Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Mugham (folk music) singer Alim Gasimov and his daughter Fargana Gasimova represented Azerbaijan at the Festival d'Ile de France on September 15.

Gasimov and his daughter were accompanied by Rauf Islamov playing kamancha (stringed musical instrument), Zeki Veliyev on tar (stringed instrument) and Rafael Isgandarov (percussion) during the concert.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbayov and employees of the Embassy as well as representatives of the diaspora and students took part at the concert. Moreover, books related to national musical instruments and cuisine were presented at the event.

Alim Gasimov is a prominent mugham singer, who is titled a "Living National Treasure" of Azerbaijan. The famous singer was awarded the International Music Council-UNESCO Music Prize in 1999. He is also a master of the ancient Ashig folk art.

This summer, Gasimov performed Azerbaijani mugham at the European Stadium of Culture festival in Poland, the 49th International Festival of Carthage in Tunisia and in Gabala city, an Azerbaijani cultural center.

The Festival d'Ile de France, which is underway, is held every year, in September and October, and includes about thirty concerts, which take place in the heritage locations of the Ile de France region. Its versatile program offers classical music, from baroque to contemporary creations, world music, jazz and electronic music. The festival welcomes between 20,000 and 25,000 spectators for each season.