Azerbaijan showcases cultural heritage at Montreux festival
Azerbaijanchr("39")s rich cultural heritage is being showcased in Switzerland as part of the Septembre Musical Montreux-Vevey festival from September 13 to 15.
According to Azerbaijanchr("39")s Ministry of Culture, the program, titled "Azerbaijan: The Rhythms of Heritage," brings together the countrychr("39")s centuries-old cultural traditions and contemporary artistic expression.
On September 13, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble presented a special concert at Montreuxchr("39")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," "Shali," "Drummers," "Ag Flower," "Dance with Scarves," "Gaytaghi" and "Naz Elama."
The performance, highlighting the richness and dynamism of Azerbaijani choreography and the diversity of the countrychr("39")s musical and dance traditions, was warmly received by the audience and met with enthusiastic applause.
The presentation of Azerbaijani dance on the main stage of one of Europechr("39")s renowned music platforms carries particular symbolic significance. Founded in 1946, Septembre Musical Montreux-Vevey is one of Switzerlandchr("39")s oldest classical music festivals and is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.
Throughout its history, the festival has brought together prominent figures from the world of music. Today, it continues to serve as an international cultural platform combining classical traditions with new artistic approaches and experimental formats.
The Auditorium Stravinski, one of the festivalchr("39")s main venues, has a capacity of around 1,800 people and has its own place in music history. In 1956, renowned composer Igor Stravinsky conducted a program of his own works there as part of the Montreux festival.
The presentation of Azerbaijani national dance on the same stage today represents another expression of the dialogue that cultural heritage can create across different eras and geographical boundaries.
Azerbaijanchr("39")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 centerpiece of the Azerbaijani program will be the "Azerbaijan Culture" gala concert at Auditorium Stravinski on September 14. Around 200 Azerbaijani artists are expected to participate in the event, which will bring together classical and symphonic music, mugham, jazz, traditional instruments and dance.
Through its participation in the Montreux festival, Azerbaijan is presenting international audiences not merely with individual examples of its art, but with a broader cultural portrait of a country that preserves its traditions while engaging in dialogue with global audiences through contemporary cultural expression.
The "Rhythms of Heritage" concept demonstrates how cultural memory passed down through centuries continues to evolve, gain new strength and generate new artistic forms.
The professional and systematic presentation of Azerbaijani culture at an internationally prestigious platform such as the Montreux Classical Music Festival is also significant in terms of implementing the priorities outlined in the "Azerbaijan Culture - 2040" Concept for promoting cultural heritage and national art internationally.
Azerbaijan is represented at the festival by prominent 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 countrychr("39")s art scene.