On August 7-9, the traditional 'Melon Festival' (Qovun sayli) took place at the Ichan-Kala and Arda Khiva complexes in Khiva. A correspondent of the newspaper prepared a photo report from the event.
One of Uzbekistan's largest gastronomic festivals, held since 2019, was organized this year in cooperation with the Tourism Committee and the Khorezm regional administration.
In the Ichan-Kala complex, pavilions built by 13 districts and cities, as well as 6 regional organizations, showcased fruits, vegetables, melons, and other cucurbits. Over 700 tons of various melon varieties and cucurbits were used to decorate the pavilions. Additionally, more than 200 types of products derived from melon processing were exhibited.
The festival also featured exhibitions of handicrafts and agricultural products, as well as performances by folklore groups. During the three-day event, concert programs were held with the participation of many artists, including People's Artists of Uzbekistan Gulomjon Yakubov, Munojat Yulchieva, Og'abek Sobirov, Gulsanam Mamazoitova, Honored Artist of Uzbekistan Yulduz Turdiyeva, singers Hulkar Abdullayeva, Botir Kodirov, Khorezm pop singers, and Russian singer MakSim.
According to the regional agriculture department, this year in the Khorezm region, 358 farms and 273 dehkan farms are expected to produce 75,000 tons of melons from 3,000 hectares. "Mainly, 6 districts: Gurlan, Yangibazar, Urgench, Shovat, Khanka, and Khiva have extensive experience in melon cultivation. In these areas, melon varieties such as 'Gurvak', 'Zar gulobi', 'Gulobi xorazmiy', 'Saxovat', 'Obi-navvot', and 'Suyunchi' are widely planted," the report said.
According to the Tourism Committee, this year the festival attracted a total of 186,000 tourists, including 150,000 domestic and 36,000 foreign visitors. On August 9, the festival set a Guinness World Record in the category 'Festival with the most melon tastings'. 259 people simultaneously tasted more than 10 melon varieties. Guinness representative Sheyda Subashi participated in the record verification process.
This year, the city of Khiva was awarded the Grand Prix and received a BYD Champion car. The Yangiaryk district administration, which took first place, received an Onix, while the regional agriculture department, which took second place, was awarded a Cobalt. Third place was given to Urgench State University, the Khorezm branch of UzAuto Motors JSC, and the regional department of the Automobile Roads Committee, which received Damas vehicles.
Source: www.gazeta.uz