Secretary General attended cultural events held in Shusha

On 11 May 2024, Secretary General Mehmet Süreyya Er attended the Opening Ceremony of “Shusha - Culture Capital of the Islamic World 2024” and the 7th International Music Festival “Kharibulbul” organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Shusha. The Opening Ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, state officials, parliamentarians, representatives of diplomatic corps and other guests. During his opening address, President Ilham Aliyev welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude to the leadership of ICESCO and the Organization’s member states for the decision to declare the city of Shusha as the Cultural Capital of the Islamic world. Head of State noted that the fact that the city of Shusha was the Cultural Capital of the Islamic world would provide Azerbaijan an additional opportunity to convey its culture to both the public of Muslim countries and the world community. ICESCO Director-General Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik emphasized that ICESCO was proud that President Ilham Aliyev supported the plans and programs of the Organization related to Azerbaijan, and the Organization, in turn, fulfilled its duty. Informing that ICESCO sent its first heritage conservation mission to Shusha, which had already begun its activities, Director-General Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik assured the Azerbaijani people that the Organization would always remain committed to common bonds, protect their interests and support creative works of Azerbaijan. Famous singers and dance ensembles from ICESCO member countries – Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Guinea, Morocco, Uzbekistan and Türkiye, performed at the opening concert of the International Music Festival "Kharibulbul", which became a magnificent cultural event. The festival continued on May 12 in Shusha and on May 13 in Lachin. “Kharibulbul” International Music Festival, named after the eponymous flower that is the symbol of Shusha, has been holding since 1989. In 1990, the festival received an international status. After the liberation of the Azerbaijani lands from occupation as a result of the historical Victory in the 44-Day Patriotic War, the festival is again held in Shusha and Lachin.