Baku: The 15th Gabala International Music Festival, initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, commenced with an open-air ballet gala concert, APA reports. The event drew officials, cultural figures, and art enthusiasts.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, leading soloists from prestigious institutions such as the Mariinsky Theatre, the Bolshoi Theatre, the Bavarian State Ballet, the Vienna State Ballet, and the Dutch National Ballet showcased excerpts from celebrated ballets, including Ludwig Minkus' Don Quixote, Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, and Adolphe Adam's Giselle.

Farhad Badalbeyli, Rector of the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, highlighted the festival's primary aim of promoting classical music to a wider audience. Participants expressed their satisfaction with the opportunity to perform in Gabala and lauded the festival's organization.

The festival is set to run until August 3, featuring performances by ensembles from Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and Moldova. The program will also include chamber music and mugham concerts, culminating with a performance by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli.