An international cultural festival titled “Silk Road – 2026” was held at the Oceana Theater in New York City, United States.
The festival was organized with the support of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan Diaspora Support Fund, the Alliance of Azerbaijani-American Organizations, and Alyona Badalova, head of the “My Way” Children and Youth Creativity Development Center.
The main objective of the festival was to strengthen friendship among different communities, preserve cultural heritage, and foster respect for the diversity of world cultures among younger generations.
More than 300 participants attended the event, where the cultures, traditions, music, and dances of Azerbaijan, China, Mongolia, Georgia, Ireland, Spain, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and several other countries were showcased.
Performances by students of the “My Way” Children and Youth Creativity Development Center, featuring the Azerbaijani dances “Azerbaijan,” “Nalbaki,” “Yalli,” and Caucasian folk dances, were met with great interest and applause. The performances gave guests an opportunity to become more familiar with Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage.
The “Qafqaz” Ensemble from Philadelphia, led by Arifa Akhundova, added a special touch to the festival with a performance of the traditional Azerbaijani dance “Jangi.”
During the festival, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine and New York State Senator Steve Chan emphasized that the event serves as an important platform bringing together different cultures and peoples.
Meanwhile, New York State Assembly Member William Colton presented certificates of appreciation to the festival’s sponsors and partners for their support in promoting intercultural cooperation and implementing various cultural initiatives.
Participants were awarded official certificates in recognition of their talents and contributions to preserving the cultural heritage of their respective nations.
The festival contributed to strengthening cultural ties between Azerbaijan and the United States, promoting Azerbaijani culture abroad, and preserving national and spiritual values among younger generations of the Azerbaijani diaspora.