Turkish
Since declaring its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has been one of the rapidly developing Turkic states in economic, social, and cultural fields despite the challenges it has faced. Due to its geographical location, Azerbaijan has interacted with various cultures, yet still preserves and actively continues the traditions of Turkic culture. Examples of this rich and colorful heritage can be found in the Azerbaijan House within the Turkish World Culture Houses located in Topkapı Culture Park.
Upon entering, the Azerbaijan Culture House offers a corridor-like feeling surrounded by minstrels, welcoming visitors with portraits of folk heroes such as Köroğlu and Babek, along with informative panels about Azerbaijani history.
Today, Azerbaijan proves its presence in the world of music with its unique contemporary artists. As in all Turkic communities, Azerbaijan has deep-rooted musical traditions that date back centuries.
The Azerbaijan House showcases handmade original examples of essential instruments of Azerbaijani national music such as the ‘tar’, ‘canvas’, ‘kamancha’, and ‘balaban’. Alongside, a significant archive on Azerbaijani music history helps visitors understand that today’s musical achievements are no coincidence, but rather a continuation of a rich heritage.
