Reports on the allocation of almost half a billion soums from the budget to create a website for artists caused a lot of negative reactions on social networks.

The Ministry of Culture commented on the decision related to the costs of developing a portal for representatives of the sphere of culture and art.

As the department notes, currently, there is no unified information system that would provide reliable information about cultural and artistic figures working in this area and their creative activities.

In addition, there is no integration field between residents and artists, where people could invite artists to their celebrations and establish direct contact with them.

The ministry also said that the portal being created is of an encyclopedic nature; it will contain information not about just 10 singers, but will also have data about all representatives of the sphere: singers, artists, actors, directors, poets, writers, bakhshis, circus performers and others.

The site promises to post reliable information about folklore groups, singing and dancing ensembles, as well as pop, orchestral, choral, and theater groups.

The Ministry of Culture also emphasized that through this site it will be possible to check the license of artists. Most importantly, the portal will ensure transparency when recommending representatives of culture and art for state awards.

“The costs of developing this portal were determined taking into account the complex technical tasks of the new system, which includes a multifunctional and large database,” the statement says.