In 2003, UNESCO has acknowledged the authenticity, richness and cultural significance of mugham both national and global culture, and in 2003 announced it as a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" [REF].
At Eurovision Song Contest 2012, Azerbaijan shunned local tradition, opting instead for a distinctly European-style pop song as "When the Music Dies" by Sabina Babayeva, featuring mugham legend Alim Qasimov [REF].