By Elena Kosolapova
Azeri Observer Staff Writer
The Shahin Novrasli Festival has officially begun in Baku, opening ten days of music, culture and artistic discovery in the enchanting setting of Icheri Sheher. The festival’s first evening set the tone in unforgettable style, as the open-air stage came alive with the fiery rhythms of Latin America, sweeping the audience into a celebration filled with warmth, energy and joy.
The festival opened with an electrifying performance by the Latin American ensemble Nomade, joined by charismatic vocalist Josefina “Pepa” Becker. Nomade is celebrated for its unique fusion of traditional Latin American music with contemporary sounds, while Becker brings new life to classical Latin melodies through expressive improvisations, original arrangements and her own unmistakable rhythmic style.
From the very first notes, the centuries-old walls of the Old City echoed with vibrant melodies that seemed to erase the distance between continents. The warm July evening, the infectious rhythms and the electric atmosphere quickly won over the crowd. Spectators clapped in time with the music, sang along to familiar refrains and swayed to the irresistible beat, transforming the concert into a shared celebration rather than simply a performance. Every piece carried its own character, moving effortlessly between soulful melodies and infectious dance rhythms that captivated the audience until the final chord. By the final encore, the musicians had the audience completely under their spell, earning thunderous applause that lingered long after the last note had faded.
The successful opening marked the beginning of the fifth edition of the Shahin Novrasli Festival, which will continue until July 12. During the next days, Icheri Sheher will become a meeting point for cultures, traditions and musical styles from around the world, welcoming artists from Azerbaijan, Romania, Hungary, Israel, Brazil, France, Argentina, Turkey and Georgia.
This anniversary edition is the largest in the festival’s history. More musicians, more countries and a broader artistic program than ever before will transform Baku’s UNESCO-listed Old City into a living cultural stage where every evening offers a completely new musical experience.
The festival itself has entered a new chapter. Previously known as the Baku Piano Festival, it now proudly bears the name of its founder and artistic director, internationally acclaimed Azerbaijani pianist and composer Shahin Novrasli. The new name reflects the event’s remarkable evolution from a piano-focused festival into an international celebration embracing a wide range of musical traditions and artistic collaborations.
The anniversary rebranding is accompanied by a new visual identity centered on the color red—a symbol of energy, passion, creativity and forward movement. Those qualities perfectly capture the spirit of this year’s ambitious program.
One of the festival’s greatest strengths is its diversity. Rather than focusing on a single musical direction, every concert has been designed as an independent artistic journey with its own atmosphere, repertoire and cultural identity. Latin American music opened the festival, but audiences can also look forward to jazz, ethno-jazz, world music, contemporary improvisation and performances inspired by the musical traditions of numerous countries.
Among the highlights still to come are concerts by acclaimed musicians from across Europe, South America and the Middle East, each bringing a distinctive artistic voice to the festival stage. An ethno-jazz ensemble from Georgia, performers from Brazil, France, Argentina, Israel, Romania, Hungary and Turkey, alongside leading Azerbaijani musicians, will ensure that every evening offers a completely different experience. Before each evening’s headline performance, live DJ sets will create a festive atmosphere, gradually building anticipation as audiences gather beneath Baku’s summer sky.
Festival guests can also explore a lively festival fair featuring handcrafted products, unique souvenirs and culinary specialties, turning every visit into much more than simply attending a concert. The organizers have carefully created an environment where visitors can spend an entire evening immersed in music, art and local culture.
Young artists will also take center stage during a special concert dedicated to emerging talent, highlighting one of the festival’s important missions: supporting the next generation of musicians. A literary competition and nightly jam sessions will further enrich the program, encouraging spontaneous creativity and bringing together performers from different countries in unexpected musical collaborations.
The grand finale promises to be particularly spectacular. Inspired by the vibrant spirit of Brazil, the closing celebration is expected to transform the Old City into a true Brazilian carnival, filling its ancient streets with dazzling rhythms, color and boundless energy.
Yet despite its increasingly international character, the festival remains firmly rooted in Baku. The organizers emphasize that the city itself has always been the festival’s greatest source of inspiration. It was here that the idea was born, here that its devoted audience was formed, and here that musicians from around the world continue to discover Azerbaijan’s unique tradition of hospitality and multiculturalism.
There could hardly be a more fitting setting than Icheri Sheher. For centuries, the Old City’s narrow streets have connected civilizations, cultures and ideas. During these ten summer days, they once again become a crossroads—this time through music. Every concert, every spontaneous street performance and every shared moment between artists and audiences adds another chapter to the cultural life of Baku.
The opening night demonstrated exactly what has made the Shahin Novrasli Festival one of Azerbaijan’s most distinctive cultural events. High-quality performances, artistic diversity and a remarkable ability to unite people through music remain its defining characteristics.
If the vibrant Latin rhythms that launched this year’s edition are any indication, the days ahead promise an equally unforgettable journey. Until July 12, the ancient streets of Icheri Sheher will continue to resonate with music from across the world, reminding audiences that while every culture has its own unique voice, music itself remains a universal language capable of bringing everyone together.
