DUSHANBE, September 17, 2008, Asia-Plus -- An international youth design festival, entitled “Design-2008,” will be held in Tajikistan on sidelines of the third forum of the CIS creative and scientific intelligentsia, which is due at Varzob governmental residence Pugus on September 18-20.

The festival-opening ceremony is being held at the Kokhi Vahdat State Complex in Dushanbe today afternoon. 

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Tajik Designers’ Union head Jamshed Ghaniyev said that on the sidelines of the festival a contest will be held in the following nominations: dress modeling; interior design; photo; and jewelry. 

Fashion designers R. Sheraliyeva, M. Hamrayeva, N. Beknazarova and B. Emomov will represent Tajikistan in the dress modeling nomination.    

“The festival is held to promote preservation of cultural diversity, development of national cultures, encouragement of intercultural dialogue and realization of creative abilities as well as opening of new talents,” Ghaniyev said. 

In his opinion, the main task of modern Tajik culture is in forming new thinking and introducing innovative means promoting progress.  

The most interesting works will be awarded and published in the festival’s catalogue. 

The festival that runs through September 19 is organized by Tajik Designers’ Union in cooperation with the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund.  

According to the project executive secretary, Ms. Gamila Abduraufova, they have received some 80 applications for participation in the festival.  Representatives of Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will display their works in the out-of-competition program, she said.   

An exhibition of works by Ms. Darya Bruker from Moscow House of Photography will opened at Kokhi Vahdat today evening.   

Moscow House of Photography is a Russian museum, which maintains a large collection of old and contemporary Russian photographic masterpieces and also organizes festivals and large-scale projects.