The First Competition that took place from the 19th of November till the 1st of December 1997 in Baku was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the prominent Azeri singer, teacher, musicologist and public figure, national artist of USSR, Professor Byulbyul.

68 vocalists participated in the competition having come from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federeation, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and South Korea. The Chairman of the Organisation Committee: the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, national artist, Professor Polad Byulbyuloglu.

The Jury was composed of:

The Chairwoman:

• Irina Arkhipova (Russia) - The President of IUMW (International Union of Musical Workers), National Artist of the USSR,

Hero of Socialist Labour, The Laureate of the Lenin Prize and State Prize of the Russian Federation, professor, academician

The Vice-chairman:

• Farkhad Badalbeyli (Azerbaijan) - Rector of Baku Musical Academy, the Head of the Union of Musical Workers of Azerbaijan, national artist of USSR, the Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic, professor

Members of the Jury:

• Maria Bieshu (Moldova) - The Chairwoman of the Union of Musical Workers of Moldova, Hero of Socialist Labour, the Laureate of the Lenin Prize and State Prize, National Artist of the USSR, professor
• Yevgeniya Miroshnichenko (Ukraine) - National Artist of the USSR, the Laureate of the State Prizes of USSR and Ukraine, professor
• Frangiz Akhmedova (Azerbaijan) - National Artist of the USSR, professor
• Fidan Kasimova (Azerbaijan) - National Artist of the USSR, the Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic, the Laureate of International Competitions, professor
• Nodar Andguladze (Georgia) - National Artist of Georgia, the Laureate of the State Prize of Georgia, professor
• Khuraman Kasimova (Azerbaijan) - National Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic, the Laureate of International Competitions, professor
• Nedda Casey (USA) - The President of the Musical Performance Society, singer, teacher, public figure, the member of the International Rose Competition Jury, professor

Awards, prizes and diplomas at the First Byulbyul International Vocalist Competition

• Grand Prix - 10000 $ and the title of laureate are awarded to Ali Askerov /Azerbaijan/
• 1st Prize - 5000 $ and the title of laureate are awarded to Besik Gabitashvili /Georgia/
• 2nd Prize - 3000 $ and the title of laureate are awarded to Olia Gasan Enami /Iran/
• 2nd Prize - 3000 $ and the title of laureate are awarded to Kayirdjan Joldibayev /Kazakhstan/
• 3rd Prize - 2000 $ and the title of laureate are awarded to Garina Kerimova /Azerbaijan/
• 3rd Prize - 2000 $ and the title of laureate are awarded to Gennadii Kabka /Ukraine/
• 3rd Prize - 2000 $ and the title of laureate are awarded to Mishelina Kobaliani /Georgia/
• 4th Prize - 1500 $ and the title of laureate are awarded to Jannat Bagtaeva /Kazakhstan/
• 4th Prize - 1500 $ and the title of laureate are awarded to Valentina Matushenko /Ukraine

• Diploma and a prize of 1000 $ is presented to Legi Amedashvili /Georgia/
• Diploma and a prize of 1000 $ is presented to Adil Akhundov /Azerbaijan/
• Diploma and a prize of 1000 $ is presented to Kim Chen O /South Korea/

• Special Prize - "For the best performance of a folk song" is presented to David Gvelesiani /Georgia/
• Special Prize - "For the best performance of a romance from the repertoire of Byulbyul" is presented to Kayirdjan Joldibayev /Kazakhstan/
• Special Prize - "To the best tenor" is presented to Olia Gasan Enami /Iran/ Special Prize - "To the youngest participant", established by Women "Sevil" Society", is presented to Dilshad Asadova /Azerbaijan/
• Special Prize - "For the artistry and mastery", established by the magazine "Azerbaycan qadini", is presented to Marina Zagorulko /Ukraine/
• Special Prize of the Union of Musical Workers of Azerbaijan- "For the best performance of a romance of a Western European composer" is presented to Irma Gogilashvili /Georgia/

Three prizes of 500 $ - "For perspectiveness", established by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan are presented to:

• Farida Mamedova /Azerbaijan/
• Djamila Babayeva /Azerbaijan/
• Natalya Zashmarina /Russia/

5 prizes of 300 $ - "To the best concertmaster of the competition" are presented to:

• Rena Agayeva /Azerbaijan/
• Svetlana Huseynova /Azerbaijan/
• Dmitriy Sibirtsev /Russia/
• Teymuraz Eliava /Georgia/
• Indira Akhmedova /Kazakhstan/