[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 134 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 AS THE UZEYIR HAJIBEYLI MEMORIAL 
                                  DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2015

  Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Uzeyir Hajibeyli 
Memorial Day, celebrated on September 18, 2015.
   Uzeyir Hajibeyli was born in the City of Agjabadi in Azerbaijan on 
September 18, 1885. He is recognized as the father of Azerbaijani 
classical music, as well as the founder of the first opera, Leyli and 
Majnun (1908), and first operetta The Cloth Peddler (1913) in the 
Muslim world. Arshin Mal Alan (The Cloth Peddler), is a romantic and 
musical comedy that delves into a young couple's struggle to live a 
modern lifestyle in the presence of restricting customs through pure 
love and women's rights.
   In 1945, a cinematic version of the operetta was filmed in 
Azerbaijan and became an instant box office sensation. It remains today 
an important cultural touchstone across Eurasia, having been widely 
distributed in 86 languages and shown in 136 countries.
   Uzeyir Hajibeyli was influential in both cultural and historical 
contexts. Hajibeyli was responsible for a new genre of music which 
evolved from the culmination of traditional Azerbaijani music and 
European classical opera. He is recognized as a leader in fighting 
illiteracy throughout the nation. As not only a musician but as a 
teacher and journalist, he inspired a new cultural movement throughout 
the nation that transcended the country's borders. Further, Hajibeyli 
is responsible for composing the first national anthem of Azerbaijan. 
Uzeyir Hajibeyli played an active role in the creation of the 
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic founded in 1918.
   As today marks the 130th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibeyli's birth, I 
am honored to recognize him today for his valuable contributions 
towards the world of music and to Azerbaijan.

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