The International Theatre Festival "Theatrical Art of the Happy Epoch," taking place these days in Turkmenistan, continues to introduce audiences to productions by creative companies from Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia.

The Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theatre hosted a showing of the performance "Melika's Tears" ("Dodhokh") by the Bukhara State Musical Drama Theatre, based on the drama "The Princess's Tears" by the Kyrgyz writer Sultan Raev. The director-producer is Laziz Navruzov.

The plot tells of the difficult times in the life of the courageous woman Kurmanjan Datka, who entered world history as the "Queen of the Alai" and the "Queen of the South." She became the only female ruler in Central Asia to be awarded the highest title of "datka," equated to the rank of general, by the Kokand Khanate and the Bukhara Emirate. The very title "dodhokh," meaning "just" or "judge" in Farsi, emphasizes the scale of this legendary historical figure of the 19th century. The image of the main heroine on stage was embodied by the actress Nafisa Saidova.

The stage action unfolds in the space of transforming sets that resemble now impassable mountains, now a water surface. Birds, animal heads and other expressive attributes seem to bring to life the chronicle of events of that turbulent era. A special atmosphere is set by three old women in the corners of the stage with their lamentations, as well as a mysterious herald of fate who now appears, now disappears, now inspires, now frightens Kurmanjan on her path to the great battle.

Many dialogues and monologues of the work are written in poetic form – verses close to folk poetry, which significantly enhances the dramatic impact.

The stage design of the set designer Farkhod Khotamov deserves special attention. Some stage arrangements are built using elements of shadow theatre, which looks especially atmospheric and intriguing.

The performance was very warmly received by the public and colleagues in the creative guild amid a storm of applause and flowers. The International Theatre Festival, held in our country for the fifth time, once again confirms its status as a platform for professional exchange of experience and friendly meetings. The showing was attended by the well-known theatre director, People's Artist of Turkmenistan Kakajan Ashyrov, with whom the guests took commemorative photos.