MAKHACHKALA, March 13 – РИА Dagestan. Preparations have commenced in the Republic of Dagestan for the National Festival-Competition of Lezgin Folk Songs "Hayi Chilin Avazar" ("Melodies of the Native Land"). An introductory meeting of the organizing committee was held under the chairmanship of Naiman Abdulmutalibov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Dagestan.
Meeting participants reviewed the competition regulations and approved the jury composition, which includes cultural and arts figures from the republic. The festival-competition is organized at the initiative of the "Iman" Charitable Foundation of Firuza Kerimova, which also provides financial support. The project forms part of events designated for the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia.
The upcoming Festival aims to preserve and promote the song and musical heritage of the Lezgin people, support ethnocultural identity and contribute to educational initiatives for youth. The event is organized by the Ministry of Culture of Dagestan and the Republican State TV-Broadcasting Company "Dagestan". Applications for participation will be accepted from April 1 to April 15, 2026.
The competition will include three categories: solo folk singing, ensemble and choral folk singing, and performance on traditional musical instruments (accordion, tar, zurna, drum, chungur, flute, duduk, kamancheh). The winners will be awarded with monetary and commemorative prizes.