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Culinary festivals around the world attract hundreds of thousands of tourists who want to taste gastronomic delights and learn the secrets of their preparation. Top chefs are usually honoured to take part in such events and present their creations to guests. The festival in Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan liberated from the Armenian occupation two years ago, was no exception. This made the festival special in the life of the country. The first international, large scale and historical festival in Shusha brought together culinary professionals, international experts and representatives from Turkey, Germany, Russia, Austria, China, France, Georgia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Malaysia and other countries.

The long-awaited event...

For almost thirty years Azerbaijan has been waiting for the liberation of its native lands from Armenian invaders, for the restoration of its territorial integrity. This was possible under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the valiant army of Azerbaijan in unity with the people of Azerbaijan. November 8, 2020 went down to the history of Azerbaijan as a glorious date. Karabakh became free and now breathes freely, seeing its true owners returning home. Azerbaijan is rapidly restoring the territories destroyed during the occupation. Cultural life is also blooming in the region, including the past events held in Shusha - the International Music Festival Xarıbülbül and the Vagif Poetry Days. President Ilham Aliyev declared the sacred city of Shusha the capital of culture of Azerbaijan in 2021 and this year as the Year of Shusha. The International Culinary Festival in Shusha organised by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the State Tourism Agency was a bright and significant event in the revival of the region, attracting great interest from guests.

World-class culinary experts, masters of international class cooked the best, tastiest and most exquisite dishes. It was a big celebration of chefs who gathered in Shusha to show themselves and see others, to share their experiences, learn new and unusual recipes, and talk to other culinary professionals about professional topics. Many visited Azerbaijan for the first time and were delighted by the nature and atmosphere of the festival in Shusha.

Stalik Khankishiev, Azerbaijani cook and broadcaster living in Russia

"As you know, I was born in Uzbekistan. One of my great fellow compatriots, Amir Timur, used to build large buildings. His people were asking him "Why do we need to build such expensive buildings?" He replied: "Let the people from other countries come and see what kind of people we are." In other words, this festival is a chance for the people from other countries to visit Azerbaijan, taste Azerbaijani cuisine and learn what kind of people live here - talented and compassionate, brave and kind. There are extensive works going on in Shusha to improve and restore the city. In the next few years, Shusha will turn into a paradise. People will return to live and create here.”

Every other day in Shusha was full of surprise. May 5 was a professional holiday for carpet weavers. Among its other titles, Shusha is also well known as one of the cities of traditional Karabakhi carpets. During the festival, Azerkhalcha hosted various interactive presentations about carpet weaving traditions in Azerbaijan, showing each stage of carpet making through an interactive theatrical performance "How a carpet is born". Guests were demonstrated the processes of shearing and cleaning the wool, making yarn and dyeing with natural dyes, making looms, stretching warp threads, making pile and lint-free carpets, cutting carpets and dowry collection.

The festival also hosted an open-air exhibition ‘Shusha. A Springtime Legend’ attended by Azerbaijani artists and sculptors. Their works created in the countryside reflected the current situation, the wonderful nature of this previously-occupied city.

Arif Huseynov, People's Artist of Azerbaijan

"Culinary is a reflection of the culture and national values of nations, a synthesis of which shows the whole vibrant palette of the Shusha festival."

The culinary festival held in Karabakh and attended by numerous local and foreign guests, as well as the revival of liberated towns and districts of the region, was another symbol of the return of prosperity to this fertile land after long thirty years.

Flavio Basatti, Cook, Italy

"I have been to many countries, but this festival in Shusha stands out for its originality. I can say many kind words for the first such large-scale event. There are very well-known culinary professionals from many countries taking part in the festival, which shows its significance. I have read and heard a lot about Shusha, but what I saw here is above all words. What an atmosphere, clean air and nature! This festival should become a tradition and the whole world should know about it.”

Jose-Luiz Escalante, Cook, Guatemala

"Everything here is amazing and fantastic! Rich range of world cuisine, solidarity and hospitality of the participants and guests leave the most indelible and emotional impressions. Shusha is beautiful with its nature. As far as I know, this city is the soul and cultural capital of Azerbaijan, which is reflected in the happy faces of people. I will take with me unforgettable impressions of this splendid festival of food and culture.”

