The 9th Kharibulbul International Music Festival has opened in the Azerbaijani city of Shusha, bringing together performers, musicians and cultural groups from several countries to celebrate music and cultural heritage.
The festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture, officially began on May 14 with an opening concert on the Jidir Duzu plain in Shusha. Artists and ensembles from the United States, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye and Japan are participating in this year’s event.
Organisers say the festival aims to strengthen cultural dialogue, support young musicians and promote Azerbaijan’s musical traditions, including mugham and folk performance art. Young performers are also taking part alongside internationally recognized artists.
The Kharibulbul festival was first launched in 1989 in Shusha, which is widely regarded as one of Azerbaijan’s cultural centers. The event was suspended during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and later revived after Azerbaijan regained control of the city in 2020.
