A spring that will be remembered

In a picturesque town in the foothills of Baisuntau, known since ancient times for its unique nature and cultural traditions, the Boysun Bahori festival was held on May 7-8.

Although the festival is called "Boysun bahori" ("Boysun spring"), the holiday turned out to be truly summer. Uzbekistan is able to truly celebrate. A whole yurt city, dazzling sun, a riot of colors, excitement and hubbub. An unprecedented number of guests — on the first day there were 150,000 people! Each region, as well as the districts of Surkhandarya region presented their folklore traditions, cuisine, way of life and culture. The masters brought authentic works. Foreign guests participated in numerous performances with genuine interest and pleasure, getting to know the traditions directly.

"Boysun Bahori" is a unique event not only for Uzbekistan, but also for the world. The south of the country, where they intertwined together, creating a unique culture, traditions of different ethnic groups. The homeland of the hero of the national epic Alpamysh, the fabulous beauty of nature, which takes your breath away. And most importantly — samples of folklore that people have been passing on for thousands of years from generation to generation and which are demonstrated directly by living carriers — cheerfully, joyfully and generously. The heritage of the Boysun region was recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible culture back in 2001, and now the Baisun Bahori festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan and the Khakimiyat of Surkhandarya region, will be officially held under the auspices of the world organization.

In parallel with mini-concerts and a fair in the yurt town, on the first day of the festival, an international competition of folklore groups was held on the main stage from early morning, the winner of which symbolically became the ensemble "Baysun" from Surkhandarya region.

"This is not the first time we are performing in Uzbekistan, but for the first time at the Boysun Bahori festival. There is an amazing and exciting atmosphere here. In 2019, we performed in Margilan, at the Great Silk Road Festival, and we really liked it. We are glad to represent our culture at this holiday and are proud of the third place prize!" - said the participants of the Folklore group "Ibarat" from Kyrgyzstan, who took 3rd place in the competition of national collectives.

The opening ceremony of the festival became the apogee of the holiday, striking the guests with its scope. While balloons with the symbols of the festival were floating in the sky, a full-scale concert program unfolded on the stage, presenting a bright mosaic of Uzbek folk art. The concert was opened by Hakim of Surkhandarya region Tura Abdievich Bobolov. Famous artists accompanied by dance groups took the stage. The final chord was a salute and a fantastic drone show to the song performed by Ozodbek Nazarbekov. Drones in the sky over Baysun lined up in accurate and recognizable symbols of Uzbekistan - here is a tricolor with stars, here are figures of darboz and folk storytellers-bakhshi. The images came to life in a matter of seconds, transformed and shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow, causing a stormy delight of the audience.

Yet, the notes of pathos characteristic of the official part of the program have dissolved into the hubbub of folk festivals. It is a joy that all conditions were created at the festival for a variety of recreation and fun for residents of the district of all ages, and not only foreign guests and representatives of the world media. Researchers of folklore and ethnography were also lucky: samples of folk art could be touched here in the literal sense of the word. In addition, on the stage for two days there were screenings of traditional regional rituals of Uzbekistan and performances of folk ensembles.

A big role was assigned to the participation of young people in the festival, because it is for them to perceive and preserve the tradition.

"We are participating in the festival for the first time. We prepared very carefully — we rehearsed from morning to evening in order to present our native Surakhandarya culture with honor at an international competition," says a participant of the Student Folk Ensemble "Jeyhun" from Termez. - We are amazed at the number of people! Neither on Navruz nor on other national holidays have we seen so many guests. There are a lot of foreigners, as more countries are participating in the festival this year. The guys from our university are attracted to work as translators with foreign participants. It's a wonderful experience!"

The second day began with an epic national fun — a sports competition kupkori (known to Europeans as "goat-fighting"). On May 8, kurash wrestling competitions were held, the winner of which took with him a significant cash prize. All this is also part of living traditions that come from the depths of centuries and have an enduring value for young Uzbeks who participate in them en masse.

Another important Uzbek traditionis supported by the Boysun Bahori festival. This is the friendship of peoples and cultures. The Russian Cultural Center of Surkhandarya, which turned 25, took part in the festival. According to its head Nina Fedorova, the center in Termez attracts children and teenagers of all nationalities and faiths to its events and Russian language courses. "Russian culture is now "on trend", our work and projects, including international ones, are in demand. Guys of different nationalities come to us and stay with us. We participate in every festival, and now we are happy to show ourselves and treat visitors to Russian cuisine."

Despite the huge number of participants, the folklore polyphonic element was subdued and subordinated to the logic of an international cultural event. According to tradition, the festival was rich, memorable with all the unique details and colors. The Boysun region is predicted to rapidly develop and expand the tourist infrastructure. It remains to be hoped that the ancient traditions will continue to live in the scenery of the untouched inspiring nature of this southern region.

Maria Maksimycheva

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