May 18-23 Khazar University two dance groups consisting of boys and girls successfully took part in 40^th International Aksu Festival in Giresun, Turkey. Besides Khazar there were dances groups from Russia, Kosova, Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic and some local groups from Turkey itself. Khazar University participated in the festival with the group consisting of 35 people.

On the 19^th of May Khazar University’s team visited the exhibition of a talented Azerbaijani painter Leyla Aliyeva who is currently living and working in Giresun, Turkey. Leyla Aliyeva expressed her greatest gratitude and satisfaction for the support to Khazar’s team. She also expressed her pride for the attention of University in her personal exhibition.

The next day of the festival was rich with dances. Khazar University’s dance groups had two different concert programs in Ataturk square and stadium. The program started with Giresun Municipal Kerim Aksu’s opening speech and some traditional rituals held. Giresun’s governor, deputies, the municipals and governors of neighborhood areas, public figures and a number of local people attended the traditional opening ceremony of the festival.

On the 21th of May the traditional march that was delayed for two days due to difficult weather conditions was finally held. During the march all the participant groups gave the messages of peace and friendship to one another and to the local people who were following them everywhere. The local people also expressed their support and respect to the participants with their applause. Special attention and love to Khazar’s team by the citizens was felt everywhere. The march ended in Ataturk Square where Giresun Municipal Kerim Aksu once again greeted the participants and the groups had their next large concert program, followingly. We also find it important to mention that the largest and longest performance in the concert belonged to Khazar University’s team.

On the 21th of May Giresun Governor Hasan Karahan and Giresun Municipal Kerim Aksu accepted Alovsat Amirbeyli, the Director of Public Relations and Media, Khazar University and Zulfiyya Sadigova, the Chair of the Department of Music and Fine Arts, Khazar University with two dancers in Giresun Governorate. Both public figures expressed their gratitude to Khazar’s team for their interesting performance and accepted presents from Khazar University. Alovsat Amirbeyli in his turn expressed his satisfaction and gratitude to Giresun Governor and Municipal and accepted the presents. At the end of the meeting memory photos were taken.

On the last day of the festival the concert was held in Giresun University in the open air. Due to heavy rain the program was meant to be cancelled. However, the participants and the students of the university insisted on having the concert. The students watched the program that was going on for more than two hours with great interest.

On the 23th of May Giresun Municipality Director of Cultural and Social Activities Hasan Ozdemir personally accompanied Khazar University’s team for the dinner organized by Giresun Municipality. After the dinner Khazar University was sent to Sarp Border Gates with the special bus given by Giresun Municipality.