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July 31, 2018

Opening of the 10th Gabala International Music Festival takes place

On July 31, opening of the 10th Gabala International Music Festival, held with organizational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, supported by the Culture Ministry and “Gilan Holding”, took place.

 

At the ceremony held on an open scene before the Heydar Aliyev Congress Centre in Gabala town, a congratulation letter by Mehriban Aliyeva - the First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, who has had exclusive services in the advancement and promotion of the music culture in our country - to festival participants was read.

 

It is stated in the letter: “Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends”

 

Esteemed participants and guests of the Festival.

 

I would like to sincerely welcome all of you – participants and guests of the Gabala International Music Festival.

 

Our meetings in this beautiful corner of Azerbaijan has already become a tradition. First, we met at the Gabala 1st International Classical Music Festival in 2009. Today, we are celebrating a significant jubilee. It is for the tenth time that Gabala is receiving participants and guests of this brilliant music holiday.

 

It is worth of esteem that this festival earned respect and support in Azerbaijan, with its very rich cultural heritage and music traditions. Our people has endowed the music world with such leading figures as Uzeir Hajibeyli, Gara Garayev, Niyazi, Fikret Amirov, Muslim Magomayev, Bulbul, and Rashid Behbudov. Mugham, the art of ashyg, folk songs and dances have come down from remote ages to these days.

 

Classical music art has always been appreciated highly in Azerbaijan. The first opera in the eastern and Muslim world was created in Azerbaijan, and staged. It is no accident that our country has earned an unofficial title of the “music capital” of the region. Numerous music festivals on various types and genres are regularly organized in Azerbaijan. The Gabala Festival has its special place among them. This festival is held in one of the most beautiful and oldest corners of Azerbaijan, once the capital of the Caucasian Albania, Gabala, rather than in the capital Baku. Chosen to hold the festival, this town embodies Azerbaijan’s old history and our people’s rich cultural heritage, as well as current achievements of the social and economic development of our country and its regions.

 

We can say with confident that we have reached a number of achievements over the course of past years. The Gabala Festival has put the foundation of a new and nice tradition in the cultural life of Azerbaijan and the whole Caucasus, having earned its worthy place among international music events. It is gaining more and more influence among the professionals and lovers of classic music. Renowned musicians and music groups of the world are performing on the festival’s scene. Our ancient Gabala has turned into the most beloved place of meeting for those who love this art – musicians, spectators and music critics. An unbelievable warm atmosphere dominates here for creative unity, and mutual understanding. Joined by performers and groups from a number of countries and various continents, this grandiose music and friendship holiday does not only acquaint the international music society with Azerbaijan’s cultural treasures, but also creates possibilities for musicians representing different countries to build friendly relations, contributing to supporting dialogue between cultures and civilizations.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends. Some of you have already been to our country, and for some, this is a first trip to Azerbaijan. Our country is well known for its kindness and hospitality. The people of Azerbaijan is always ready for new ideas, along with preserving its rich history and cultural heritage.

 

The year 2018 has been successful for us. This year, we have been celebrating the 100th anniversary of establishing the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan – the first republic in the Muslim Orient with a multinational and multiparty parliament, which had granted women the right to vote on a par with men. Now and a hundred years ago too, our people’s historical choice for democracy and freedom remained unchanged.

 

We have always been glad to meet guests. The fact that the Gabala international music festival widens its geography year-by-year, and the number of friends and loyal fans are increasing is an obvious example of this. The current jubilee festival and the friendly environment existing here will once more demonstrate that there is no border and obstacles for a true art.

 

During the days of festival, we are going to have a very interesting and rich festival programme. Both renowned stars and young musicians will appear on the scene. I am sure the 10th Gabala International Music Festival will turn into a significant page of the cultural life, endowing us with a number of interesting meetings and nice impressions.

 

I wish all of you successes, peace, abundance, and tranquillity.”

 

Then chairperson of the Republican Union of Elderly, MP Fattah Heydarov and rector of the Uzeir Hajibeyli Baku Music Academy, People’s Artist, artistic director of the Gabala International Music Festival Farhad Badalbeyli addressed the ceremony.

 

After the opening ceremony, the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra named after Uzeir Hajibeyli performed with an extensive concert programme. 


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