DUSHANBE, May 14, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Youth Week started in Tajikistan today and it will last until May 23.  On May 23, Tajikistan marks Youth Day, a holiday dedicated to the youths of the country.

This year, Youth Week is held under motto of “Mo Vatandorem” (We Are Patriots).

Jaloliddin Nourov, an aide to the head of the Committee for Youth, Sports, and Tourism Affairs, says a number of events dedicated to the Youth Day are being held in the country during a week.

The Youth Week has started today with a Youth March.  Hundreds of young people marched along the central street of Dushanbe – Roudaki Avenue into the Dousti Square, where they laid wreaths at the Monument to Ismoili Somoni.

A ceremonial meeting is being held at the Kokhi Vahdat State Complex in Dushanbe today.  Senor representatives from the Committee for Youth, Sports, and Tourism Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Committee for TV and Radio-broadcasting and activists of Tajikistan’s youth movement are taking part in the meeting.

A republican contest among youth and students, Mazhar, will take place at the Kokhi Jomi State Complex in Dushanbe on May 16.

A scientific conference on the national youth policy will be held at the Oryono Youth Center on May 18 and a music festival “Surudi Sarboz” (Soldier’s Song) will take place on May 19.

The republican contest “Furughi Oryono” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Tajik poet Mirzo Tursunzoda will take place on May 20.

In parallel, an exhibition of works by Tajik young painters will be take place at the Kokhi Vahdat Complex and a number of charitable actions for orphaned children and children from poor families will be held across the country.