The first Tashkent international festival of photography and video arts entitled "East and West. The Tashkent crossroads" has been opened at the House of Photography in Tashkent, the Uzbek media reported.

The Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, the "Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan" Fund, the Tashkent House of Photography and "Karavan-saray – artistic exchange" international organization (France) o­n the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Tashkent city municipality and other state and public organizations have organized the event, according to the report.

The representatives of creative, public groups of the country, foreign diplomats accredited in Uzbekistan, as well as many admirers of arts participated at the opening of the festival.

From the ancient times Uzbekistan has been o­n the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, which has promoted not o­nly the development of trade, but also flourishing of powerful unique civilizations, which had imbibed the best cultural traditions and ideas of the East and West.

The participants of the event spoke about that now Uzbekistan is a full member of the world community, the country where the enormous historical heritage of ancestors is carefully preserved, and all kinds of modern arts are actively developing.

The rich and versatile culture of the Uzbek people attracts the attention of many foreign scholars and broad public.

The photographs and video installations, which depict the life in its entire manifold, took place at the exhibition. This is original dialog with the spectators o­n the values of existence and dominating significance of moral laws.

The festival will continue until 12 May. Within the framework of its program the exhibitions will be held in the most prestigious galleries of Tashkent, Samarkand and Khiva, as well as in the open air – Alisher Navoi National Park in Tashkent. The works of photography and video artists from various countries will also be displayed at the advertisement banners at the central prospects of Tashkent.