To the participants of the 10th Gabala International Music Festival

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Dear festival participants and guests,

With all my heart I welcome each of you – participants and guests of the Gabala International Music Festival.

Our meetings in this fascinating part of Azerbaijan have become a good tradition. We first met with you in 2009 at the first international classical music festival in Gabala. And today we mark an important anniversary. It has been 10 years since Gabala welcomed the participants and guests of this splendid music festival.

It is commendable that in Azerbaijan, which has rich cultural heritage and musical traditions, this festival has won sympathy and support of people. Our people have contributed to the world music such outstanding figures as Uzeyir Hajibayli, Gara Garayev, Niyazi, Fikrat Amirov, Muslim Magomayev, Bulbul and Rashid Behbudov. Mugham, ashug art, folk songs and dances have passed through the depths of the centuries before reaching our modern times.

The classical music art has always been highly appreciated in Azerbaijan. The first opera both in the East and Muslim world was created and staged in Azerbaijan. It is not a coincidence that our country is informally called a "music capital" of the region. Azerbaijan regularly organizes numerous music festivals of different types and genres. The Gabala festival occupies a special place among them. This festival is held not in the capital, but in Gabala, one of the oldest and most beautiful regions of Azerbaijan, which used to be the capital of the Caucasian Albania centuries ago. Gabala reflects the ancient history of Azerbaijan and the rich cultural heritage of our people, as well as the socio-economic development of our country and its regions.

We can say with confidence that we have made many major advances over the past years. The Gabala Music Festival has laid the foundation for a new and beautiful tradition in the cultural life of Azerbaijan and the whole South Caucasus, and has occupied its decent place among the international music events. The festival enjoys growing reputation among the classical music professionals and music lovers. Every year, the world's famous performers and music bands take the festival`s stage. Our ancient region of Gabala has become the favorite venue for those who admire this art – musicians, audience and critics. There is an incredibly warm environment for promoting creative unity and mutual understanding here. The magnificent festival of music and friendship, which brings together performers and music bands from numerous countries and different continents, not only introduces the cultural values of Azerbaijan to the international music community, but also provides good opportunities for establishing friendly relations and bonds among the musicians representing different countries, and contributes to fostering intercultural and intercivilizational dialogue.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Some of you have already been to our country, while for some of you it is the first visit to Azerbaijan. Our country is famous for its kindness and hospitality. Along with cherishing their rich history and cultural heritage, the people of Azerbaijan are always open for new ideas.

2018 is a remarkable year for us. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which was the first multi-national and multi-party parliamentary republic in the entire Muslim East to grant the women the right to vote. Our people's historical choice of democracy and freedom has remained unchanged over these hundred years.

We are always glad to welcome guests. It is evidenced by the yearly expanding geography of the Gabala International Music Festival and increasing number of its friends and loyal fans in many parts of the world. This jubilee festival and the friendly atmosphere created here will once again demonstrate that the real art knows no boundaries and barriers.

A very fascinating and colorful program of music awaits us during these days. The festival will feature performances of both famous stars and young musicians. I am certain that the 10th jubilee Gabala International Music Festival will be fondly remembered as yet another bright chapter in the cultural life, and we will enjoy very interesting meetings and have pleasant impressions.

I wish each of you success, peace, prosperity and tranquility.