A nation is known, recognized and distinguished among the world nations by certain characteristic features. The highest and the greatest of these features is culture.

HEYDAR ALIYEV

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Nasimi's poetry inspires Sami Yusuf

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12.09.2019

12.09.2019 10:47

With over 34 million albums sold to date, Sami Yusuf continues to influence the music world.

The British musician of Azerbaijani origin has recently presented new music pieces composed within the "Timeless Spirit of Heritage" project, organized by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture.

The project brilliantly reflects Azerbaijan's ancient culture and history and features nine compositions - "Gobustan", "Ateshgah", "Nasimi", "A Dancing Heart", "The Garden", "Shirvanshahs' Palace", "Novruz", "Shaki Khan Palace" and "Azerbaijan”.

These works were earlier presented during the 43rd World Heritage Committee session, held in Baku in June-July 2019.

In his official YouTube channel, Sami Yusuf delighted music lovers with some of these compositions - "Shirvanshahs' Palace", "The Garden" and "Nasimi".

"Nasimi" has been written by Sami Yusuf based on the Shur mugham (a traditional Azerbaijani music) and performed by an orchestra and two vocalists - Tayyar Bayramova and Samira Aliyeva. The music piece features famous ghazal "Worlds Can Fit Within Me" by the 14th century Azerbaijani poet and thinker Imadaddin Nasimi.

Sami Yusuf considers “Nasimi” as one of his best works as the piece reflects his spiritual beliefs, love and tolerance. This year was declared the Year of Nasimi in Azerbaijan and the 650th anniversary of Imadaddin Nasimi is being widely celebrated across the country.

The singer performed his composition "The Garden" in a duet with honored Azerbaijani musician Sevda Alakbarzade. Sami Yusuf sang in English while Sevda Alakbarzade performed in Azerbaijani.

All these pieces are included in Sami Yusuf’s new album "Azerbaijan: A Timeless Presence", which is already available in all music platforms. The singer will soon present his other music pieces through social media.

Throughout his career that spans over 15 years, Sami Yusuf has conveyed divine love, and this love shines through in all his musical endeavors.

He believes that all traditions in the world are expressions of the same essential spiritual truth and it is no surprise that the singer turns to traditional music as a means of conveying this message.

The positive message of his lyrics gives voice to a collective yearning for peace and harmony, and his use of global rhythms and melodies united by spiritual vision captivates listeners worldwide.

Sami Yusuf uses his fame to help people through his humanitarian activities such as the World Food Program. In 2014, The United Nations appointed Sami Yusuf the Global Ambassador against Hunger. In 2015 Sami Yusuf promoted the world’s first interfaith anthem, a song called “The Gift of Love”, to mark the World Interfaith Harmony Week.

Through this effort, Sami Yusuf hopes to help people from different traditions recognize that the common values they hold far outweigh their differences and that this understanding can be the starting point for the journey toward a lasting peace.

NEWS

15.03.2024 15:16

Exhibition Clothing and Jewellery Culture of the Turkic Peoples is open at the Azerbaijan National Carpet MuseumOn March 15, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum held the opening ceremony of the exhibition Clothing and Jewellery Culture of the Turkic Peoples. The exhibition dedicated to the 15th anniversary of inscription of Novruz Festival in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is organized jointly by the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum. The exhibition showcases the traditional women’s costumes and jewellery items of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, Uzbekistan, Turkiye and Turkmenistan. The patterns and material of these artworks aim to create a rich perception of the unique national features, customs and traditions, natural and geographical conditions of the habitat of the Turkic peoples, their mindset and lifestyle. The presented exhibits are preserved in the collections of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Association of Hungarian Folk Artists and private collector Virginija Morgan-Hayat’s. The exhibition is on until March 31 and includes a master-class and a lecture. ..

28.02.2024 18:01

“Hello, Novruz!” 28 February – 15 AprilOn February 27, an exhibition named ‘Hello, Novruz’, dedicated to the arrival of spring to our native homeland, was opened at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art. The exhibition, the opening of which took place on Su Charshanbasi (Water Tuesday), the first harbinger of the spring holiday, and was presented based on about 80 exhibits, including decorative-applied and fine artworks selected from the collection of the museum, was jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art.The curator of the exhibition is Shirin Malikova, PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor. With an exciting concept, the exhibition space is divided into five thematic halls dedicated to the Tuesdays of Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, and Novruz holiday, the beginning of the astronomical new year. At the entrance of the exhibition, visitors are welcomed by an interactive tree of dreams. While writing their wishes and hanging them on it, they transform it into a tree with green leaves, and by this, they contribute to the design of the exhibition personally. In Su Charshanbasi Hall, there are ceramic dishes with geometric ornaments from the Bronze Age which semantic meanings are related to water, dolcha, sahang, aftafa-layan, water bowl, chiljam (forty keys basin) distinguished by their beauty of the form and exquisite patterns, artistic metal samples of the 19th century are displayed. In the next hall dedicated to Od Charshanbasi (Fire Tuesday), an ancient ceramic example reflecting the ideological views of our ancestors connected with the faith in fire and sun, fine artistic embroideries in different techniques of the XIX century with the beautiful colour solution, decorated with ornaments and images representing the sun, examples of artistic weapons like helmets, shield and other unique art samples are presented to the visitors. In Yel Charshanbasi (Wind Tuesday) hall, among the decorative art examples related to the element of air, elegant kelaghayi, delicate fans, and wind instrument- ney are displayed. Interactive methods were used to bring dynamism to the hall, a specific atmosphere to this Charshanba (Tuesday). Continuing the theme, Torpag Charshanbasi (Earth Tuesday) hall is decorated with ornamented carpets representing land, abundance, and fertility, artistic embroiderysamples and other types of folk art, as well as exhibits related to folk beliefs carried out in “Ilakhir Charshanbasi” (the last Tuesday). The fifth hall reflects the astronomical New Year, the equalization of day and night, winter's end, and spring's arrival. In this hall, where a holiday atmosphere is created, a colourful ‘interactive khoncha’ decorated with the main attributes of Novruz is presented to the audience. In the exposition of the exhibition, as well as through photo and video projection, Novruz elements are revived with image and sound effects, and spring ceremonial songs are performed by folklore groups. Before entering the thematic halls in the exhibition of ‘Hello, Novruz!’, paintings and graphic works of A. Azimzadeh, S. Bahlulzadeh, E. Shahtakhtinskaya and other prominent Azerbaijani artists reflecting this ancient spring holiday are also presented. In general, the exhibition, which has the bright colour of the holiday and includes all the attributes and symbols of Novruz, invites the viewer to travel within the frame of time and space. It should be noted that the performances of the ‘Nene-qizlar’ (‘Grandmother and Girls’) folklore ensemble which took part in the opening ceremony, added a special colour to the exhibition. The exhibition will continue until April 15, 2024. ..

23.02.2024 09:40

“Music in the Museum” On February 21, 2024, another concert was held in the museum within the frame of the “Music in the Museum” project, organised by the Ministry of Culture of the Azerbaijan Republic and the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art. The concert programme “On the Wings of Victory” was performed by the Azerbaijan State Orchestra of Wind Musical Instruments with the artistic leadership of the chief conductor, Honoured Art Worker Alibala Rzayev. The famous marches and jazz music dedicated to the creative works of G. Garayev, V. Adigezalov, A. Aliyev, J. Strauss, A. Silvestri, W. Handy and other Azerbaijani and world musicians were sounded. The concert programme attracted great interest and was accompanied by a thematic excursion to the museum works on military themes. ..

