27 December 2008
AZERTAC State News Agency, ANS

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today inaugurated the International Mugham Center in the seaside National Park in Baku.

The Head of State and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva cut the ribbon symbolizing the official opening of the Center.

This Center is one of the most important projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The construction of the Center was initiated by President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO goodwill ambassador, MP, Mehriban Aliyeva. The decision to establish the Center was made by mugham singers and experts at the “roundtable” meeting with an aim to develop and popularize mugham even more. Afterwards, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on April 6, 2005 to establish the International Mugham Center in Baku.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the center was attended in August 2005 by UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura, President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva. The total area of the three-storey center is 7,500 sq. meters. The building looks like parts of a tar, one of ancient Azerbaijani musical instruments. Equipment for the center was delivered from Italy, Austria, France and Turkey.

The International Mugham Center has a 350-seat concert hall, club, restaurant, classrooms and recording studio.

President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva viewed busts of renowned Azerbaijani performers and “Ud” restaurant.

Then, a concert hall of the Center was officially opened.

The Head of State made a speech at a ceremony. “This beautiful and great project is a result of intense discussions. I hope that our mugham will be sounded in this beautiful building and our young performers will show their technique in this building,” the President said in his speech.

“We have ancient history, ancient culture. This culture opens to the world today as well and world begins to know us better. At the recent meeting of cultural ministers in Baku, the world community saw once more what a great culture Azerbaijan has,” said the Azerbaijani Leader

“We have to fulfill all tasks scheduled in the field of culture in 2009. Additional funds will be set aside in Azerbaijan to this field in 2009. High-level reconstruction of cultural objects will be completed. New beautiful buildings will be built,” added the President.

The ceremony was followed by a mugham concert.

Upon completion of the ceremony, President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva met with Azerbaijani prominent mugham perfomers and congratulated them on the occasion of the center`s inaguration.