Azerbaijan and Armenia Share a Rare Embrace at Silk Way Star Contest
A moment of warmth unfolded between Azerbaijan and Armenia at the Silk Way Star competition in Astana. The event, often compared to Eurovision, saw an embrace between Azerbaijani jury member Samira Efendi and Armenian finalist Saro Gevorgyan. This gesture followed months of diplomatic progress between the two nations.
The Silk Way Star contest took place in September, featuring performers from 12 countries. Among them was Saro Gevorgyan, the 2021 New Wave winner, who reached the final. During the live broadcast, Azerbaijan awarded Armenia the maximum 12 points—a rare show of support in a competition mirroring Eurovision’s format.
Efendi, who represented Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2021, shared kind words with Gevorgyan on stage. Their embrace became a focal point of the final, drawing attention to the improving relations between their countries.
This cultural exchange came weeks after a peace summit in August, where Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a declaration rejecting military confrontation. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also announced the removal of transit restrictions on cargo to Armenia during the Astana event. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev later praised Silk Way Star, calling it a step toward greater unity.
The competition highlighted a shift in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The removal of trade barriers and a public display of goodwill at Silk Way Star marked tangible changes. Both nations now appear to be moving toward closer cooperation in culture and diplomacy.
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