Ammon News - Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas, Chairperson of the Petra National Trust and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, the exhibition "Echoes of the Ages: Azerbaijani Musical Instruments" was officially opened Tuesday evening at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Amman.

In his opening remarks,Azerbaijani Ambassador to Amman Eldar Salimov described the event as much more than an art showcase; it is a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Azerbaijani people and a journey through centuries of rich cultural heritage. He quoted the late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev, who famously said that culture is the defining feature of any nation.

Ambassador Salimov highlighted the deep roots of Azerbaijani musical traditions, tracing them back thousands of years to ancient rock engravings in Gobustan and Gamigaya, which illustrate early expressions of music and dance as spiritual practices.

Speaking in the presence of representatives from various foreign diplomatic missions in Jordan, he emphasized how these ancient relics continue to speak to us across time, underscoring the central role of music in Azerbaijani civilization. He pointed out that the nation’s oldest literary work, the epic "Kitabi-Dede Gorgud," is filled with references to musical instruments, reflecting how deeply music is woven into daily life, celebrations, and rituals.

The ambassador also paid tribute to renowned Azerbaijani poets like Nizami Ganjavi and Mohammad Fuzuli, who portrayed music not just as entertainment but as a universal language and a reflection of the human soul. He noted that in the 19th century, musical hubs in cities such as Shusha, Shamakhi, and Baku became creative incubators, where masters like Haji Husu and Bulbul refined the art of Mugham and passed it on to future generations.

He further celebrated Azerbaijan’s contributions to symphonic and operatic music, as well as the pioneering fusion of traditional Mugham with jazz by the acclaimed musician Vagif Mustafa-Zadeh, which earned Azerbaijan a unique place on the world music stage.

Princess Dana Firas toured the exhibition alongside Ambassador Selimov, engaging with the displayed instruments and learning about their history.

The event also featured a video presentation highlighting Azerbaijani musical instruments, symphonic concerts, and opera performances, alongside live renditions of Azerbaijani and broader Eastern musical pieces performed by Syrian artists Rami Al-Jundi and Azian Al-Haj Youssef from the band "Droub."