London's Kings Place commemorates Novruz holiday
By Nazrin Gadimova
London's Kings Place hosted a concert dedicated to Azerbaijanis' favorite holiday Novruz Bayram on March 7.
Called "Sounds of Spring", the event was organized by Azerbaijan's Culture and Tourism Ministry in collaboration with the country's Embassy in the UK.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, representative of Azerbaijan House Farida Panahova highlighted the achievements of Azerbaijan's music.
Azerbaijan's Ambassador Fakhraddin Gurbanov, in turn, said the Azerbaijani music had deep historical roots, adding that the country was home to the first opera in the East.
The concert featured the performance of soloist of Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre Fidan Hajiyeva and young pianist Zulfiyya Sadigova, who performed the works of world-famous composers, including Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Gara Garayev, Muslim Magomayev, Claude Debussy, Frederic Chopin, and Thomas Arne.
Novruz is a symbol of winter's end and the advent of spring, an affirmation of life in harmony with nature, an indication of equality and fraternity, and the renewal of nature.
Being an old holiday which reflects the cultural, national, and spiritual values of our people and popularizes them in the world, this most cherished holiday of the Azerbaijani people has an ancient history. It is often linked to Zoroastrianism, the oldest of the monotheist religions. Scientific researches relate the Novruz Holiday to the period of prophet Zardush, which dates back 3,500 to 5,000 years.