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The International Mugham Center has presented a special concert titled “Evening of Mugham”, marking the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayli, an outstanding Azerbaijani composer and founder of the country’s professional music tradition, Azernews reports.

The event served as a vibrant celebration of mugham, a distinctive musical form deeply rooted in Azerbaijan’s cultural identity, where poetry, philosophy, and emotion come together in harmony. More than a tribute, the concert honored Hajibayli’s enduring influence on national music.

The performance featured a mix of celebrated artists and rising stars from the mugham scene. Esteemed performers Arzu Aliyeva, Sabuhi Ibayev, Elnur Zeynalov, and Beyimkhanum Valiyeva were joined by talented khanandas Gunay Imamverdiyeva, Elgiz Aliyev, and Elshad Aydinoglu. Their passionate and expressive performances captivated the audience, leaving a strong emotional impact.

The repertoire included some of Hajibayli’s iconic compositions, along with traditional tesnifs and folk songs that had been thoughtfully preserved and reimagined for today’s audiences. Each piece served as a link between past and present, reinforcing the timeless relevance of Azerbaijani musical heritage.

A skilled ensemble of instrumentalists from the International Mugham Center accompanied the vocalists, enriching the concert with the dynamic sounds of traditional instruments like the tar and qanun. Their performance helped recreate the musical atmosphere of Hajibayli’s era, adding depth and authenticity to the evening.

As part of a larger series of cultural events commemorating the composer’s 140th anniversary, the “Evening of Mugham” highlighted mugham’s role not just as a musical style but as a living tradition, one that continues to preserve and reflect the wisdom of Azerbaijani culture through generations.

The International Mugham Center was established on the initiative of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, under the presidential decree dated April 6, 2005.

The center, which laid its foundation that same year and is known as one of Baku’s unique architectural projects, opened its doors in 2008.

The design of the building was based on the elements and shapes of the tar, an Azerbaijani musical instrument used in performing mugham. The center was built with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

In 2024, the Mugham Center became the first cultural institution in Azerbaijan to be awarded “international” status by legislation.

The Center regularly organizes large-scale music festivals and concerts by highly acclaimed cultural figures.

It also takes important steps towards bolstering cultural ties with Turkiye, Poland, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Morocco, and other countries.

The International Mugham Center is determined to further expand its work and promote Azerbaijani musical culture.

Numerous projects are being carried out by the center in the direction of studying and promoting mugham art.

A literary discussion has been organized between prominent figures of contemporary children’s literature and young people at the F. Kocharli National Children’s Library, Azernews reports.

In her opening speech, the library director, Shahla Gambarova, emphasized the importance of such meetings in the development of children’s literature.

Writer Aygun Baghirli spoke about the responsibility of authors in promoting children’s literature and the importance of works directed at children that instill educational and moral values. She also added an interactive element to the discussion by paying attention to the ideas and suggestions of the young participants.

As part of the event, interesting questions such as “What is the role of literature in human life?” and “What would life be like without literature?” were addressed to the audience.

Zahid Khalil, a prominent representative of Azerbaijani children’s literature, highlighted the important role literature plays in shaping human thinking. According to him, intuition, which leads to discoveries, is shaped by literature.

Student participants in the discussion emphasized that literature enriches a person’s spiritual world, develops language and empathy skills, and expands the imagination.

The well-known pedagogue-poet Ibrahim Yusifoglu, in his speech, talked about the importance of the press in promoting children’s literature, noting the role of newspapers and magazines such as “Az?rbaycan Pioneri”, “Savalan”, and “Göy?rçin”. Writers Mehriban Naghiyeva, Gulzar Ibrahimova, and Nurlana Ishiq shared their thoughts on the publication of children’s literature works, existing challenges, and the role of publishing houses in this regard. Glzar Ibrahimova pointed out that parents were the first promoters of children’s literature.

During the discussion, information was also presented about the projects implemented by the Republic Children’s Library in this field, including video summaries of books based on artificial intelligence technologies. At the end of the event, writers presented selected copies of their works as gifts to young readers.

The main goal of the event was to increase young people’s interest in literature, discuss the development trends of contemporary children’s literature, and bring together writers with the new generation of readers.

Footage of President Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to Tajikistan has been published on his social media accounts.

