― 8 июля 2023 г.
Closing Concert of the 12th International Music Festival of Sheki
The 12th International Silk Road Music Festival of Sheki organized in cooperation of TURKSOY with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan, the Alliance of Composers of Azerbaijan and the Governorate of Sheki ended with a with Closing Concert held on July 7th, 2023 after various events.
The last day of the festival traditionally organised with the contribution of TURKSOY featured events held in various parts of the Sheki which is not only one of the historical cities of Azerbaijan but also one of the important cities located on the route of the Silk Road, which used to be the main source of transportation for world trade.
Celebration of the 2711th anniversary of the city of Sheki
The 2711th anniversary of the ancient city of Sheki, "Sheki Sheher Day" was celebrated in the first hours of the morning in the Bakhtiyar Vahabzade park located in the centre of Sheki. The people who filled the central square enthusiastically celebrated the 2711th anniversary of the ancient city of Sheki, which is one of the oldest settlements not only in Azerbaijan but also in the Turkic world with a history dating back to 3 thousand years.
At the 43rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Baku on July 7th, 2019, under the leadership of First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, it was decided to celebrate July 7th as "City Day" in Sheki following the inclusion of the "Historical Centre of Sheki and Khan Palace" in the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
The performances of the People's Artist of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan Gulyanag Mammadova as well of the Fikret Amirov Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble and of the Folk Dance Ensemble of the Safranbolu Municipality from Turkey were strongly appreciated by the audience which gathered at the central square of the city.
Western Classical music and traditional folklore of Azerbaijan on the same stage
The second event was held in the Amphitheatre "Marhal". The concert featured the Military Orchestra of the State Border Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan which performed popular songs and arias of Azerbaijan. Soloists Fatima Ceferzade, Toğrul Aghasiyev and Fehri Kazım Nicat, who performed with the orchestra under the direction of Semed Vekilov were strongly appreciated by amateurs of art in Sheki. The solo performances of the orchestra members performing on traditional music instruments of Azerbaijan's such as saz, tütek and zurna were also watched with great interest by the participants.
The orchestra took its place among the most colourful performances of the festival with its blend of classical western music and traditional Azerbaijani folklore.
Works composed for Sheki echoed in Upper Caravanserai
On the last day of the festival, a concert was organised in the Upper Caravansaray, one of the historical places of the city. "Zirve" which is one of the famous music ensembles of the city performed its wide repertoire including songs especially composed for Sheki which were strongly appreciated by the audience.
Glorious closing of the festival
The 12th International Silk Road Music Festival of Sheki organized in cooperation of TURKSOY in Sheki, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2016, ended with a magnificent closing concert.
The concert was attended by the Governor of Sheki Mr. Elkhan Usubov, the President of the Alliance of Composers of Azerbaijan Mrs. Firengiz Alizade, the Representative of Azerbaijan to TURKSOY Mr. Elchin Gafarli and representatives of local institutions and organisations as well as tourist groups visiting the city along with local citizens.
The Fikret Amirov Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble took the stage at the Closing Concert
At the beginning of the concert, it was emphasised that the State Song and Dance Ensemble was founded in 1938 by Uzeyir Hajibeyli, the founder of Azerbaijani classical music, and that the ensemble, which left deep traces in the country's music heritage, was led by Azerbaijani composers Said Rustemov, Jahangir Jahangirov, Vasif Adigozelov, Haji Khanmemmedov, Telman Hajiyev and Ramiz Mirishli at different times. It was emphasised that Emine Dilbazi, Tutu Hemidova, Büyükağa Memmedov, Roza Jalilova, Aliye Ramazanova, Afaq Melikova, Kamil Dadaşov, Elikram Aslanov, Nadir Memmedov and other distinguished masters of the art of dance were trained in the choreography group of the ensemble.
The ensemble under the baton of Azerbaijan's senior artist Prof. Aghaverdi Pashayev started its concert with Vasif Adigozelov's "Vatan Suite". The works performed by the State Artist Gülyaz Memmedova, the Senior Artist Ehtiram Hüseynov and soloists Serhan Bünyadzade, Vefa Vezirova, Samir Piriyev, Taleh Yahyayev and Nurlana Abdullayeva accompanied by the kamancha player Heyyam Memmedov were highly appreciated by the audience.
The beautiful dance compositions performed by the dance ensemble under the direction of Ceyhun Gubadov were applauded by art lovers for a long time.
At the end of the concert, the Governor of Sheki Elhan Usubov, the President of the Alliance of Composers of Azerbaijan Firengiz Alizade and the Representative of Azerbaijan to TURKSOY Mr. Elçin Gafarlı handed over plaquettes and certificates to those who contributed to the organization of the festival.
"This year, the 12th International Silk Road Music Festival of Sheki featured performances of art ensembles from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey which took part in the event upon invitation of TURKSOY.
