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March 11, 2015

Inauguration of the 4th International Mugham Festival takes place at the Heydar Aliyev Center

Inauguration of the Mugham World 4th International Mugham Festival took place at the Heydar Aliyev Center, March 11. 


At the event, which was attended by state and government officials, cultural and  public persons, Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Alakbarov read the address by Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva to the participants of the Festival.


In the address, it is stated that every nation’s greatest wealth is its cultural heritage: “What has preserved the people of Azerbaijan for centuries as a nation was its rich culture, language, literature, poetry and music. To preserve, maintain and promote this heritage is our moral duty today. The fact that a number of valuable examples of our national and cultural heritage, including Azerbaijani mugham, ashyg, carpet-weaving art, performing tar, and kalaghayi art and Novruz Bayram were entered on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage is a sign of attention and care shown towards our cultural heritage and preservation thereof. 


Azerbaijan has been implementing a number of projects of international significance on protection and promotion of unique treasures of both Azerbaijan’s national and cultural heritage and rare treasures of the world’s cultural heritage. Now, the art of mugham is  not only our treasure, it belongs also to the whole world. The world of mugham is and endless space, without boundary, and people that immortalize this space have now a permanent place to meet  – the Mugham World International Mugham Festival, traditionally held in Baku. It’s been the forth time now that this ancient mugham art brings together persons of art and scholars coming from around the world together, and bestows upon pleasant moments”.


The address is concluded with these words: “I believe the international symposium included in the programme of the 4th International Mugham Festival - the contest of young performers and performances of musicians coming from different parts of the world, where the traditions of mugham is disseminated - will serve, in general, to enrichment of the mugham world further. I wish successes to all participants of the Festival. I’m sure the audience will be introduced an interesting and colourful music programme, and this festival will remain in memories of the Festival’s participants and in the history of Azerbaijan’s music culture as one of the meaningful pages”. 


On the first day of the Mugham World 4th International Mugham Festival, the audience was introduced a concert programme performed by the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra named after Uzeir Hajibeyli and the State Choir.“ The Orchestra was directed by Fakhraddin Karimov.


Being held with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Azerbaijan Composers Union, the Festival will continue until March 18. 


Within the framework of the Festival, concerts, and international scientific symposium and an international mugham contest will be held both in Baku and in a number of districts of the republic with participation of musicians from Azerbaijan and foreign countries. 


World-renowned musicians from Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, USA, France, England, Lebanon, Spain, Germany, Jordan, Russia, China, India, Tunis, Belgium, Slovenia and Netherlands are invited to the Festival. Alongside foreign musicians, eminent Azerbaijani masters of mugham such as Arif Babayev, Mansum Ibrahimov, Zabit Nabizadeh, Nazaket Teymurova, Gulyaz Mammadova, Agil Malikov, Elnara Abdullayeva, Tayyar Bayramov, Sabuhi Ibayev and talented young performers – Arzu Aliyeva, Babek Niftaliyev, Ilkin Ahmadov, Gullu Muradova, Miralam Miralamov etc. - will perform at the concerts. 


Performances of the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra named after Uzeir Hajibeyli, the Azerbaijan Sate Popular Instruments Orchestra, the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra named after Gara Garayev, the State Choir and Symphonette Orchestra are expected too.


During the days of Festival, the guests will be introduced “Leyli and Majnun” and “Asli and Karam” operas by Uzeir Hajibeyli on the scene of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. 


And in the Baku Jazz Centre, an event devoted to the 75th anniversary of eminent master of jazz Vagif Mustafazadeh, and concerts with participation of jazz bands led by Jamil Amirov, Salman Gambarov and Elchin Shirinov will be organized.  


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