bakhshi, the Avant Guard Fashion Festival and trade fare of traditional fashion and folk art pieces.

The scientific conceptualization of such a process in the context of a modern traditional culture is of extremely high importance. Therefore, the festival programme last year included an International Scientific Conference with participating scholars from France, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In four forums, the subjects of "Folk Holidays and Rites", "Epos and Oral Poetic Art", "Music and Musical Instruments", "Traditional Crafts and Folk Everyday Culture" were discussed among specialists.

Last but not least, the founders of Boysun Bahori expressed their hopes that the festival will become a regular feature in the yearly calendar of the region, a tradition in itself, which will help to promote further the development and propagation of the cultural values unique to Boysun.


PROGRAMME of the 5-th OPEN FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
“Boysun Bahori”


May 17th
Meeting of participants of the festival (central square Boysun town)


May 18th
Day time programme
Establishment of Boysun Folklore Academy at the House of Culture
Fair opening bazaar of carpets, suzanis and traditional costumes in the Park
Rehearsal of Folk ensembles The main stage
Master Class of Folklore Academy at main Halls of Colleges
Cooking Competition of national dishes at the Oshpasov
Evening entertainment programme
Opening Ceremony of the festival. Concert performance of Boysun’s ensembles
“Boysun”, “Barchinoy”, “Kurolay”, “Gulguncha”
Introduction of jury and participants of the festival
Folklore performance


May 19th
Day time programme

Establishment of Boysun Folklore Academy at the House of Culture
Fair opening bazaar of carpets, suzanis and traditional costumes in the Park
Rehearsal of Folk ensembles The main stage
Cooking Competition of national dishes at the Oshpasov
Evening entertainment programme
Opening Ceremony of the festival. Concert performance of Boysun’s ensembles
“Boysun”, “Barchinoy”, “Kurolay”, “Gulguncha”
Introduction of jury and participants of the festival
Folklore performance

Rehearsals of participating ensembles The main stage
Master Class of Folklore Academy at main Halls of Colleges
The Bakhshi Bard Singers Competitions on the Small Stage
Cooking Competition of national dishes at the Oshpasov
The Riding Game “Kupkari” between teams from Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya and Boysun region at the Kupkaridrom
Evening entertainment programme
Competitive Performances of Folklore Ensembles
Non-competitive Performance of Ensembles from Afghanistan, Russia and Tajikistan

May 20th
Day time programme
The Festival Procession along the main street of Boysun
The National competition of ”Kurash” wrestling at the Stadium
Rehearsal of the Gala-concert on the Main Stage
Master Class of Folklore Academy at main Halls of Colleges
Cooking Competition of national dishes at the Oshpasov
Evening entertainment programme
Competitive performances of participating Folklore Ensembles
Gala-Concert of the Festival Participants
Awards Ceremony

May 21
Departure