Baku, September 23, AZERTAC

An Azerbaijani music night was held in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, on the sidelines the 6th International Congress of Turkology enitled “Studies on the Turkic World - Multidisciplinary Perspectives". The event was organized by the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Poland.

Professor Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, Head of the Department of Turkology and Central Asian Peoples of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the University of Warsaw, who kicked off the event with an opening speech, noted that the musical evenings organized as part of the Congress play an important role in bringing together different cultures, and thanked the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation for organizing the event.

President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva addressed the evening, stating that she believes that the Congress, which is an important platform for the Turkic states to present their culture and art, will make a great contribution to the expansion of relations between the Turkic and European peoples.

Gunay Afandiyeva touched on the mugham art of Azerbaijan at the event and spoke about the rich cultural heritage of the Turkic world:

"Mugham is improvisation. It's an inspiration that instantly fills your heart. It is admiration, fascination, influence.

Mugham is a tradition. It is the oral bearer of centuries-old Azerbaijani culture, the key to the treasury of literature. It is the preservation of the legacy of great poets such as Nizami, Fuzuli, Nasimi, Vagif. Mugham is the truth. It is a philosophical view of life. It is a link with the land, roots, patriotism. The true identity of the Azerbaijani people is a reflection of their national values. It is a memory formed in the fateful lands of a country. Mugham is Karabakh. It is the breath and voice of Mir Mohsen Nawab, Sadiqjan, Jabbar Garyagdioglu, Bulbul, Khan Shushinsky. Until 30 years ago, it was separation, tears flowing from the eyes. Today is a great pride. It is an inseparable part of the Turkic world."

In her speech, Gunay Afandiyeva emphasized that the art of mugham was recognized internationally as a result of the initiative and support of Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice President of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO. The President of the Foundation said that in 2008, Azerbaijani mugham was included in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Gunay Afandiyeva highlighted the activities of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, which was established by the initiative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and with the support of the heads of state of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye with the aim to promote the material and moral values, literature, music, and art of the Turkic people on the world stage.

At the event, the Mugham trio consisting of soloist Nisbat Sadrayeva, the winner of the International Mugham Competition held in 2018, accompanied by Rustam Muslimov on the tar and Elnur Salahov on the kamancha, presented the guests unforgettable memories. In addition to Azerbaijani music, folk songs of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Türkiye were performed during the night.

An exhibition reflecting the centuries-old history, rich culture, outstanding personalities and national architectural monuments of Karabakh was demonstrated at the event. Then samples of Azerbaijani national cuisine were presented to the guests.