Shavkat Mirziyoyev notes negative impact of mass culture on development of society

An opening ceremony of the International Bakhshi Art Festival took place in Termez city. The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke at the ceremonial opening and congratulated all people attending this event.

According to him, the folk art is the source of all priceless cultural treasures created by mankind. The art of bakhshi narrators, reflecting the national identity of different peoples, their language, lifestyle, customs and traditions, is of particular importance as an integral part of human culture, he noted.

“At the same time, it should be noted that today, in the era of globalization, when show business and “mass culture”, turning into the sphere of commerce, often negatively affect the spiritual development of society. Unfortunately, they weaken attention and interest in folklore art, in the life-giving source any national culture. In fact, we can say that the folklore art is the essential part of humanity,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

To preserve and pass on to future generations immense spiritual wealth – classical art, the rarest examples of folk art – is a noble mission for all of us, government and public figures, cultural and scientific intelligentsia, the head of state believes.

He called for the comprehensive support of folk art and talent holders, named in different places differently – bahshi-shoir, jirs, akyn, manaschi, ashug, at the same time possessing the unique skills of the poet, musician and performer.

“We must unite efforts to solve such problems as deep study and strengthening of scientific-theoretical and practical foundations of the bakhshi art, its transformation into a “visit card” of the national culture,” the president emphasized.

In particular, he proposed:

• to revive previously existing and develop new creative schools of bakhshi, traditions of “master-student” in this field, comprehensively stimulate the creative and scientific activities of bakhshi-poets, folklorists, teachers and specialists;
• to create creative sections on the bakhshi art at cultural institutions;
• to open a broad road to the creativity of Bakhshi-poets and support their participation in cultural and festive events;
• to strengthen international cooperation in this direction, establish mutual exchange of experience;
• to develop specific measures for the effective use of information-communication technologies, possibilities of television and the Internet, and reproduction in the audio-video format of folklore works for popularization of the bakhshi art.

“If today we all together do not take real action to preserve this wonderful original art, then tomorrow, unfortunately, it may be too late and history will not forgive us,” the president stressed.