Azerbaijan Music
March
1111--03/30/04 Members of Iraq National Symphony Orchestra Return to the United States for Music Workshops in New York and Washington ... [Read More]
Georgia (02/05)
The Georgian Government stakes much of its future on the revival of the ancient Silk Road as the Eurasian energy transportation corridor, using Georgia's geography as a bridge for transit of goods between Europe and Asia. Georgians are renowned for their hospitality and artistry in dance, theater, music, and design. ... [Read More]
IEW > Events
Little Chico Creek Elementary School in Chico, California took part in a continuation of the "Azerbaijani Folk Songs" project. In this new on-going project, titled "Folk Songs II: Sharing Cultures through Music," students of Little Chico Creek and schools #220 and #245 in Baku will share folk songs from their countries and talk about how these songs reflect the identity of the nation. The second part of this project gives the students an opportunity to look at the folk songs and compare/contrast them with those songs they listen to now. Students will ask the questions: What do these songs say about me, my relation to my past? How am I different or the same from when these songs were written? How are the songs of my country the same or different from those of the other country (America or Azerbaijan)? ... [Read More]
Secretary Powell Participates in Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Secretary Powell spoke at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Washington Mall, kicking off the 10-day event, "The Silk Road: Connecting Cultures, Creating Trust." The theme for the festival, which is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and is being held June 26-30 and July 3-7, was conceived by internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who also is coproducing the event. Featuring the talents of numerous artists, musicians, chefs, and others, the festival celebrates the legendary Silk Road which connected Europe to Asia for many centuries, leading to further cross-cultural integration and sharing of ideas and goods between the East and the West. [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: People-to-People Diplomacy Needed More Than Ever, Harrison Says
carpet weaver, a performer of the traditional Magam music, a story-telling bard, and a seven-member ensemble of traditional music from Badakshan in northern Afghanistan. In addition, a grant from the bureau supported musical performances by eight members of cellist Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble. Other divisions of the State Department also provided significant financial and other support to help bring participants and their equipment to Washington for the festival. ... Harrison referred to Secretary Powell's pledge that as we work to end the scourge of terrorism, we also must work to increase peace, prosperity and democracy. "That's what educational and cultural exchanges can do, because these kinds of programs are accessible," she said. "You do not need a degree to understand music. You do not need to have gone to school for years to look at someone who is creating the most beautiful silk carpet or to hear poetry or to look at a painting. These things have an immediate impact, and the inquiring mind then wants to know what kind of culture created them. [Exchanges] create a respect for differences that eventually leads to trust." ... [Read More]
International Religious Freedom Report 2002: Azerbaijan
There have been isolated instances of harassment of religious groups by local officials. In May 2001, Greater Grace services at a private apartment in Sumgait were interrupted by local authorities who demanded to see congregants' identification papers. The police took a key to the apartment, as well as several samples of Christian literature, video cassettes, and music. Although services resumed without interference the following week, local authorities were reviewing the church's right to continue using the apartment for services at the end of the period covered by this report. ... [Read More]
Global Youth Services Day – Youth Programs Division – Citizen Exchanges
On April 9th, 189 members of the international community in Tashkent attended the Spring Swing Charity Ball, organized by alumni of American Councils’ Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) and sponsored by British Airways. The night of food, dancing, live music and charity raffles raised over $3,000 for the Children’s Ward of the Tashkent Cancer Hospital, and kicked off FLEX alumni’s efforts to commemorate Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) in Uzbekistan. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Literature and music coalesce in the traditional poems of the ashugs who often accompany themselves on the tar (whence “guitar”) or ud, a form of lute. Such ancient instruments are still produced to preserve and promote the musical heritage of the country. The oldest preserved instrument in Azerbaijan, the gal‑dash, is a type of tambourine from the Stone Age. Cave drawings at Gobustan, just south of Baku, date from 5000 B.C.E. and provide early evidence of the significance of music and dance in the lives of tribesmen in Azerbaijan. ... [Read More]
For the Record Newsletter – European Programs Branch
At the final banquet of the JFDP mid-year conference , the JFDP delegation from the Kyrgyz Republic performs traditional Kyrgyz songs and instrumental music. Pictured are (from left to right) Oleksander Kovrov of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine (accompanist), Jumagul Esenalieva of Bishkek, Kanykey Muhtarova of Bishkek, Rano Zakirova of Osh, and Bolotbek Orokov of Bishkek. ... [Read More]
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