Rock'n'roll and Sheki accent on American Independence Day

Baku/02.07.22/Turan: On July 1, the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan hosted a reception in honor of the 246th anniversary of the country's independence.

Traditionally celebrated in the park in front of the Embassy, the celebration was accompanied by the U.S. marines carrying the U.S. flag and the singing the national anthem. This time it was performed by Eldar Gasymov, the winner of Eurovision Song Contest 2011.

The audience was pleasantly surprised by the master of the ceremony, Embassy Military Attaché Dallas Smith who spoke in clear Azerbaijani with a Sheki accent.

Ambassador Lee Litzenberger and Azerbaijani Finance Minister Samir Sharifov traditionally talked about successful cooperation in many areas and significant achievements in energy and security.

Sharifov emphasized a letter of US President Joe Biden to Azerbaijani leader on the occasion of Independence Day as evidence of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

In closing the official part, Ambassador Litzenberger drew a parallel between rock 'n' roll and the American spirit of freedom. "In the '60s, rock 'n' roll became a symbol of freedom of expression. The guitar became an iconic symbol of that freedom. In Azerbaijan, too, there is an instrument whose name is in tune with the guitar - the tar, which is one of the main expressions of the freedom music  - mugham. Therefore, today we recognize that rock'n'roll has not only American, but Azerbaijani roots as well," the diplomat concluded.-02В-