The second International Ashiq Festival will open in Azerbaijan on Monday bringing together ashiqs from many countries, including Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The 9-day festival will officially open at Azerbaijan State Musical Theatre on Tuesday, with concerts scheduled to be held in Baku and the cities of Yevlakh, Gadabay, Shamkir, Qazakh, Tovuz and Ujar.
Co-organized by Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Ashiqs Association of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the festival is aimed at promoting the Azerbaijani Ashiq art in the world, increasing the role of Ashiqs in the development of the national culture, and bringing together performers of Ashiq music.
Initiated by Azerbaijani first lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, the Azerbaijani Ashiq art was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.