Intercultural comparison of Maqām and related phenomena

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Two of the five meetings of the ICTM Study Group “maqam” have taken place in the field, with the latest held in Samarkand, a city rich in architectural beauty and musical history related to the Muslim world. This setting provided an inspiring backdrop for the 5th conference, which was linked to the III. International Music Festival “Sharq Taronalari.” The main focus was on the “Intercultural Comparison of Maqam and Related Phenomena.” The goal was to deepen the understanding gained from previous conferences by comparing maqam across various cultural regions. Participants aimed to explore the connections and similarities among the diverse manifestations of maqam, allowing for a clearer distinction of local and regional traditions. Additionally, the comparison highlighted the temporal and spatial distances between these traditions. Ultimately, this approach aimed to illuminate the creative achievements of maqam practitioners throughout history and clarify the development processes involved. The conference yielded several intriguing contributions to this exploration, as evidenced by the studies presented.