{"id":10896,"date":"2021-06-07T06:27:22","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T06:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/?p=10896"},"modified":"2022-11-18T08:43:21","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T08:43:21","slug":"min-on-music-journey-no-35-uzbekistan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/10896\/min-on-music-journey-no-35-uzbekistan\/","title":{"rendered":"Min-On Music Journey No. 35: Republic of Uzbekistan"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Welcome to Min-On\u2019s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Japan welcome you to the Republic of Uzbekistan in the heart of Central Asia.<\/p>\n

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\n<\/strong>Registan Square in Samarkand<\/em><\/p>\n

Uzbekistan is known for World Heritage Sites and cities that display the legacy of the Silk Road, which continues to fascinate people across the globe. In particular, Samarkand is major city on the Silk Road that has earned many names for its beautiful scenery, including “the Blue City,” “the Jewel of Islam” and “the Gem of The East.”<\/p>\n

Uzbekistan\u2019s charms also include bazaars that sell food, daily essentials and clothing alongside local specialties\u2014they\u2019re a vibrant experience even for tourists just browsing.<\/p>\n

Tashkent, the largest city in Uzbekistan<\/strong><\/p>\n

The capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, has a population of about 2.5 million people. The city has made rapid progress in culture, politics and manufacturing since the start of the 20th century and is now called the “capital of Central Asia.”<\/p>\n

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A number of parks, roads and theaters in Tashkent are named after Alisher Navoi, who is revered in Central Asia as the founder of Uzbek literature. The Navoi Theater was built by Japanese citizens interned in Tashkent during WWII, initially serving as an emergency shelter during a major earthquake. Subsequently, its Japanese construction techniques and detailed craftsmanship have been highly admired, and the Uzbek people have expressed their appreciation for this marvelous structure.<\/p>\n

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\nNavoi Theater and a commemorative engraving behind it, featuring a message of appreciation from Uzbekistan to Japan carved in Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n

Due to major earthquakes and other disasters, few historic structures remain in Tashkent, but some parts of the ancient city can be seen in the historic district of Chorsu. This area is home to Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent’s oldest and largest bazaar that is always full of locals and visitors.<\/p>\n

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\nThe iconic blue dome and interior of Chorsu Bazaar<\/em><\/p>\n

Tashkent is also home to Central Asia’s first subway system. Any visitor exploring Tashkent should take a ride!<\/p>\n

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\nBeautiful subway interior in Tashkent<\/em><\/p>\n

Four World Heritages Sites steeped in the atmosphere of the Silk Road<\/strong><\/p>\n

Samarkand flourished as a major city on the Silk Road since before the birth of Christ, and it reached peak prosperity as the capital of the Timurid Empire. Registan Square and is a famous tourist destination, bordered by madrasas<\/em> (Islamic schools) crowned with domes of Samarkand blue. UNESCO registered “Samarkand \u2013 Crossroad of Cultures” as a World Heritage Site in 2001.<\/p>\n

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\nA building featuring the definitive \u201cSamarkand blue\u201d color<\/em><\/p>\n

Many structures remain in the Historic Centre of Bukhara that denote its importance as a trading hub on the Silk Road. UNESCO registered it as a World Heritage site in 1993. The soaring Kalon Minaret was once lit up to serve as a guidepost for merchants traveling along the Silk Road, and legend states that even Genghis Khan forbade his troops to destroy this immaculate structure.<\/p>\n

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\nThe Historic Centre of Bukhara and Kalon Minaret<\/em><\/p>\n

The 5,000 year-old city of Khiva is home to Itchan Kala, a double-walled fortress originally built to repel foreign invaders. The interior of the ruins remains largely intact, and UNESCO registered the fortress as a World Heritage Site in 1990.<\/p>\n

Uzbekistan’s fourth World Heritage Site, the Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz, is the birthplace of Uzbek hero Timur. The city’s name means “green city” in Persian, inspired by its many gardens. Visitors here can also see Aksaray Palace, the largest structure built by Timur.<\/p>\n

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\nItchan Kala interior and the incomplete Kalta Minorasi (left) and the Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz, birthplace of Uzbek hero Timur (right)<\/em><\/p>\n

Please enjoy the following traditional dance by Dilnoza Artikova, an artist recommended by the Embassy of Uzbekistan, as she performs against the beautiful backdrop of the Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz.<\/p>\n

Dilnoza Artikova<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dilnoza Artikova is a dancer of the Gavkhar Dance Troupe from Urgench, in the Khorezm Region. She is highly regarded for her sensational dance, and is the representative face of an ensemble that includes over 80 dancers and musicians. The troupe is active both in Uzbekistan and abroad.<\/p>\n

Dilnoza Artikova \u2013 \u201c101\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n