Azernews presents the post:

“President Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to Tajikistan (01-02.10.2025)”.

On October 10, a limited-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council was held in Dushanbe, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech at the event.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

– Dear Emomali Sharipovich,

Dear colleagues,

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to the esteemed President of Tajikistan, Emomali Sharipovich Rahmon, for his hospitality and for the excellent organization of our event.

I would like to congratulate fraternal Tajikistan on the successes and achievements attained under the leadership of its President.

Having visited Dushanbe on multiple occasions, I have observed how rapidly the country’s capital is developing, with new buildings being constructed. This brings us great joy as friends. I congratulate you on your achievements in urban development and am delighted to see Dushanbe becoming more beautiful year by year.

Today, I would also like to highlight the steady development of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan. These relations are founded on brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support, and they hold significant potential for further growth.

At today’s meeting, I would like to address issues related to strengthening cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. I express my gratitude to the CIS heads of state for supporting the candidacy of the city of Lachin in Azerbaijan’s East Zangezur region as the Cultural Capital of the CIS for this year. In June of this year, Lachin hosted the opening ceremony of the ‘Year of the CIS Cultural Capital,’ during which information about the history and cultural heritage of this ancient Azerbaijani land was presented. Guests of the event witnessed firsthand the rapid revival of Lachin following its liberation from 30 years of Armenian occupation. A city that was completely destroyed has, in just a few years, transformed into one of the most beautiful and livable cities.

Another significant event in the life of the Commonwealth was the 3rd CIS Games, held in Azerbaijan from September 28 to October 8 of this year. The center of the Games was the ancient city of Ganja, the homeland of the great 12th-century Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi. In addition to Ganja, six other Azerbaijani cities-Gabala, Goygol, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Khankendi, and Sheki-welcomed over 1,600 athletes from 13 countries, including both CIS member states and guest nations. Such events strengthen friendship and cooperation within the CIS and beyond, fostering relationships based on equality, mutual interests, and respect.

Thank you for your attention.

President Emomali Rahmon: Thank you, Ilham Heydar oglu.

sOn October 10, a limited-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council was held in Dushanbe, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech at the event.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

– Dear Emomali Sharipovich,

Dear colleagues,

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to the esteemed President of Tajikistan, Emomali Sharipovich Rahmon, for his hospitality and for the excellent organization of our event.

I would like to congratulate fraternal Tajikistan on the successes and achievements attained under the leadership of its President.

Having visited Dushanbe on multiple occasions, I have observed how rapidly the country’s capital is developing, with new buildings being constructed. This brings us great joy as friends. I congratulate you on your achievements in urban development and am delighted to see Dushanbe becoming more beautiful year by year.

Today, I would also like to highlight the steady development of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan. These relations are founded on brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support, and they hold significant potential for further growth.

At today’s meeting, I would like to address issues related to strengthening cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. I express my gratitude to the CIS heads of state for supporting the candidacy of the city of Lachin in Azerbaijan’s East Zangezur region as the Cultural Capital of the CIS for this year. In June of this year, Lachin hosted the opening ceremony of the ‘Year of the CIS Cultural Capital,’ during which information about the history and cultural heritage of this ancient Azerbaijani land was presented. Guests of the event witnessed firsthand the rapid revival of Lachin following its liberation from 30 years of Armenian occupation. A city that was completely destroyed has, in just a few years, transformed into one of the most beautiful and livable cities.

Another significant event in the life of the Commonwealth was the 3rd CIS Games, held in Azerbaijan from September 28 to October 8 of this year. The center of the Games was the ancient city of Ganja, the homeland of the great 12th-century Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi. In addition to Ganja, six other Azerbaijani cities-Gabala, Goygol, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Khankendi, and Sheki-welcomed over 1,600 athletes from 13 countries, including both CIS member states and guest nations. Such events strengthen friendship and cooperation within the CIS and beyond, fostering relationships based on equality, mutual interests, and respect.

Thank you for your attention.

President Emomali Rahmon: Thank you, Ilham Heydar oglu.

The Middle Corridor is emerging as a sustainable and secure alternative to the northern trade routes, said Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, during the Global Gateway conference in Brussels.

According to the minister, the route has become one of the most crucial components of international trade and reflects Azerbaijan’s broader strategic vision to create a unified space for physical and digital connectivity.

