KHIVA, August 10. /Dunyo IA/. In ancient Khiva, the international festival “Melon Feast – 2026” (“Qovun Sayli – 2026”) has concluded, bringing together national traditions, gastronomy, culture and the tourism potential of the Khorezm region, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Event was organized by the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan and the Khokimiyat of the Khorezm region. The festival took place on August 7–9^th on the territory of Ichan-Kala and the “Arda Khiva” tourist complex.

Guests were presented with 250 varieties of melons from various regions of Uzbekistan and more than 200 products prepared from them. The program also included tastings, national cuisine, folk crafts, folklore and theatrical performances, master classes, and concert programs.

Significant interest in the event was shown by both domestic and foreign tourists. Within the framework of the festival, 186 thousand people visited Khiva, including 36 thousand foreign and 150 thousand domestic tourists.

International character of “Qovun Sayli – 2026” was underscored by the participation of foreign guests, representatives of the tourism industry and the diplomatic corps. Holding the festival on the territory of Ichan-Kala, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, allowed for the demonstration of the cultural, gastronomic and agricultural heritage of Khorezm to the guests.

A special place was held by the awarding ceremony for active participants of the festival, featuring the participation of the Khokim of the Khorezm Region Jurabek Rakhimov.

By decision of the jury, Khiva won the Grand Prix of the festival and was awarded a “BYD Champion” electric vehicle. The Yangiaryk district, which took first place, was awarded an “Onix” car, while the Department of Agriculture of the Khorezm region, which took second place, received a “Cobalt”. Urgench State University and Khorezm branch of “UzAuto Motors” JSC, which shared third place, were presented with the keys to “Damas” cars.

One of the main outcomes of the festival was the setting of a new world record. Khiva entered the Guinness World Records for the category of “The festival with the largest number of melon tastings”. During the event, participants tasted more than 259 varieties of melons, which marked a new international achievement.

Thus, “Qovun Sayli – 2026” became not only a large-scale cultural and gastronomic event but also an effective platform for promoting the tourism potential of the Khorezm region. Setting the Guinness World Record served as a bright final accent of the festival and a new notable event in the tourism history of Khiva.