In Tajikistan, May 12 is celebrated as the Journée du shashmakom (Рӯзи Шашмақом). This musical genre of Persian origin (شش‌مقام in Persian) was popularized by the Jews of Bukhara, a city located today in Uzbekistan. Shashmakom (or shashamaqam) was performed in Tajik (Persian) and Uzbek, by Jews and Muslims; it is widely recognized as one of the traditions uniting the people of Central Asia. But it is Tajikistan, a country of Persian culture, which has made it its national classical music.
The first recording of shashmaqam music was made in 1923 by the Russian composer, musicologist and ethnographer Viktor Uspensky. During the Soviet era, this style of music was denigrated and abandoned because it was associated with the feudal system from which it came. It began to be rehabilitated before the disappearance of the USSR. Today, shashmakom, a major component of Tajik musical heritage, occupies a prominent place in the contemporary musical culture of Tajikistan, alongside the traditional genres of roq, falak and dargilik. His old pieces remain popular in the mountainous regions of the country. “Interpretation Darvaz », «ÂIraqi Gate », «ÂUshshaqi Darvaz », «ÂDilangez », «ÂChorzarb» and other songs collected and recorded by Akasharyf Juraev testify to the presence of the shashmakom tradition in the mountains since time immemorial. In 2000, the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the National Shashmakom Ensemble of Tajikistan was celebrated. On this occasion, by a decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, relating to the development of shashmakom, it obtained state status and was subsequently renamed “National Shashmakom Ensemble” after Fazliddin Shakhobov.
Shashmakom is considered a masterpiece of traditional Tajik music and an invaluable treasure of national heritage. On May 12, 2000, by the decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, this masterpiece of Tajik classical music was been elevated to the status of state music, and every year, this day is celebrated throughout the country as Shashmakom Day. Then in 2003, 2003, UNESCO declared Shashmaqam masterpiece of world music and spiritual monument of humanity.
An article from the International Almanac from BiblioMonde editions, May 11, 2026