‘Our approach is based on the concept of ‘dual transformation,’ which combines traditional transport corridors with modern digital solutions to ensure transparency and trust within the supply chain,’ Nabiyev stated. He emphasized that Azerbaijan has built an integrated multimodal transport system linking railways, roads, sea, and air, with the Baku International Sea Port in Alat serving as its central hub and the largest logistics center in the Caspian region.

Nabiyev also underlined the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, a key link connecting China, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe. ‘Recently, the government allocated an additional 100 million US dollars to expand the BTK’s capacity, which will significantly boost transportation volumes in the coming years,’ he said.

The minister revealed that Azerbaijan plans to establish direct connectivity between the Caspian, Mediterranean, and Black Seas, an initiative that will be supported by the Zangazur Corridor and peace efforts backed by Washington. ‘When asked whether it would be possible to reach the Black and Mediterranean Seas within 14 days, my answer was: ‘Yes,’ because we are launching the Zangazur Corridor and other strategic projects,’ Nabiyev noted.

An important stage in Azerbaijan’s transport infrastructure development is the expansion of the Alat Port, whose throughput capacity is set to grow from 10 million to 25 million tons annually by 2030, driven by a fivefold increase in cargo traffic over the past three years.

Nabiyev added that Azerbaijan, through close coordination with Kazakhstan and Georgia, has eliminated not only physical but also bureaucratic bottlenecks. ‘A Coordination Center has been established to optimize logistics and reduce delivery times. If in 2022 it took 53 days to deliver cargo from China to the Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi, today it takes only 12-14 days,’ he said.

He further highlighted that the number of container trains passing through Azerbaijan has grown from one in 2003 to 270 in 2023, with projections indicating a rise to 1,000 trains by the end of 2025.

‘Azerbaijan is not only investing in physical infrastructure but also in digital technologies for transport management, including real-time monitoring and data exchange systems,’ Nabiyev concluded. ‘This ensures that the Middle Corridor is not just a route but a smart, transparent, and innovative transport ecosystem shaping the future of Eurasian connectivity.’

Azerbaijan is actively participating in vital international platforms around the world, reflecting its commitment to a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has positioned itself as a reliable and independent actor in global affairs – strengthening ties not only with its neighbors but also with partners stretching from Asia to the West. This strategic approach has earned Baku increasing international trust and reinforced its role as a bridge between regional blocs.

A clear example of this balanced diplomacy is Azerbaijan’s active engagement in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The most recent CIS Council of Heads of State meeting, held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, once again highlighted Baku’s strategic use of multilateral platforms to enhance regional cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev’s participation and his bilateral meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon reinforced Azerbaijan’s commitment to strong regional partnerships, particularly with fellow post-Soviet states.

‘Relations [between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan] are founded on brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support,..’ said President Aliyev during a limited-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council, underscoring the human and cultural bonds that underpin the political dialogue.

Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan date back to 1992, but it is the consistent high-level engagement – including the 2007 agreement on friendship and cooperation – that has given depth to this partnership. Both countries cooperate across a wide spectrum of sectors: economy, transport, culture, and energy. Importantly, their alignment within regional frameworks such as the CIS, OIC, and TRACECA has allowed them to coordinate on broader Eurasian issues.

President Ilham Aliyev’s comments during the meeting in Dushanbe were not only reflective but forward-looking. Praising Tajikistan’s urban transformation – ‘…Dushanbe is becoming more beautiful year by year,’ he said – President Aliyev signaled the importance of people-centered development as a shared priority among CIS nations.

Although some view the CIS as a symbolic structure of post-Soviet unity, Azerbaijan uses the organization pragmatically – not as a nostalgic project, but as a platform to pursue strategic, issue-based cooperation. Baku’s participation is targeted, selective, and aligned with national interests.

For example, Azerbaijan continues to support regional security initiatives, such as the 2022 CIS agreement on anti-corruption cooperation and the 2023-2025 Program on Combating Terrorism and Extremism. President Aliyev’s presence in Dushanbe reinforces the notion that Azerbaijan sees value in joint responses to cross-border threats – even while pursuing independent foreign and economic policies.

