International Mugham Day celebrated

August 26 marks International Mugham Day, dedicated to Azerbaijani mugham and the music of countries along the Silk Road. The decision was made in 2010 by the mayor of Niagara Falls, Canada, and the organizers of the International Niagara Music Festival, highlighting mugham’s global significance.

Thanks to the efforts of Azerbaijan’s First Vice President, Heydar Aliyev Foundation president and UNESCO goodwill ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva, mugham was included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Mugham is the backbone of Azerbaijani music. Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s opera “Leyli and Majnun” is based on mugham; Fikrat Amirov’s symphonic mughams “Shur” and “Kurd-Ovshary” established a new genre. Niyazi, Gara Garayev, Jovdat Hajiyev, Agshin Alizade, Arif Melikov and Franghiz Alizade presented mugham in modern styles, while Vagif Mustafazade introduced it into jazz.

The International Mugham Center in Baku hosts major festivals and competitions for young performers, organized with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

N.Tebrizli