05.02.2024 13:57

Exhibition Motherland of Mine is held at the Azerbaijan National Carpet MuseumOn January 30, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum held the opening ceremony of the private exhibition Motherland of Mine by Adil Shikhaliyev, Honoured Artist and tapestry master. The exhibition, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the artist’s creativity, displays up to 30 tapestries. Letter from Karabakh, The Path to Victory, Shusha (triptych), Motherland of Mine, Wedding in Shusha, the portrait tapestry Heydar Aliyev, dedicated to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the tapestry Moving, enriched with the national ornaments and many other works, highlighting the historical moments from the life of the country, narrate about both past and recent events. The visitors are getting acquainted with the various tapestries based on the motifs of Absheron-they occupy a significant part of the artist’s works. These are Pomegranate Garden, Mossy Stones, Absheron, Goldfish, and some other works depicting the real and mythical animals, flowers and trees. The visitors are discovering the fascinating creative world of the artist engaged in many domestic and foreign exhibitions. Amazing works such as Land of Fire and Autumn Flowers, where he used the features of the tapestry techniques to the maximum, has been created by Adil Shikhaliyev. Not only the tapestries, but also the source of the artist’s inspiration, such as the dyed yarns and plants he used to dye them, are on display. The exhibition will be on until March 6. ..

23.01.2024 08:46

Meeting Held to Discuss the Activities of Theater, Performance, and Concert InstitutionsA meeting addressing the activities of theater, performance, and concert institutions took place with the participation of Minister of Culture Adil Karimli at the International Mugham Center on January 22. The minister spoke about the government's commitment to cultural development, emphasizing President Ilham Aliyev's consistent efforts to comprehensively develop various areas of culture. “The government gives priority to increasing the material and technical resources of cultural institutions and improving the social conditions of those working in this field, and it recognizes their achievements with state awards, scholarships, and honorary titles. Under the leadership of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation implements a number of projects aimed at the development and promotion of culture, in particular the improvement of the social status of cultural figures. However, adaptation to the challenges of the modern era requires new approaches in the field of culture. Special attention should be paid to the development of creative potential within theater and concert institutions and the preparation of performances of high artistic and aesthetic value. Regular measures are needed to ensure the safety of spectators and employees. In addition, it is necessary to improve the provision of services to citizens regarding the activities of theatrical and concert institutions, as well as the Baku State Circus”. The importance of revitalizing artistic councils, recruiting new personnel, increasing professionalism, and ensuring transparency in all spheres was also emphasized. Suggestions in relevant areas were made by Aligismet Lalayev, Director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater, Naida Ismailzadeh, Director of the State Theater of Young Spectators, Rashad Ahmadzadeh, Director of the State Puppet Theater, Kazim Gasimov, Director of the State Song Theater, and Dilara Aliyeva, Director of the State Children's Philharmonic. ..

22.01.2024 08:45

Ministry of Culture Establishes Expert Council to Evaluate Annual Repertoires and State-Ordered Performances in Theater and Performance InstitutionsThe Council oversees the annual repertoire of theater and performance institutions subordinated to the Ministry of Culture and performances prepared under state order. This process involves assessing alignment with the profiles of the respective theaters, adherence to national and moral values, consideration of the interests of citizens, society, and the state, incorporation of best practices in the field, and compliance with quality criteria. The first meeting of the Expert Council took place on January 18. It was noted that the projects presented for the repertoire should correspond to the areas of activity of the respective theaters, take into account the interests of citizens, society, and the state, be based on the best practices in the field, and prioritize the quality factor. It is important that directorial choices and artistic interpretations of projects meet contemporary needs. The selection of repertoire should take into account such aspects as the preservation, development, and enrichment of Azerbaijani language and cultural values, as well as the formation of an aesthetic sense in society, especially in education and the upbringing of youth with the spirit of patriotism. During the meeting, it was also emphasized that during the preparation of projects, it is necessary to pay attention to the correct justification of the idea, the clarity of the goals and objectives, as well as the relevance of the topic and its alignment with the priority areas concerning the development of culture. We would like to inform you that the expert council established by the relevant order of the Ministry of Culture is headed by Israfil Israfilov, Honored Art Worker, Doctor of Arts, Professor, Chairman of the Council of Theatre Directors of TURKSOY Member States. The council comprises nine members, including Honored Art Workers and professors Maryam Alizadeh, Aydın Talibzadeh, and Ali Amirli. It also includes experts specializing in sociology, psychology, and theater arts. ..

20.01.2024 15:02

Staff of the Ministry of Culture visits the Alley of Martyrs on January 20 - National Mourning DayOn January 20, the National Mourning Day, the management and staff of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan paid a visit to the Alley of Martyrs. Carnations were placed on the graves of the courageous children of the Motherland who sacrificed their lives in the fight for Azerbaijan's sovereignty, independence, and freedom, and their cherished memory was honored with respect. ..

16.01.2024 18:25

The Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Awarding Order "For Service to Motherland " 2nd Class to R. B. AskarovGuided by Item 23 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I hereby order: To award “Shohrat” Order “For Service to Motherland “ 2nd Class to Ramiz Bakhshali oghlu Askarov for his impactful contributions in the field of literary studies and journalism. Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, January 15, 2024 ..

16.01.2024 18:24

Expert Commission Convenes Regarding the Results of the 'Let's Know and Promote Our Heritage' CompetitionAn expert commission was convened to determine the winners of the “Let's know and promote our heritage“ competition, declared by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The competition aims to promote the ancient history and rich culture of Azerbaijan, preserve and develop respect for art, national spiritual values, and traditions, draw in fresh creative talents, and engage new creative talents in the process. Identifying the winners was not possible, as the video clips presented according to the protocol reflecting the results of the meeting fell short in terms of quality and failed to meet the competition criteria. ..

12.01.2024 18:28

The Minister of Culture addresses issues raised by Ismayilli residentsIn accordance with the order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, monthly meetings of heads of central executive bodies and other administrative institutions with citizens are held in cities and districts, where the problems and suggestions of residents are heard. In line with the citizen reception schedule for January 2024 in cities and districts, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, met with citizens at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Ismayilli on January 12. Before the meeting, flowers were placed in front of the monument of national leader Heydar Aliyev in Ismayilli, and his cherished memory was commemorated with respect. A total of 42 citizens from Ismayilli, Aghsu, Gobustan, and Shamakhi districts were received. The citizens primarily raised concerns about employment, honorary titles, and current problems and gave suggestions concerning the cultural sector. The heads of the structural units were assigned relevant tasks to handle each citizen's appeal with sensitivity, conduct thorough investigations, and address the raised issues in accordance with the law. To address the issues raised in a timely and objective manner, each appeal was documented and taken under special control. Following the meeting with the citizens, an overview of the activities of several cultural institutions in Ismayilli and Shamakhi was provided. ..

11.01.2024 16:53

The Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on awarding "Shohrat" Order to B. V. MasimovGuided by Item 23 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I hereby order: To award “Shohrat” Order to Baba Vazir oghlu Masimov (Baba Vaziroghlu) for his longstanding and impactful contributions to the development of Azerbaijani literature. Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, January 11, 2024 ..

