Samarkand has hosted a grand closing ceremony of the 12th Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival-2019 (Melodies of the East) that featured a prize-giving ceremony to celebrate the winners of the prestigious music competition. This year, the music festival in Uzbekistan brought together music connoisseurs and media representatives from 72 countries. Singers, dancers and musicians from 32 countries competed for the competition’s prizes and award certificates. After a welcoming address by the Samarkand Region governor (khokim) to the festival guests and participants, and a concert given by Uzbek pop singers, votes of the competent international jurors were announced. Our fellow countryman, Honored Artist of Turkmenistan, conductor, composer and teacher at the Turkmen National Conservatory, Omar Igamov, was on a jury judging the music competition. Second place went to the Archabil Folk Ensemble from Ashgabat, whose performance received a warm welcome from the audience and music industry experts. The musicians were presented with the relevant Award Certificate, cash prize, and the 12th Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival Award. Among the competition prizewinners are also representatives of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Russia, and Tajikistan. Musicians from South Korea, Estonia, India, Kazakhstan, and Iran received consolation prizes, including for “the best costume”, “original performance’, “contribution to the development of oriental music”. The Henhouse Prowlers, a folk band from the USA, who had stolen the hearts of the audience with their fast-paced and stirring music, received the Special Jury Prize at the Festival. The International Music Festival closing ceremony culminated in a dazzling display of fireworks that lit up the night sky over Registan Square. The 13th Sharq Taronalari Festival will take place in 2021.