An American devotee (Jeffrey Werbock) of the ancient Azerbaijani musical tradition known as Mugham, has been introducing Western audiences to this remarkable and unique genre for more than four decades. Having learned that some Azerbaijani children are capable of performing this most sophisticated form of their national music, he arranged for an expedition to Azerbaijan in 2000 to film this truly remarkable phenomenon. Many of the talented children he met were living in refugee camps as they had been displaced by a war that raged for several years in their ancestral homeland of Karabakh. Eight years later Jeffrey returned to Azerbaijan on a quest to search for the children he met during the first expedition, now grown up, to find out if they continue to play and sing, to find the next generation of children mugham artists, and to see if this venerable musical tradition has a future.

In the aftermath of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict of 1988-94, over one million Azerbaijanis were expelled from their ancestral homeland seeking refuge in tents, mud brick dwellings and railway containers. Despite the harsh living conditions and the injustice of being forced out from their homes and lands, witnessing their devotion and determination to preserve their traditional music is astonishing.

The film was produced by the European Azerbaijan Society.

NOTE: Doors open at 6:30pm and the screening starts at 7:00pm sharp. If you would like to bring more than one guest, please let us know when you RSVP.

PARKING: Parking is available in the parking structure adjacent to the theater. First 90 minutes are free, $1 for the next hour, $1.50 each additional 30 minutes.

AGE RESTRICTION: Children under 6 years of age are not permitted

THE CONSUL GENERAL OF AZERBAIJAN IN LOS ANGELES