An Evening of Azerbaijan is held in Cologne
An evening of Azerbaijan was held in Cologne, with organizational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The event was organized in historical Gursenich Cultural Hall and lasted more the 3 hours.
Addressing the Evening organized with support from the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Germany, Ambassador Parviz Sadykhov said Azerbaijan was a leading state in the Caucasus by political and economic indices, and talked of its rich culture. The diplomat thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and President of the Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for the projects implemented towards promoting Azerbaijan’s cultural and historical richness around the world, saying: “ The art of mugham of Azerbaijan, a country serving as a bridge between the East and West, has been entered by UNESCO on the List of Cultural Heritage. But, along with national, Eastern music, also classic, European music has enjoyed development, and the concert program in Cologne is an obvious sample thereof.” Parviz Shahbazov underlined that Daghlyg Garabagh, the homeland of Azerbaijani music, has been for over 20 years under the occupation of Armenian armed forces, and that, as a result of this occupation, over 1 million people became refugees and internally displaced.
Hosting the the event, Germany’s well-known TV host Joe Fechner gave information about Azerbaijan, before starting the concert program. He mentioned that first parliamentary republic in the Orient was established in Azerbaijan, and that women were granted a right to vote in Azerbaijan even before it happened in Europe. Talking also of the projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mr. Fechner said the Foundation had participated in the restoration of historical churches in Strasbourg and Paris, of Rome catacombs, as well as the Berlin Castle demolished during the World War II years.
At the event was also emphasized development of mugham, jazz and classic music traditions in Azerbaijan, Baku’s successful hosting of the Eurovision song contest in 2012, and that President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva had led the Organizing Committee of the Contest.
The Evening of Azerbaijan continued with a performance by the State Chamber Orchestra of Azerbaijan named after Gara Garayev. Fikret Amirov’s “A Dance of Rejoicing”, Niyazi’s “Rast” symphonic mugham, Uzeir Hajibeyli’s “Arshyn mal alan” Operetta, Guljohra’s aria, Vasif Adygozalov’s “Elegy”, popular song “Sary gelin” and other pieces of music were performed at the concert, under Fuad Ibrahimov’s direction.
Guests of the Evening were given a chance to make themselves familiar with the photo exhibition “Germans in Azerbaijan”. Along with this exhibition, which reflects the life of Germans living in Goygol district of Azerbaijan, a multinational country with traditions of tolerance, the exhibition “Germany through an artist’s eyes” was also demonstrated. Pictures drawn by young Azerbaijanis that have never been to Germany using their imagination of this country are displayed at the exhibition.
Dishes from the Azerbaijani cuisine, various books related to Azerbaijan’s history, culture and art published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, as well as disks with Azerbaijani mugham, jazz, classic and variety music were presented to the guests.
Next event of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation will be held in Hamburg, December 5.
