The international cultural festival “Silk Road – 2026” was held at the Oceana Theatre in New York City, U.S.

The festival was organized by Alyona Badalova, Head of the My Way Children and Youth Creativity Development Centre, with the support of the Fund for Support to Azerbaijani Diaspora under the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Alliance of Azerbaijani-American Organizations.

The main aim of the festival was to strengthen friendship among different communities, preserve cultural heritage, and foster respect for the diversity of world cultures among the younger generation.

The event attended by more than 300 participants, showcased the cultures, national traditions, music, and dances of Azerbaijan, China, Mongolia, Georgia, Ireland, Spain, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and other countries.

Performances of the dances “Azerbaijan,” “Nalbaki”, “Yalli”, and various Caucasian dances by students of the My Way Children and Youth Creativity Development Centre were met with great interest and enthusiastic applause.

The Azerbaijani national dance “Jangi,” performed by the "Caucasus" Ensemble under the direction of Arifa Akhundova from Philadelphia, greatly enriched the festival.

During the event, Mark Levine, New York City Comptroller, and Steve Chan, New York State Senator, emphasized that the festival serves as an important platform for bringing together different cultures and peoples.

Meanwhile, William Colton, a member of the New York State Assembly, presented certificates of appreciation to the festival’s sponsors and partners for their support in strengthening intercultural cooperation and implementing diverse cultural initiatives.

Participants were awarded official certificates in recognition of their talent and contributions to preserving the cultural heritage of their respective nations.

The festival contributed to strengthening cultural ties between Azerbaijan and the United States, promoting Azerbaijani culture, and preserving national and spiritual values among the younger generation of the Azerbaijani diaspora.