Monitoring Desk: The 9th “Kharibulbul” International Music Festival officially opened on May 14 in the historic city of Shusha, bringing together artists, cultural figures, and international performers in a celebration of music and cultural diversity, reports Azertac News Agency.
The festival is jointly organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.
Among those attending the opening ceremony were Anar Alakbarov, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, alongside prominent representatives of Azerbaijan’s cultural community and members of the public.
This year’s edition of the festival has once again turned Shusha into a vibrant center of international cultural engagement. In addition to Azerbaijani performers, the event features music ensembles and solo artists from several countries, including the United States, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, and Japan.
Organizers say the festival aims to strengthen intercultural dialogue, encourage artistic exchange, and support the development of young musicians.
The opening concert showcased a diverse range of performances by Azerbaijani and international artists, orchestras, folk ensembles, and dance groups representing different musical traditions and cultural backgrounds.
In recent years, Shusha has emerged as a major venue for international cultural and diplomatic activities following Azerbaijan’s restoration of control over the city after the 2020 conflict with Armenia. The city has since hosted international music festivals, Turkic world cultural forums, meetings linked to the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as tourism, heritage, literary, youth, and media events.
President Ilham Aliyev has granted Shusha special cultural significance and has closely overseen reconstruction and restoration projects in the city following the 44-day war in 2020.
The “Kharibulbul” International Music Festival is regarded as one of Azerbaijan’s leading cultural events and continues to serve as a platform for promoting regional and international cultural cooperation.
