― 14 мая 2024 г.

Shusha to hold the title of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World

The Opening Ceremony of Shusha, the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2024 was held in Shusha along with the 7th  International “Har-ı Bülbül” Music Festival   on May 11th, 2024.

The event started with an opening address of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev which was followed by a welcoming speech of the Director General of ICESCO (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Mr. Salim bin Mohammed al-Malik.

The President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev said: "The city of Shusha has been declared  cultural capital of the Islamic world. I express my gratitude to ICESCO, its leadership and ICESCO member countries for this decision. Shusha has been awarded this honorary title and we perceive it as a sign that the Islamic world shows more support and respect to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan makes great efforts to unite the Islamic world and strengthen Islamic solidarity. For 28 years we lived without Shusha, and both the people of Shusha and the entire Azerbaijani people will remember  these as years  of moral suffering. Yesterday, another step was taken towards the revitalisation of the city of Shusha: after a long time, the first inhabitants returned to their hometown and settled down. I hope and believe that from now on peace will be established on the territory of Azerbaijan, that the sounds of gunfire will never be heard under this sky again. Let music be heard here from now on," he said. 

The event was also attended by Ilham Aliyev's wife Mehriban Aliyeva, Ministers of Culture of the Islamic world countries, diplomats, leaders and representatives of international organisations, including the representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to TURKSOY Kanat Mambetaliev.

The last song of the opening concert was performed by the First Secretary General of TURKSOY, the People's Artist of  Azerbaijan Mr. Polat Bulbuloglu.

The festival continued until May 13th, 2024.