Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijani musicians held a concert at the renowned Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Held by the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, the concert was dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the first diplomatic meeting of Azerbaijan and the U.S.

The meeting of a high-ranking Azerbaijani delegation led by Speaker of Azerbaijan's Parliament Alimardan bey Topchubashov and U.S. President Woodrow Wilson was held in Paris on April May 28, 1919, on the anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR).

The event started with demonstrating a short promotional video about Azerbaijan.

Speaking at the event, Azerbaijan's Consul General in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev informed the audience about the historic meeting, noting that President Wilson was apparently very much impressed by the encounter.

Aghayev said after returning to the U.S, President Wilson vividly recalled that meeting during a speech in San Francisco at the same year, saying, "One day there came a very dignified and interesting group of gentlemen from Azerbaijan. I talked to men who talked the same language that I did with respect to ideals and conceptions of liberty, right, and justice."

Aghayev also highlighted the many progressive reforms in ADR - the first secular parliamentary democracy in the Islamic world - including granting the right of vote to women even before the U.S. and other Western democracies.

Noting the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, Aghayev said Azerbaijan and the U.S. have built a strong strategic partnership based on common values, interests, and vision for the future and that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in the critically important Caspian region.

Following the remarks, virtuoso pianist Namik Sultanov, Music Professor at the San Jose State University, performed excellent pieces by Azerbaijani and European composers.

Rovshan Mamedkuliev, another Azerbaijani musician and the winner of the Guitar Foundation of America's "Best Guitarist" award, mesmerized the audience with his outstanding performance of pieces by Azerbaijani, American, and European composers.

Azerbaijani Mugham and folk songs, including Sari Gelin and Karabakh Shikestesi, performed by talented Mugham singer Aytan Maharramova and instrumentalists Rovshan Gurbanov (Tar) and Jeyhun Muradov (Kamancha) also captivated the audience and were received with standing ovations.

Over 600 Angelenos attended the concert.

Azerbaijan-US relations are developing rapidly at present.

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.