The ceremony of presentation of the album dedicated to creativity of Rafig Babayev, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan

Ceremony of presentation was held April 11 at Heydar Aliyev Foundation of music album dedicated to creativity of People’s Artist, composer, pianist Rafig Babayev, who has special place in the history of music culture of Azerbaijan.

President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony.

Speech by Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva:

Dear guests, dear friends,

I sincerely greet you all at Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Today we have gathered for the ceremony of presentation of the music album dedicated to creativity of outstanding figure in art, musician, composer, People’s Artist Rafig Babayev.

This album prepared by Heydar Aliyev Foundation includes book about life and activity of the master, 8 music CDs of his selected works and 2 DVDs containing video materials.

Rafig Babayev is known as the master who brought a new soul, different vision to the music in the 070s of XX century. Devoted to the origins of the national music he was one of the music innovators having founded the synthesis of the western and eastern music traditions, mugham and folk melodies with jazz rhythms. His numerous works of jazz, fortepiano, pop, plays and songs are popular in Azerbaijan and outside.

Till the end of his life he continued his studies and opened a new page in every phase of his creativity, showed himself in a new style. Who knows, maybe this person of great, true talent was feeling that his life would not be so long and that is why he was hurrying to live, work and create. He was always looking for innovations, passing ahead his time and today we can say that he was creating and working for the future.

Unfortunately, life of such a person ceased in the half of the way did not let many of his dreams come true. Rafig Babayev tragically died as a result of the Armenian terror committed in Baku Metro in March 1994, our culture had a big loss. As a result of this terror, 14 people died, 49 wounded. In whole, in the early 1990s the Armenian terrorist organizations committed 32 terrorist acts in our country, over 2000 people were victims of these acts. Presenting this album today we honor not only Rafig Babayev but all the innocent people having become victims of all Armenian terrors.

Heydar Aliyev Foundation has published a number of documents exposing the aggressive policy of Armenia to Azerbaijan. These documents contain the ethnic cleansing policy of Armenians against Azerbaijanis, Khojaly tragedy and other terrible facts. As you know, collection ‘Realities of Garabagh’, which have been translated into a number of foreign languages and distributed abroad, inform all the world of these realities.

All his life long great master Rafig Babayev demonstrated devotion to the friendship and brotherhood of nations. His works, amazing melodies were bringing together all people irrespective of nationality and religion and it proves that he was the real man, great humanist. Life of every great master is longer than human life. Creativity of Rafig Babayev is with us today, his unforgettable melodies are in our heart. They are much loved and always performed by the people of Azerbaijan. 

I believe Rafig Babayev will be living in heart of his natives, friends and persons knowing him personally as the great master, musician, composer and a bright personality possessing highest humane qualities. I am very glad that by creating this album we have managed to make contribution to protection and propaganda of the creative heritage of the great master. 

I once again cordially greet all the participants of the ceremony and wish you health.