President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has congratulated the participants of the 3rd International Lazgi Dance Festival, which opened in Khiva, describing the ancient Khorezm dance as a “classical musical monument that has been glorifying the ideas of goodness and beauty, peace and friendship for centuries.” In his address, the president called the dance a “symbol of greatness and nobility” of the ancient city.
The congratulatory message was read out by the head of the Presidential Administration, Saida Mirziyoyeva. On her Telegram channel, she emphasized: “Lazgi is the soul of our people, reflected in graceful movements, a dialogue of cultures and civilizations.”
The head of state noted that due to its unique features, this outstanding work was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019 and is gaining increasing international recognition. In recent years, the National Ballet of Uzbekistan has been performing the ballet “Lazgi: Dance of Love and Soul” on prestigious world stages.
“The International Lazgi Dance Festival is a strategic platform that occupies an important place in our country’s cultural diplomacy,” the president stated. The festival brings together hundreds of artists, dance groups, scholars, and experts from dozens of countries.
“We will continue to use the Lazgi dance as a school of mastery and experience to increase young people’s interest in classical art, educate them in the spirit of national values, and unlock their creative potential,” Mirziyoyev stressed.
The festival is held biennially in accordance with a presidential decree of September 28, 2020. Since 2022, the event has been held under the auspices of UNESCO, and since 2026, in cooperation with the international organization TURKSOY.
According to UzA, the opening and closing ceremonies take place on the grounds of the historic Ichan-Kala complex. The Grand Prix winner will receive a cash prize of $7,000. Winners in the categories “Best Solo Dance Performer,” “Best Dance Group,” and “Best Staged Dance” will each receive $5,000, second-place winners $3,000, and third-place winners $2,000.
In addition, participants will be awarded in supplementary categories such as “Best Dance,” “Best Choreographer,” and “Best Young Dancer.” All participants will receive special certificates.
The festival program includes the 3rd International Scientific and Practical Conference on “Dance Art in the Development of World Culture: Traditions and Universal Values,” a meeting of the Culture Committee of the Uzbekistan-Turkey Intergovernmental Commission, a meeting of rectors of specialized higher education institutions from TURKSOY countries, a conference on the “Anthology of Traditional Dances of the Turkic World,” and an ethnocultural forum.
Source: www.gazeta.uz