Azerbaijan National Academy of Science

Dear Arif muallim!

I sincerely congratulate you - the outstanding representative of the Azerbaijani culture with the 85th anniversary, I wish you health and success in your affairs.

Your diverse creativity with a wide range is one of the brightest events in our modern musical culture. You, as a worthy representative of the Kara Karaev School, have exceptional merits in further enriching our musical history and developing the country's culture thanks to the numerous art samples created by you successfully combining the traditions of folk music and the world classical heritage with modern musical forms. Your works, distinguished by their distinctive diverse musical tones, deep coloring and high artistic quality, being the pinnacle of professionalism, won the sympathy of music lovers. Your delightful music, based on philosophical thoughts and human feelings, provides people with direct help in striving for spiritual perfection. Your valuable works that meet the requirements that time puts forward before high art, found a successful stage embodiment outside of our country, in the most famous theaters of the world.

As a promoter of youth and a skillful teacher and the head of the composition department of the Baku Music Academy, a great merit in educating a generation of talented musicians using your rich experience. You have always demonstrated a truly civil position in relation to important events and fateful issues in our socio-political life, have won the respect of the people as a patriot and representative of the intelligentsia with clear conscience.

Your rich, fruitful and informative life path serves as a graphic example of boundless attachment to art and serving the people. Your work has always received a well-deserved evaluation from the state.

You have been awarded the highest awards of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Heydar Aliyev Prize, Heydar Aliyev and Istiglal.

I am sure that, you will continue to apply all the forces and skills for the development of Azerbaijani culture.

With deep respect and kind wishes,

Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, September 13, 2018.