Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan and Belarus show sincere mutual interest and seek to strengthen cooperation, First Deputy Minister of Culture Valery Hromada said at a gala concert on the stage of the Belarusian State Philharmonic, which opened the Days of Culture of Uzbekistan in Belarus, BelTA reported.

“This is a significant event in the cultural life of our countries, which speaks first of all of the sincere mutual interest in each other and the desire to develop and further strengthen our cooperation. It is the historical memory of the people, its culture and traditions - this is where the original spiritual and universal values of any generation are concentrated," said Valery Gromada.

The two countries have much in common, the First Deputy Minister continued. "We have a lot in common. And today we carefully preserve and honor the memory, including those of people who, at the cost of their own lives, gained victory in the Great Patriotic War. Among them are 32 natives of Uzbekistan who participated in the battles for the liberation of Belarus and were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union,” he said.

In addition, a monument to the classic of Belarusian literature, Yakub Kolas, was unveiled in Tashkent, and a street was named after him. And in one of the squares in Minsk there is a bust of the great Uzbek poet, thinker and statesman Alisher Navoi.

“Today our cooperation with Uzbekistan is developing in various directions. Uzbek performers, artists, scientists are participants and guests of international festivals and competitions, scientific conferences (which are held in Belarus. - Note by BelTA),” said Valery Gromada. As examples, he mentioned the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", the Minsk International Film Festival "Listapad". Uzbekistan itself is a multinational, beautiful and very tolerant country, in which wonderful and talented people, kind and reliable friends live, concluded Valery Gromada.

In January of this year, Belarus and Uzbekistan celebrated 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Holding days of culture of Uzbekistan in our country is one of the significant events on this anniversary date. And for the Belarusians - a great opportunity to discover new facets of the historical and cultural heritage of a friendly country and feel its extraordinary, bright, extraordinary oriental character.

Masters of arts of Uzbekistan present their creativity on the stage of the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society. The program of the gala concert included musical and choreographic performances from people’s artists, laureates of the state prize and winners of international competitions.

The events of the Days of Culture of Uzbekistan will continue on April 14 in Slutsk, the cultural capital of Belarus in 2023.