Oriented on making people closer

Moscow will once again hear melodies that unite East and West, past and present! The organizing committee of the IX Moscow International Arts Festival "Sounds of Dutar" named after Nury Khalmamedov has announced the start of accepting applications for the music competition of performers. This is a chance for talents from all over the world to make a name for themselves on the prestigious international stage.

The festival itself will traditionally decorate the Moscow autumn, opening the doors of the Museum and Exhibition Complex of the Russian Academy of Arts from October 27 to November 4, 2025. The IX edition of the festival is filled with special meaning: it is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the International Year of Peace and Trust proclaimed by the UN. This is a musical dedication to peace, history and creation. This year the festival will also honor the memory of the recently deceased great artist Zurab Konstantinovich Tsereteli, whose work itself was a bridge between cultures.

The uniqueness of the competition "Sounds of Dutar" is in its focus: it brings together musicians-performers of different specialties, whose work is based on the fusion of academic music with the richest ethnocultural traditions. This is not just a competition, it is a platform for dialogue of cultures through the universal language of music, where classical forms are filled with the soul of the people.

Musicians from all over the world are invited to take part. The competition is held in one round, covering a wide range of specialties: vocals, instrumental performance (strings, wind instruments, piano, folk instruments). The competition will be held in nominations for soloists and ensembles (instrumental, vocal, vocal and instrumental). And this year, for the first time, a special nomination for choirs (from 12 people) has been added - an opportunity for large groups to demonstrate their skills in this unique genre.

The works of the contestants will be evaluated by an authoritative international jury consisting of leading figures in the musical arts from Russia, Turkmenistan and other countries – true masters who are able to discern and appreciate the depth of talent and uniqueness of the performer.

If you feel that your heart beats to the rhythm of national melodies and strives to express them through academic music, you have until October 1, 2025 to submit an application. This can be done online through the official website of the festival, where operators will help you and answer all your questions, or a convenient platform of the art center, where they are ready to help you with registration.

The music competition within the framework of the festival "Sounds of Dutar" is not just a competition. It is an inspiring event aimed at preserving national traditions through their rethinking in an academic form, supporting talented youth and, most importantly, strengthening mutual understanding between peoples through the language of art. Its goal is to show how cultural diversity can serve as a factor of unity.

Over the years of its existence, the festival has brought together under its auspices more than a thousand musicians from more than 20 countries of the world, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Germany, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, the UAE, Russia, Slovenia, the USA, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, France, Ecuador, South Korea, Japan and many others. This proves that "Sounds of Dutar" has truly become a significant phenomenon in the international cultural arena.

Join this celebration of music and talent!

ORIENT

Photo: Organizing Committee of the Festival "Sounds of Dutar"