On September 18, 2026, Mingachevir State University (MSU) organized a musical and intellectual competition titled “Discover Your Inner Strength Through Music” at the Mingachevir Youth House to mark National Music Day.

         The event, attended by the University’s faculty members and students, aimed to promote Azerbaijan’s rich musical heritage, strengthen young people’s attachment to national and cultural values, foster their intellectual and creative potential, and highlight the role of music in personal and emotional development.

          The event moderator, Head of the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology at Mingachevir State University (MSU), Ph.D. in Pedagogy, Associate Professor Könül Jabbarova, welcomed the participants and officially opened the event.

          The event commenced with a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan, followed by the performance of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

          In her opening remarks, Associate Professor Könül Jabbarova highlighted the special significance of National Music Day in the cultural life of the Azerbaijani people. She emphasized that national music constitutes an invaluable cultural heritage that embodies the historical memory, spiritual values, and national identity of the Azerbaijani people. She further noted that preserving and passing this rich heritage on to future generations, while encouraging young people to actively engage in cultural life, plays an important role in fostering their aesthetic appreciation, cultural awareness, and creative thinking.

           The cherished memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan was then honored with a minute of silence, followed by the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

          As part of the program, a video highlighting the significance of National Music Day and the richness of Azerbaijan’s musical culture was presented.

The program continued with a presentation titled “Azerbaijan’s National Music: From the Past to the Future” by Faig Yusifli, a lecturer at MSU’s Department of Pedagogy and Psychology. His presentation focused on the historical development of Azerbaijani national music, its role in preserving the cultural memory of the nation, the continuity of musical traditions in the modern era, and the importance of passing this rich heritage on to future generations.

The artistic part of the event featured a musical composition performed with the participation of Faig Yusifli, Elshan Ismayilov, a teacher at the Mingachevir Youth House, and students. The performances showcased the richness of Azerbaijani music while further enhancing the artistic atmosphere of the program.

            The program was followed by the musical and intellectual competition “Discover Your Inner Strength Through Music.” Six teams took part in the competition, which provided participants with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of Azerbaijani music while also showcasing their intellectual thinking, quick decision-making, and teamwork skills.

          Held in a tense and engaging competitive atmosphere, the contest concluded with the “Shur” team securing first place. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the members of the teams that placed first, second, and third.     

          The initiative dedicated to National Music Day contributed to promoting Azerbaijan’s musical heritage, preserving national and cultural values, and supporting the creative and intellectual development of students. Organized within the framework of cooperation between MSU and the Mingachevir Youth House, the event also contributed to engaging young people in social and cultural activities and strengthening university-community relations.