On the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the creator of the first opera in the east, great musicologist-scientist, talented publicist, playwright and educator, well-known public figure, People’s artist, laureate of state awards, full member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Uzeyir Hajibeyli, an event entitled “Uzeyir Hajibeyli: 140th anniversary manifesto of a teacher” was held at Gazakh Teachers’ Seminary.

Within the framework of the event, the official opening of the historic Israfil Aga bath, which began to operate under the Gazakh Teachers’ Seminary, as an Art Center took place. The first event of the Art Center was an exhibition dedicated to the work of the great composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli. The exhibition featured rare exhibits, archival documents and interactive presentations reflecting the great artist’s rich creative heritage, his unparalleled contributions to Azerbaijani musical culture and his educational activities.

Hikmat Guliyev, Director of the Institute of Folklore of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Sciences in Philology, made a report called “Folklore motifs in Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s activity: archetypical thought and symbolic meaning” at the discussion.

In his report, Hikmat Guliyev mentioned the importance of analyzing Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s work not only from the point of view of composition and music theory, but also as a carrier of collective memory, national-cultural archetypes. The author mentioned that Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s work was one of the most important symbols of the period of rise, transformation and cultural self-awareness not only in our musical history, but also in Azerbaijani culture in general. He attracted attention as an example of integration and synthesis between the past and the future, tradition and modernity.

The event continued with a concert program.