KHOROG, March 19, 2009, Asia-Plus — In Gorno Badakhshan, the main celebrations to mark the Navrouz festival will be held at the Khorog central stadium on March 21.
According to the GBAO regional administration, Khorog residents are currently participating in hashar (voluntary work-in) to improve the territory of the central stadium. Employees of local organizations and enterprises as well as servicemen of sub-unit deployed in the city have been involved in the work on improvement of the stadium and neighborhood.
Ms. Parinoz Azizova, a chief specialist with the GBAO culture directorate, said that theatrical show and festive concert with participation of known artistes of the region would be held at the stadium on Saturday.
Besides, various sports activities, including gushtingiri (Tajik national wrestling), and demonstration of national dressing and cuisine will be held on March 21.
The source at the GBAO regional administration noted that residents of a number of border districts of GBAO and Afghan Badakhshan would celebrate the Navrouz holiday together. An agreement on this subject was reached during recent visit of delegation of the Afghan Badakhshan to Khorog.
We will recall that last year, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) teamed with the Government of Tajikistan and the Government of Afghanistan in organizing Tajik-Afghan cross-border concerts to celebrate the Navrouz holiday. Concerts were held in Khorog, and in neighboring Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province. On March 20, singers and musicians from Tajikistan crossed the border at the site of the Friendship Bridge in Khorog and performed traditional songs and dances for audiences on the other side of the Panj River. Next day, Afghan performers held a traditional concert program in Khorog. The Cross-Border Concert was an experience and culture sharing initiative intended to foster regional cooperation. Cultural relations are regarded as a way of building confidence and trust that can in turn lead to wider cross-border cooperation on alleviating poverty and promoting economic growth.
