Uzbekistan's ancient city Samarkand will host the XII International music festival "Sharq Taronalari," which means "Melodies of Orient" from Monday to August 30. 

The music festival is aimed at developing the art of music of the East, promoting folk, exchanging cultures between the nations living in Uzbekistan with the world and foster scientific exchange in music industry.

The festival is held under the auspices of UNESCO once in two years in Samarkand in late August. This year, "Sharq Taronalari" has become a member of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF).

Representatives of 110 countries and high-level guests from international organizations like UNESCO, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the CIOFF and Asian Development Bank have become members within the past 11 festivals.

This year, the event will bring together more than 400 guests from 80 countries of the world. 

Events like scientific-practical conference "Prospects for development of traditional musical art of the peoples of the East," concerts, international competitions of folk music masters will take place within the festival.

The festival will feature professional singers and groups from Armenia, Afghanistan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, the US, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ethiopia and other countries.

"Sharq Taronalari" will be broadcasted by mass media representatives via national television channels and through official website: www.sharq-taronalari.uz.