Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijani musicians brilliantly performed in Nigeria at the "Silk Way" concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

The gala evening was organized with the support of the Chairman of the Association of Friends of Azerbaijan in Nigeria Billura Bayramova, Sputnik Azerbaijan reported.

The concert aimed to present Azerbaijani culture in Nigeria.

Among over 350 spectators there were music lovers who came from Italy, Poland, Albania, France and other countries.

Honored artist, laureate of international competitions Sahib Pashazade, pianist Said Zulfugarov, residing in Paris, vocalists Joseph Oparamanuki and Teuta Nicoleta performed at the concert.

Azerbaijani musicians presented works by Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Gar Garayev, Fikret Amirov, Arif Melikov, Gasan Rzayev, Vasif Adigozalov, Farhad Badalbeyli, as well as mugham compositions.

Their performance was met with a standing ovation.

The audience and the organizers liked the concert so much that it was suggested to perform the same program the next day.

Pashazadeh is confident that their cooperation with Nigeria in the field of art will continue.

On May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan declared its independence establishing the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which became the first secular parliamentary democracy in the Muslim World and recognized by other democratic nations, including the United States of America.

During the short period of independence Azerbaijan granted all people the rights to vote regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, and religion, becoming the first Muslim nation to give women equal political rights with men, an accomplishment preceding the United States. Azerbaijan’s independence was interrupted in 1920, when it was invaded by Bolshevists, and forcefully incorporated into the USSR in 1922 to restore its independence only in 1991.

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

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