
Uzbekistan, a nation steeped in rich history, where centuries ago, the foundations of science were laid, architectural masterpieces were crafted, and outstanding literary works were composed. These are the pillars of success in the development of the tourism industry. With over eight thousand cultural heritage sites, Uzbekistan can truly be called an open-air museum. Consequently, significant efforts have been made in recent years to expand the tourism sector.
Strategic Development for a New Uzbekistan
The actions aimed at implementing major projects in the field are focused on developing and improving the legislative acts that regulate the industry and are designed to ensure its sustainable development. These objectives are enshrined in the Strategy for the Development of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026. In particular, in the near future, the number of local tourists is expected to increase to 12 million or more, and foreign tourists to nine million.
Recently, under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a video conference was held on measures to improve the tourism infrastructure in the regions and to increase the flow of foreign tourists. The meeting also included a candid dialogue with entrepreneurs working in the sector. The President highly praised the international ethno-festival “Boysun Bahori” (“Baysun Spring”), held from May 1-7 this year, noting that since the event, the flow of tourists to the Surkhandarya region has quadrupled.
Baysun: Cradle of World Civilization
Baysun’s land is one of the cradles of world civilization. This space preserves and develops the art of our ancestors, an incredibly rich and colorful national culture that has been created over millennia. Among them is folklore art, which reflects the spirit of the people, awakening such bright feelings as love, kindness, and solidarity in the human heart, and calling on everyone to recognize their uniqueness and ancient roots.
“Baysun Spring” is an international folklore festival held biennially, uniting art connoisseurs from across the country and abroad. Festival guests have the opportunity to experience the rich program of our ethnographic communities, national sports games, and other performances, as well as enjoy the serene nature of Baysun, which was recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2001 and included in the Representative List in 2008.
The festival, which was revived in 2017 after a long hiatus, is now held under the auspices of UNESCO and based on the Cabinet of Ministers’ resolution “On measures to organize and conduct the International Folklore Festival ‘Boysun Bahori'” dated February 7, 2022.
This time, the festival took place in the tourist complex located in the Bibishirin microdistrict. The newly created tourist complex includes six hectares (a modern hotel with 110 rooms, a craft center for 100, and a modern amphitheater for 3200). Approximately 630,000 tourists participated in the festival. In Baysun, there are 11 hotels, 95 family guest houses, and five hostels. It is gratifying that the necessary conditions have been created here for performances by folklore-ethnographic groups, national sports games, and other spectacular events.
The festival featured 81 folklore groups from 16 countries, including Brazil, Belarus, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Portugal, Russia, Romania, Thailand, Tajikistan, India, Iran, and 130 folklore groups and solo performers from Uzbekistan.
“Baysun Spring” holds special significance in the deep study of our country’s rich intangible cultural heritage, promoting culture and traditions among the younger generation, and educating youth in the spirit of respect for national values that date back to the distant past. For guests arriving in sunny Uzbekistan, there is always something to see.
Our country boasts beautiful nature and diverse landscapes. Traditions, rituals, national attire, and craftsman’s creations captivate the eyes of travelers. All this serves as a valuable resource for the development of tourism, an important direction. As noted at the recent meeting, in the current economic conditions, it is necessary to support industries that create jobs, increase investments, and exports. Uzbekistan’s journey is one that will be remembered for a lifetime, not just for its historical treasures, but for its vibrant culture and welcoming spirit that continues to draw visitors from around the world.