The 14th Silk Road International Music Festival has been
successfully held in the historic city of Shaki,
Azernews reports.
Co-organized by the Culture Ministry, Azerbaijan Composers’
Union and Shaki Executive Power, the festival brought together
renowned ensembles and musicians from Azerbaijan, Turkiye and
China, offering audiences a rich blend of cultural sounds.
Opening night honors Azerbaijan’s ethnic
heritage
The festival’s opening concert took place at the historic
Yukhari Karavansaray hotel complex.
Executive Director of the Baku International Center for
Multiculturalism, Ravan Hasanov, addressed the audience before the
concert. He expressed pride in participating in a festival that
reflects Azerbaijan’s deep-rooted history and cultural wealth.
Ravan Hasanov emphasized the importance of multiculturalism,
quoting National Leader Heydar Aliyev: “The more cultures a nation
unites, the richer it becomes.”
He pointed out that nearly 30 ethnic groups live in Azerbaijan,
each contributing to the country’s cultural diversity.
Furthermore, the audience enjoyed performances by several folk
groups like “Jahan” Avar Ensemble, Khovalim Talysh Folklore Group,
Suvar Lezgi Ensemble, Slavyanochka Folk Choir, and Khinayakhdy Folk
Group.
The concert concluded with a performance of the iconic song
“Azerbaijan” by the legendary Muslim Magomayev.
Following the concert, the festival’s artistic director and
Chairperson of the Azerbaijan Composers’ Union, People’s Artist and
Professor Frangiz Alizade, addressed the audience. She praised the
event as a longstanding tradition that continues to leave lasting
impressions on locals and visitors alike.
Festival organizers presented commemorative gifts to the leaders
of participating ensembles.
Jahangir Jahangirov Choir delights
festival-goers
Jahangir Jahangirov Choir captivated music lovers on the
festival’s second day. The concert opened with a choral composition
based on the opera “Leyli and Majnun”, inspired by the classic poem
by Muhammad Fuzuli. Soloists included Zeynab Najafova (Leyli),
Ravan Gachayev (Majnun), Orkhan Nur (Leyli’s father), and
Zeynalabdin Karimov (Majnun’s father).
The concert program continued with musical selections from
operettas such as “Sevgili Canan”, “The Cloth Peddler”, “If Not
That One, Then This One”, as well as popular, folk songs, and
composer works. The audience warmly welcomed each performance.
The evening ended with a presentation of the festival’s symbolic
gift to the choir in recognition of their successful concert and
cultural contribution.
Chinese ensemble brings ancient melodies to
Shaki
The third day of the festival featured a captivating concert by
performers from the Northwest Normal University of the People’s
Republic of China.
Held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Shaki, the concert was
attended by representatives of the festival’s organizing bodies,
international guests, and local music enthusiasts. At the start of
the event, it was noted that Chinese musicians have regularly
participated in previous editions of the Silk Road International
Music Festival.
This year, a 12-member delegation from the Gansu Provincial
Federation of Literary and Art Circles represented China. The group
included artists and educators from the university’s music school,
such as Associate Professors Ma Yuhui and Liu Hui, along with young
instructors Kan Peng, Tian Chao, Alamus, Wang Jianfeng, Song Yujia,
Yang Huiqiao, and Guo Jingyi.
At the end of the performance, organizers presented the group
with the festival’s symbolic souvenir in appreciation of their
contribution.
City Day and Festival unite in grand
celebration
On July 6, the ancient city of Shaki marked its 2713th
anniversary with vibrant celebrations held at the Yukhari
Karavansaray.
This year’s City Day coincided with the Silk Road International
Music Festival, adding to the festive spirit for residents and
guests alike. The celebrations began with an exhibition of
handcrafted works by local Shaki artisans, showcasing the city’s
rich tradition of craftsmanship.
Head of Shaki City Executive Power Elkhan Usubov delivered a
congratulatory speech, highlighting Shaki’s remarkable history.
Positioned along the Great Silk Road, Shaki has played a vital
role throughout Azerbaijan’s past. Its 134 state-protected
archaeological and architectural monuments, including the Albanian
Church in Kish and the Shaki Khans’ Palace, reflect the city’s
unique architectural heritage and global cultural significance.
Usubov emphasized Shaki’s reputation as a major tourist
destination, attracting local and international visitors with its
historic sites, picturesque nature, traditional crafts, and
culinary culture.
Shaki’s thriving arts and crafts scene earned it membership in
the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and in 2019, during the 43rd
session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the city’s historic
center and the Shaki Khans’ Palace were added to the UNESCO World
Heritage List. Known as a city of festivals, Shaki hosts numerous
cultural events, including the Silk Road International Music
Festival, as well as festivals dedicated to sweets and theater.
These events not only help preserve the city’s intangible cultural
heritage but also boost its international recognition and tourism
potential.
Usubov noted the ongoing success of the 14th Silk Road
International Music Festival, which continues to bring joy to music
lovers and enhance Shaki’s cultural prestige.
As part of the celebration, a group of individuals who made
significant contributions to Shaki’s public and cultural life were
awarded honorary diplomas.
The event concluded with a concert featuring renowned singers,
capping off a memorable day in Shaki’s long and storied
history.
Military Band honors victory and festival
success
The 14th Silk Road International Music Festival came to a
successful close with a vibrant ceremony at the Summer Theater of
Marxal Resort & Spa.
The closing ceremony featured a powerful performance by the
Exemplary Military Band of the Azerbaijan State Border Service of
Azerbaijan, dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the victory in the
44-day Patriotic War. The event was attended by representatives of
the organizing bodies, officials from Azerbaijan’s representation
in TURKSOY, families of martyrs, and other guests.
The band, founded in 2004 and led by Honored Artist and
Lieutenant Colonel Samad Vakilov, is renowned for its participation
in national cultural events and performances aimed at boosting
troop morale across the country. Its repertoire includes a wide
range of genres-classical, jazz, pop, patriotic, folk, and composer
music, with special attention given to works by Uzeyir Hajibayli,
Fikrat Amirov, Gara Garayev, and Tofig Guliyev.
The concert began with Victory March by prominent Azerbaijani
composer Frangiz Alizade, and continued with emotionally charged
performances of Azerbaijani and international compositions by Tural
Aghasiyev, Fatima Jafarzade, and Fakhri Kazim-Nijat, all warmly
applauded by the audience.
Following the concert, the artistic director of the festival,
Frangiz Alizade, delivered a closing speech alongside the head of
Shaki’s Executive Power, Elkhan Usubov. They expressed gratitude to
all organizations that contributed to the festival’s success.
As a token of appreciation, the festival symbol was presented to
Samad Vakilov, conductor of the military band, and to the leaders
of supporting institutions.
The 14th Silk Road International Music Festival ended on a high
note with a spectacular fireworks display.
