TASHKENT, August 2. /Dunyo IA/. An article highlighting cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States in the cultural and educational spheres has been published in Pakistan’s “Pakistan Today” newspaper, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Article notes that as a result of Uzbekistan’s open and mutually beneficial foreign policy, international cultural ties have expanded significantly. The designation of cultural diplomacy as one of the important areas of the country’s foreign policy by the President of Uzbekistan has laid the foundation for the country to gain a worthy position in the international cultural arena.

Cultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States is of particular importance. In recent years, cooperation between the two countries in such areas as culture, education, academic exchanges, and the preservation and development of cultural heritage has become an integral part of bilateral relations.

Since 2017, cultural ties between Uzbekistan and the United States have been steadily expanding. In particular, concerts and master classes held in Tashkent with the participation of American conductors, musicians, and professors have opened a new chapter in the exchange of experience between the musical schools of the two countries. In addition, Gina Chavez Band from the United States took an active part in the 11^th International “Sharq Taronalari” Music Festival held in Samarkand.

Publication identifies educational ties as another important area of cultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States.

“In 2017, faculty members of the College of Music at Michigan State University conducted master classes at the Uzbekistan State Conservatory. In 2022, cooperation was established between the R. Glier Specialized Music School and Bemidji State University in the state of Minnesota. This opened new opportunities for young artists”, article notes.

Article reports that in 2019, restoration works on the Tash Hauli Palace located in Khiva were launched with a US government grant of $150,000 provided by the American side.

At the same time, in recent years, the participation of representatives from the United States in the International Bakhshi Art Festival held in Khiva, as well as in the 3rd International Maqom Art Forum organized in Namangan under the auspices of UNESCO and ISESCO, has contributed to promoting Uzbekistan’s national intangible cultural heritage at the international level.

This year, one of such important events was the meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the Central Asian countries and the United States, which was held in Tashkent. During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for expanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including the development of creative industries and digital projects, the exchange of professional experience, as well as cooperation in the fields of cinema, theatre, literature and music.