Baku Festival Boosts Cultural Ties as Second Week Kicks Off
A Vibrant Second Weekend of the Baku International Arts Festival
The Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF) is in full swing as it enters its second weekend, offering an array of captivating stage performances that showcase a wide range of artistic expressions. From theatre and music to dance and opera, the festival is a melting pot of creativity and cultural exchange.
One of the highlights of this year’s programme is the collaboration between Oscar-winning art director Tim Yip and renowned Chinese choreographer Yang Liping. Their joint effort brings a fresh interpretation of Igor Stravinsky’s iconic masterpiece, The Rite of Spring. Yip, best known for his work on the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, has designed the set for this performance, generating a lot of excitement among attendees and critics alike.
Another standout performer at the festival is pianist Behzod Abduraimov, director Robert Lepage, and violinist Dmitry Sitkovetsky. Among them, Sitkovetsky’s participation holds a special significance. For him, the festival represents more than just a performance—it’s a deeply personal journey back to his roots. Sitkovetsky left his birthplace soon after his father Julian's death at the age of 32. Now, he is celebrating his father’s legacy and the centenary of his birth with a gala concert featuring the Baku State Orchestra.
Speaking to Euronews moments before taking the stage on Friday, Sitkovetsky shared his reflections: “For this concert, I brought five musicians from different parts of Europe and Asia. Tonight is very special because it’s dedicated to my great father, Julian Sitkovetsky, who died so early only at the age of 32, but he left phenomenal recordings and whoever heard him once never forgot.”
Sitkovetsky believes that this festival underscores the importance and international nature of Baku’s cultural scene. “I’m a fourth-generation professional musician. I have a document that shows that our professional life in my family started in 1889. So, the whole wonderful history of the 20th-century music in Azerbaijan is directly connected with my family. My mother Bella Davidovich is one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, lived and grew up here until she was 17 years old,” said Sitkovetsky.
Strengthening Cultural Ties
Svetlana Dvoretskaya, a member of the BIAF advisory committee, emphasizes the festival’s goal of strengthening ties with international cultural institutions and festivals to create a wider cultural network. “Cooperating with the international community is an essential part of any successful cultural enterprise, and especially for a new festival like BIAF. However, in this inaugural year, we have already co-produced and cooperated with two major presentations—Sharon Ayal and Robert Lepage’s Hamlet. We've been part of the co-producing, co-creating teams and not just the presenters. We're going to search for the best ideas, international community has to offer,” said Dvoretskaya.
She also expressed confidence in Baku’s potential to stand alongside the world’s most renowned arts festivals, such as Salzburg and Avignon. The festival events are being held at some of Baku’s most popular venues, including the Heydar Aliyev Centre, the State Philharmonic Hall, the National Drama Theatre, and the State Musical Theatre, among others.
A Growing Cultural Landscape
BIAF is organized with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan. The festival continues until 16 November 2025, offering a platform for both local and international artists to showcase their talents. With its diverse programming and commitment to cultural exchange, BIAF is quickly becoming a significant player on the global arts scene.
