Samarkand hosts the XIII Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival

Samarkand’s iconic Registan Square became the stage of the world again in late August 2026 as the XIII edition of “Sharq Taronalari” — Melodies of the East — officially opened. According to the official government portal gov.uz and the Uzbekistan Embassy in Washington, the festival brought together nearly 50 ensembles and individual performers representing 27 countries, including Japan, India, France, Nigeria, Colombia, Egypt, and Iran, among many others.

First held in 1997 and staged every two years since, “Sharq Taronalari” has grown into one of the most prestigious world-music competitions in Central Asia. Groups and soloists present their traditional musical heritage against the breathtaking backdrop of the Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya-Qori madrassas — three of the finest examples of Timurid architecture anywhere on earth.

For visitors who time their Uzbekistan trip to coincide with the festival, the experience goes well beyond a concert. Samarkand in late August means warm evenings, Registan illuminated under the stars, and a full week of the world’s musical traditions performed on one of history’s most storied squares.