The official opening of the fair held in Gabala as part of GabalaFest
On July 29, 2026, the official opening ceremony of the fair featuring locally produced goods and handmade crafts, organized as part of GabalaFest, was held at the Heydar Aliyev Congress Centre. The event brought together numerous international and local guests, members of the local community, and media representatives. Addressing the audience, Head of the Gabala Region Executive Power Sabuhi Abdullayev welcomed the participants and guests, noting that, thanks to the purposeful economic, social, and cultural policies pursued under the leadership of the esteemed President Ilham Aliyev, Gabala, like other regions of Azerbaijan, has been developing comprehensively and has become an important venue for events of international significance. He emphasized that the 15th Gabala International Music Festival holds special significance this year not only because of its rich musical programme, but also because of the vitality it has brought to the region’s socio-economic and cultural life. On behalf of the people of Gabala and personally, he expressed his gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva for organizing such a large-scale festival in Gabala. Following the official ceremony, participants had the opportunity to explore the exhibition stands showcasing locally produced goods and handmade crafts in detail. As part of the programme, DJ sets were performed, while the Vietnam Bronze Drum Ensemble & Traditional Music presented Vietnamese national music and a bronze drum show, introducing the audience to the vibrant diversity of different cultures.
