Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

The opening of America Days Festival in Baku took place at Azerbaijan State Philharmonic named after Muslim Magomayev last week, Trend life reports.

The Festival aims at presenting diversity of American culture to Azerbaijani people, as well as at promoting mutual understanding between the two nations.

U.S. Ambassador to Baku Robert Cekuta, addressing the event, outlined the main purpose of the festival demonstrating the diversity of cultures, which are rich in both countries.

“The United States and Azerbaijan have many things in common. These include an emphasis on different ethnic groups, people of different religions, different cultural traditions coming together – a striving not just for tolerance of differences, but an acceptance, a welcoming of different traditions," said the ambassador.

"I am happy and excited to welcome you to this concert tonight in which we are privileged to listen to outstanding Azerbaijani artists perform works by American composers. I can’t think of a better way to show and strengthen the bridges, the connections between the United States and Azerbaijan than this sort of collaborative production that harnesses the creativity that is innate in both our multicultural traditions," he added.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Sevda Mamedaliyeva, for her part, said that holding America Days in Azerbaijan will contribute to the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States.

Then, the event continued with the performance of famous Azerbaijani pianist, people's artist Murad Adigozalzadeh accompanied by Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra and conducted by people's artist Rauf Abdullayev. The musician performed the composition of world famous American composer, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in style a Blues".

Further, the guests enjoyed Samuel Barber's "Adagio for strings" composition and symphonic pictures from the Opera "Porgy and Bess" by George Gershwin. The evening ended with an essay of Leonardo Bernstein titled "Glory", dedicated to the memory of world-renown cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.

The festival that will last until May 21 will also present concerts of famous singers and groups, modern dance groups, film screenings, entertainment programs for children, demonstration of American cuisine, exhibitions, etc.

Programming will take place in Baku with some events in the regions in Azerbaijan.

All events are free and are open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Since Azerbaijan's emergence as an independent nation in 1991, the U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership based on mutual interests and common values. The two countries cooperate in various fields including, energy, economy, agriculture, culture, education and security.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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