A virtual concert, jointly organised by Nakhchivan State University (NSU), the Baku Academy of Music, and AzScienceNet, the National Research and Education Network (NREN) in Azerbaijan, in collaboration with GARR Italy’s NREN, and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, was recently held at the Baku Academy of Music.
The event showcased the capabilities of the LoLa (Low Latency) audiovisual system, developed under the EU-supported EaPConnect project coordinated by GÉANT. This cutting-edge technology enables real-time musical collaboration over the internet, overcoming geographical barriers and opening up new opportunities for artistic and academic exchange.
During the presentation of the system at NSU, Rector Elbrus Isayev emphasised LoLa’s potential to elevate Azerbaijan’s cultural and scientific standing internationally.
“This system holds great promise for expanding inter-university cooperation and creating an online ‘art bridge’. Our aim is to fully leverage LoLa’s capabilities at the NSU Conservatory”.
He also expressed sincere gratitude to all project contributors, particularly AzScienceNet, for their technical expertise and dedication.
In a video address, Rasim Alguliyev, General director of the Institute of Information Technology, highlighted the collaborative efforts behind the system’s deployment at NSU and its significance for cross-border artistic cooperation.
“The introduction of the LoLa system at NSU will not only promote the rich musical heritage of Nakhchivan globally, but also strengthen ties between NSU, the Baku Academy of Music, and other international music institutions”
Rasim Alguliyev also acknowledged the support of GÉANT, and partners from Estonia and Italy in successfully bringing the project to fruition.
Farhad Badalbeyli, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan and Rector of the Baku Academy of Music, spoke about the transformative impact of LoLa on both education and performance at NSU. He highlighted the Academy’s ongoing collaborations with institutions in Estonia and Italy through LoLa, as well as with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan within the TURKSOY framework.
“This system empowers professors, students, and musicians to conduct masterclasses, participate in scientific forums, and engage in artistic collaborations without leaving their institutions. We invite Nakhchivan State University to play an active role in these joint initiatives, contributing to our shared cultural and academic missions.”
Irina Matthews, EaPConnect Project Manager from GÉANT, also addressed the audience via video message. She underscored the system’s significance in deepening international cooperation.
“On behalf of the EaPConnect project, I extend my heartfelt thanks to our colleagues from Azerbaijan, Italy, and Estonia for making this event possible. We hope it will serve as a model for many future collaborations.”
The concert concluded with a live artistic segment featuring joint performances by musicians from the Baku Academy of Music and the NSU Conservatory. Using the LoLa system, artists performed a selection of Azerbaijani and international classics, demonstrating the system’s exceptional low-latency capabilities and its power to bring performers together across great distances in real time.
