Iranian ensemble honored at Uzbek festival

TEHRAN, Sept.5(MNA) -- The Iranian ensemble Avaye Mehrbani, the Russian band Leader and the Uzbek group Sato shared the second prize at the 8th edition of the Uzbekistan international music festival Sharq Taronalari in Samarkand in late August.

The five-member ensemble Avaye Mehrbani, which is led by its singer Soheila Purgerami, performed “The Dawn”, “The Bird of Dawn”, Lori folk song “The Gun” and several other pieces in three performances.

“We are now overwhelmed with excitement and joy,” Purgerami at the award presentation ceremony.

“We are extremely grateful to the organizers, judges and all those who have heard us! The festival will long remain in our hearts,” she added.

The Grand Prix of the festival was awarded to South Korean artists Park Je Ong and Park Jong Guk.

The festival’s first prize was shared by the Chinese group Dunhuang New Words and the Lithuanian band Aysva.

In addition, the Madagascar group Talilema, the Georgian band Chveneburebi and the Turkmen band Galkinish shared the third prize.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov attended the festival’s opening ceremony on August 27.

Sharq Taronalari is held biennially with the help of UNESCO.

About 300 musicians and singers from 56 countries participated in this year’s festival.