Imamyar Hasanov, an Azerbaijani kemancha virtuoso traveled to Istanbul last week for the first International Istanbul Nevruz Celebrations. Hasanov spoke to Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review before leaving Turkey. Hasanov said he wanted to be away from politics, he spoke about the political discussions that sometimes occur between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “We used to live in peace at the time of the Soviet Socialist Republics Union. What happened, happened after it dissolved. All events are political. Azerbaijani people are fed up with these discussions.”
Hasanov said music has nothing to do with people’s fights. Kemancha, which is known as a traditional three-stringed instrument, is played by people in Turkey, the Caucasus and the Middle East. “Kemancha is the common culture of this geography. It is played by Armenians, Iranians and Uzbeks,” said Hasanov, adding that there are debates over the origin of instruments and music. “I find these debates to be nonsense. The language of music is universal and only expresses friendship and origin. It has nothing to do with discrimination and people’s conflicts.”
Hasanov’s biggest dream is to take the stage with the world’s most famous Armenian duduk player, Djivan Gasparyan. Gasparyan holds four gold medals from UNESCO due to his contributions to world culture, has made music for 39 Hollywood films and won the World Music Expo, or WOMEX, which is regarded as the biggest prize of the music world, in 2002 for his contributions to music. Hasanov said he might take the stage not only with Gasparyan, but also with Armenian and Azerbaijani artists to make calls for friendship and peace. “I believe in friendship and peace. I am sure the universal language of music will bring us together on a common ground. If I get an invitation and support for this project, I am always ready.”