In his speech at the meeting, President Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s recent role as a cultural and sporting host within the CIS framework:

‘Guests of the event witnessed firsthand the rapid revival of Lachin following its liberation from 30 years of Armenian occupation. A city that was completely destroyed has, in just a few years, transformed into one of the most beautiful and livable cities.’ he said, thanking fellow CIS leaders for naming Lachin the 2024 Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth.

This statement serves dual purposes: demonstrating Azerbaijan’s commitment to cultural diplomacy, and subtly reinforcing its sovereignty over formerly occupied territories – now rapidly rebuilt and reintegrated.

Moreover, President Aliyev noted the successful hosting of the 3rd CIS Games in Azerbaijan, which brought together over 1,600 athletes from 13 nations. Cities like Ganja, Sheki, and even Khankendi – a city recently reintegrated into Azerbaijan’s administrative system – played host, highlighting Baku’s push to showcase normalization and national unity through soft power.

Azerbaijan’s active presence in Dushanbe also comes at a time of wider regional recalibration. The South Caucasus is undergoing significant geopolitical shifts following Azerbaijan’s full restoration of sovereignty over Garabagh. Meanwhile, Central Asian countries like Tajikistan are seeking to diversify external partnerships and strengthen ties with dynamically developing economies, such as Azerbaijan.

In this context, Baku presents itself as a bridge between East and West, North and South – a transit hub with a growing portfolio in energy, logistics, and digital infrastructure. For countries like Tajikistan, partnering with Azerbaijan offers access to Caspian transport corridors, energy projects, and modern digital frameworks.

The Dushanbe summit reaffirmed that Azerbaijan will continue to approach the CIS with selective multilateralism – engaging when and where its national interests align, and reinforcing bilateral partnerships within the broader framework. Baku’s diplomacy in the CIS is not about symbolic participation but strategic leverage – using soft power (such as cultural capital and sports diplomacy) while also contributing meaningfully to hard security issues and infrastructure integration.

As President Aliyev noted, the foundation of relations with Tajikistan – and by extension, many CIS states – is not merely political alignment, but ‘brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support.’ In a world of shifting alliances, that foundation continues to offer both countries an adaptable and resilient platform for cooperation.

Azerbaijan will host Art Has No Borders International Watercolor Festival for the first time, Azernews reports. The official opening will take place on October 14 at the Khatai Arts Center.

This festival is more than just an exhibition, it is a true celebration of creativity and the transformative power of art. Its aim is to highlight the healing potential of painting, support the creative abilities of children and youth with special needs, assist their social integration, and inspire a deep appreciation for art in everyone. As part of the event, there will be masterclasses and open-air painting sessions (plein airs) for both young and adult artists with special needs.

The festival will bring together 18 renowned watercolor artists from 12 countries, including Azerbaijan, Spain, Slovakia, Iran, Pakistan, Turkiye, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Russia, Canada, India, and others. The artists will not only present their works but also deliver live art performances.

Around 30 of the best works will be displayed at the opening ceremony. All participants will receive international certificates and commemorative gifts from sponsors. The artworks will also be compiled into a digital catalog.

The program begins on October 14 at the Khatai Arts Center with the official opening ceremony, an exhibition featuring artists with special needs alongside invited masters, and a series of demonstration performances. On October 15, participants will take an excursion to Gobustan to explore Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage. The festival concludes on October 16 at the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan with a joint exhibition of national and international artists and a closing ceremony.

The motto of the festival is: “The world is beautiful in color! Let’s unite our worlds through the power of art!”

The event is organized by IWS Art for Healing (International Watercolor Society), with support from Pasha Holding, Khatai Arts Center, artist Mehriban Alishova, IWS Azerbaijan, IWS Khatai Arts Center, IWS Ecaz Art, the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts,Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint-Stock Company, and the Khatai District Executive Power.

Curators of the event are Elminaz Gahramanova and Sabina Iskandar, and the coordinators are Rahim Ibrahimov and Yashar Birinci.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.

Azerbaijan National Art Museum has opened an exhibition “Old Baku: Longing and Emotions” by Honored Artist and Professor Arif Alasgarov, Azernews reports.

Over 60 works created by the artist in different years are showcased at the exhibition, organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijan National Art Museum. The retrospective exhibition covers both Arif Alasgarov’s classic works and his more recent graphic and painting pieces.

