Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - The Sheikh Zeid festival continues in the Al-Wasp region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in which Uzbekistan takes part with its National Pavilion, Dunyo reported.

Despite the fact that the festival takes place in a place quite distant from the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it is very crowded. The UAE respects its identity, culture and achievements with great respect. No less interest is shown in the cultures of other peoples and countries. This is especially noticeable in the pavilion of Uzbekistan, where it is very crowded.

The correspondent of IA "Dunyo" talked with the participants and guests of the exposition.

Mirsaid Nigmatov, woodcarver:

- For the first time I take part in the Sheikh Zeid festival, this is a very large-scale and spectacular event. It is organized at a very high level and it is gratifying that Uzbekistan has the opportunity to present here its rich historical and cultural heritage. I am glad that at the festival, we, artisans, can see and learn a lot about the applied arts of other countries, communicate, share experiences and impressions. The best masters of their craft are participating here, so I am sure that visitors enjoy the opportunity to see and become owners of real masterpieces of folk art from around the world.

I had the honor to represent the artisans of Uzbekistan, and with great pride I am showing my best works here, showing master classes, talking with guests. I must say that interest in Uzbekistan is very large, visitors ask questions about our country, history and traditions. This is very pleasing, and I hope that during the festival, people will know even more about Uzbekistan, its culture, national cuisine, folklore and, of course, the traditional hospitality of the Uzbek people.

Bunyod Yunusov, ceramist from Rishtan:

- For the second time I’m participating in the Sheikh Zeid festival, presenting the Rishtan ceramics, which today are exported to 24 countries. I was pleased that the UAE is well acquainted with our culture, many visitors say that they specifically looked for the pavilion of Uzbekistan to get in touch with its atmosphere and the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Uzbek people. It is gratifying that our work is in great demand here, it inspires us to further develop our creativity, its preservation and transmission to future generations. I think the youth who today devoted themselves to the art of ceramics, and there are more than a thousand of them in Rishtan today, will also serve as a great incentive and will give their work more brightness and originality.

Nasser Baslid, businessman from Abu Dhabi:

- The pavilion of Uzbekistan is one of the brightest and widest at this festival. This confirms that you have a very rich and distinctive culture. We enjoyed visiting this exposition, where we felt the atmosphere of hospitality, learned about very beautiful Uzbek traditions. I used to know about a country that is home to such great thinkers as Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi and others. I heard about such historical cities as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. Now I think that it’s time to see Uzbekistan with my own eyes, I have no doubt that it will make even more impressions on me.

Sherzod Masharipov, musician of the State Philharmonic of Uzbekistan, member of the musical group representing Uzbekistan at the festival:

- We feel and see firsthand that the interest in Uzbek culture is huge. People come and wait for the start of our speech. In addition, every day we go with a musical procession through the festival venues. I think that this great interest and attention is connected with the fact that our culture has a deep history and traditions, the Uzbek people were able to preserve their rich heritage in the form in which it was transmitted to us from generation to generation.

This golden heritage today delights people around the world. And this festival is no exception. We proudly carried our flag at the head of the parade on the opening day of the festival. We were overwhelmed with feelings of joy and patriotism when we saw people greet us, applaud and dance with us.

Omar, a resident of Abu Dhabi:

- The pavilion of Uzbekistan is the best at this festival. Everything here is very beautiful, interesting and very fun. I liked pilaf - a very tasty dish, and kebab, they are different from our dishes, I have never tried this before. I also liked the music and dancing, the colorful costumes of the artists.

Jasur Kasimov, copper cutter from Bukhara:

“I am a successor to the dynasty of copper carvers, this is my father’s craft, and I hope that I can also pass on my skills to the next generations.” Now in Uzbekistan, much attention is paid to the preservation and development of applied art. This is very pleasing, because we have a rich heritage that is valued and recognized throughout the world.

Here, with great enthusiasm, our work is perceived. Visitors are interested not only in the purpose or cost of a particular subject, but also ask which school our work belongs to, in which city my workshop is located, what new modern methods I use in my work. I am pleased that the Uzbek pavilion is always crowded, it is clear that this is sincere interest and attention.

Mamatova Dilorom, compatriot from Tashkent:

- My husband and I temporarily live and work in Abu Dhabi. Our children are with us, and today we came here to feel the atmosphere of Uzbekistan, enjoy pilaf from a large cauldron, listen to our favorite tunes. It was as if we were at home, our children are also very impressed, they are pleased to see the great interest and enthusiasm expressed by foreign visitors to our country, to our culture.

Thanks to the organizers of the National Pavilion for their work, for the fact that they were so beautiful, bright and dignified that they could reflect our rich culture and heritage within the framework of this exposition. I am sure that many who have been here are sure to include a trip to Uzbekistan in their plans.

Nargiza Sherokhieva, embroiderer from Tashkent:

- Embroidery is our family craftsmanship, it was passed on to us from our grandmothers, therefore, we can say that I absorbed the love of this art from childhood - I embroider from 12 years old.

National Uzbek embroidery is very peculiar, it is distinguished by its methods, manufacturing techniques and dyeing of threads and fabrics, symbolism of ornaments.

At all international exhibitions in which we participated, we won first or prize places. And this means that our applied art, culture deserve high marks.

I brought to this festival not only suzanne and panels made using the “chestnut” technique, but also handmade silk carpets, fabrics - silk, adras, bahmal, clothes and accessories from them. All this is very popular, visitors express admiration for hearing that it is handmade.

Uzbekistan deserves to be known to as many people as possible about it, its glorious history and rich heritage, and this festival is a good opportunity to visualize our cultural potential.