Grand music festival kicks off in Gabala
By Nigar Orujova
The opening ceremony of the fifth grand Gabala International Music Festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was held in Gabala, a picturesque northern region of Azerbaijan, on July 24.
The grandiose and traditional music festival brings together the world's famous musicians and music lovers from around the country.
A congratulatory message to the festival participants from the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, was read out at the ceremony.
Mehriban Aliyeva cordially greeted the festival participants in the letter.
"Interrelation of the world cultures in the socio-political processes and inter-civilization dialogue ongoing in the world is of great importance at all times. It is as a result of purposeful activity of culture workers that mankind, having overcome the threat of cultures' stand-off, has achieved successful results in the dialogue," the First Lady wrote.
The letter also says that international cultural relations and mutual cultural integration are among the top priorities of Azerbaijan's intergovernmental policy.
"We have achieved recognition in the world by means of our rich culture. Today the international community takes much interest in Azerbaijani culture," it says.
Mehriban Aliyeva also noted that she will always support projects that promote in the world the cultural heritage of Azerbaijani people, which has enriched the world cutlure by very valuable works, as well as promotion of the samples of world culture in Azerbaijan, which increase the efficiency of the cultural and spiritual integration among nations.
"Conducting the Gabala International Music Festival, the authority of which is growing year-on-year, has become traditional...This celebration of friendship and music, which is participated in by numerous musicians from countries around the world, preserving the rich traditions of our cultural heritage, contributes to the invigoration of intercultural dialogue and creates favorable conditions for dialogue and cooperation among musicians representing different countries," the letter said.
Aliyeva believes that the festival, which includes works by Azerbaijani and world composers, reflects perfect unity of picturesque nature and delightful music, and will be enjoyed by everyone, and wished each of the event participants "endless achievements".
Addressing participants, the artistic director of the festival, Baku Music Academy principal Farhad Badalbeyli welcomed all the guests, talented performers and musicians, who came to Azerbaijan to participate in this grand music festival.
The festival serves to promote Azerbaijani music traditions in the world. The Gabala stage hosts performances featuring works by Azerbaijani and foreign composers, classical and chamber music, as well as Azerbaijani folk music mugham. Along with young artists, world-renowned musicians appear on this stage.
It was stressed that Azerbaijan has always stood out for its musical culture. Heydar Aliyev Foundation has a number of major projects to preserve and promote the musical heritage of the country.
Following the ceremony, an open-air concert of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibayli was staged.
A concert of famous Korean pianist Hee Yong Choe was held before the opening ceremony. The musician's new works along with creations by well-known composers were performed.
The music festival will be joined by prominent musicians, art groups, soloists, conductors from Azerbaijan and other countries, including world-famous conductors, musicians and bands from Russia, Turkey, UK, USA, Italy, France, South Korea, Israel, Lithuania, Cuba, and Kazakhstan.
The Gabala stage will host such famous musicians as the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Yuri Bashmet and the Symphony Orchestra of New Russia, a jazz band from Cuba, Amos Talmon, Boris Berezovsky, Vadim Repin, Oxana Yablonskaya, Dmitry Yablonsky, Yoder Benjamin, Mirko Roverelli, Carmelo Corrado Caruso, Idil Biret, Nina Kogan, Jean-Bernard Pommier, Jean Koenig, Ayman Musahadzhaeva, Alexander Soloviev, Sergei Leiferkus, Muza Rubackyte, Hee Yong Choe, and Mikhail Gutman.