09.01.2024 15:13

The Appeals Commission Holds the First Meeting Regarding the Results of the ARKA Film Project CompetitionAs reported earlier, the “Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan“ (ARKA) has revealed the results of the film project competition held from July 18 to November 29 last year with the aim of expanding state support for the development of the film industry in the country, encouraging cinematographic endeavors, increasing the experience of local cinematographers, promoting the production of films that uphold national, moral, and universal values, as well as supporting the private sector in this field. The Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan established a Screenplay Laboratory to support projects not selected in the competition, where independent production centers and other legal entities submitted projects in categories such as state order, commercial, author (art), debut, and student films. Under the leadership of the esteemed Turkish director and screenwriter Semih Kaplanoghlu, discussions for these projects took place within the script development program from December 11 to 25. At the same time, an Appeals Commission was established for participants dissatisfied with the results of the competition. The first meeting of the Appeals Commission was held on January 8. The members of the Commission expressed their opinions and suggestions regarding the projects submitted to the Appeals Commission. They pointed out the need for improvement in some projects, made suggestions on the work of the director, and emphasized the need for additions and changes. At the meeting, it was decided to hold the next meeting of the Commission in the second decade of January. ..

09.01.2024 11:30

Meeting of Appeals Commission Reaches ConclusionThe meeting of the Appeals Commission of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan took place on January 8, 2024, to address complaints from candidates dissatisfied with the results of the interview stage for principals and deputy principals within the framework of the competition for the recruitment of principals, deputy principals, and teachers of children's music, art, painting, mugham, and ashug schools and centers. In the meeting, the performance of candidates for the position of principal—Hasanli Nargiz Ilgar, Mustafazadeh Aslan Rafig, Aghayev Ramin Heydar, and Hasilova Gunay Mammad—was evaluated. The interview result for one candidate out of the four was revised, while the results for the remaining three were upheld. During the discussions, the candidates' perspectives on the interviews were heard, and the opinions formulated by the Commission members based on the video recordings and interview documents were discussed. In the end, the relevant decisions were made according to the votes of the commission members. Pursuant to the decision, Hasanli Nargiz Ilgar gizi's application (21 points) contesting the outcomes of the prior interview was approved. The decisions regarding the complaints of the other candidates concluded that the evaluation of the results of the previous interviews of these candidates by the interview commission was completely fair and reasonable and was confirmed without any changes. ..

08.01.2024 18:32

Honored artist Aygun Baylar sent off on her last journeyAs reported earlier, the well-known singer and honored artist Aygun Baylar passed away on January 6, 2024, in Ankara, Turkiye, where she traveled for medical examinations due to a long and serious illness. A farewell ceremony for the artist took place on January 8 at the House of Culture, named after Sattar Bahlulzadeh. A wreath was placed in front of the coffin on behalf of the First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva. Deputy Ministers of Culture Murad Huseynov and Saadat Yusifova, cultural and artistic figures, public representatives, and other guests attended the ceremony. After the farewell ceremony, the singer's body was laid to rest in the Surakhani cemetery. It is worth noting that Aygun Aydın gizi Humbatova (Aygun Baylar) was born in Baku on August 22, 1975. In 1988, she was accepted as a soloist by the newly established Azerbaijan State Children's Philharmonic. In 1995, she founded a musical band named after Shovkat Alakbarova and started a wide concert activity. In 1998, Aygun Baylar enrolled in the Faculty of Music at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory (now Baku Music Academy). Here she learned the complexities of mugham from Arif Babayev, Islam Rzayev, Agakhan Abdullayev, and other prominent artists. In 2002, she was awarded the honorary title of “Honored Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan.“. In 2005, Aygun Baylar successfully represented the Azerbaijani Mugham school, earning the first prize at the “Oriental Songs“ international music festival traditionally held in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where she was accompanied by a folk-mugham trio. From 2005 to 2010, she performed concert programs in various countries, including France, Spain, Morocco, the USA, England, Russia, Turkey, Greece, Germany, South Korea, Sweden, Denmark, etc. In 2002, she received the honorary title of “Honored Artist“. May she rest in peace! ..

07.01.2024 10:50

Honored artist Aygun Baylar passes awayAzerbaijani culture has suffered a loss. The well-known singer and honored artist Aygun Baylar passed away on January 6, 2024, in Ankara, Turkiye, where she traveled for medical examinations due to a long and serious illness. Aygun Aydın gizi Humbatova (Aygun Baylar) was born in Baku on August 22, 1975. In 1988, she was accepted as a soloist to the newly established Azerbaijan State Children's Philharmonic. In 1995, she founded a musical band named after Shovkat Alakbarova and started a wide concert activity. In 1998, Aygun Baylar enrolled in the Faculty of Music at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory (now Baku Music Academy). Here she learned the complexities of mugham from Arif Babayev, Islam Rzayev, Agakhan Abdullayev, and other prominent artists. In 2002, she was awarded the honorary title of “Honored Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan“. ..

25.12.2023 17:53

The Results of the Publication Procurement Competition determinedThe results of the Publication Procurement Competition announced on July 24, 2023, to enhance and supplement the book collections of the libraries under the Ministry of Culture with new publications have been determined. To ensure transparency, efficiency, and objectivity, the competition was conducted by the Commission for the Compilation of the Publication Plan and the Procurement of Publishing Products, established by the Ministry. The commission assessed books submitted by authors and copyright holders, considering statistical data derived from readers' questionnaires provided by the libraries. Among the publications submitted to the competition, the Commission decided to procure of 546 books (41,098 copies). To supplement library resources based on readers’ needs, following the commission's decisions, acquisitions will be made from “Qanun“, “Teas Press“, “Hadaf“, “Everest“, “Tahsil“, “Aghilli Bala“, “Ting“, “Parlag imzalar“, “Mujru“, “MIMTA“, “Libra“, “Galam“, “Galam Chingizoghlu“, “Gadim Gala“, “Kosmo“, “Jeko Print“, “Khan“, “Alatoran“, “Altun Kitab“, “Bashla Kitab“, “Bookzone Group“, “Chapar“ Publishing House, “Ali and Nino“, “AVE Print“, “Kitabchi“ publishing houses, Honored artist, doctor of science in art studies, professor Kubra Aliyeva, doctor of philology Islam Sadigov, correspondent member of ANAS, doctor of philology Tehran Alishanoglu, literary critic, publicist and translator Mahir Hamzayev, doctor of history Farhad Jabbarov, writer Gudrat Aliyev, PhD Elshan Bayramzadeh, writer Alisgandar Salamov, Baku Music Academy, Azerbaijan Cinematographers Union, Honored Scientist, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor Maharram Gasimli, Doctor of Philological Sciences Ilham Jafarsoy, Honored Culture Worker Aygul Garadaghli, Honored Journalist, Ph.D. in history Akif Ashirli, researcher and writer Adigozel Mammadov and writer, and translator Emin Imanli. At the same time, 83 publication projects submitted to the Ministry of Culture in 2023 were read and evaluated by the members of the Commission for the Compilation of the Publication Plan and the Procurement of Publishing Products. Based on the decision of the Commission, 21 books were considered suitable for inclusion in the Ministry's publication plan. ..

22.12.2023 17:22

International Mugham Center to host a Kirkuk Music EveningThe Kirkuk Music Evening, organized by the Ministry of Culture, will take place at the International Mugham Center on December 25, 2023. The Turkmen people of Iraq and Azerbaijan have had warm relations for centuries. These ties have manifested themselves in music. It is not by chance that the songs “Lullaby, my love,“ “Look at the beauty,“ and others are known by heart in our country. The musical evening will include samples of Kirkuk folk music as well as folk and composer songs in different styles. Honored artists Toghrul Asadullayev (kamancha), Rustam Muslimov (tar), Rafael Askerov (balaban), people's artist Gulyanag Mammadova, honored artist Nuriya Huseynova, young artists Miralam Miralamov, Kamila Nabiyeva, Ayshan Mehdiyeva, Huseyn Malikov, Zumrud Mammadova, Mamed Najafov, Sabina Arabli, Yagut Khalilzadeh, Ravan Gachayev, Gunay Imamverdiyeva, Nisbat Sadrayeva, Vafa Vazirova, oud player Ismail Zulfugarov, piono player Rabiya Imanguliyeva, and chamber choir “Shams-Gamar“ (artistic director Lelya Zaliyeva and choirmaster Khanimana Mamedzadeh) will perform accompanied by the ensemble of the International Mugham Center. ..

