The VIII "Mugham" Television Contest has been launched on Azerbaijan Television and Madaniyyat TV channel. 

According to AzTV's Social Media and PR Department, the Contest is organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Culture Ministry and Azerbaijan Television.  

The opening ceremony of the "Mugham" Contest was held on the 99th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev - May 10. 

The national leader was commemorated at the opening ceremony. It was highlighted that the start of the Contest on this date was no coincidence. Thus, national leader Heydar Aliyev always highly appreciated the Azerbaijani culture, cared for cultural figures and artists. 

Afterwards, late artist, People's Artist Alibaba Mammadov was commemorated. 

Participants of the Patriotic War also took part in the opening ceremony. They received standing ovation from the audience. 

The memory of the martyrs was honored at the VIII "Mugham" Television Contest. The song "The Motherland is good" (“Vətən yaxşıdır”) was played in the performance of martyr Khudayar Yusifzade. 

Afterwards, 18 participants, who had been selected among 300 applicants, were presented to viewers. Some of them delivered their performances. 

The juries of the Contest are People's Artists Arif Babayev, Sakina Ismayilova, Malakkhanim Ayyubova, Sardar Farajov, Mansum Ibrahimov, Nazakat Teymurova, Teyyub Aslanov, honorable artist Fargana Gasimova and honorable cultural figure Ilgar Fahmi. 

The juries evaluated the performances of the participants, wished them success. 

It is noteworthy that the Contest will be broadcast twice a week - on Tuesdays and Thursdays on AzTV and Madaniyyat TV channels.