Press and Commentary
‘…More extraordinary were the recent performances of Hugh Philpott, Britain’s man in Turkmenistan, who broadcast videos of himself singing Soviet-era folk songs against sweeping mountain landscapes. When challenged on social media about singing songs associated with a country with a poor human-rights record, the ambassador replied: This exercise has done more to further my serious agenda than I ever hoped… Sometimes a song can say things a thousand dull demarches just don’t get across.’
— James Landale, BBC diplomatic editor, writing in The Diplomat Magazine – ‘Music and Diplomacy’
‘Dressed in a crumpled linen shirt, Britain’s ambassador to Turkmenistan has gained fans with a song in the tricky local language.’
— Tom Parfitt, The Times, 19 December 2020
‘Bob’s Music Award” is Tajikistan’s national original song contest aimed at developing cultural opportunities for young people to express their talents through music and expand their professional horizons.'
‘The untold story of Tajikistan's original song competition shared to you by those who played a direct part in bringing this idea into life...’
https://www.facebook.com/UKinTajikistan/videos/358665511668406
‘Bob’s Music Award - This project was created and developed in memory of Bob Leverington’s activities and his dedication to the cultural life of Tajikistan.’
Bactria Culture Centre 2022
The Bactria Culture Centre was my implementing partner and as you will see they took the baton and ran.
«Легендарную песню “Мухаббат” на таджикском языке Чрезвычайный и Полномочный посол Великобритании в Таджикистане Хью Филпотт посвятил всем таджикским женщинам».
‘The legendary song Muhabbat, performed in the Tajik language, was dedicated by Hugh Philpott, the British Ambassador to Tajikistan, to all Tajik women.’
— Asia-Plus, - “Посол Британии в Таджикистане спел про любовь на таджикском”,
9 March 2019
«Сафири Бритониё дар Тоҷикистон Ҳю Филпотт гуфт, интернетро бояд мисли барқ ва об фикр кунем ва сарфи назар аз чигуна истифода шудан, онҳо бояд бошанд.»
“The British Ambassador to Tajikistan, Hugh Philpott, said the internet should be treated like electricity and water — a basic necessity of modern life.”
— Nansmit.org, “Сафири Бритониё: ‘Интернет мисли обу барқ аст, бояд бошад’”,
last accessed 13 January 2026