22.12.2023 11:48

OIC Delegation Visits the Ministry of CultureOn December 21, a delegation headed by Tariq Bakheet, Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, visited the Ministry of Culture. Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov welcomed the guests and noted the upward trend of relations between the OIC and our country. He mentioned that the opportunities for cooperation in the field of culture are expanding. Responding to the warm welcome and kind words, T. Bakheet expressed his gratitude and said that the organization attaches great importance to relations with our country. He pointed to the OIC's unwavering support for justice during the occupation of Karabakh and stressed the importance of reflecting this stance in official documents. During the meeting, the guests were also informed about Azerbaijan's extensive repair and restoration efforts aimed at restoring the cultural heritage destroyed in Karabakh. The guests noted that they look forward to the organization of joint international events in the field of culture in Shusha in the near future and expressed their satisfaction with the implementation of the OIC resolutions. During the meeting, there was an exchange of views on the ongoing projects on the bilateral agenda, including the events planned for the year “Shusha as the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2024“ and the VI World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue to be held in our country within the framework of the Baku Process. At the end of the meeting, the sides exchanged souvenirs. ..

22.12.2023 11:30

"e-Culture" Digital Development Strategy (2024-2026) of the Ministry of Culture Gets the Green LightThe “e-Culture“ Digital Development Strategy (2024-2026) of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan was approved by the relevant decision of the Collegium of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The rapid penetration of digital technologies into all spheres of our country's socio-economic system and the daily activities of individuals, and their transformation into an integral part of socio-economic relations, is a determining factor in the digitalization of culture. In this regard, the diverse activities of the Ministry of Culture, regulatory bodies overseeing the entire territory of the country, and a wide network of clusters (theatres, libraries, museums, reserves, creative industries, audiovisual and performing arts, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, cultural educational institutions, etc.) result in the generation of significant volumes of information, requiring the implementation of management through the application of a data-based digital management model. Considering the significance of organizing and coordinating efforts in the field of digital management, a working group for enhancing digital management was established in the Ministry of Culture by the relevant order of the Ministry of Culture. The working group conducted an analysis of the cultural sector and studied domestic and international experience in the field of digitization of culture. Through the analysis of the current situation and international experience, the group delineated goals, priority areas, primary clusters organized by areas, and modules relevant to each cluster. The “e-culture“ matrix was formed with the algorithmic intersection of clusters and modules, In line with the “Procedure for drafting, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of state programs“ approved by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 1294 of March 6, 2021, the working group for enhancing digital management in the Ministry of Culture developed and approved the “e-Culture“ Digital Development Strategy (2024-2026) of the Ministry of Culture. The action plan of the “e-Culture“ strategy outlines the implementation of over 100 measures over the next 3 years across 10 priority areas encompassing the digitalization of the cultural sphere, the adoption of a data-driven digital management model and a unified administration policy, the improvement of information systems and resources, the redesign and digitalization of services, and the expansion of integration opportunities. ..

