A number of Uzbek artists performed at the "Uzbekistan Culture Days" in Korea (photo)

A number of Uzbek artists performed on stage during the "Uzbekistan Culture Days" being held in Korea (photo)

From September 14 to 21 of this year, "Uzbekistan Culture Days" are being organized in the cities of Gochang, Boryeong, Seoul, Jeonju, Andong, and Suncheon of the Republic of Korea.

As part of the culture days, the grand opening ceremony and concert program of the "Uzbekistan Culture Days" took place yesterday in the Grand Theater concert hall of the Sejong Art Center complex in the South Korean capital, Seoul.

Uzbekistan's rich national musical and artistic heritage was widely showcased at the event. People's Artists of Uzbekistan Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Zulaykho Boykhonova, Kamoliddin Urinboyev, Ilyos Arabov, and Aygul Nodirova, Honored Artist of Uzbekistan Ozoda Nursaidova, as well as well-known singers Khulkar Abdullayeva and Ulugbek Yolchiyev took part in the cultural program. The concert program also included performances by the State Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, the "Navbahor" dance ensemble, and maqom and opera singers. The audience was presented with Uzbek symphonic music, national dance, maqom and opera art, as well as modern pop music.

The program of the culture days is large-scale, covering symphonic concerts, exhibitions, meetings, and other cultural events in various cities of the Republic of Korea.

In particular, on September 14, the "Seasons of Uzbek Culture" symphonic concert programs were presented at the Gochang Cultural Center complex in Gochang, and on September 15 at the Boryeong Culture and Arts Center complex in Boryeong. On September 16–17, the grand opening ceremony and concert program of the culture days were held at the Sejong Art Center complex in Seoul. Additionally, the "Seasons of Uzbek Culture" photo and national costume exhibition was organized.

According to the program, on September 18, the "Seasons of Uzbek Culture" symphonic concert programs will be held at the Korean Traditional Music Center in Jeonju, and on September 19 at the Andong Art Center complexes in Andong. On September 21, the grand closing ceremony and concert program of the "Uzbekistan Culture Days" will take place at the Suncheon Cultural Center complex in Suncheon.

As part of the culture days, a delegation led by the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov, also held a number of meetings in the Republic of Korea aimed at developing culture and art, education, and international humanitarian cooperation.

Specifically, a cooperation meeting was held in Seoul between the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov, and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, Yu In-chon. During the dialogue, issues of further expanding relations in the field of culture and art between the two countries were discussed.

The Uzbek delegation also visited Sungshin Women's University in Seoul to discuss prospects for cooperation in the fields of education and culture. At the end of the meeting, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Yunus Rajabi Uzbek National Institute of Musical Arts and Sungshin Women's University.

This document will serve to develop education and experience exchange in the field of culture and art between the two educational institutions, expand academic relations between professors, teachers, and students, as well as implement joint projects.

In addition, Minister of Culture Ozodbek Nazarbekov met with Uzbek youth studying in the Republic of Korea and held an open dialogue with them.

Within the framework of the Uzbek delegation's meetings in the Republic of Korea, a dialogue was also organized with the President of the Korea Foundation, Gheewhan Song. During the meeting, issues of further expanding cooperation in the field of culture and art between the two countries were discussed.

As part of the culture days, the exhibition "Art and the Great Silk Road — Bonds Connecting the Roads of Friendship" was also opened in the Republic of Korea. The exhibition presents examples of Uzbekistan's rich historical and cultural heritage, art, and creative traditions to the Korean public.

The comprehensive cultural program serves to promote Uzbekistan's rich cultural heritage in the international arena, expand relations between creators and cultural institutions of the two countries, as well as further strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Korea.