Montreux: Azerbaijan is showcasing its rich cultural heritage in Switzerland as part of the Septembre Musical Montreux-Vevey festival held from September 13 to 15. The program, titled “Azerbaijan: The Rhythms of Heritage,” brings together the country’s centuries-old cultural traditions and contemporary artistic expression.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, on September 13, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble presented a special concert at Montreux’s renowned Auditorium Stravinski. The program featured the suites “My Azerbaijan” and “Motherland,” as well as traditional dances including “Dance with the Gaval,” “Gazakhi,” “Wedding,” “Sari Gelin (Yellow Bride),” “Shali,” “Drummers,” “Dance with Scarves,” “Gaytaghi,” and “Naz elama.” The performance, highlighting the richness and dynamism of Azerbaijani choreography and the diversity of the country’s musical and dance traditions, was warmly received by the audience and met with enthusiastic applause.
The festival brings together prominent musicians, combining classical traditions with new, experimental formats. Azerbaijan’s participation in the festival extends beyond individual concerts. The “Azerbaijan: The Rhythms of Heritage” concept presents different layers of Azerbaijani culture within a unified artistic space, ranging from mugham and symphonic music to national dance, jazz, traditional musical instruments, and contemporary performing arts.
The “Azerbaijan Culture” gala concert, set to be held as part of the festival, will feature around 200 artists performing classical, symphonic, mugham, jazz, and traditional dance at Auditorium Stravinski on September 14. Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage is showcased at the festival by a stellar lineup of the country’s leading artists, including Alim Gasimov, Murad Huseynov, Yusif Eyvazov, Afag Abbasova, Sevda Alakbarzada, Elvin Hoca Ganiyev, Elmina Hasan, Fuad Ibrahimov, Isfar Sarabski, Jeyla Seyidova, Azer Zada, and other leading figures from the country’s art scene.