20.12.2023 13:08

A Comprehensive Overview of the First Cultural Heritage Forum in AzerbaijanAs part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the Cultural Heritage Forum was held for the first time in our country on December 18–19. The participants of the forum organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan first of all paid their respects to the grave of the national leader Heydar Aliyev in the Alley of Honor. They honored his memory by laying flowers in front of his grave. The participants also visited the grave of the eminent ophthalmologist and scientist Academician Zarifa Aliyeva and laid flowers in her honor. Following that, the forum's opening ceremony took place at “Gulustan“ Palace. Officials, parliament members, as well as figures from the fields of science and culture, including experts in cultural heritage, were present at the ceremony. At first, the participants were introduced to an exhibition of various examples of national applied and decorative arts—specifically, coppersmithing, carpet weaving, kalaghayi art, and tekalduz samples—in the foyer of the palace. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Saadat Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture, emphasized the paramount importance of culture as the defining characteristic of any nation of the world: “Our cultural and moral values have faced a number of difficulties at various points in history. However, our traditions, history, literature, mother tongue and culture have played a pivotal role in preserving our identity as a people”. It was emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President, Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva have placed a strong focus on the protection, restoration, and promotion of our cultural heritage. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation, in particular, is actively involved in numerous projects in this domain. Speaking about the heritage examples of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, which were liberated from occupation, the deputy minister pointed out that 705 historical and cultural monuments were registered in these areas: “The analysis revealed that numerous immovable cultural heritage sites of historical, archaeological, and architectural significance in those areas are not officially registered by the state authorities. These sites were intentionally destroyed and vandalized by Armenians during the occupation, resulting in the erasure of 47 monuments from the earth. Between 2020 and 2022, the State Service for Cultural Heritage Conservation, Development, and Rehabilitation, operating under the Ministry of Culture, conducted inspections on 433 historical and cultural monuments. Additionally, 182 objects with historical, architectural, and archaeological attributes located in the sites not registered with the state—specifically, the newly discovered monuments—were monitored.” Speaking about the global promotion of our cultural heritage, Saadat Yusifova mentioned that our country has 26 historical and cultural reserves, four of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, 23 elements of Azerbaijan's intangible cultural heritage are included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Currently, there are 6,308 monuments under state protection in our country; more than 1,400 of them are newly discovered monuments recognized for their historical and cultural significance. Therefore, the work in this field should be carried out with more sensitivity, systematic planning, and comprehensive strategies. Special attention should be paid to the training of personnel, and efforts should be made to increase both the quantity and quality of scientific research. The issues and suggestions raised during the two-day cultural heritage protection forum will be taken into consideration and incorporated into the new 2040 Culture Concept. Elbay Gasimzadeh, Chairman of the Board of the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan, highly appreciated the Forum and emphasized the role of our rich cultural heritage as a distinguishing factor among the nations of the world. It was noted that the study and global promotion of our cultural heritage have received the dedicated attention of the national leader during both periods of his leadership. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, who is a faithful follower of the ideas of the great leader, consistent work is being carried out in this direction. With the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, large-scale projects have been implemented. People's artist Farhad Khalilov, chairman of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, also stressed the importance of the forum and expressed his conviction that the forthcoming discussions will be beneficial for our culture in general. After the speeches, the forum continued with panel discussions. *** After the opening ceremony of the Cultural Heritage Forum on December 18, the first panel meeting was held in the “Gulustan“ Palace. The first panel on “Fine Art and Modern Challenges“ was moderated by the art critic and head of the “Yeni Gallery“ Baku Art Center, Rafael Gulmammadov. People's Artist and Rector of the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts, Professor Natig Aliyev, addressed the issue of fine arts education and gave an overview of the advancements in this field. He outlined the initiatives of the university in creating favorable conditions for student artists, organizing joint exhibitions, and holding competitions. He emphasized the importance of exposing children to art education from an early age, possibly as early as kindergarten, and stressed the importance of maintaining this educational continuum in later stages. The Rector also identified challenges at the Master's level in art education, noting a growing preference among girls for specialties such as interior design, leading to a declining interest in classical disciplines. Consequently, efforts are made to revive interest in classic specialties. The people's artist, sculptor Hussein Hagverdi, emphasized in his speech that the artist's work is almost invisible in modern urban planning. He noted that mosaic works in the capital and regions are not given due attention, and many of them are in danger of destruction due to neglect. He emphasized that it is important to pay attention to mosaic panels and paintings both in interiors and exteriors. People's artist Eldar Mikayilzadeh touched upon the challenge of expressing traditional art in modern language. Speaking about the book “Dance of Loops,“ published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the artist noted its importance for the promotion of Azerbaijani carpet art and carpet school all over the world. Another publication based on his research on the Iravan carpet school is being prepared, he said. Artist Anar Huseynzadeh shared his thoughts on digital art and emphasized the fascinating impact of his visits to Karabakh on his artistic work. He also emphasized the importance of introducing marketing specialties in education in order to turn the artist's work into capital. The panel ended with an exchange of views on the issues at hand and the sharing of suggestions. *** The second panel of the Cultural Heritage Forum focused on the protection of intangible cultural heritage and modern challenges. Sevil Karimova, Head of the Art Department of the Ministry of Culture, moderated the panel, providing information on the topic and inviting speakers to the stage. Later, a video produced by the Ministry of Culture dedicated to our intangible cultural heritage was shown. Doctor of philosophy in art studies, architect Elchin Shamilli addressed the role of visual language in decorative-applied arts, architecture, and design art in his speech on “Examples of Decorative and Applied Art and Modern Forms of Artistic Expression.“ The head of the science department at the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, a Ph.D. in art studies, and associate professor Telman Ibrahimov discussed the cultural resources that Armenians have appropriated and looted over the past thirty years. He pointed out the recent practice of our neighbors presenting examples of intangible cultural heritage taken from Khankandi as their own. Ibrahimov stressed the importance of compiling a “red book“ to document our lost wealth. Asmar Abdullayeva, the Creative Director of “Azerkhalcha“ OJSC and a Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies, delivered a presentation on the topic “Intangible Cultural Heritage as the Basis of Creativity and Innovation: Economic and Social Aspects.“ She discussed the organization of carpet weaving and felting courses in Pirshagi, Balakhani, and other settlements in Baku for women who had no prior work experience. Abdullayeva also discussed the revival of the art of dyeing using ancient techniques and the practice of silk printing in Shaki. The art historian and scholar shared her recommendations for fostering new opportunities for the innovative ideas of young carpet artists. Honored artist Mammadhuseyn Huseynov presented the list of overlooked cultural heritage examples in carpet art as a slide and shared his suggestions. Nuriya Mammadova, the last speaker on the panel and head of division at the Ministry of Culture, addressed the topic “Examples of Azerbaijan's Intangible Cultural Heritage in International Lists.“ She provided information about the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Following the presentations, there was a discussion on the raised issues and proposals, and questions were addressed. The third and last panel of the Cultural Heritage Forum, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, held on December 18, was devoted to the topic “Movable Cultural Heritage in Azerbaijan. Museum Work and Modern Challenges“. Nargiz Abdullayeva, Head of the Project Management Department of the Heydar Aliyev Center and moderator of the panel, introduced the topic and invited the speakers to the stage. Later, a video of Azerbaijan's intangible cultural heritage, prepared by the Ministry of Culture, was presented. The video highlighted the attention and support of the national leader Heydar Aliyev for the work of museums, as well as the establishment of the Occupation and Victory Museums by the order of President Ilham Aliyev. Shirin Malikova, Director of the National Art Museum and Chairwoman of the Azerbaijan National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), addressed the audience on the topic of “Identification, Study, and Attribution of Azerbaijani Cultural Artifacts Preserved in World Museums, Proving Their Belonging to Azerbaijan.“ She noted that the Russian State Museum of Oriental Art, the Louvre Museum, and the Istanbul Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art have Azerbaijani art works in their collections. These works have been attributed, and subsequent exhibitions and catalogs have been developed. Vasif Gurbanov, a staff member of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, provided details about the Customs History Museum during his presentation on “Import and Export of Cultural Resources, Transit Rules.“ The exhibition highlights the process of developing legal acts and mechanisms outlined in the legislation for the temporary export of cultural resources in connection with international cultural events. Altun Mikayilli, a Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies and the Head of the Museum, Gallery, and Exhibitions Department of the Ministry of Culture, addressed the regulations governing the taking away and return of cultural assets from the country. Zarifa Malikova, the Director of the Center for Scientific Restoration of Museum Treasures and Memorabilia, spoke about the activity of the center she heads and the process of giving historical relics a second life. Zafig Khalilov, representing the Heydar Aliyev Center, provided information about the center's museum and exhibition activities, emphasizing the successful organization of over 450 exhibitions and events in 11 years. The exhibitions organized by the Center in line with the new trends were well-received and presented examples reflecting diverse cultures from around the world. Natig Safarov, the Head of the Scientific Restoration Department at the National Art Museum, emphasized the significance of enhancing the material and technical infrastructure in his speech on “Strengthening the Material and Technical base. Modern Museums. Museums as an Instrument of Social Education.