The concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the National Leader of Azerbaijan was held in Latvia

Within the framework of the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” a solemn concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founder of the independent state of Azerbaijan, prominent politician and statesman Heydar Aliyev was held in Riga with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Latvia.

The concert was organized at the National Library of Latvia, which is one of the well-known cultural centers of Latvia and is considered as one of the examples of modern architecture in the country.

 Speaking at the event, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Latvia Elnur Sultanov stated that 2023 was declared the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” by the Order of President Ilham Aliyev and that the concert organized on this occasion was a significant event.

The Ambassador noted that Heydar Aliyev's entire life is a remarkable illustration of selfless dedication to the Azerbaijani people, the establishment of Azerbaijani independence and statehood, as well as crafting the national development strategy. As a great statesman Heydar Aliyev always instilled in the national conscience feelings of freedom, pride, importance of preserving of identity, culture, language and restoring historical memory. Thanks to his strategic vision, the Azerbaijani people successfully overcame the complex historical and political challenges of the time. And today the modern, strong and prosperous Azerbaijan, the country which has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty, is a celebration of Heydar Aliyev's great life's work and lasting legacy.

E.Sultanov stressed that Heydar Aliyev laid the foundation for the independent and balanced foreign policy of our country, including Azerbaijani-Latvian relations, and mentioned that diplomatic relations were established between Azerbaijan and Latvia in 1994. The ambassador noted that the first Embassy of Azerbaijan in the Baltic region was opened in Latvia in 2005, and in 2017 the Declaration of Strategic Partnership was signed, and in 2024 the 30th anniversary of our bilateral relations will be celebrated.

Then, for the first time in Latvia the Latvian and Azerbaijani musicians performed jointly at the ethno-jazz concert. Along with honored artists from Azerbaijan tarzan Sahib Pashazade and guitarist Ruslan Huseynov, pianist Nijat Aslanov, drummers Kamran Karimov and Hasan Bilalov, together with Latvian musicians, saxophonist Zintis Zvarts and accordionist Rustam Bagirov successfully performed Azerbaijani folk music, jazz pieces, as well as works by Azerbaijani and Latvian composers.  

 In addition, well-designed and modern books published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation dedicated to Azerbaijani culture, art and music were presented by the Embassy to the National Library of Latvia.