Gabala Music Festival: More than just music and art

The Gabala Music Festival is celebrating 15 years by bringing together music, art and people from different cultures. With Gabala Fest, the event is going beyond concerts to create a space where artists can connect, collaborate and share their work. The Gabala Music Festival is marking its 15th anniversary with a broader celebration of music, art and cultural exchange. This year, the festival has expanded beyond its traditional concert programme with the launch of Gabala Fest, bringing together musicians, visual artists and performers from different backgrounds. From classical music and Mugham to contemporary sounds, artists say the festival offers a space to discover new ideas while celebrating cultural traditions. An art exhibition, The Crossroads of Cultures, also brought together more than 30 local and international artists. With plans to expand the cultural programme further in 2027, organisers say Gabala is becoming a meeting point for artists and audiences from around the world.