“ He stressed the importance of organizing scientific restoration work and raising awareness in this field. Fabrizio Conti, creative director and expert in the organization of Occupation and Victory Museums, spoke on “Restoration of Museums in Territories Liberated from Occupation. Occupation and Victory Museums“. He recounted the horror of witnessing the destruction of cultural resources for the first time after the 44-day war in 2020. Conti mentioned ongoing efforts to establish Occupation and Victory Museums in Lachin, Kalbajar, and Zangilan, depicting both pre-occupation and post-victory periods. Following the speeches, there was an exchange of opinions on the subjects discussed, and questions raised during the session were answered. *** Within the framework of the Cultural Heritage Forum held on December 18–19, the exhibition “Karabakh Art Camp“ was organized at the “Gulistan“ Palace. The exhibition presents handicrafts created by artisans during visits to the liberated territories with the support of the Ministry of Culture. In addition, a book-album depicting our cultural heritage in Karabakh, published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, is exhibited. This book-album, written in English, presents examples of our art in the liberated territories and presents authentic pictures. Notable works include “Karabakh, dear Shusha, you are free“ by Javanshir Mammadov, “The beauty of Karabakh loaded with treasures“ by Samir Samadov, “Victory“ by Kamran Asadov, and others. The stand of the Museum of Customs History in the exhibition space presented interesting objects of material culture that were attempted to be smuggled out of the country, including various items ranging from jewelry and weapons to precious manuscripts and musical instruments. The exhibition also highlights examples of Tekalduz applied arts, such as coppersmithing, jewelry, guramas, tazhib, balaban, and pearl inlay. *** The English edition of the book “Azerbaijani carpets: the dance of loops,“ a joint project of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and BP Company, was presented within the framework of the Cultural Heritage Forum. Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov emphasized the importance of promoting the art of carpet weaving and highlighted the significance of the book in this context. The publication provides detailed information on the characteristics of each carpet, including the history, main directions, and techniques of Azerbaijani carpet weaving. It also includes insights into the architectural and cultural wonders that inspired the project. The carpets featured in the book were created by six artists and fourteen carpet makers in accordance with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's project. These carpets are woven from silk and wool threads dyed with natural colors, using a palette of 170 colors and shades. It's worth mentioning that Azerbaijani edition of the book and an exhibition of the same name were presented at the Heydar Aliyev Center in 2022. *** Three panel discussions were held on the second day of the Cultural Heritage Forum organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture on December 19. The first panel of the day focused on the study and protection of Azerbaijan's immovable historical and cultural heritage. At the panel moderated by Nazli Ahmadova, a member of the Azerbaijan Bar Association, Shahin Seyidzadeh, Chairman of the Board of Administration of the State Historical-Architectural Reserve “Icherisheher,“ spoke about “Protection of Cultural Heritage, Monitoring, Inventorying, and Passporting, Experience in Restoration and Preservation of Monuments, Traditions, and Modern approaches.“ He gave information about historical monuments and living conditions in the reserve. Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for Cultural Heritage Conservation, Development, and Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Culture, spoke on “Legislative Issues in the Field of Cultural Heritage Protection,“ highlighting the main directions and goals. Referring to illegal interventions in monuments, she emphasized that neglect affects some historical and cultural monuments used by citizens and touched upon challenges related to site conditions, location on private property, and other factors hindering their protection. Zaur Hasanov, the Executive Director of the ANAS Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography, and Anthropology, delivered a speech on “New Methods of Research of Archaeological Monuments: Use of Modern Methods.“ Hasanov emphasized the importance of integrating modern technologies into archaeological research. Sadagat Davudova, deputy chairwoman of the board of directors of the Reserves Management Center under the State Tourism Agency, in her speech on “Legislative Issues in the Protection of Cultural Heritage,“ dealt with the protection of cultural heritage objects in the reserves under the control of the Center. She outlined the main tasks of the Reserves Management Center, including the protection of tangible cultural and intangible historical heritage in reserve areas, organizing their efficient use for tourism, developing tourism potential through designated routes, promoting historical and cultural heritage, supporting research, and raising public awareness. Chingiz Nemanzadeh, deputy director of the Austrian company “Atelier“ Erich Pummer, discussed the “Management of Cultural Heritage Monuments, Modern Technologies, and Innovations in Their Protection and Training of Personnel.“ He focused on considerations in minaret restoration and highlighted new technologies in this field, supported by a video clip on minaret restoration technology. He spoke about considerations in minaret restoration and presented new technologies in this field. The presentation included a video clip on minaret restoration technology. TV presenter and tour guide Fuad Akhundov spoke about inappropriate interventions in the facades of historical buildings in his presentation on “Social Responsibility of the Population in the Protection and Use of Architectural Monuments, State and Private Partnership.“. Following the speeches, there was an exchange of opinions, and proposals were made on the raised issues. *** The second panel of the Cultural Heritage Forum, conducted on December 19, was dedicated to the theme “Protection of The Historical, Cultural, and Natural Heritage of Azerbaijan in the Post-Conflict Period.“ Tural Novruzov, Executive Director of the Administration of Shusha City State Reserve, moderated the panel, which covered discussions on “Historical and Cultural Heritage of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur Before and After the Occupation,“ “Monitoring of Monuments Located in the Territory of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur and Related Challenges,“ “History and Cultural Heritage of Our People in the Territory of Western Azerbaijan,“ “Ensuring the Protection, Research, and Preservation of the Historical and Cultural Heritage of Our People in the Territory of Western Azerbaijan,“ and “Issues of Application of International Conventions on the Protection of Cultural Resources.“ The session began with a video prepared by the Ministry of Culture on the topic of the panel. Ambassador Elman Abdullayev, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, spoke about the country's relations with the organization, stressing the fundamental role of the visionary activities of national leader Heydar Aliyev. He emphasized the important role of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva in strengthening Azerbaijan's voice in UNESCO, stressing the need for systematic efforts to convey the country's true voice to the world and expose the vandalism committed by Armenian vandals against Azerbaijan's cultural heritage. Aytan Seyidova, the Head of the Department at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, spoke about the rich flora and fauna of Azerbaijan. She She noted that there are six natural monuments in the liberated territories; two of them are nature reserves, and four are protected areas. A considerable part of these areas was destroyed during the Armenian occupation. Nazim Mustafa, an employee of the ANAS History Institute, emphasized the artificial creation of the “Armenian province“ after the Russian occupation of the Iravan and Nakhchivan khanates in 1827. Armenians lived around Armenian churches in 62 villages out of 1111 settlements that existed in this area. Farhad Guliyev, Acting Director General of the ANAS Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography, and Anthropology, spoke about the acts of vandalism committed by Armenian invaders in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, including the destruction of cemeteries. Parvin Baghirova, Head of the Fundraising and Communication Department of the Karabakh Revival Fund, provided information on the mission and activities of the Foundation, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage as a crucial aspect of a country's history. When we travel to a country, we first explore its historical and cultural monuments. Therefore, the protection of our material and cultural heritage is of great importance. Azer Ibrahimov, a photojournalist with the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC), shared his experience of photographing in Karabakh after the Patriotic War, highlighting the tireless efforts of AZERTAC film crews to document the traces of Armenian vandalism in liberated areas and report them to the international community. The session ended with an exchange of views and the addressing of questions. *** The Cultural Heritage Forum organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Heydar Aliyev at the Gulustan Palace has come to an end. The final panel session on December 19 was devoted to “Cultural Heritage and Modern Architecture: Principles of Urban Planning“. The panel, which was moderated by Honorary Architect Ilgar Isbatov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, covered such topics as “Development of Modern Azerbaijani Architecture, National Elements and Design“, “Principles of Sustainable Urban Planning“, “Architecture and Urban Planning in the Liberated Territories. Smart Cities“, “Great Return“, “Program Implementation: Challenges and Goals“, “Modern Cities and Urbanization Issues“ and “Urban Planning and Monument Preservation“. Before the speeches, the participants watched a video prepared by the Ministry of Culture on the topic of the panel. Fariz Ismayilzadeh, Executive Vice Rector of ADA University, highlighted the ongoing large-scale restoration and construction efforts in the liberated areas. He mentioned that a survey has been conducted among the students of the educational institution, emphasizing the importance of understanding the opinions of the people who will settle in the newly liberated areas. Faig Hajiyev, Advisor to the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, provided information on the restoration and reconstruction works carried out in the liberated territories of the Karabakh economic region (with the exception of Shusha district). He said that in accordance with the “First State Program on the Great Return to the Occupied Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan,“ the planning and construction of 1 town and 12 villages in Aghdam district, 1 town and 10 villages in Fuzuli district, Hadrut settlement, and Tugh village in Khojavand district are planned to be completed by 2026. At the same time, there is a focus on restoring our historical and cultural monuments as part of the extensive construction initiatives. Progress is being made in this regard. Muslim Imranli, head of the department of management and protection of historical and cultural heritage at the Administration of Shusha City State Reserve, stressed that the master plan for Shusha city encompasses all existing monuments. He remarked, “Despite prolonged discussions, issues persist regarding the determination of monument protection zones in our country. We anticipate resolution in the coming years.“ Rafik Mirzayev, Head of the Urban Development Department of the Azerdovlatlayiha State Design Institute, discussed the global urbanization process. He noted that in our country there are 79 cities, 30 of which have a population of less than 15 thousand, including 4 cities with a population of less than 5 thousand. Currently, 56.4 percent of the population lives in urban areas. That is about 5.5 million people. At the end the questions of the participants of the event were answered. This was the end of the Cultural Heritage Forum held for the first time in our country. ..

