The 9th Kharibulbul International Music Festival will be held in Shusha on May 14-15, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan. The event will feature a diverse program and presentations by talented artists from various countries around the world.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the festival aims to contribute to the development of cultural dialogue and encourage creative exchange among musicians. In addition to Azerbaijani performers and musical groups, art representatives from the US, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Japan, and other countries have been invited to participate in this significant cultural event. The festival will kick off on May 14 with a concert at the Jidir Duzu plain and will span several locations across Shusha over two days.
Named after the flower that serves as the symbol of Shusha, the Kharibulbul Music Festival has been held since 1989. The inaugural festival began in May of that year in the Abdal Gulabli village of the Aghdam district to mark the 100th anniversary of the famous singer and People's Artist Seyid Shushinski, continuing in Shusha and concluding with a final concert in Aghdam. The festival gained international status in 1990. Following the liberation of Azerbaijani territories during the Patriotic War, the festival returned to its historical home in Shusha, with some performances also being held in the city of Lachin.
Shusha, declared the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, serves as a strategic and historical center in the Garabagh region. The restoration of the Kharibulbul festival in its original cradle signifies the revival of the region's rich musical traditions and its growing role as a hub for international intercultural dialogue. The event underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to preserving its national heritage while fostering global artistic cooperation.
