Melon festival in Uzbekistan’s historic khiva draws global visitors
Three-day event in Silk Road city of Khiva showcases melon heritage, folk traditions, and rising tourism appeal
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — The ancient Silk Road city of Khiva hosted the Melon Festival 2025 from August 8 to 10, drawing visitors from across Uzbekistan and abroad to a celebration that merged agricultural heritage with cultural tourism.
Held at the UNESCO-listed Ichan-Kala fortress and the modern Arda Khiva tourism complex, the festival transformed the historic city into a showcase of Uzbekistan’s rich melon cultivation traditions, folk performances, and artisan crafts.
The event was jointly organized by the national Tourism Committee and Khorezm regional authorities, underlining the government’s push to position Uzbekistan as a Central Asian tourism hub.
19 exhibition stands represented districts of Khorezm Region, featuring leading farms, producers, and enterprises presenting dozens of melon varieties, innovative cultivation techniques, and value-added products.
Awards recognized the best growers and most innovative producers, reinforcing the festival’s role as both a cultural spectacle and an agricultural trade fair.
Visitors sampled rare melon varieties, joined masterclasses in national cooking, and explored traditional crafts. Folk ensembles, street performances, and sporting competitions kept the city’s streets lively, while open-air kitchens offered regional specialties to tourists eager for an immersive experience.
The closing night featured a concert with artists from Uzbekistan and beyond, including DJ Endigo, celebrated musician Tokhir Sadykov, and popular singer JONY.
For Khorezm, the festival served as more than entertainment — it was a strategic platform to highlight the region’s agricultural excellence, strengthen its tourism sector, and connect Uzbekistan’s local traditions to global audiences.
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