19.12.2023 18:04

The Cultural Heritage Forum endedThe Cultural Heritage Forum organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture as part of the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev in the “Gulustan“ Palace is closed. On December 19, the last panel session of the forum on “Cultural heritage and modern architecture: principles of urban planning“ was held. “Development of modern Azerbaijani architecture, national elements, and design“, “Principles of sustainable urban planning“, “Architecture and urban planning in territories liberated from occupation. Smart cities“, “Great Return“, “Implementation of the program: challenges and goals“, “Modern cities and urbanization issues“ and “Urban planning and preservation of monuments“ topics were heard in the panel moderated by Honored architect Ilgar Isbatov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture. Before the speeches, the participants watched a video prepared by the Ministry of Culture on the topic of the panel. Fariz Ismayilzadeh, Executive Vice Rector of ADA University, noted that large-scale restoration and construction works are being carried out in the liberated areas today: “In this regard, a survey was conducted among students at the educational institution. I think it is very important to learn the opinions of the people who will settle in our liberated areas in this area.“ Faig Hajiyev, adviser of the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, provided information about the restoration and reconstruction works carried out in the territories liberated from occupation belonging to the Karabakh economic region (except for Shusha district). He said that in accordance with the “1st State Program on the Great Return to the Territories Liberated from Occupation of the Republic of Azerbaijan“, 1 city and 12 villages in Aghdam district, 1 city and 10 villages in Fuzuli district, Hadrut settlement and Tugh village in Khojavand district will be designed and built by 2026. At the same time, restoration of our historical and cultural monuments within the framework of large-scale construction works is also in focus. Work is being carried out in this direction as well. Muslim Imranli, head of the department of management and protection of historical and cultural heritage of the Administration of Shusha City State Reserve, emphasized that the master plan prepared for Shusha city covers all existing monuments: “Despite many years of discussions, there are still problems related to the determination of monument protection zones in our country. We hope that this issue will be resolved in the coming years.“ Rafik Mirzayev, head of the Urban Development Department of the “Azerdovlatlayiha“ Head State Design Institute, spoke about the urbanization process that currently covers the whole world. He said that there are 79 cities in our country. According to calculations, the population of 30 cities is less than 15 thousand, including 4 cities whose population is less than 5 thousand. Currently, 56.4 percent of the population lives in urban areas. That is about 5.5 million people.“ At the end, the questions of the event participants were answered. Thus, the Cultural Heritage Forum held for the first time in our country came to an end. ..

19.12.2023 14:46

The 5th panel is devoted to the topic "Protection of the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period"The second panel of the Cultural Heritage Forum, which took place on December 19, was devoted to the topic “Protection of the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period“. In the panel moderated by Tural Novruzov,Executive Director of the Administration of Shusha City State Reserve, speeches were heard on the topics of “Historical and cultural heritage of Karabagh and Eastern Zangazur before and after the occupation“, “Monitoring of monuments located in the territory of Karabagh and Eastern Zangazur and related challenges“, “History and cultural heritage of our people in the territory of Western Azerbaijan“, “Ensuring the protection, research and preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of our people in the territory of Western Azerbaijan“ and the “Issues of application of international conventions on the protection of cultural resources“. First, a video prepared by the Ministry of Culture on the topic of the panel was shown. Ambassador Elman Abdullayev,Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, spoke about the relations between our country and the organization, and noted that the visionary activities of the national leader Heydar Aliyev are the basis of these relations. It was reported that First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva has played a great role in making Azerbaijan's voice heard at UNESCO. The diplomat said that systematic steps should be taken to convey our true voice to the world, and demonstrate the vandalism committed by Armenian vandals against our cultural heritage. Head of Department at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources Aytan Seyidova spoke about the rich flora and fauna of Azerbaijan. She said that there are 6 natural monuments in the liberated territories, 2 of them are nature reserves, and 4 of them are protected areas. A large part of those territories was destroyed by Armenians during the occupation. Nazim Mustafa, an employee of the ANAS History Institute, emphasized that “Armenian province“ was created artificially after the occupation of Iravan and Nakhchivan khanates by Russia in 1827. Armenians lived around Armenian churches in 62 villages out of 1111 settlements that existed in that area. Farhad Guliyev, acting director general of the ANAS Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography, and Anthropology, spoke about the acts of vandalism committed by the Armenian invaders in Karabakh and East Zangezur. He said that during the occupation, Armenians even destroyed cemeteries. The Head of the Fundraising and Communication Department of the Karabakh Revival Fund, Parvin Baghirova, provided information about the mission and activities of the foundation and spoke about the importance of protecting our cultural heritage. She noted that the cultural heritage of a country is its history. When traveling to a country, first of all, we explore its historical and cultural monuments. Therefore, the protection of our material and cultural heritage is of great importance. Azer Ibrahimov, a photojournalist of the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC), reported on his photo shoots in Karabakh. He said that immediately after the end of the Patriotic War, the film crews of AZERTAC went to the liberated areas and worked tirelessly day and night to convey the traces of Armenian vandalism in our hometowns and villages to the international community, and the work in this direction continues. After the speeches, opinions were exchanged and questions were answered. ..

19.12.2023 14:41

The next panel of the forum: Research and protection of the immovable historical and cultural heritage of AzerbaijanThe work of the Cultural Heritage Forum organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture on December 19, continues. The first panel of the second day of the forum was devoted to the research and protection of the immovable historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. At the panel moderated by Nazli Ahmadova, a member of the Azerbaijan Bar Association, Shahin Seyidzadeh, Chairman of the Board of the Administration of “Icherisheher“ State Historical-Architectural Reserve, spoke on the topic “Cultural heritage protection, monitoring, inventorying, and passporting, monument restoration-conservation experience, traditions, and modern approaches“. He spoke about the historical monuments and living conditions in the territory of the reserve. Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for Cultural Heritage Conservation, Development, and Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Culture, spoke about the main directions and goals in the protection of cultural heritage in her speech on “Legislative issues in the field of cultural heritage protection“. Speaking about the illegal interventions in the monuments, the head of the service pointed out that some of our historical and cultural monuments under the use of citizens are neglected. Here, both site conditions, location on private property, and other such factors hinder the protection of those monuments. Zaur Hasanov, executive director of ANAS Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography, and Anthropology, gave a speech on “New methods for the study of archaeological monuments: use of modern methodologies“. The speaker drew attention to the importance of introducing modern technologies in archaeological research. Sadagat Davudova, Deputy Chairperson of the Management Board of the Reserves Management Center under the State Tourism Agency, spoke about the issues of the protection of heritage objects in the reserves under the control of the center in her speech on “Legislative issues in the protection of cultural heritage“. She said that the main tasks of the Reserves Management Center are to protect tangible cultural and intangible historical heritage samples located in the territories of the reserves, to organize their efficient use for tourism purposes, to develop their tourism potential by determining the tourist routes in the reserve areas, to protect and promote historical and cultural heritage samples, to support research and raise public awareness, etc. Chingiz Nemanzadeh, deputy director of the Austrian “Ateshler“ Erich Pummer company, speaking on the topic of “Management of cultural heritage monuments, modern technologies and innovations in their protection, training of personnel“, spoke about the points to be paid attention to in the restoration of minarets, and the new technologies applied in this field. His speech was accompanied by a video clip on minaret restoration technology. TV host and tour guide Fuad Akhundov spoke about inappropriate interventions on the facades of historical buildings in his speech on “Social responsibility of the population in the protection and use of architectural monuments, state and private partnership“. After the speeches, opinions were exchanged on the issues and proposals raised. ..

