Singers protest awarding others but not them

The dissatisfied art workers appealed to the President. Singer Baloghlan Ashrafov said though he has long been on the scene, he has not been awarded.

"Mugham singers Sabir Mirzayev, Zohra Abdulayeva, Ruhangiz Musevi, Kifayet Ganjali, Suleyman Zeynalov have not been awarded honorary titles. It is the fault of those in the President's Office, who presented the list to the Head of state," the singer said.

Singer Zohra Abdullayeva said her name was in the list before but then excluded.

"The Culture and Tourism Ministry is sure to have included my name into the list. However, it was excluded in the President’s Office. I think they do not like me. I would have sung at restaurants if I knew that bar singers would be rewarded honorary titles. I wish Fatma Abdullazadeh were just and remind that I also deserve this title," she complained.

Mugham singer Sabir Mirzayev said he has been on the scene for more than 40 years.

"I could not be received by Polad Bulbuloghlu when he was the Minister. It is injustice to deprive me of an honorary title," he said. Other singers Ruhengiz Musevi, Kifayet Ganjali, Suleyman Zeynalov also expressed their dissatisfactions at the press conference.

President's Office humanitarian policy department told APA that the list of art workers to be rewarded honorary titles is presented to them by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

The Ministry told that it highly appreciated the President's care for culture and art workers and thanks to him for that.

"The Ministry also respects these art workers. They'd better congratulate their awarded counterparts. Art workers, who are loved by people, will be awarded early or late. We believe these singers will be awarded," the Ministry stated.