An event titled “Uzeyir Hajibeyli, the composer of the first opera of the Muslim East, the symbol of Azerbaijani-Turkish world music”, marking National Music Day in Azerbaijan, was held at the Mimar Kemaleddin Concert Hall of Gazi University in Ankara.

Axar.az informs the event was organized by the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Turkiye, with the support of Gazi University and Ankara Music and Fine Arts University.

Speakers highlighted the artistic legacy of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, a pivotal figure in the Turkic world, recognized as the founder of modern Azerbaijani professional music, the composer of the first opera in the Muslim East (Leyli and Majnun, 1908), as well as a prominent musicologist, scientist, playwright, educator, and public figure.

Director of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Turkiye Samir Abbasov described the occasion as a proud event to be commemorated in brotherly Turkiye.

The program continued with the screening of a film about the great composer, the presentation of a book in Turkish prepared by the Cultural Center, and a concert featuring Hajibeyli’s works performed by Azerbaijani artists living in Turkiye. The “Zangezur” dance ensemble of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center also performed dances from Hajibeyli’s repertoire.