Opening ceremony of the 2nd International Mugham Festival ‘World of Mugham’

The 2^nd International Mugham Festival ‘World of Mugham’ was solemnly opened at the International Mugham Centre in Baku, March 14.

First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leila Aliyeva attended the event.

Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony:

- Ladies and gentlemen.

Dear guests.

I warmly greet you in the opening ceremony of II International Mugham Festival. I say ‘Welcome to Azerbaijan’ to all guests having arrived in our country to attend the Festival.

It is not by chance that the Mugham Festival takes place on the eve of Novruz Holiday. Mugham and Novruz have many common factors. Both they are very ancient and unite traditions and modernity. As nature always revives, the art of mugham, too, is free, boundless and sourced from itself.

Baku hosted I International Mugham Festival on the initiative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation 2 years ago. This festival was a success and drew a wide resonance. At the same time we inaugurated this wonderful International Mugham Centre. Today we can surely say that Mugham Centre turned into real mugham house for mugham lovers of the world and very beautiful immortal music – mugham will be sounded here from today.

This year’s festival will feature different events. The scientific symposium has already started. These days you will hear classic Azerbaijan mughams in new performances, see mugham operas, listen to mugham-based symphonic music, see a unique phenomenon like ethno-jazz. In short, mugham lovers will witness an ancient culture, a unique music, a deep philosophy. Beside Azerbaijani singers, the Festival involves foreign singers as well. I once again welcome them to Azerbaijan. They are very popular both in their country and in the world. I believe our festival will justify their hopes and become an unforgettable story.

You know that several music festivals are organized and held by Heyda Aliyev Foundation within a year. These are the festivals named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Gara Garayev. This is an international music festival held in ancient town of Gabala. This is a music festival named after our prominent compatriot Mstislav Rostropovich. Every such event, every such music festival turns into a big holiday. The world’s famous musicians come to our country. I hope that ‘World of Mugham’ Festival has taken its decent place in this row and formed its wide audience.

This year’s festival also has another feature. This festival is held on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the restoration of independence of Azerbaijan. We can proudly note that for these 20 years we observed a huge dynamics in the development and propaganda of mugham.

The government develops large-scale projects in the sphere of culture in our country in the past years. According to the State Program, Azerbaijani theaters, museums, concert halls are being restored, new cultural places, new music schools, mugham and cultural centers are being opened in the regions.

Our greatest wealth is our cultural heritage, our literature, poetry, music, unique carpet-weaving school, fine art, architectural monuments. This cultural heritage protects us as a nation. The protection, maintenance and propaganda of this culture is our debt today.

Today I express my deep regards to our well-known masters. You are the leading figures in our art of mugham. You are at the same time the teachers and advisors of young talents, the source of knowledge to them. I wish you long life and good health.

I thank everyone involved in preparation of this festival. I hope the Festival will be a success.

I twice cordially congratulate you all on upcoming Novruz Holiday, wish success to all participants of the Festival and good time to mugham lovers.

And now, I declare ‘World of Mugham’ Festival open.