Azerbaijani Balaban performed in Rome as part of the “Museums in Music 2025” Initiative
In Rome, the capital of Italy, Azerbaijani national music was presented to the public as part of the “Museums in Music 2025” (Musei in Musica 2025) initiative.
The Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Italy, operating under the Azerbaijani Embassy, was invited this year as a special guest by the Zetema Cultural Project and organized a special concert program titled “Magical Night: The Breath of the Azerbaijani Balaban” at the Museum of Rome in the Trastevere district.
The event was opened by the Deputy Director of the Cultural Center Gulnar Taghizada, who informed the audience about the history, sound, and cultural significance of the balaban, an ancient wind instrument, and introduced the performers.
Following this, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Italy Rashad Aslanov welcomed the concert attendees and expressed gratitude to the organizers, including the Municipality of Rome, the Rome Museums Network, and the Zetema Cultural Project. The Ambassador also noted that the “Art of Balaban Craftsmanship and Performance” was included in 2023 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
During the concert, balaban player Mehman Nuriyev and pianist Sabina Mammadova performed traditional folk songs and compositions by Azerbaijani composers. The balaban’s sound, reminiscent of the human voice, was highly appreciated by the local audience.
It is worth noting that Azerbaijan has been actively participating in major cultural programs in Rome for several years. The “Museums in Music” initiative is one of the main annual projects in the Italian capital, aimed at combining music and art to present cultural heritage to the city’s residents.
