Baku:Italian composer and cultural figure Francesco Maggio has highlighted the significance of the Gabala International Music Festival as a major cultural initiative in Azerbaijan’s musical life. Maggio, who has been a strong advocate for Azerbaijani music in Europe, discussed the festival’s role in bringing together musicians from different countries and fostering international recognition for Azerbaijani music.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Maggio expressed his familiarity with the Gabala International Music Festival, acknowledging it as one of the most significant cultural initiatives in Azerbaijan. He emphasized the festival’s success in gathering performers, conductors, soloists, and musical ensembles from various countries, which enhances the convergence of diverse musical traditions and artistic perspectives.
Maggio, who has organized joint concerts featuring Azerbaijani and Italian musicians and has performed in Baku multiple times, views the festival as more than just a series of high-quality concerts. He believes it should be a platform for artistic dialogue, cultural production, and the establishment of long-term relationships between institutions and creative communities. He sees great potential for the festival to further develop in these areas.
Though he has not yet participated in the festival as a composer or artistic director, Maggio expressed a strong desire to be involved in the future. He praised Azerbaijan’s outstanding musical heritage and the professional creative talent it possesses, noting that initiatives like the Gabala Festival can help bring this wealth to greater international prominence.
Reflecting on his experience as the artistic director of the Italian Opera Festival in Baku in 2018, Maggio highlighted the importance of cultural events having a long-term vision that goes beyond musical competence. He believes the true success of a festival is measured by its ability to leave a lasting cultural legacy and generate new professional opportunities, particularly for young musicians. Maggio hopes to continue contributing to the development of Azerbaijani music and its international reach.