Opinion. "The first opera I have seen in my life was in Uzbekistan"

Erik can be truly considered as an expert in Uzbek culture, because he has observed some very exciting things about Uzbek television, theater, music and much more, that the Uzbek citizens don't notice or "take for granted.". In addition, our guest has a very lively interest in Uzbek culture and that's why he couldn't help giving some very useful suggestions.

What do you think in general about Uzbek Television? How often do you watch it? Do you have favorite programs, and why they are interesting for you?
The first Uzbek TV show that I started watching was the Uzbek soap opera about a family who lived in a small town. That was interesting because you learn about Uzbek life. And then the other show-the cooking show, I enjoy watching because of the humor factor, because it's interesting to learn what makes people laugh in Uzbek culture. I like to cook- it's one thing, and then I watch to learn how to cook different Uzbek food with ingredients that you can get in Uzbekistan. And I also like listening to them, even though I don't understand all of it. It's interesting, because most of the time they are telling jokes about different people and situations, everyday nuances. It's interesting for me to learn about Uzbek sarcasm this way.
Then I like watching Uzbek news. You learn some information on what's going on in the country, and they try to give a good perspective on international events and activities with embassies and organizations. Especially when I know my organization will be on the news, I will definitely watch it. And I know some of the Uzbek TV and radio people now, and it is also interesting to observe what reports they are doing now.

And did you learn how to cook any Uzbek food by watching the cooking show?
The main thing that was interesting for me was how Uzbeks cook fish, because I love to eat fish. And they cook a lot of fish in the show, but I have never cooked fish in Uzbekistan. I cooked different kinds of fish in the United States. So, I have not yet put my study to the test, but the recipe they give in the show looks very good.

Do you think Uzbek television gives you a good sense of Uzbek culture?
Yes, definitely. If you're just here for the first time, watching Uzbek TV shows will give a good perspective. Because they show a family inside the house sitting on topchan, drinking tea and also the family structure, the respect that everybody has towards elderly. Uzbek TV shows actually teach you what to expect when you are walking in an Uzbek neighborhood, come in to an Uzbek house and that's very real. What you see on TV here is a real mahallya and real life. I remember I was living in Gulistan when I first came here with Peace Corps and I lived in a house that looked almost exactly like the ones you see on Uzbek TV. And plus it is a good language study, because you hear people talking a normal conversation in the house.

And is there something new that you would like to see on Uzbek television to make it more interesting?
I would like to see more game shows, reality shows. I watch those on Russian television very often, for example: "Faktor straha" (The fear factor), "Posledniy geroy" (The Survivors) or "Kto hochet stat millionerom?" (Who wants to become a millionaire?) I think it would be interesting to see an Uzbek version of these shows. It would be more fun. And I also think that a "Fear factor" or other reality show would be interesting to see somewhere in the deserts of Zarafshan and watch how people survive there. I would definitely watch it and this way it would be more entertaining. I think Uzbekistan is lacking a lot of the entertainment factor in media. They do a good job on news and they are great lovers of sports and culture, but it would be great to see the entertainment area also.

Talking about entertainment, are you a big fan of theaters? Do you visit theaters often? Are there any specific genres that you prefer? Is there any favorite particular play that you have seen in Uzbekistan?
The theater that I have been to the most in Uzbekistan is Alisher Navoiy Theater. The first opera in my life I have been to was in Uzbekistan and I have also been to many symphonies, ballets and other performances. And then I also like the "Ilkhom" theater for its very close and intimate setting, they also put on some good productions. The last one I saw there was "Tortilla Flat" and I think they did a very good interpretation of that. But the reason I like classic Alisher Navoiy Theater is because the former Soviet Union is very famous for their arts, theaters. Like Bolshoy Theater in Moscow. Just the glamour and the perception of the ballet are huge and so it's interesting to see "The Nutcracker" and various other ballets. There is quite a bit of history and culture in them.

Is there anything different about Uzbek theaters than those in the United States?
Here people have a greater appreciation for the theater, arts and culture. There are wonderful theatres and people take it for granted. Because you go to Alisher Navoiy Theater and spend 1000 soum and sit on the best seat in the theater, watch a good ballet. Where in the United States you would have to pay 100USD.The performers, actors and actresses in Uzbekistan are also very dedicated. They are not only very talented, but they are doing it for the love of theater.

And because we are talking about Uzbek theater it's essential to ask about Uzbek music. I would imagine you listen to Uzbek music? Maybe you have your favorite local singers or bands?
I have been here for six and a half years and just in that period of time Uzbek music has changed dramatically. I live right by "Druzhba Narodov" concert hall and every week you have there some artist performing and 90% of the people I have never heard of. Whereas before you had five or ten people that were very popular. But now there has been this explosion of new groups, singers. And so there are a lot of people now who I don't know of and never listened to. But I am still used to Uzbek singers who I am accustomed to. In terms of very classic Uzbek music I have been to Sherali Jorayev and actually went to a wedding in Namangan where he performed. Then there is Yulduz Usmonova, Sevara Nazarkhan. I also like "Setora," but the old one, because I haven't heard anything new from them in a while. Some of the old school bands-"Bolalar" and "Shahzod."

Do you usually listen to your favorite Uzbek music on the radio or do you buy the compact discs of Uzbek singers?
It's mostly radio and I also bought just a few CDs of mixed Uzbek music so that I could take them home to the United States and give them as gifts to people so they also could understand your music. If I was going to go to a concert I would like to see the people who I know and listen to before going to some new people that are in the Uzbek music world now.

Although we are talking here about arts, let's consider sports as a special art too for now. And I know you have been to the game when our National Soccer team played Saudi Arabian team. And do you follow and cheer the successes of the Uzbek National team? What were your impressions from that game?
I love football here and I try to go to every Uzbekistan National game, all of their World Cup qualifying games. I do follow them very closely and they are in the final qualifying stage now for the World Cup. I think that it would be an amazing story if they make it to the World Cup. The game with Saudi Arabia was one of the best games I have ever seen in terms of an exciting finish. The stadium was full and it was a very electric environment. I like football and because I live in Tashkent I adopted "Pahtakor" as my home team. I don't go to their league games, but I try to go to those when they play for the Asian competitions.
I have also been able to follow some of the Uzbek football players that play abroad now. You have those playing in "Lokomotiv," others for "Dinamo." And I would say that this is a sport that is growing here in terms of talent and it has always been very popular here. The Uzbek team is ranked 47^th in the world now and if you break the top 50, you can consider yourself a very good team. And I love the fact that football is so popular here, because I am a huge fan of it. It's my favorite. Just to be able to witness the caliber of playing and the level of competition that I see here is very big bonus for me and I really enjoy it.

And do you play football yourself in Uzbekistan?
Not anymore. When I first came to Uzbekistan I was used to work out and help train the Gulistan team. At that time they were a second division team. I befriended some of the players on that team and so I would play with them. But when I came to Tashkent I was just playing for fun in tournaments sponsored by the embassies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So I don't play as much now as I used to.

But I know you play basketball?
Yes, just basketball now. I love watching football, but playing basketball.