Karl Struyf: "Azerbaijan and Peru have very different cultures, but we have a lot in common"

The IMAGINE Euro Tolerance Festival began in Baku several days ago. It is organized by the EU mission in Azerbaijan, embassies of many countries in the country, as well as Baku Media Center, YARAT Contemporary Art Space, Park Cinema, Landmark, United Cultures and ASAN Radio. Karl Struyf, Peruvian musician and one of the participants of this festival, discussed it in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza.

- Could you tell us about your path to this festival?

- I was invited to this festival. One of its organizers, my friend, told me about it six months ago. Then I found out that my friends from Brussels, film producers, were going to visit it. Soon I found out that organizers want to show not only documentary movies, but also other elements - that's the reason why I brought my music to Baku.

- What kind of music did you bring?

- I'm perform in different styles. For example, the first song of my performance was more traditional, it's a song of indigenous people of Peru. Spain invasion is part of our history, so our music has Spanish roots. We, just like in the West, listen to all kinds of music genres, and my own music has elements from different styles.

- You perform your music using an unusual instrument - what kind of guitar is that?

- This is charango, Peruvian national instrument. It is a small guitar with two strings. It's important to note that this is an ancient instrument. Its origins can be traced from vihuela, which was created before Spanish guitar. In other words, guitar and charango are like cousins.

- Have you ever performed in Baku?

- I performed here for the first time together with Bolivian musician. There were two events in Baku, whose organizers wanted to showcase Latin American music.

- Do you have plans to create a mix with Azerbaijani music?

- Absolutely. Before coming here I listened to Azerbaijani music and found some common elements. I think it's possible to unite some of Azerbaijani melodies with our music. We play music that we you have to listen, and this is very important, because when you play a melody, you try to take a person to some other place. Of course, Azerbaijan and Peru have very different cultures, but we have a lot in common. People of Peru speak a completely different language, but I feel that there's something in common.