Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, on 26 August, the XII Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival kicked off in Samarkand, which is one of the most significant musical events not only in Uzbekistan, but throughout Central Asia.

The festival was opened by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The Sharq Taronalari festival, which means “Melodies of the East”, has been held every two years on the Registan Square in Samarkand since 1997. This year, it will be attended by reputable musicologists, famous artists, leading experts, honored guests and tourists from around the world. The festival will feature 146 singers and musicians from 29 music groups from 33 countries.

Among the participants of the music festival are such performers as Sandra Rehder (Argentina), Haftgoh (Afghanistan), Henhouse Prowlers (USA), Romengo (Hungary), Vigüela (Spain), Balti (Latvia), Hatan (Mongolia), Aye Su Kyaw (Myanmar ), Parviz Gasimov (Azerbaijan), Luz Katharine (Peru), Akbar Khamisu Khan (Pakistan), Miguel Bandeirinha (Portugal), Ayarhaan (Russia), Badakhshan (Tajikistan), Archabil (Turkmenistan), Duet (Fiji), Ruut (Estonia) )

In addition to the music program, an international scientific and practical conference on the “Prospects for the development of traditional musical art of the peoples of the East”, exhibitions of national musical instruments, historical costumes, works of fine and applied art, products of national handicrafts and much more are planned at the festival.

The Sharq Taronalari festival will run until 30 August.