The program of the Third High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development,” 2018-2028, which will take place from 10 to 13 June 2024, in Dushanbe, also includes exhibitions, an official reception on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, tours, and other cultural and entertainment events.

Conference participants will have the opportunity to visit exhibitions of traditional crafts and creativity, taste Tajik national cuisine, explore exhibitions of various types of drinking water, and enjoy a concert program featuring leading masters of the country’s arts, fashion shows of Tajik national clothing, and other shows.

Tajik national culture having a strong foundation is famous for its history, ancient multifaceted and original traditions and features, in particular, rare written monuments, original works of fine art, Chakan, as well as musical work – Shashmaqom and Falak.

“Shashmakom” is a classic of Tajik professional music, which was formed in the 18th century. “Shashmakom” is six makoms (vocal-instrumental suite in national music), which are combined into a single cycle. It consists of “Buzruk”, “Navo”, “Rost”, “Segokh”, “Dugoh”, and “Irok” – maqoms, each of which contains two beginnings: instrumental – “Mushkilot” and vocal – “Nasr”.

“Falak” is a highly artistic reflection of an individual’s life experiences and thoughts on destiny, dreams and aspirations and high human ideals. Falak is performed impromptu, which requires intelligence, wit and high professional skill from the performer. The uniqueness of this ancient musical genre is that it has been passed down for centuries from mouth to mouth, from heart to heart and through the school of “ustod-shogird” (“teacher-student”), and has survived to this day. Falak consists of instrumental and vocal parts and has two styles – dashti and rogi. “Traditionally, Falak is performed accompanied by dutar (dombra), gijak, nay (tutak), setor, Badakhshan rubob to the accompaniment of doira and tablak. On 15 December 2021, at the 16th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paris, Falak was officially inscribed on the World List of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“Chakan” is a Tajik national style of embroidery, usually a wide dress decorated with hand-embroidered patterns made from natural material – silk or embroidery. Chakan has an ancient history. At the very beginning, patterns – flowers, stars, petals, the sun, and the moon – were made from wood, bones, bronze, leather, precious stones and porcelain dishes. Subsequently, this type of art became known as “Chakan”. The art of embroidery is contained in the works of archaeologists, historians, and art critics. Archaeological findings in regions inhabited by Aryans indicate that the Tajik people have been engaged in embroidery since ancient times.

On 29 November 2018, at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in Port Louis (Republic of Mauritius), the Tajik art of chakan embroidery was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The folk music and culture of Tajikistan is rich and diverse; it reflects the life of the nation, its character and emotions, life and work, customs and traditions.

By registering for the Third Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference, you will be able to take part in these cultural and entertainment events and get acquainted with the rich culture of the Tajik people.

Registration for the Conference is available until 20 May 2024 via the link:  https://conf2024.dushanbewaterprocess.org/registration-en/