Baku Eyes Cannes-Level Prestige with Annual Dance Festival

Jerusalem, 28 October, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Baku (AZERTAC) – Baku is once again becoming a global dance arena. The Azerbaijani capital will host one of the most anticipated events of the year – the Azerbaijan Dance Festival 2025, which will be held at the JW Marriot Absheron Baku Hotel from October 30 to November 2.

The festival will feature prestigious competitions, including the WDC AL and WDC European Championships, Pro-Am World Cups, and the “Night of the Dancing Diamonds” gala show dedicated to the anniversary of Tarana Muradova. Dancers from more than 30 countries, including more than 500 couples and soloists, will participate in the event.

The event is organized by the Azerbaijan Dance Council (AzDC) and the Smooth & Rhythm Dance Style (SRDS) organization.

On the eve of the festival, renowned choreographer Eldar Jafarov spoke to an AZERTAC correspondent about the main idea of ​​the festival, the prospects for the development of this project, and his personal mission.

Mr. Eldar, I would like to ask you to provide information about the main idea of ​​the festival.

Azerbaijan Dance Festival 2025” means more than a simple dance championship. It is a celebration of culture, beauty and inspiration, where different peoples, styles and emotions come together.

The main idea of ​​the festival is to show the world that Azerbaijan is capable of becoming the beating heart of international dance, a place where East and West merge in a single rhythm.

We want every participant, from debutants to champions, to feel an atmosphere of unity, creativity, and respect, and for the audience to feel proud of the country that hosts the best dancers in the world on its stage.

So what is your personal mission here?

My mission is to inspire and unite people through dance.

I believe that dance has the power to change lives, instill a sense of self-confidence, and teach unconditional compassion and respect for one another. This is not just about organizing an event for me. I want to create a movement that will allow Azerbaijani and international dancers to realize their potential, gain international recognition, and feel like part of a larger family.

I also want the “Azerbaijan Dance Festival 2025” to become a place where dreams, partnerships, and new horizons are born in the worlds of dance, art, sports, and business.

Organizing such a large-scale championship requires a lot of effort. Could you tell us about the preparations? What difficulties does the organizing committee face and how do you overcome them?

Preparation for the festival is a real marathon of creativity, diplomacy and precise calculations. Behind the project stands a strong team of professionals – the organizing committee of the Azerbaijan Dance Council, the International Department of the SRDS, a creative group of choreographers, a technical team and dozens of volunteers working with full dedication.

The hardest part is bringing together participants from dozens of countries with different visa, cultural and logistical requirements. But we have already built a system that allows us to solve any problems with agility and care for each guest.

We don’t just organize a festival, we create a magical space where everyone feels like they’re part of a bigger, more inspiring event. This gives us the strength to move forward.

How do you see the festival’s development prospects in the coming years?

I see the Azerbaijan Dance Festival as one of the country’s leading cultural brands – an annual event that combines all dance styles, from classical genres to modern urban culture.

In the coming years, the festival will become a dance week, including championships, shows, congresses, master classes and galas. Just as Cannes is associated with cinema, we want Baku to be associated with dance.

I wish people would come here not only to compete, but also to be inspired by Azerbaijan, its culture, hospitality, and energy.

I am confident that 2025 will be the beginning of a new era for the dance world of our country.