Margilan to host Traditional Textiles Festival “Atlas Bayrami”

On October 20-22, the 5th International Festival of Traditional Textiles “Atlas Bayrami” will be held in the city of Margilan. The festival is aimed at supporting creativity, preserving and popularizing traditional Uzbek textiles, reports “Dunyo” IA correspondent.

The festival is organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the National Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for UNESCO, the UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan, the UNFPA Office in Uzbekistan, the Hunarmand Association of Craftsmen of Uzbekistan, the Hokimiyat of Fergana region, the Hokimiyat of the city of Margilan, and the Margilan Center for the Development of Crafts.

The International Festival of Traditional Textiles “Atlas Bayrami” is aimed at preserving and popularizing all varieties of traditional Uzbek textiles, improving the quality and design of traditional crafts. It contributes to the recognition of the Uzbek textile industry in the international arena, stimulates the continuity of the traditions of Uzbek textiles.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov, the city of Margilan is expected to be awarded the status of the “World City of Silk and Ikat Craftsmen”, thus Margilan will be included in the World Crafts Council network of World Crafts Cities. The title will further enhance the important role of Margilan in the preservation of traditional Uzbek crafts.

Artisans, cultural figures, designers and specialists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Malaysia, India, Turkey, Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the United States, Latvia, Mongolia, Italy and other countries will attend the festival.

From October 16 to 19, a four-day training on traditional crafts, ethnic design and entrepreneurship will be held for artisans and designers of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

As highlighted by Sara Noshadi, Head of the UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan, “The festival contributes to the preservation of the intangible cultural heritage by promoting the know-how of producing traditional Uzbek textiles. It also contributes to the improvement of the quality and design of traditional crafts in all types of Uzbek textiles, from cotton production to silk fabrics, carpets and embroidery or clothing design. In addition, the festival supports creativity and the creative economy by bringing together national and international craftsmen, manufacturers, traditional textile experts, designers and fashion professionals”.

Renowned artists such as the Tourism Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan and renowned fashion designer Ms. Ritu Beri will grace the festival with their presence. The festival program includes many events. Fashion shows and exhibitions, a roundtable discussion and an international conference on “The Role of Traditional Textiles in the Modern World” are planned. About 15 speakers from Central Asia, India, Italy, Bulgaria, Mongolia, Russia and other countries will take part in it. The materials of the conference will become an important indicator of the development strategy of traditional textile and clothing design in Uzbekistan.

An important event of the festival is the International Exhibition of Traditional Textiles “Heirs of the Great Silk Road”, which will present a variety of textile crafts with the participation of representatives from different countries. The festival will include masterclasses in the manufacture of traditional fabrics and carpets, theatrical and musical performances, a craft fair, fashion shows by designers from Central Asia, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, a gala concert with the participation of Uzbek performers.