Francesco Maggio: Gabala Festival brings together musicians from different countries

Baku, October 23, AZERTAC AZERTAC continues its conversation with Italian composer, musician, and cultural figure Francesco Maggio, who actively promotes Azerbaijani music, mugham, and Azerbaijani national motifs in Europe. The author of musical compositions inspired by Azerbaijan’s culture, he has performed in Baku on numerous occasions and organized joint concerts featuring Azerbaijani and Italian musicians, including in Germany. This time, Francesco Maggio talks about the significance of the Gabala Festival. – Francesco, you have visited Azerbaijan frequently. How do you feel when you come here? Do you find a connection with your Italian culture? – Every time I return to Azerbaijan, I experience a special feeling, as if I am returning to a place that, while not my homeland, has become truly close to me. In Azerbaijan, I feel at home. This feeling is difficult to explain in words.

I think, above all, it is connected with the people, their warmth, extraordinary hospitality, the joy of communication, and the special, sincere attitude toward human relationships that exists here. The cuisine, the music, the conversations, and the enthusiasm with which people welcome new ideas and projects—all of this creates an atmosphere that I find truly magical. I was born in Salento, in southern Italy. Perhaps that is precisely why I notice so many similarities between Azerbaijani culture and the culture of the southern part of the Italian boot. Both cultures place immense value on family, friendship, hospitality, and the ability to share the joy of life. There is also a special emotional sensitivity that I find among the people. Both the inhabitants of southern Italy and Azerbaijanis know how to express joy, nostalgia, melancholy, and the desire to be together with extraordinary…