Ganja Celebrates Ashiq Molla Juma's Legacy with Final Concert

Ganja, a city rich in cultural heritage, recently hosted a remarkable concert to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the legendary musician Ashiq Molla Juma, who lived from 1854 to 1920. This event was part of the "Our Musical Identity" project, which aims to celebrate and preserve the unique musical traditions of Azerbaijan. The concert was organized by the Ganja State Philharmonic and the Azerbaijan Ashiqs Union, with the support of the Culture Ministry and the Ganja Executive Power.

The concert featured a talented lineup of ashiqs, including Bakhtiyar Ganbaroglu, Afghan Mammadov, Elbrus Guseynov, and many others. These artists captivated the audience with their performances of traditional compositions such as "Şərili," "Şəqayi Gəraylı," and "Hüseyni." Each piece showcased the rich poetic creativity of Ashiq Molla Juma, whose work remains a treasured part of Azerbaijani ashug poetry.

Ashiq Molla Juma, born Suleyman Salah oglu in 1850 in the small village of Laiskhi, was raised in a family of hereditary peasants. His early life was marked by a strong emphasis on education, as his father instilled in him the importance of hard work and learning. Molla Juma excelled in Arabic and Persian languages, and his passion for classical Eastern literature blossomed during his studies at a rural madrasah.

His journey into the world of poetry and music was deeply influenced by his love for a beautiful girl, the daughter of his teacher, Sheikh Ahmad Gureishi. Their shared lessons in various subjects, including poetics and astronomy, blossomed into a profound love. However, tragedy struck when she passed away from an illness, leaving Molla Juma heartbroken. This loss profoundly impacted his poetry, infusing it with themes of love, pain, and sorrow.

Throughout his life, Molla Juma became a voice for the oppressed, advocating for social justice and the ideals of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. His commitment to these causes ultimately led to his untimely death at the hands of the Bolsheviks. His legacy, however, lives on through his poetry and the ashiq art form, which is recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The "Our Musical Identity" project not only honors the contributions of Ashiq Molla Juma but also aims to promote national values among the youth and introduce them to their rich cultural heritage. Previous events in this series have celebrated other notable figures in ashiq art, such as Ashiq Alasgar and Ashiq Shamshir.

The final concert dedicated to Ashiq Molla Juma serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural traditions and the power of music to connect generations. As we reflect on the life and work of this remarkable artist, it becomes clear that the themes of love, loss, and resilience in his poetry continue to resonate with audiences today, inspiring a new generation to appreciate and carry forward the rich legacy of Azerbaijani music.