BOYSUN, May 9. /Dunyo IA/. Dr. Lara Melin, a Swiss researcher from the Institute of Urban and Landscape Studies (ISUP), shared her impressions of the “Boysun Bahori” (Boysun Spring) International Folklore Festival held in the Surkhandarya region in an interview with a correspondent for the Dunyo Information Agency.

According to the researcher, Boysun is a unique region with rich natural beauty and centuries-old traditions, where folk customs, music, dance, national costumes, and elements of material culture are carefully preserved. She noted that she first became acquainted with the festival through her academic research on the region and plans to continue studying local folklore and craftsmanship traditions.

Lara Melin emphasized that the cultural heritage of Boysun is significant not only for Uzbekistan but for the entire region, as it serves as a vital source for studying the development of folk art and traditions in neighbouring countries.

She characterized the festival as a substantive and vibrant event. The researcher was particularly impressed by the participation of 14 districts of the Surkhandarya region, each of which presented its own stage areas and national-style exhibits. The displays included music and dance performances, folk crafts, traditional clothing, musical instruments, as well as elements of daily life and labour.

She specifically highlighted the festival's opening ceremony, which, in her words, left a lasting impression through its combination of live music, large-scale dance performances, video projections of natural and folkloric themes, as well as a drone show and fireworks.

The researcher also noted that until 2024, the festival was held in the mountain village of Padang near Boysun; she pointed out that its relocation and scheduling for early May in a more accessible venue have contributed to the growing interest in the event. She expressed a desire to see the festival in the future maintain an even closer connection with the natural environment and traditional seasonal conditions.

In her opinion, “Boysun Bahori” is not merely a folklore festival, but a celebration reflecting the unity of nature, spring, and folk culture.

On the opening day, the event was attended by foreign tourists, local residents from various regions of the country and members of the diplomatic corps.

According to the researcher's assessment, the festival plays a vital role in popularizing Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage on the international stage, strengthening intercultural dialogue and increasing interest in national traditions."