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In photos: Uzbek food festival in Astana shows off national dishes

By Aydar Ashimov

Uzbek girls dance in folk costumes at an Uzbek food festival in Astana on September 8. [Aydar Ashimov]

Uzbek girls dance in folk costumes at an Uzbek food festival in Astana on September 8. [Aydar Ashimov]

Children and adults from the Uzbek diaspora in Kazakhstan offer Uzbek dishes to festival-goers in Astana September 8. [Aydar Ashimov]

Children and adults from the Uzbek diaspora in Kazakhstan offer Uzbek dishes to festival-goers in Astana September 8. [Aydar Ashimov]

Visitors to the Uzbek food festival in Astana on September 8 watch a cook preparing Uzbek plov before they sample it. [Aydar Ashimov]

Visitors to the Uzbek food festival in Astana on September 8 watch a cook preparing Uzbek plov before they sample it. [Aydar Ashimov]

A cook prepares Uzbek liver pirozhki (dumplings) in cottonseed oil on September 8 in Astana. [Aydar Ashimov]

A cook prepares Uzbek liver pirozhki (dumplings) in cottonseed oil on September 8 in Astana. [Aydar Ashimov]

Visitors in Astana enjoy free samples of delicious melons from Tashkent on September 8, buying some to take home. [Aydar Ashimov]

Visitors in Astana enjoy free samples of delicious melons from Tashkent on September 8, buying some to take home. [Aydar Ashimov]

Singers from Uzbekistan participated in the Astana festival, performing favourite songs of residents from both countries. Festival-goers dance to Uzbek pop music on September 8. [Aydar Ashimov]

Singers from Uzbekistan participated in the Astana festival, performing favourite songs of residents from both countries. Festival-goers dance to Uzbek pop music on September 8. [Aydar Ashimov]

ASTANA -- Astana residents and tourists were able to experience Uzbek cuisine and cultural performances at a food festival in the city square on September 8.

The event was part of a series for Uzbekistan Tourism Year in Kazakhstan.

"The event was set up by KazakhTourism ... with the support of the [Kazakh] Ministry of Culture and Sport," the Astana mayor's office said in a statement.

Hundreds of Astana residents and other guests visited the exhibition to listen to Uzbek pop performers and to taste a different national cuisine.

Members of the Uzbek diaspora in Kazakhstan offer visitors Uzbek traditional food in Astana on September 8. [Aydar Ashimov]

Members of the Uzbek diaspora in Kazakhstan offer visitors Uzbek traditional food in Astana on September 8. [Aydar Ashimov]

"Thank you to our Uzbek brothers for today," said Bulat Baigeldinov, a 41-year-old Astana resident. "The plov is delicious, the music is soulful, and the weather is good."

"There are many Uzbeks living in Kazakhstan," he told Caravanserai. "We have lived with them as friendly neighbours, we go to each other's holidays and our families are friendly. Let it be that way forever!"

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