We were delighted to have all the guests participating and share our Music From Around The World concert featuring artists from Azerbaijan and Turkey to celebrate the long-lasting friendship between the two countries and to honor the 97th anniversary of Azerbaijan Republic Day.

This event was made possible thanks to the joint organization efforts of the Consulate General of Turkey, the Azerbaijan Center and the Houston-Baku Sister City Association.

The event started with welcoming remarks from the organizers. In his remarks, Consul General of Turkey Ferhat Alkan mentioned that “Turkey-Azerbaijan relations are unique. We define this special relationship as ‘two states but one nation’. We are now pleased to witness that Turkey and Azerbaijan have been staunch allies of the United States and beacons of stability, democracy and prosperity in a volatile region of the world.”

Before handing over to Mrs. Irada Akhoundova, CEO of the Azerbaijan Center and President of the Houston-Baku Sister City Association, the Consul General Ferhat Alkan congratulated all Azerbaijanis on this day of May 28th 2015 for the establishment of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic 97 years ago and addressed his best wishes of well-being and prosperity to the brotherly country of Azerbaijan.

Mrs. Irada Akhoundova started by giving a brief history of the establishment of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918 and congratulated all Azerbaijanis on this national day.

In her remarks, Mrs. Akhoundova also highlighted that Turkey became the first state to recognize the Republic of Azerbaijan when it declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, the two countries have kept on strengthening their ties and friendship and “Music From Around The World” concert is just another meaningful example.

The concert featured artists from Azerbaijan and Turkey, Oya Ergun (soprano), Jamila Javadova-Spitzberg (organ & piano) and Narmina Aliyeva (piano) who performed Eastern and Western musical pieces including Turkish songs and Azerbaijani songs by Sevda Ibrahimova, Tofig Guliyev, Vasif Adigezalzadeh.

After the concert, the attendees had the opportunity of congratulating the artists and were invited to a light reception with Turkish and Azerbaijani food. The attendees also had the pleasure of tasting wines from Turkey and Azerbaijan generously provided by Mid-State Wine.

This event would not have been possible without the strong support of our generous sponsors and partners Turkish Airlines, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, Mid-State Wine, A-Media USA,  and our host, Christ The King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston, TX.

We would also like to give special thanks to all of our volunteers for their help in making this event a success. Our work would not be possible without the help of the community. Special thanks to our friend and community member Shahram Faghihloo for sharing with us the pictures of the event.

In the spirit of saving the best for last, we would like to give some heartfelt thanks to our artists Oya Ergun, Jamila Javadova-Spitzberg and Narmina Aliyeva for sharing their talents, their passion and for touching our hearts, minds and souls. Thank you!

Pictures are courtesy of A-Media USA and Shahram Faghihloo

Press releases:

- http://azertag.az/ru/xeber/V_Xyustone_proshel_koncert_posvyashchennyi_Dnyu_Azerbaidzhanskoi_Respubliki-859597