Participants of the Second International Festival of Folk and Applied Arts

Dear festival participants! Dear friends! Ladies and Gentlemen! It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you with all my heart on the opening of the International Festival of Folk and Applied Arts and express my deep respect and best wishes to all of you. More than 260 talented artisans and craftsmen, prominent figures in science, culture and art, media workers from 70 countries, as well as representatives of reputable international organizations take part in the festival, which indicates the enormous interest and attention to it in the world. As you know, the applied art of any nation most clearly reflects its history and culture, values, dreams and aspirations. Our Motherland, which has a history of almost three thousand years, is famous for its wonderful traditions of folk applied art, talented artisans and craftsmen. The beautiful Fergana region, which is hosting the current festival, and, in particular, one of the ancient cities of our country, Kokand, is especially known for its unique heritage and historical schools of handicraft. We are proud of the widespread development in this region of such types of it, raised to the level of a national brand, as pottery, the production of silk and the finest fabrics, artistic ganch and wood carving, knife making, and embroidery of skull caps. By decision of the World Council of Craftsmen, the ancient cities of our country Kokand, Bukhara and Margilan were given the status of World Cities of Craftsmen, which we perceive as high recognition of the enduring values and traditions of our people passed on from generation to generation. Dear friends! In recent years, our country has paid special attention to the development of folk artistic and applied arts, veneration and comprehensive support for the dedicated work of experienced craftsmen who consistently continue the ancient traditions of handicraft. It should be noted that in a short period of time a number of relevant decrees and resolutions were adopted, the necessary conditions were created for representatives of the sphere, and benefits were provided. As a result of these measures, folk arts and crafts in the country are actively developing. Over the past seven years alone, the number of members of the Hunarmand association has increased from 10 thousand to almost 80 thousand people, that is, more than 7 times, and the total number of people employed in this area has grown to 280 thousand. The glorious work of masters who make a significant contribution to the development of the sphere, who raised talented students and created their own creative schools, receives worthy recognition from the state and society. Hundreds of craftsmen and craftsmen have been awarded high awards of the Motherland - honorary titles, orders and medals. Folk arts and crafts are occupying an increasingly strong place in the everyday life of the people. More than a hundred festivals, fairs, trade exhibitions and other events related to this area are regularly organized in our country. Simultaneously with the second International Festival of Folk Arts and Crafts, the International Pottery Forum is being held, which, not coincidentally, takes place in the Rishtan district. Rishtan is known not only in our country, but throughout Central Asia as a center of pottery. Undoubtedly, such forums are of great importance for the careful preservation of the historical heritage of folk applied art, its widespread popularization throughout the world, and the education of young people in the spirit of respect and love for these wonderful professions. I am confident that the festival opening today will leave a bright mark in the hearts of its participants and all our people as a celebration of art, friendship, talent and excellence. I wish you, dear participants of the festival, health, new achievements in your noble cause, as well as successful work of the scientific and practical conference that will take place within its framework. Welcome to ancient, unique Uzbekistan, welcome to the beautiful city of Kokand!

Shavkat MIRZIYOEV,

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan