First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva visits People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov at his home

First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva visited People’s Artist, eminent representative of Azerbaijan’s music culture Alibaba Mammadov at his home, November 4.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov is one of the masterly khanendehs who has contributed to the formation of popular songs and mugham’s performance art, with his unique style and services.

Azerbaijan’s First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva came to the home of the beloved singer of the Azerbaijani people. Mehriban Aliyeva’s visit was pleasant and unexpected for Alibaba muallim.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva said: Hello, dear Alibaba muallim. Nice to see you.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: What a pleasant surprise. You have been so kind to visit me. Believe me, I am so excited that such a great personality, a great human has come to my home.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Thank you. I am very pleased to see you.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: First, I want to congratulate you on the appointment as first vice-president. Second, for being decorated with the Heydar Aliyev Order. Third, the Russian President honoured you with a great award. The whole world was watching this. Believe me, I felt excitement each time I watched these events.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Thank you very much, Alibaba muallim. Thank you.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: Congratulations. You have done great works, have been doing and will go on doing such great works. You know, these three events are so important that they go beyond history. History cannot write them, it is impossible. God bless you.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Thank you very much, Alibaba muallim.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: You are a beloved personality of our people. It is a great owner to win this title. Believe me, you are a beloved person of our people.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: I am greatly honoured to hear these words from such a person as you. Believe me, it is very pleasing to have such feelings, Alibaba muallim.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: Thank you. I follow you, not missing any minute. I see you wherever you are. You have always been in my heart.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Thank you very much, Alibaba muallim. I want to say you that I very well remember our first meeting. At the time, we launched a big project of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. You may remember, it was a project aiming to preserve the art of mugham, our national treasure. You have provided a great support, and over the course of these years, we did great works, enjoying your support. You are one of the eminent khanendehs of Azerbaijan. You have your own style, being a master with very beautiful voice and a beloved khanendeh of the Azerbaijani people. You are loved by all. I want to also note that you have been carrying national and spiritual values of Azerbaijan. Therefore, you are a person enjoying a great respect. Each time I talk to you, I discover something new for me, and learn. You are a great teacher, teaching at the Music Academy for over fifty years. You have had great services in training the new generation of khanendehs. Therefore, Alibaba muallim, thank you very much again and I want to wish you sound health, which is the most important.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: Thank you very much. I don’t know what to say, I know many words, everything, but seeing you, I forgot them. I too congratulate you. The whole world heard what Putin said. We all are proud of you. As you know, this was a respect and care, a very good event. You have always shown respect towards me as a senior man, and as an artist. I’ve never forgotten your care, and would not ever. This is impossible.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Thank you very much.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: But I would like to mention that you made me again go down in history. Why, because I have 100 songs, which I’ve created for fifty years, by two each year.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Very beautiful songs.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: People have been singing these songs for fifty years. I asked you to help preserve them, make sure they are not lost, otherwise our disagreeable neighbours would take them for their own, saying that they were indeed their own songs. You reacted to my request very quickly and started a beautiful project with great enthusiasm.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: That is true. They are part of our cultural heritage, Alibaba muallim. Your creative legacy is a cultural heritage of the people of Azerbaijan. And we, of course, have to keep and preserve it.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: Indeed, you have done a great service not only to me, but also to the people of Azerbaijan. Our people’s music was enriched; there are one hindered songs, all are popular songs. There have never been strange voices, and will not be. How can I forget this goodness, who can forget? Our people too will not forget. You know, you have done a great deal of work, endless work. But I want to say that you are loved by the people, this is a great honour. If an artist is loved by the people, he is as strong as a mountain.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Thank you very much. I am greatly honoured to hear these words from you. Believe me, it is an honour indeed, Thank you very much.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: I say what is true, you are very kind person. You have done very benevolent works, being Hajji Zeynalabdin of our time.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Thank you, Alibaba muallim. I want to convey to you big greetings of the President.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: I am hugging my President too.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: He loves you very much, and asked to convey his big greetings to you, Alibaba muallim, and wished you sound health.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: Thank him on my behalf. In the meantime, look, how much work you have done for the last 15 years, who could do it? Our President has been leading us, our people for 15 years. Look and see, is Azerbaijan as it used to be before, is Baku the same as it was in the past?

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Yes, a great deal of work has beendone in our country.

People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov: He has donegreat works, and is doing the greatest ones. He has regulated everything. You know, I am not a politician. I am a mugham performer, khanendeh. I have some knowledge of poetry and mugham, and am engaged in nothing else. But my eyes see. Sometimes I say some people have no eyes, and are blind to the works done. I want to thank you on behalf of myself, of musicians, and of our people. May you be blessed with all the good in the world.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Thank you very much. I have always felt your support.

At the end, First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva wished sound health to eminent representative of our national music culture, People’s Artist and skilful performer of mugham, tasnifs and popular songs Alibaba Mammadov, and successes in his future activity.