On May 24, the 65th International Flower Festival began in Namangan, Uzbekistan. During the opening ceremony, it was announced that Namangan set a Guinness World Record in the category 'Most flowers planted by a community in one month'.

Guinness representative Sheyda Subasi presented the special certificate to the governor of Namangan region, Shavkatjon Abdurazzoqov, officially entering Namangan into the Guinness World Records book.

According to reports, last year 100 million flower seedlings were planted in the region in preparation for the festival, while this year the figure reached 150 million.

This year's anniversary festival differed from previous ones as it started from the mahallas (neighborhoods). All 754 mahallas in the region became participants, with homes, streets, and neighborhoods decorated with flowers. A competition 'The most flowery, the most prosperous mahalla' is also being held.

The opening ceremony began with a traditional car parade. A caravan of flower-adorned cars started from Namangan International Airport and proceeded through central streets to the Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur Culture and Recreation Park.

The event was attended by representatives of foreign diplomatic corps, investors, foreign companies, tourists, cultural and artistic figures, and members of the public.

This year, more than 150 international, republican, and local forums, cultural-educational, mass sports, and other events are planned within the festival.

Festival guests can view flower arrangements in Babur Park, the 'Afsonalar vodiysi' theme park, and the 'Yangi Oʻzbekiston' park covering 60 hectares.

Various festivities and events will also be held in the districts of the region, including the 'Plov contest' in Chust, 'Lavender festival' in Pop, and the newly added 'Patir festival' in Mingbuloq.

According to the regional administration, the festival is expected to attract over 1 million foreign and about 8 million domestic tourists this year.

The festival will run until July 12.

Source: www.gazeta.uz