15th Gabala International Music Festival Opens in Azerbaijan with Global Cultural Participation
Baku, The Gulf Observer: The 15th Gabala International Music Festival officially commenced on July 29 in Azerbaijan’s scenic city of Gabala, bringing together acclaimed musicians and performers from around the world for a celebration of music and intercultural dialogue.
The festival is initiated and organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, co-supported by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture, with the support of the Uzeyir Hajibeyli Baku Academy of Music and “Gilan.”
The opening concert featured the Student Symphony Orchestra of the Baku Academy of Music under the baton of People’s Artist Ramiz-Malik Aslanov, marking the beginning of a week-long program of classical and contemporary musical performances.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Rector of the Uzeyir Hajibeyli Baku Academy of Music and People’s Artist Farhad Badalbeyli highlighted the festival’s successful 15-year history, noting that it has hosted distinguished soloists, symphony orchestras, choirs, conductors, and performers from numerous countries.
He said the festival continues to offer a rich and diverse concert program featuring a wide range of musical genres, adding that it has evolved into one of the region’s most prestigious international cultural events, fostering artistic exchange and bringing together leading musicians from across the globe.
The inaugural concert included performances by Honored Artist Elvin Hoca Ganiyev on violin, soprano Aysun Mahmudzada, clarinetist Shamistan Aliyev, and cellist Vagif Gurbanov, who performed works by Azerbaijani and European composers.
Running until August 3, the Gabala International Music Festival will serve as an important platform for cultural cooperation and intercultural dialogue, welcoming prominent artists from Azerbaijan as well as Germany, Russia, Austria, Kazakhstan, Moldova, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
The annual festival continues to strengthen Azerbaijan’s reputation as a regional hub for international cultural exchange, promoting friendship and understanding through the universal language of music.