During the opening, director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum Shirin Malikova, People’s Artist Arif Huseynov, First Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, People’s Artist, Professor Salhab Mammadov, Vice-Rector of the Azerbaijan Academy of Fine Arts, People’s Artist, Professor Fuad Salayev, Advisor to the Rector of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, Honored Art Worker, Professor Valida Mammadova, and the Head of the “Design” Department at the Azerbaijan Academy of Fine Arts, Associate Professor Faig Dadashov delivered speeches.

They highlighted the artist’s invaluable contributions to Azerbaijani visual arts through his multifaceted creativity, shared memorable experiences of collaborating with him, and reflected on his pioneering achievements in the field of art education.

At the end of the event, Honored Artist and Professor Arif Alasgarov expressed his gratitude for the comments on his work and for the value placed on art in general.

Following the speeches, the participants had the opportunity to explore the exhibition in more detail.

The exhibition features the artist’s works in both graphic arts and painting, reflecting themes such as the lives of ordinary people, intergenerational relationships, love, the meaning and beginning of existence.

A special focus in many of his paintings is Icherisheher (the Old City), which embodies the nostalgic spirit of Baku and the poetic bridge he has created between the past and the present.

The exhibition “Old Baku: Longing and Emotions” will be open to visitors until October 26.

Established in 1937, the Azerbaijan National Art Museum presents art lovers with outstanding examples of Western European decorative and applied arts.

The museum’s permanent collection features over 3,000 works displayed across 60 galleries, with an additional 12,000 pieces preserved in its archives. Visitors can admire masterpieces by renowned artists from Italy, France, Germany, and Poland.

The museum has also played host to numerous prestigious international exhibitions, highlighting the works of world-famous artists.

These exhibitions have not only drawn the attention of art enthusiasts but have also played a significant role in fostering cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and other nations.

Efforts to support entrepreneurs through concessional financial mechanisms were discussed during a meeting between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund, a meeting was held with representatives of Kazakhstan’s DAMU Entrepreneurship Development Fund at the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund.

During the meeting, the sides reviewed the steps taken to support business entities through preferential financial instruments. They also exchanged views on the progress made under the memorandum of understanding signed between the two institutions, and discussed prospects for future cooperation.

Azerbaijani boxer Bilalhabashi Nazarov (50 kg) has won the gold medal at European Boxing U19 Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Azernews reports.

In the final, Bilalhabashi Nazarov faced Italian boxer Tommaso Orlando.

The match ended with a confident victory for the national boxer. He defeated his opponent with a 5-0 score, securing his second consecutive European champion title.

Banuchickek Nasirli (48 kg), on the other hand, competed against Matilda Fraqnye (France) in the final. After a hard-fought contest, Nasirli claimed the silver medal as her opponent emerged victorious.

Thus, the Azerbaijani team won a total of 5 medals at the European Championship. Previously, Zidan Humbatov (55 kg), Subhan Babayev (60 kg), and Ilkana Ahmadova (+80 kg) had each secured third place.

The Azerbaijani boxers who won 1 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals will return to their homeland on October 11.

Approximately 105 female and 189 male boxers from 33 countries are participating in the tournament.

Boxing is recognized as one of the oldest sports in human history, with the earliest records of the sport dating back to ancient Egypt around 3,000 BC.

The Greeks introduced boxing to the ancient Olympic Games in the late 7th century BC.

In 1924, the International Amateur Boxing Federation (FIBA) was founded, and in 1946, it was renamed the International Boxing Association (AIBA). Boxing made its Olympic debut at the 1904 Games in St. Louis.

Azerbaijan hosted its first boxing championship in 1926, with national boxers claiming first place. Since 1992, the Azerbaijani Boxing Federation has been a full member of AIBA.

Azerbaijani boxers have earned numerous prestigious accolades in international competitions. Aghasi Mammadov made history by becoming Azerbaijan’s first gold medalist at the World Championships. Fuad Asadov also earned a spot on the podium at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Azerbaijan has been selected several times to host major boxing events.

The country previously hosted the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, which served as the main qualification tournament for the London 2012 Olympics.

In 2019, Baku hosted the AIBA Youth World Championships, marking the first youth competition to act as a qualifier for the 2010 Singapore Olympics.