"Young Virtuosi: concert of the laureates of the 11th Adilia Alieva International Piano Competition”

Ambassador Sadiqov,
Mr. Dupessey,
Ms. Alieva,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is my pleasure to welcome you to tonight’s concert and award ceremony. We are very grateful to Ambassador Sadiqov and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for bringing this event to the Palais des Nations.

I am also pleased to welcome the celebrated Azerbaijani pianist Ms. Adilia Alieva. An award-winning pianist, Ms. Alieva has filled concert halls around the world. More than 20 CDs have been released with her solo performances of orchestra and chamber music. Tonight, she has brought to us the winners of the International Adilia Alieva Piano Competition, the 11th edition of which took place over the past two days under the patronage of Mr. Dupessey, Mayor of Annemasse. The laureates of the Competition will receive their awards in a festive ceremony tonight, followed by a concert where we will be able to enjoy listening to their outstanding performances.

Today’s concert is part of a series of events organized by the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan this year. Next month there will be a movie screening of ‘Ali and Nino’ and in July the statue ‘Thoughts on desires’ will be donated to the Palais des Nations; it will find its place in the Ariana park. With this series of events, Azerbaijan is marking the 25th anniversary of its membership in the United Nations. During the past 25 years, the country has been an appreciated and active member of the UN and of our International Geneva family.

I warmly congratulate Azerbaijan on this very special occasion and I wholeheartedly thank Ambassador Sadiqov and the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan for continuously enriching our cultural programme at the Palais des Nations.

Congratulations, once more, to the winners of the competition and thank you to the artist and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for treating us to one more very special event.

Now, let us enjoy the concert together. Thank you.