00:02We are celebrating great music, great artists, and in this case, one and a half days of culture
00:08from Azerbaijan.
00:19The Swiss city of Montreux is no stranger to unique music traditions, so it was fitting
00:24that Azerbaijan took center stage as the Montreux Vevey Classical Music Festival recently celebrated
00:30its 80th anniversary.
00:33Azerbaijan has a very rich and old culture.
00:36What I think is most important for our audience in general is that they have an impression
00:40like a calling card of what the country is made of culturally.
00:45And what a calling card.
00:49200 artists, led by Azerbaijan's State Symphony Orchestra, brought a rich repertoire to the
00:56Swiss city's renowned Stravinsky Auditorium.
01:00The music of Uzair Ajibayli, the father of Azerbaijani classical music, featured throughout.
01:10As did opera.
01:32Young Mugum star Ahad Arayev was one of several standout solos.
01:47Of course, Montreux is synonymous with jazz, and leading jazz vocalist Sevda Alek Bezada performed
01:53a stunning composition with Sharia Imanov.
02:14For Deputy Culture Minister and Pianist Murad Huzunov, the concert was about bringing Azerbaijan's
02:21music to an iconic stage.
02:23For Deputy Culture Minister and Pianist Murad Huzunov, the concert was about bringing Azerbaijan's
02:43national dance ensemble was another hit with the Swiss audience before the show reached
02:49a dramatic finale.
02:51Thank you very much.
