A Visual Journey into the Heart of Tajik Society and Traditions Passed Down Through Generations
Against a festive backdrop reflecting the depth of Tajik culture and the close relationship between people, land and nature, the International University of Tourism and Entrepreneurship in Dushanbe yesterday hosted the Mehrgon Festival, one of the oldest seasonal celebrations in Tajik culture, coinciding with the launch of the International Forum on Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage.
The university’s courtyards and halls were transformed into vibrant spaces showcasing local agricultural products, traditional crafts and folk arts, creating what appeared to be a visual journey into the heart of Tajik society and traditions passed down through generations.
The Mehrgon Festival was organised as part of the opening programme of the international forum, hosted by the International University of Tourism and Entrepreneurship in Tajikistan from October 13 to 18, with broad international participation. The forum brings together around 2,000 officials, academics, experts, investors and representatives of various institutions from more than 60 countries.
A Celebration of Land and People
From the moment visitors entered the festival grounds, it was clear that Mehrgon was more than a traditional celebration. It was an occasion through which Tajikistan revisited an authentic part of its cultural and civilisational memory.
The exhibition pavilions were adorned in the colours of autumn, with farmers and local producers displaying a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for which Tajikistan’s agricultural regions are renowned, alongside food products and other items associated with the harvest season.
Agricultural produce featured prominently, reflecting the essence of Mehrgon and its longstanding connection with the land and the harvest — values that have been associated with the festival for centuries.
The celebrations extended beyond agriculture and local produce to traditional handicrafts, an important component of Tajikistan’s cultural identity.
Visitors viewed examples of pottery, gold craftsmanship, wood carving, traditional embroidery and the distinctive Chakan embroidery, as well as a variety of handmade products inspired by the country’s cultural heritage.
The exhibits offered a vivid picture of the skills of Tajik artisans and demonstrated how traditional industries have survived and evolved despite the economic and social transformations the region has experienced over recent decades.
Heritage as a Gateway to Tourism
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Mehrgon Festival was that it was held at a university specialising in tourism and entrepreneurship, on the same day that an international forum addressing the future of sustainable tourism and the protection of cultural heritage got underway.
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