Khorezm authorities host reception for EBRD delegation at Khiva historical site

AKIPRESS.COM - Artists of local music and drama theater and dance groups had to dance in front of the delegation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development led by EBRD President Sir Suma Chakrabarti at a reception in Khiva, Khorezm region on June 8, RFE/RL reports. A reception lasted from 8.00 pm until midnight in the Khiva Khanate Palace. The delegation of 6 people was reportedly served by 150 people on June 8, unnamed cultural worker said.
Those serving the delegation included workers of local cultural departments, power and telecom companies.
A representative of the Culture and Leisure Department of Khorezm region administration confirmed the reception was hosted at the Nurillabao Palace for EBRD delegation. The official denied the information that workers of culture departments and publicly financed organizations were forces to serve the foreign delegation.
Some workers of culture and art expressed concerns that receptions are held for foreign guests at the cultural and historical sites.
"They have held a reception at the palace of Khiva Khans with loud music and alcohol drinking. Couldn't they hold a reception at another place? The officials just disrespect historical heritage," the culture worker added.
The Culture and Leisure Department said the reception was held not indoors, but in the compound of the palace. The music equipment has not affected the condition of the historical monument. The Nurillabai Palace is under protection of the Department, the official emphasize.
The Nurillabai Palace in Khiva was used as a summer palace by Khiva khans. It was built in 1893-1904 by the order Muhammed Rahum Khan II for his son Prince Asfandiyar Khan.