International Mstislav Rostropovich Festival – a festival organized by Mstislav Rostropovich in 2006, in Baku and dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich’s birthday was the basis of this festival.

Starting from 2007, the festival dedicated to eminent Baku citizen Msitslav Rostropovich is held annually in December. Organizers of the festival are the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Mstislav Rostropovich Foundation and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. A great number of musicians and performers every year come to Baku to participate at the festival. Traditionally, the festival in Baku is also attended by young artists, for whom Rostropovich is the idol in their profession. Spectators can enjoy performance of scholarship holders of Mstislav Rostropovich Foundation. Concerts, held within the festival are held on the best stages of the city.

Baku-born ethnically Russian Mstislav Rostropovich, recognized as the greatest cellist of the second half of 20th century, left an unparalleled trace in the hearts and minds of the people as a legendary musician, and a prominent human rights activist.