Opening of the Gabala Second International Music Festival

The Second International Music Festival held in Gabala at the initiative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation was officially inaugurated on July 30. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova attended the ceremony.

First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the event.

Address by Mehriban Aliyeva:

Dear Mr President!

Dear Director General!

Dear friends!

I sincerely greet you in Gabala, one of the most ancient towns in Azerbaijan. Gabala is one of the most beautiful places not in Azerbaijan only but all over the world. Gabala has a rich history and amazing nature. In the beginning of the new era Gabala was the capital of Caucasian Albania, one of the most ancient civilizations in the world where people of different languages, religions, traditions and cultures lived for centuries and each era, each culture left traces here. Every person who comes here feels the breath of centuries. Throughout the time, states, civilizations and nations emerged and disappeared. What has not changed is these grandiose mountains, incessantly flowing rivers and springs, trees rising towards the sky. As if the lovely nature of Gabala creates a unique musical composition and invites us to listen to that.

Nowadays, there is no Caucasian Albania on the world map, but Gabala acts as the capital of culture, music. International Music Festival in Gabala is a tradition already. Works by genius Azeri and world composers will be played on this stage in frame of this festival. Along with young performers, world-famous musicians will appear on this stage. Chamber, classic, folk, jazz music will be played, master classes given for pupils of regional music schools, cooperation of profession created. In short, all these days we all – both viewers and musicians will be united by music. The language of music requires no interpretation. Irrespective of nation, religion, this language is clear to everyone.

Azerbaijan is always distinguished for its culture of music and Heydar Aliyev Foundation performs a number of huge projects to preserve and propagate the music heritage of our country. Of them, I would like to emphasize International Mugham Festival, Mstislav Rostropovich Music Festival, festivals dedicated to jubilees of genius composers and performers such Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Dmitri Shostakovich, Bulbul. Gabala International Music Festival is the next step by Heydar Aliyev Foundation towards the protection of the Azerbaijani and universal music, cultural values.

Today, I want to express my deep thanks to Mrs Bokova. As a UNESCO Director General Mrs Bokova has paid one of her first visits to our country and is participating today in Gabala Festival together with us. Azerbaijan and UNESCO share very firm cooperation. A number of large projects have been implemented over the past years with participation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation and due to support of UNESCO. Among them, I would like to mention creation of the International Mugham Center, the International Mugham Festival, restoration of cultural and historical monuments, projects in field of education. I hope the visit by Mrs Bokova to our country will be a strong contribution to this cooperation.

Mr President, I thank You for being here today despite the tough work schedule. I am sure Your support is very significant for all participants of the Festival, in particular for young performers.

I sincerely greet and thank all guests, gifted performers, musicians having come from different places of the globe to our country to partake in the Festival. This music celebration takes place thanks to you and I welcome you all to Azerbaijan.

I express my deep gratitude to everyone, including the team of Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the local administration for contribution to the Festival. I cordially wish success to all participants of the Festival and I hope junction of wonderful nature and genius music will leave no one indifferent and Gabala Festival will become the true triumph of beauty. Thank you so much.