Tashkent (AsiaNews) – Prayers and liturgy are not the only sounds echoing in Tashkent's Catholic church. Ever since the collapse of communism ten years ago, the parish church of the Sacred Hear, which was returned to the Catholic Church, has been host to numerous musical concerts.

Some of these concerts have been landmarks in the city's cultural life. It was here that Händel's Messiah and Saint-Saëns's Christmas Oratorio had their Uzbek premiere.

The most recent event took place two weeks ago. It was a concert for disabled children.

Vocal compositions and organ music were performed for free. Spectators brought office supplies for children suffering from cerebral spastic infantile paralysis, who can now use hundreds of pens, writing-books, notebooks, pencils and other office supplies. Some spectators donated money, enough to buy 4 CD-players and some of the technical equipment.

There are about 4,000 Catholics in Uzbekistan, country of 25 million 88 per cent Muslim. (LU)