"Silk Way" greets Japanese ansamble

/By AzerNews/

By Laman Sadigova

The sixth annual Silk Road Sheki International Music Festival kicked off on July 1 in one of the most ancient centers of Azerbaijani culture, Sheki.

The festival, co-organized by the Azerbaijani Composers Union and the Sheki Executive power, supported by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, was attended by many well-known musicians from Azerbaijan and number of foreign countries as well as by folklore ensembles, and dancers representing minorities living throughout the country.

A Japanese ensemble called "Kamigata sumieshi kai" opened the festival performing in front of the historical Palace of the Sheki Khans, which dates back to the XVIII century.

"Kamigata rakugo", a Japanese art style, was also on display at the concert. This style appeared in the Edo period and now is a traditional Japanese art.

Japanese dancers performed the traditional "Daikagura", which was once dedicated to God. The Japanese, like all agriculture-based societies, ask God for rich harvests and grant them their wishes through this dance.

The concert was attended by the leadership of the Azerbaijani Composers Union and the Sheki Executive power, artists, music lovers and citizens.

All the performances were greeted with loud applauds and acclamation.

At the conclusion of the concert, on behalf of the city’s executive power, the artists were awarded a commemorative gift.

Sheki has been a major city along the Silk Road for centuries. The city boasts of its great silk factory that had produced silk products for over four centuries.

The festival gives the chance to show Sheki’s rich culture and art, its hospitality, and originality. For many centuries the city, was an important centre of art. Today Sheki is a unique place that has preserved the urban culture inherent to medieval towns. The town’s historical and architectural monuments – caravanserais, mosques, minarets, walls and bridges – show the ancient architectural style of the city.