Gabala, July 25, 2025 – The Europe Today: The 14th Gabala International Music Festival was officially inaugurated with a grand opening ceremony on July 24, marking a significant cultural event in Azerbaijan’s artistic calendar. The festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, and “Gilan” Holding, is dedicated this year to the 140th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli.
The opening ceremony was attended by senior Azerbaijani officials and cultural figures, including Farah Aliyeva, Head of the Department of Humanitarian Policy, Diaspora, Multiculturalism and Religious Issues of the Presidential Administration; Anar Alakbarov, Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation; Minister of Culture Adil Karimli; as well as other dignitaries, prominent public figures, local residents, and guests of Gabala.
People’s Artist and Rector of the Baku Music Academy, Farhad Badalbeyli, who also serves as the Artistic Director of the festival, underscored the festival’s role as a major cultural milestone. He noted that since its founding in 2009, the Gabala International Music Festival has emerged as a significant platform for international artistic dialogue, fostering cross-cultural understanding and celebrating the universal language of music.
“This year’s edition carries special responsibility as it pays tribute to Uzeyir Hajibeyli, a towering figure in Azerbaijani music whose legacy continues to inspire generations,” Badalbeyli said.
The opening concert featured a special program dedicated to Hajibeyli’s work, beginning with his iconic composition “Jangi.” Performances were given by the Azerbaijan State Orchestra of Folk Instruments, conducted by People’s Artist and Honored Art Worker Aghaverdi Pashayev, and the Choir of the Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble named after Fikret Amirov.
The musical program also included compositions by other esteemed Azerbaijani composers such as Said Rustamov, Vasif Adigozalov, Haji Khanmammadov, Ramiz Mirishli, Polad Bulbuloglu, Emin Sabitoglu, Suleyman Alasgarov, Fikret Amirov, Farhad Badalbeyli, and Muslim Magomayev. Traditional Azerbaijani folk songs were also prominently featured, reflecting the richness and diversity of the nation’s musical heritage.
Running through July 29, the festival will bring together a distinguished lineup of performers and ensembles from Azerbaijan, Latin America, Lithuania, and Georgia. The program spans a wide range of genres, including classical music, mugham, jazz, and opera, with concerts open to the public free of charge.
The Gabala International Music Festival continues to stand as a vibrant celebration of music and cultural unity, reinforcing Azerbaijan’s position as a center for artistic excellence and international cooperation.
