National Music Day in Azerbaijan (18/09)

National Music Day (Azerb. Milli musiqi günü is celebrated annually in Azerbaijan on September 18, the birthday of the founder of professional musical art of Azerbaijan, Uzeyir Hajibeyov.

The first opera in Azerbaijan and throughout the East, — «Leili and Majnun» by Uzeyir Hajibeyov —, was first staged on January 12, 1908. From this date the history of professional national opera in the Republic dates back.

In 1995, Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev issued a decree according to which National Music Day began to be celebrated at the state level.

The 34th session of the UNESCO General Conference, within the framework of the organization’s program for holding anniversaries of outstanding personalities and significant events, decided to officially celebrate the 100th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibeyov’s opera «Leili and Majnun» in 2008-2009.

The first National Music Festival, which started in February 2007 and was dedicated to the centenary of Azerbaijan's first opera, as well as the country's composition school in general, was successfully held in the regions of Azerbaijan. As part of the festival, concerts were held in many cities, where state musical groups – Dance Ensemble, Folk Instruments Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Youth Symphony Orchestra, as well as soloists of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, laureates of international competitions took part. They performed popular works by Azerbaijani composers.

Since then, holding a music festival has become a good tradition. Its opening in Baku is timed to coincide with National Music Day, and musicians from many countries come to participate in it. During festival days there are concerts and a series of various events.

The Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan holds a number of events in honor of the holiday: a solemn ceremony and concert program are held in front of the building of the Baku Music Academy, named after Hajibeyov, with the participation of the state symphony orchestra; a cultural event is taking place in the premises of the Uzeyir Hajibeyov House Museum; A gala evening is taking place at the Heydar Aliyev Palace.

Also on National Music Day, documentaries about Hajibeyov’s work are traditionally shown on television channels, his works and, of course, works by other Azerbaijani composers and performers are heard. For example, in the musical history of this country, pages associated with the name of the opera and pop singer, People's Artist of the USSR Muslim Magomayev are unforgettable.

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