The festival showcased not only food from around the world, but also material and spiritual values from different countries. In keeping with this concept, there were more than 25 pavilions of various formats, where visitors were presented the samples of architectural styles and national music from different countries. The festival became not only a foodie extravaganza, but also a symbol of peace and friendship between the peoples of the world.

Taylor Weeding, culinary expert, Canada

"The Shusha Festival has demonstrated an important concept of modernity in the name of peace and cooperation. The beautiful atmosphere created by wonderful nature and mountains, happy faces of your people, and culinary professionals from many countries gives the event a special significance. The festival unites all peoples and nations, promotes the national cuisines and traditions of different countries, which demonstrates the level of multiculturalism of the international festival".

Guillermo Gonzalez, culinary diplomat, Peru

"The festival in Shusha reflects the high level of development of the economy, international relations, and power of Azerbaijan. Such large-scale events require a great deal of effort and professionalism, international experience. It’s attended by renowned chefs and specialist. The festival also promotes your national values, which is very important today in consolidating countries on the way to peace and development, establishing good relations and developing tourism.”

Guests could take part in master-classes given by professional chefs and learn the ins and outs of cooking, as well as taste culinary delights and drinks. There were also tasting areas for wine, cheese and other products. The Baku Book Centre presented publications by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation on cooking.

The national dishes were of particular interest. Various economic regions of Azerbaijan, including Absheron-Khizi, Baku, Mountainous Shirvan, Ganja-Dashkesan, Lankaran-Astara, Central Aran, Nakhchivan, Garabagh, Guba-Khachmaz, Sheki-Zagatala and so on, were represented at the festival.

Bao Lijun, Cook, China

"I have heard a lot about the Karabakh cuisine. During the festival, I have seen beautiful samples of your national dishes. You really have a very beautiful and delicious cuisine. The Karabakh cuisine has a special place. And Shusha is a very beautiful city. I believe that it will soon restore its original appearance and historical image".

Saul Levy, expert, Israel

"I love Azerbaijan very much. The festival was very well organised. Along with culinary samples from different countries, we could see the national culinary traditions from different regions of Azerbaijan as well. I have taken part in many culinary festivals around the world, but this one in Shusha is special. Your people are very hospitable and the national dishes are delicious. It is a gourmet's paradise.”

The first International Culinary Festival in Shusha was a great feast of gourmet food, showcasing the antiquity, beauty of the city and hospitality of the Azerbaijani people . It was also a great opportunity to promote tourism.

Сyril Rouquet, Cook, France

"Sincerity, hospitality, and smiling of your people create a feeling of something close to home. I have learned a lot about your country before I came here. Location of Azerbaijan at the joint of East and West shows antiquity of this land. I am very proud and happy to be a part of this festival. I am very happy to share this moment with the Azerbaijani people, because I know how happy you are to be here and how important Shusha is to you. I am discovering this beautiful city and its surroundings, the beauty of this region. I have fallen in love with Shusha and its spirit!"

Jun Park, film-maker and ethnographer, Republic of Korea

"I have heard about the history of Shusha and was impressed by what I saw. Going to Shusha and taking part in the festival gave me a chance to learn more about the Azerbaijani culture. Your cuisine is indeed very diverse and distinctive. The festival puts everyone in a good mood. I think that this festival of taste and bright colours will become a tradition, bringing visitors from different countries to the beautiful land of Karabakh.”

The artistic programme with more than 100 artists was particularly colourful. Performances, concerts and exhibitions were staged in pavilions set up in the recreational areas. During four days, Azerbaijani artists, including the youngest ones, performed various scenes from national literature and plays, and episodes from Azerbaijani films, having created various ancient characters, writers and philosophers in interactive format. There were dances, folk and contemporary music from all over the world. People danced and sang with the performers joyfully holding hands in a friendly circle of Yalli. Smiles and joy crowned the events taking place in the sacred land of Shusha. 

Samuel Arturo Mendez Morel, Cook, Dominican Republic

"The festival gives a most pleasant impression and leaves a vivid emotion of the world's most diverse cuisines and the relationships between people. I discovered Azerbaijan as a special country with colourful nature and architecture, very tasty national cuisine and especially friendly people. Shusha is a discovery city for me! What stunning mountains, clean air and a very positive atmosphere!”

See you again in Shusha!