BIAF-2026: The Celebration of Art Has Returned to the Capital

On October 28, the grand opening ceremony of the Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF-2026) took place. The opening concert, "Tribute to Dmitry Shostakovich," was held at the Muslim Magomayev Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall.

According to AZERTAC, the event was attended by Dmitry Sitkovetsky (conductor), Lukas Geniušas (piano), Tine Thing Helseth (trumpet), the Gara Garayev Azerbaijan State Orchestra, and the BIAF Orchestra.

The program featured works by prominent Azerbaijani and foreign composers.

In an interview with journalists, renowned violinist D. Sitkovetsky expressed his great joy at participating in BIAF-2026.

"This is a momentous day for my dear people of Baku. Today marks the opening of the 2nd Baku International Arts Festival. We are kicking it off with a concert dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the great Dmitry Shostakovich, in whose era I grew up in Moscow. Shostakovich had wonderful ties with Baku. This year's festival will be magnificent! Amazing international ensembles have gathered here," he emphasized.

This large-scale festival is taking place in Baku for the second time, running from October 28 to November 8. Organized with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the BIAF program includes over 20 events: concerts, ballet and theatrical performances, film screenings, meetings with art figures, and masterclasses.

The festival features artists and creative groups from Azerbaijan, Canada, France, Israel, Russia, the UK, the USA, and other countries. An important feature of the program is the collaboration between foreign performers and Azerbaijani artists, ensembles, and educational institutions. As a modern international multi-genre cultural platform, BIAF aims to unite the cultures of different nations in Baku.