The festival, dedicated to the work of Imadaddin Nasimi (1369-1417), one of the brilliant poets and thinkers of the East, has been organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and supported by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture. The festival is being held in Azerbaijan for the first time from September 27 till September 30.

A big audience gathered during the performance. The dancers, among whom are people with disabilities, shared the joy of self-expression.

“DanceAbility is a unique dance technique available to everyone - professional dancers, amateurs, people with disabilities,” Nigar Sultanova, project leader, told Trend.

"Our rehearsals lasted for three weeks,” she said. “Today, more than 30 people took part in the project. The youngest participant is 14 years old and the oldest one – 69 years old. During these three weeks, all the participants made friends with each other.”

“At the end of each lesson we shared experience, impressions and discussed feelings, emotions,” Sultanova said. “Most of our participants say that by participating in the project they got rid of the complexes, became bolder and learned how to make decisions.”

“We rehearsed for about a month and performed to the public,” DanceAbility participant, dancer with disabilities Orkhan Adigozal said. “Everyone can find a message in it. The project demonstrates unity, joint activity, helps to be in harmony with yourself.”

"DanceAbility" allows enriching spiritually,” project participant Lala Babayeva said.

"The project allows understanding your feelings, understanding what you can give to other people,” she said. “And often those whom we call people with disabilities actually have limitless possibilities. For me personally, the project gave great experience in spiritual growth."

The performance aroused great interest among the audience. There was a deep connection between the team members, as if they were tied together by feelings, emotions and emotional impulse.

The festival is held under the slogans “Beyond the Limited Self”, reflecting the philosophical views of the poet, and “I am a Particle, I am the Sun” which are the poet’s lines. The program of the large-scale event covers various types of art and knowledge fields. During the festival, programs are being organized in various places in Baku, as well as in Shamakhi, the native city of the poet.

More about: Nasimi-Festival