Over the Past Decade, the "Sounds of the Dutar" Festival Has Evolved from a Mere Concept into a Major Cultural Diplomacy Initiative
Leading specialized media outlets and cultural institutions are increasingly focusing on the legacy of the Turkmen school of music. A striking testament to the prestige and significance of this dialogue is a media project produced by Musical Klondike—a Russian publication dedicated to culture and the arts—in collaboration with the Art-Center production company, marking the 10th anniversary of the Nury Khalmamedov Moscow International Arts Festival, "Sounds of the Dutar."
At the heart of the project is a conversation between the festival’s artistic director—composer and pianist Mamed Guseynov—and the publication’s director, Elena Lashchenko. (The full video interview is available on the VK Video and Rutube platforms.)
Launched in 2014 as a commemorative evening and evolving into a full-fledged festival in 2015, the project sought to bridge the gap in public awareness regarding the rich compositional traditions of the East. Over the last ten years, "Sounds of the Dutar" has grown from a local initiative into a significant institution of cultural diplomacy. While the focus was initially centered entirely on the Turkmen classical music heritage, the festival now unites the traditions of diverse peoples, encouraging educators and performers to revive undeservedly forgotten masterpieces rooted in national folklore.
Performances of classical works by Nury Khalmammedov, Veli Mukhatov, and Chary Nurymov have become a true highlight of the festival’s programs over the years. Concert halls—including the Rachmaninoff Hall at the Moscow Conservatory—have resonated with the sounds of the piano piece Sounds of the Dutar (which masterfully mimics the modal tuning of the national instrument), the poignant vocal cycle Unfinished Songs of the Children of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and rare classical gems such as Alexander Alyabyev’s Turkmen Song. Certain programs were dedicated to Khalmammedov’s creative muse, the legendary singer Medeniyet Shakhberdyeva; the concert titled The Turkmen Nightingale marked her 95th anniversary.
The international cultural and educational portal Perspectum also made a significant contribution to the anniversary’s media coverage by dedicating a major, in-depth article to the festival. The publication highlights how, over the past decade, the project has evolved into a unique cultural bridge—one that not only preserves ethnocultural traditions but also demonstrates how national folklore takes on a fresh, contemporary resonance within the global classical music scene.
Today, "Sounds of the Dutar" is more than just a series of musical evenings; it is a multifaceted research and educational platform that has hosted seven international conferences, art exhibitions, and performance competitions.
By bringing together a cohort of talented young musicians and academic researchers, the festival confidently demonstrates that national musical classics serve as a universal language of mutual understanding, bridging centuries-old traditions with the modern world.
