British pop singer Robbie Williams angered many Uzbeks after pointing at his bottom during a concert in the country’s capital, Tashkent, on December 15.
Williams’ concert, which was organized with the help of Alisher Usmanov, an Uzbek-Russian billionaire and co-owner of Arsenal, an English football team, is a rare event for a conservative nation like Uzbekistan.
Williams first appeared on stage in a Uzbek-style « khalat, » or robe.
« This is my band, » he said at the start of the concert, while pointing to his band members.
« [And] this is my arse, » he said, turning around and lifting up his robe, revealing his underwear.
« Tonight your arse is mine, » he added, evoking a mixture of laughter and shrieks.
Social media users took to the internet immediately after the concert to criticize Williams’ move and, by extension, Western influences in their country in general.
« We need to filter out Western culture, if you can even call this culture! » user Saiyora Hodjayeva posted online.
Another user, Mukimjon Halmatov, wrote, « Some people bring in the swine illnesses, some people brings AIDS or even the sickness that is [Daesh]. They now want to infect Uzbekistan with the disease of democracy. Evidently that is what Robbie was brought here for. »
Kamariddin Shaikhov, the editor of Uzbek news website Qalampir.uz, said that his website was filled with angry messages after Williams’ concert.
« It is odd that the singer would come out on stage in a robe while not wearing trousers, » Shaikhov wrote in his publication. « He showed lack of respect to our culture by lifting his robe and revealing his rear parts to the people sitting in the audience. What is this, a sign of his education? Is this what you call respect for the Uzbek people? »
However, not all Uzbeks were offended by Williams’ actions.
Zarina Ubaidullayeva, a Tashkent resident and a fan of the singer, said that people were overreacting to the performer’s actions.
« It was just a joke. It isn’t like he ran around naked on stage. There is no call for judging him so harshly, » Ubaidullayeva told EurasiaNet.org.
« But then there was the other matter of the expensive tickets, which meant that I couldn’t afford to go to the concert. Since Usmanov was sponsoring this, then they could have made entry free or at least set symbolic prices, » she added.
Concert tickets ranged from $190 to $225, but average monthly salaries in the country are approximately $125, meaning few could afford the steep price.
