Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Khiva, a city hidden in sands, is in full bloom – it is hosting the Third Festival of Traditional Culture Asrlar Sadosi (Echo of Centuries). On May 8, the ancient city’s quaint alleys were filled with music emanating from karnais and surnais (Uzbek national instruments) accompanying a throng of dancers, musicians as well as thousands of guests. Ichan-Qala, a walled inner town inside Khiva, has been transformed into one big stage for a huge show of rich Uzbek culture.

At 10 o’clock in the morning Ota-Darvoza western gate greeted the participants of folk music groups who had arrived from all regions of the country. Clad in colourful national costumes, they starting producing rhythms that buzzed up the flocks of tourists and Festival guests from Austria, Great Britain, France, Spain, Italy, Korea, Norway, Russia, USA, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Japan.

Passing though the winding streets, the noisy motley crowd dispersed all across the inner town. Near Kalta-Minor tower, one of the amazing structures of Ichan-Qala, was Khiva ensemble featuring wrestlers locked in jokey duels. Outside Muhammad-Rahimham Madrasah, many visitors seemed to be enjoying puppet performances while near Juma Mosque, with its splendid 213 carved wooden columns, Bukharian embroideresses were demonstrating their venerable art.

Also, the Festival guests and participants had a chance to see what the mastery of Uzbek craftsmen was about. The Applied Art Fair sprawled across the Amudarya Siren, as poets dubbed Khiva in the past. Handmade ceramics, repoussé, suzane, jewellery, toys and carpets seemed to captivate the visitors by virtue of their original design, patterns and bright colours.

Countess Marta Marzotto, designer (Italy):

- I’ve long been enamoured with Uzbekistan. Many years ago my uncle brought me a load of presents from Uzbekistan and I had dreamed of visiting Uzbekistan ever since. I am totally delighted. I am impressed by Uzbek fabrics, applied art and the national traditions. I have visited the Fund Forum events before; a fashion show in Milan in 2009, for one. Doing projects of this kind is amazing.

Those interested in archeology and history had an opportunity to visit master classes. Opposite Said Alauddin Mausoleum was an excavation spot with ongoing research under the guidance of local archeologists, doctors of history Vadim Yagodin and Mirzaali Mambetullayev, which brought together foreign guests, youths and journalists. The said excavation spot represents a rectangular pit 1,8 meters deep. By archeological measures, this depth corresponds to the 18th-19th centuries. The deeper the pit, the older the cultural strata being discovered by researchers. Each archeological finding is thoroughly cleaned and placed along the excavation pit. Among such items are fragments of azure and grey clay ceramics, dry bricks used for home construction, toys, etc. Kurbanboy Sobirov, PhD in History and Associate Professor told those gathered about the ongoing excavations.

Steve McNulty, Director, British Council in Uzbekistan:

- The main idea of Asrlar Sadosi Festival is to demonstrate to the world Uzbekistan’s rich culture. This is my first visit to Khiva. I have also been fortunate to visit Samarkand and Khiva. All Uzbek cities are beautiful. The Fund Forum devises many impressive projects. It provides the youth with significant support while at the same time launching projects to help preserve cultural legacy. The British Council is happy to be in partnership with the Fund Forum.

An inalienable part of the Uzbek national traditions is kurash wrestling. The competitions were organized on holidays, during weddings and major sales. Presently, it is an independent sport in which republican and international competitions are regularly held. In 1998, an International Kurash Association was established, which now groups 114 member countries. In 2003, kurash was recognized as official sport by the Olympic Council of Asia, the Asian division of the International Olympic Committee. The goal of the kurash wrestler is to get the opponent's shoulder to touch the carpet. In kurash the athletes fight on a carpet or tatami. On the first day of the Festival the inner yard of Allakuli-han Madrasah hosted selection rounds of kurash wrestlers.

Molly Stevenson, the US Embassy Public Affairs Officer:

- I am particularly struck by the atmosphere of the Festival. This is my second time in Khiva and I’m impressed by the idea of bringing together the traditions and arts in different parts of Uzbekistan in one place.

These days the entire city is engrossed in a festive atmosphere. Khiva’s characteristically quiet alleys are buzzing with activity: they are serving as venue for boisterous sales of applied art items, performances by folk music groups, national kurash (wrestling) competitions, and archeology lectures among others. Also, on May 9, the Festival organizers offer an opportunity to savour cultural highlights such as Uzbek cuisine, national costumes, ram fights and rooster fights. A scientific conference will take place to focus on Uzbekistan’s cultural legacy and presentation of the book “Samples of the Eastern Art of Calligraphy and Miniature”. Later that day Kohna-Ark Citadel will play host to a gala concert and a ceremony to award the winners of Third Asrlar Sadosi Festival of Traditional Culture.