The deputy Ministers at the exhibition. (SG photos by Mohannad Sharawi)Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Information, a festival entitled “The cultural days of Uzbekistan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” kicked off in Jeddah Tuesday evening (March 29, 2011) at King Fahd Coastal City. The folkloric event was launched by the Deputy Minster of Culture and Information Saleh Abdul Aziz Al Mughaileth, the Uzbek Deputy Minster of Sport and Culture Ahmadov Bahader and the Consul General of Uzbekistan Muzafar Jalilov. The musical event, which was well attended by the Uzbek community, was preceded by the opening of an exhibition depicting a selection of Uzbekistani artwork and crafts. Al-Mughaileth welcomed visitors, especially diplomats from Uzbekistan and members of the Uzbek expatriate community here, and noted that such a cultural gathering was important for highlighting the cultural and folk heritage of both civilizations and promoting the exchange of information between the two countries. “The organizing of a ‘cultural days' event has a positive effect on both communities – Uzbek and Saudi – both of which can be considered media channels directly transferring to other communities the depth of history on each side and building a strong bridge linking people together,” he added. In his speech, the Uzbek Deputy Minister expressed his “immense gratitude” at being in Riyadh – where the cultural event started – and then in “the great coastal city of Jeddah”. “The Republic of Uzbekistan includes regions with roots in Islamic history, including Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, Andijan and others,” he noted. “This week is a celebration of cultural activity that allows people to learn about Uzbek culture and arts and is an indication of strong Uzbek-Saudi relations.” The cultural festival included performances of traditional Uzbek music and folkloric songs presented by a band led by the well-known Uzbek singers: Utkur Kadirov and Olmas Saeed Jonof. Handicrafts exhibited in the accompanying exhibition included traditional artwork, embroidery from Samarkand, ceramic work from Bukhara, woodcarvings from Rishtan and Gijduvan, stamped works from Tashkent and clothes and fine silk fabrics from Margelan. At the end of the event, the two deputy Ministers exchanged souvenir gifts of traditional works.
