Ashugh Traditions and the Folk Life of Azerbaijanis • 2023 [Our Project]

Folk life
Jan 1, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Oct 26

2023 – “Ashugh Traditions and the Folkloric Life of Azerbaijanis in Georgia”

Implemented with the support of the Open Society – Georgia Foundation and the State Folklore Centre of Georgia named after Anzor Erkomaishvili.

This project focused on promoting the traditional culture of the Azerbaijani community in Kvemo Kartli. It included field research and documentation in regions populated by ethnic Azerbaijanis, identification of challenges in music education, and improving access to ethnomusicological education for local youth. It also aimed to showcase the folk traditions of Georgia’s Azerbaijani community to a wider audience in Tbilisi.

Trailer

Within the framework of the project:

In March and May 2023, field expeditions were carried out in Azerbaijani-populated regions of Georgia. Apprentices interested in Ashugh art were interviewed; songs performed by women of the community were recorded; zurna ensembles typical for festive gatherings were documented; as well as masters of traditional handicrafts such as carpet and rug weaving. Local dances, traditional cuisine, and folk customs were also filmed.
On June 6–8, educational meetings were held in the village of Iormughanlo (Sagarejo Municipality) with Azerbaijani-speaking youth. The sessions aimed to inform them about opportunities for professional music education and to promote ethnomusicology as a field of study.
An informational booklet was prepared for young people interested in learning and researching Ashugh traditions.
On October 15, 2023, a concert evening of traditional music by Georgia’s Azerbaijani community, titled “Sazs and Songs,” took place at the State Folklore Centre of Georgia named after Anzor Erkomaishvili. The event also included an exhibition of traditional Azerbaijani crafts and photographs taken during the project’s fieldwork.
On March 11, 2024, the documentary film “The Folkloric Life of Azerbaijanis in Georgia” was premiered as the project’s final presentation.