Sharq Taronalari — Melodys of the East
Musique · Samarcande, Ouzbékistan
The festival
In Samarkand, the "pearl of the Earth", Sharq Taronalari — the "Melody of the East" — sings the Silk Route. Created in 1997 and under the auspices of UNESCO, this international music festival, one of the largest in Central Asia, held its 13th edition from August 26 to 30, 2024. Musicians and singers from dozens of countries compete in competition between professional folk music and the creation of contemporary composers, before an international jury.
Around the concerts, a conference brings together musicologists on the musical cultures of the peoples of the East: the feast as a place of peace, friendship and transmission.
Good to know
Existence, place and periodicity checked at the official portal gov.uz (Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan), opened and read: XIIIth edition from 26 to 30 August 2024 in Samarkand, under the auspices of UNESCO, created in 1997, more than 300 artists from about 80 countries announced for 2024. No 14th edition or any date 2026/2027 announced on the official source consulted on 22 Oct 2026 (commercial sites evoke August 2026 without official announcement): keeping in "usual period" at the end of August, biennial, without invented year. Official name "Shark Taronalari", literally "Melodys of the East".