A lively discussion took place at the III International Makom Art Forum in Namangan on whether young people should be deliberately introduced to makom or if interest comes with age. Podrobno.uz correspondent spoke to participants with different views.

British ethnomusicologist Eugene Leung, who fell in love with Uzbek music at 24 after hearing recordings of Turgun Alimov and Abdurahim Hamidov, believes that youth should be actively introduced to makom, but not through strict canons, rather through opportunities for creative expression within the tradition.

Farrukh Yunusov, director of the Uzbek National Center for Makom Arts, argued that it is impossible to artificially interest young people in makom: "To listen to it, you need to study, be educated, have knowledge and a certain level of culture." He added that his generation came to makom on their own.

Eldor Shermonov, rector of the Yunus Rajabi Institute of Uzbek National Musical Art, supported this view, noting that many scholars believe a person begins to deeply feel this music only by the age of 30, after accumulating life experience.

Participants agreed on the importance of makom as part of cultural heritage but differed on how to attract youth. Some advocate modern creative forms, while others believe understanding comes naturally through education, cultural background, and life experience.

Earlier, it was reported that a specialized Center and International Academy of Makom, as well as a World Anthology of Makom, digital archive, and mobile application, are planned to be created in New Tashkent.

Source: podrobno.uz