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February 1, 2008

Gala concert of Mugham TV Contest-2007 was held

Gala concert of winners of Mugham TV Contest-2007, organized by Azerbaijan TV and Radio Broadcasts JSC in base of the project of Friends of Azerbaijani Culture Foundation due to support of Heydar Aliyev Foundation that lasted more than 3 months, took place February 1 at Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theater.

 

President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva were warmly welcomed in the concert. 

 

Documentary on the Contest was shown first. The film is opened with words ‘Mugham is one of main columns of our culture, Azeri culture and of course, it is moral debt to every Azerbaijani to protect, develop that and pass to future generations’ Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP, said in the meeting with winners and jury of the Contest. Members of the jury of the Contest – people’s artists Alibaba Mammadov, Arif Babayev, Agakhan Abdullayev, Sakina Ismailova, Mansum Ibrahimov, secretary of Azerbaijan Composers Union, doctor of art studies, professor Ramiz Zohrabov, performer of the Mugham TV Contest-2007 project, honor figure in art Nadir Akhundov, People’s Artist Alim Gasymov talk in the film of care and attention in the country for protection, development of the national wealth of our people mugham, its popularization all over the world, growing the new generation of mugham singers. They highly assess the highest care Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva renders to mugham.

 

It is noted in the film projects ‘Mugham Irs’, ‘Mugham Destgah’, ‘Mugham Ensiklopediya’, ‘Mugham Antologiyasy’, ‘Mugham Alemi’ and ‘Mugham Merkezi’ that are of huge importance for realization of desires of the great protector of Azeri culture and art, national leader Heydar Aliyev will enter the history of our national music as the new pages.

 

The film talks in detail of music album ‘Garabagh Khanendeleri’, released on the initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva, and includes episodes from the ceremony of its presentation.

 

The film provides information on the first TV mugham contest held in 2005, meeting of President Ilham Aliyev with finalists of that contest, foundation laying ceremony of International Mugham Center in Baku in presence of the President and UNESCO director general, concerts held in Paris, Washington, Russia with participation of mugham singers, publication of new magazine on mugham. 

 

Then, winners of the Contest performed. Ehtiram Huseynov sang folk song Sary Gelin, Shushter tesnif was performed by Ravana Arabova, Vilayeti mugham by Nasir Atapur, Shirvan shikestesi by Abgul Mirzaliyev, Mirza Huseyn segah by Gullu Muradova and Gatar tesnif was sang by Elmeddin Ibrahimov.

 

The concert ended with Garabagh Shikestesi sang by all the winners.

 

President of Azerbaijan ILHAM ALIYEV came to the backstage after the concert and met with young talents. He said:

 

I congratulate you. You are the winners of the mugham contest. The people of Azerbaijan was watching this contest during 3 months. You have taken the first places as result of very hard competition. This is big achievement. I sincerely congratulate you on this occasion. I believe you in future will gladden the people of Azerbaijan with your talent, lift your professionalism. 

 

Mugham is the national wealth to us, to the people of Azerbaijan. For these months all the people of Azerbaijan knew the art of mugham more deeply. This contest is traditional already. I am sure this contest will be held in next years too and so, mugham will be living and developing. And on our side we must do everything to protect and strengthen this wonderful art. Coming generations also will play their role in development of mugham. 

 

This contest was initiated by Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan TV. I appreciate this initiative. I find it very valuable. They are not here now but I want to emphasize the jury in its absence. Their action, comments, advices were very valuable both for you and mugham lovers.

 

You know well that almost majority of our citizens have watched the contest during these months. That was watched not only in Azerbaijan but in all other countries as well. Azerbaijan TV is transmitted now via satellite in other countries and I know that world Azerbaijanis have watched this contest with great interest. I also want to say that lots of letters were addressed to my internet site relating this. Azeris living abroad have emphasized their happiness, the trouble of people involved in realization of this contest.

 

In short, I want to mention twice that during these months you have presented happiness to the people of Azerbaijan. For this time you have become popular. Probably, people seeing you in street, public places approach, talk to you, express their attitude. I believe you will keep the high level, become the national stars in true sense of the word.

 

There are stars now in different genres of Azerbaijani music. This is natural. Like other countries in Azerbaijan also it must be and it is. But I am very glad that there are already stars in our national music. They are working and propagating in such a wonderful way the art of mugham, the national wealth of Azerbaijani people, the base of our art of music.

 

I wish you good luck in your future action. I believe you for long years will make the people of Azerbaijan happy with your art. I once again congratulate you.

 

Congratulations by the President received an ovation from mugham singers and masters of art who expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.

 

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva were photographed with young singers.


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