Victory Day Celebrated with Great Enthusiasm in the Netherlands
An unforgettable festive atmosphere filled The Hague on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Victory Day. A magnificent concert program entitled “My Azerbaijan: Rhythms of the Land of Fire” was held at the National Theater (Het Nationale Theater), one of the city’s most prestigious cultural centers. The event was jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora, the Fund for Support to Azerbaijani Diaspora, and the Azerbaijani–Netherlands “Land of Fire” Society.
Representatives of Dutch state institutions, members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the country, political, public, business, cultural and academic circles, media representatives, as well as members of the Azerbaijani community attended the event, which aroused great interest. Vagif Seyidbeyov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora, was also in attendance.
The concert opened with a video of the “Bayatı-Shiraz” mugham performed by Kenan Bayramov at the “Kharibulbul” music festival held on the Shusha–Chidir Plain in 2021. Against the backdrop of this powerful performance, the enchanting landscapes of Shusha and unforgettable festival moments created a deeply emotional atmosphere in the hall.
Speaking afterwards, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Netherlands Mammad Ahmadzadeh highlighted the symbolic meaning of this touching scene. He noted that for many years “Bayatı-Shiraz” had embodied pain, longing, and hope for a return to the Motherland during the occupation, and that now, for five consecutive years, this longing has been replaced by restored historical justice. Recalling President Ilham Aliyev’s words — “Dear Shusha, you are free! Dear Shusha, we have returned! Dear Shusha, we will revive you! Shusha is ours! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!” — the Ambassador emphasized that these statements are inscribed in the proud annals of the Azerbaijani people. He added that today, Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty have been fully restored, and peace and stability have been established in the region.
He also noted that declaring 2025 the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty in Azerbaijan, as well as celebrating the fifth anniversary of Victory Day and National Flag Day with great pride, reflects the continued strengthening of statehood and national unity. Ambassador Ahmadzadeh emphasized that hearing Azerbaijani music and witnessing Azerbaijani dances on the stage of The Hague’s National Theater — the world-renowned capital of peace and justice — performed jointly by musicians from both Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani community in the Netherlands, is a special source of pride and a bright symbol of peace, friendship, and Azerbaijan–Netherlands cultural relations.
The event continued with a vibrant concert program presenting a rich palette of national music and dances reflecting the spirit, joy, and love of life of the Azerbaijani people. The Azerbaijani dance group “Ritm” captivated the audience with energetic performances of “Qaytağı”, “Sarı Gəlin”, “Vaqzalı”, “Çay”, “İgidlər”, “İnnabı”, “Nağara”, “Uzundərə”, “Fantaziya”, and “Yallı”.
Azerbaijani performers living in the Netherlands shared the stage with musicians from Azerbaijan. Celebrated composer and singer, and chairman of the Azerbaijan–Netherlands “Odlar Yurdu” Society, Frangiz Bagirova, performed “Bulaq üstə gedən gözəl”, “Doğma diyar, Azərbaycan”. Talented artist Nemataga Aliyev presented “Şuşanın dağları” and “Azərbaycan oğluyam”. Young musicians — singer Orkhan Jalilov and pianist Vasif Huseynli — performed beloved songs such as “Azərbaycan”, “Ana”, “Ay Laçın”, “Qalalı”, “Bu gecə”, “Şən Azərbaycan”, “Küçələrə su səpmişəm”, and “Çırpınırdı Qara dəniz”, adding special color and emotion to the evening.
One of the most touching moments came at the end of the concert, when all the musicians and dancers returned to the stage to perform the song “Ey Vətən” together. The hall filled with applause, joy, and heartfelt pride.
Video projections and visual effects prepared for each musical and dance performance added a distinctive atmosphere and deepened the emotional impact, allowing the audience to embark on a visual and musical journey through Azerbaijan.
The concert program, which created truly unforgettable moments, was met with great admiration and sustained applause. The enthusiasm and national spirit that filled the National Theater of The Hague throughout the evening once again demonstrated the profound significance of this Victory for Azerbaijan.
