Azerbaijan's Independence Day and the 140th anniversary of Üzeyir Hacıbeyli were celebrated in Austria's Vorarlberg province.
A classical music evening and reception dedicated to Azerbaijan's Independence Day and the 140th anniversary of Üzeyir Hacıbeyli were held in Austria's Vorarlberg federal state, organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Austria with the support of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora. The event took place at the historical Hohenems Castle, dating back to the 16th century, and was the first event dedicated to Azerbaijan, featuring the sounds of national classical music. It was met with great interest by local officials and the public.
Local government and parliamentary representatives, leaders of economic circles, politicians, consuls, local community members, and compatriots attended the event.
The owner of Hohenems Castle, Countess Stefanie Waldburg-Zeil, expressed her pride in hosting such a magnificent event and expressed hope that future efforts would contribute to strengthening the ties between Austria and Azerbaijan in this region.
Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Austria, Rovshan Sadikhbeyli, spoke about the history of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which was established 107 years ago, its short but significant period of activity, and the historical achievements made in various fields of state-building. It was noted that although the Republic lasted only 23 months, its policies and reforms were revolutionary for their time. Inspired by the Declaration of Independence, more than 230 fundamental laws were adopted during that period, laying the foundation for a democratic, secular state based on human rights and the rule of law. Most importantly, Azerbaijan became the first Muslim country to grant women the right to vote, which was a landmark event on a global scale.
It was also emphasized that Azerbaijan had achieved historical successes in the cultural field as well, such as declaring Azerbaijani as the official language, adopting the national flag and anthem, and issuing the national currency. The creation of modern theater and opera arts was a reflection of a strong cultural awakening. The ideals and traditions promoted by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic are reflected in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
The speech also highlighted that the concert presented in the artistic part of the event was dedicated to two prominent composers who played an essential role in the development of classical music—Üzeyir Hacıbeyli, the founder of Azerbaijani classical music, whose 140th anniversary is celebrated this year, and Johann Strauss, the beloved Austrian composer, whose 200th anniversary is also being marked. These composers, who lived and created in different regions, are united by their invaluable contributions to the development of classical music. In this context, holding the event in Hohenems Castle, a historical and cultural landmark of Austria, and dedicating significant attention to the works of these two great composers in the music program, serves as yet another demonstration of the development of political, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries with rich histories and cultures.
Elshad Aliyev, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora, in his speech, emphasized that the committee pays great attention to the development of relations between the two countries, particularly supporting the integration of our compatriots into local society and ensuring their full rights as members, while preserving their historical ties to their homeland. He noted that such events, which promote understanding and cultural exchange between nations, should be highly valued.
In the artistic part of the evening, under the direction of the renowned conductor, professor, People's Artist, and Honored Art Worker Yalchin Adigozelov, the "Arpeccione" Chamber Orchestra performed a program consisting of Azerbaijani and European classical music gems. The concert featured works by composers Üzeyir Hacıbeyli, Gara Garayev, Fikrat Amirov, Vasif Adigozelov, and Asaf Zeynalli, showcasing the magnificence of Azerbaijani classical music. The Azerbaijani compositions, performed for the first time in Austria's Vorarlberg region, were met with great interest by the audience.
Following the concert, a reception was held for the event participants.