Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The grand opening of the Belarusian Days of Culture was held at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall named after Muslim Magomayev in Baku on June 4.

The Days of Culture, which will run until June 7, are devoted to the 20th anniversary of the Azerbaijani-Belarusian diplomatic relations.

Prominent public figures, men of art and culture and diplomatic missions' representatives attended the gala evening.

Azerbaijani Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Adalat Veliyev and Deputy Culture Minister of Belarus Vasili Chernik addressed the event. The speakers pointed out that the cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Belarus are at a high level and will continue to strengthen.

Veliyev noted that holding the Days of Culture is important in terms of exchanging cultural creativity and presenting the best cultural achievements.

According to him, Azerbaijani Days of Culture were successfully held in Belarus in 2012.

Chernik, in turn, said that the relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus have deep historical and cultural roots and are being developed by the presidents of the two countries.

He said that as part of the Belarusian Days of Culture, Belarusian musicians' concert, an exhibition will be organized, and a documentary and cartoons about Belarus will be presented.

Chernik thanked the Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Belarusian Embassy in Azerbaijan for the support in organizing the Days.

Afterwards, the participants watched the performances of the Belarus state folk music ensemble Svyata, opera singers Kriskentia Stasenko and Mikhail Puzanov, accordionist Vladislav Pligovka, and Polina Burlo, a participant of the junior music contest "Vitebsk" at the XXII International Art Festival "Slavic Bazaar in Vitebsk".

The concert also featured Gunash Abbasova, a famous Belarus singer of Azerbaijani descent. She performed songs in the Belarusian, Russian, English and Azerbaijani languages.

In conclusion, she sang the popular Azerbaijani folk song "Ayriliq" in the Belarusian musicians' version.

She said while on stage, "I love Baku very much! Azerbaijan is my historic motherland! Take care of yourself, your beloved ones, this city and the country."

As part of the Belarusian Days of Culture, Belarusian Cinema Days will be held at the Nizami Cinema Center on June 5-6 and the photo exhibition "Life and Nature" is due June 5.

The Days will finish with a gala concert with Belarusian artists participation at the cultural center in Mardakan settlement on June 6.