schools, 5 musical schools, a theater, and 20 libraries. There are 7 historical and house museums located in Kokand. The first International Handicrafters Festival took place in Kokand in September 2019. It was hosted by the Uzbekistan Handicraft Association, and the guest of honour was Rosy Greenlees, President of the World Crafts Council. More than 600 creatives from 70 countries participated. The festival was created to enable artisans from around the world to demonstrate and sell their products, as well as to network and further develop their skills. The festival included conference sessions dedicated to developing hand craftsmanship. The crafts on display included musical instruments, painting, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and woodwork. It is planned that the festival will be a biennial event, and it will next take place in 2021. Economy The black market provides nearly 75% of the income generated in the borders of the city. This includes retail, groceries, employment, money exchange, agriculture and manufacturing of many goods. A large part of the population works as small business owners in outdoor markets. Kokand is a center for the manufacture of fertilizers, chemicals, machinery, and cotton and food products. Over the last two decades, new districts and public buildings have been created in the city as well as many houses, shops, cafes, restaurants and other private sector ventures. Kokand is an education center with one institute, nine colleges and lyceums, and numerous museums. Notable people Muhammad Sharif Gulkhani, poet and satirist Ziroatkhon Hoshimova, First Lady of Uzbekistan Peter Mikhailovich Kulakov, television evangelist Ida Mayrin (born 1997), Israeli Olympic rhythmic gymnast Yodgor Nasriddinova, Uzbek-Soviet engineer and communist party official Abdulla Qahhor, Uzbek writer Hamza Hakimzade Niyazi, Uzbek poet and playwright Saida Mirziyoyeva, Uzbek politician, eldest daughter of the President of Uzbekistan Furqat, Uzbek poet Abraham Resnick, rabbi Serhiy Shkarlet, Ukrainian politician References External links Official city portal of Kokand Populated places in Fergana Region Cities in Uzbekistan Populated places along the Silk Road Fergana Oblast