19.12.2023 09:48

A discussion was held on "Movable cultural heritage in Azerbaijan. Museum work and modern challenges" at the forumThe third and last panel of the Cultural Heritage Forum organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, held on December 18, was dedicated to the topic “Movable cultural heritage in Azerbaijan. Museum work and modern challenges“. The moderator of the panel, Nargiz Abdullayeva, Director of the Project Management Department of the Heydar Aliyev Center gave information about the topic and invited the speakers to the stage. Then a video dedicated to our intangible cultural heritage prepared by the Ministry of Culture was shown. The video depicted the attention and care of the national leader Heydar Aliyev towards the field of museum work, and the creation of Victory museums by the order of President Ilham Aliyev. Director of the National Museum of Art, and Chairperson of the Azerbaijan National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Shirin Malikova spoke on the topic “Identification, study, and attribution of Azerbaijani cultural examples preserved in world museums, proving their belonging to Azerbaijan.“ She noted that the Russian State Museum of Oriental Art, the Louvre Museum, and the Istanbul Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts preserve Azerbaijan's works of art. Their attribution was carried out, exhibitions of those samples were organized, catalogs were prepared. Vasif Gurbanov, an employee of the Azerbaijan State Customs Committee, gave information about the activities of the Museum of Customs History in his speech on “Import and export of cultural resources, transit rules“. The exhibition drew attention to the process of development of legal acts and mechanisms provided by the legislation for the temporary export of cultural resources in connection with the holding of international cultural events. Altun Mikayilli, Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies, and Head of the Museum, Gallery and Exhibitions Department of the Ministry of Culture spoke about the rules for the removal and return of cultural assets from the country. Director of the Center for Scientific Restoration of Museum Treasures and Memorabilia, Zarifa Malikova, spoke about the activity of the center she heads, and the process of giving a second life to historical relics. The representative of the Heydar Aliyev Center, Zafig Khalilov, gave information about the center's museum and exhibition activities. He noted that more than 450 exhibitions and events were held in the center in 11 years. Exhibitions organized by the Center according to new trends were received with interest, and examples reflecting different cultures around the world were presented. Natig Safarov, Head of the Scientific Restoration Department of the National Art Museum, in his speech on “Strengthening the material and technical base. Modern museums. Museums as a means of social education“ noted the importance of organizing scientific restoration work and raising awareness in this field. Fabrizio Conti, creative director and expert on the organization of the Museums of Occupation and Victory, spoke on the topic “Restoration of museums in territories liberated from occupation. Museums of Occupation and Victory.“ He said that after the 44-day war of 2020, he saw the horror of the destruction of cultural resources for the first time. He said that work is currently underway to create the Museums of Occupation and Victory in Lachin, Kalbajar, and Zangilan. Expositions of the pre-occupation and post-victory periods will be created in the museums. After the speeches, opinions were exchanged on the topics, and questions were answered. The Cultural Heritage Forum will continue its work with panel discussions on December 19. ..

18.12.2023 17:14

A discussion was held on "Protection of intangible cultural heritage and modern challenges"The second panel of the Cultural Heritage Forum organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, held on December 18, was dedicated to the topic “Protection of intangible cultural heritage and modern challenges“. The moderator of the panel, Sevil Karimova, Head of the Art Department of the Ministry of Culture, introduced the topic and invited the speakers to the stage. Then a video dedicated to our intangible cultural heritage prepared by the Ministry of Culture was shown. Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies, and architect Elchin Shamilli spoke about the role of visual language in decorative and applied arts, architecture, and design art in his speech on “Examples of decorative and applied art and modern forms of artistic expression“. Telman Ibrahimov, Head of the Science Department of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, Ph.D. in Art Studies, and Associate Professor, spoke about our cultural resources that were appropriated and looted by Armenians in the last thirty years, and said that recently our infamous neighbors have started to present the examples of intangible cultural heritage they took from Khankandi as their own. He noted the importance of compiling the “Red Book“ of our lost wealth. The creative director of “Azerkhalcha“ OJSC, Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies Asmar Abdullayeva spoke on the topic of “Intangible cultural heritage as the basis of creativity and innovation: economic and social aspect“. She spoke about the organization of carpet weaving and felting courses for women who have never worked in Pirshagi, Balakhani, and other settlements of Baku, the revival of the art of dyeing by ancient technology, and the art of printing on silk in Shaki. The art historian and scientist voiced her suggestions for creating new opportunities for the innovative ideas of young carpet artists. Honored artist Mammadhuseyn Huseynov presented a list of forgotten cultural heritage examples of carpet art in the form of a slide and expressed his suggestions. The last speaker of the panel, Head of Division at the Ministry of Culture Nuriya Mammadova spoke on the topic “Intangible cultural heritage examples of Azerbaijan in international lists“. She provided information about the provisions of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. After the speeches, opinions were exchanged on the issues and proposals raised, and questions were answered. ..

18.12.2023 15:29

"Fine art and contemporary challenges" - the first panel discussion of the Cultural Heritage ForumAfter the opening ceremony on December 18, the Cultural Heritage Forum held at the “Gulustan“ Palace continued its work with panel sessions. The first panel entitled “Fine art and modern challenges“ was moderated by art critic Rafael Gulmammadov, head of “Yeni Gallery“ Baku Art Center. Talking about education in the field of fine arts, People's Artist, Rector of the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts, Professor Natig Aliyev provided information about the work done in this direction, the conditions created by the university for student artists, joint exhibitions, and competitions. He said that children should be given information about art from a young age, even in kindergarten. Care should be taken not to break this chain in later stages. The rector also pointed out that there are certain problems in the master's degree in art education: “In recent years, girls earning more and more from the art of painting and are increasingly choosing the specialty of interior designer.. Unfortunately, interest in classical specialties is declining. That's why we are doing promotional work to increase interest in classical specialties.“ People's artist, and sculptor Huseyn Hagverdi noted in his speech that the artist's work is almost invisible in modern urban planning. He said that the mosaic works made in the capital and regions have been neglected, and many of them are in danger of falling apart due to neglect. Attention should be paid to mosaic panels and paintings in the interior and exterior. People's artist Eldar Mikayilzadeh touched on the issue of expressing traditional art in modern language. Talking about the book “Dance of Loops“ published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the artist noted the importance of this project in terms of promoting our carpet art and carpet schools in the world. He said that another publication will be prepared based on his research in the field of Iravan carpet school. Artist Anar Huseynzadeh shared his thoughts on digital art. He pointed out that his visits to Karabakh left an interesting mark on his activities as an artist. A. Huseynzadeh also noted the necessity of opening marketing specialties in education in order to turn artists’ work into capital. After the speeches, opinions were exchanged on the mentioned issues, and suggestions were voiced. ..

18.12.2023 14:22

The Cultural Heritage Forum is being held for the first time in our countryOn December 18, the Cultural Heritage Forum started in the “Gulustan“ Palace in the framework of the 100th anniversary of the national leader Heydar Aliyev. The forum, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and which will last until December 20, is being held for the first time in our country. Forum participants visited the grave of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the great supporter of our culture, in the Alley of Honor, laid flowers in front of the grave, and commemorated the memory of the great leader with respect. The grave of prominent ophthalmologist-scientist, and academician Mrs. Zarifa Aliyeva was also visited. Officials, members of parliament, science and culture figures, cultural heritage specialists take part in the event. First, the participants got acquainted with the exhibition of national applied and decorative art examples – coppersmith’s art, carpet weaving, kalaghayi art, and takalduz examples in the foyer of the palace. Saadat Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture, who spoke at the opening of the forum, said that the most important characteristic of any nation in the world is its culture. No matter how many difficulties our cultural values faced at different stages of history, it was our traditions, history, literature, mother tongue, and culture that preserved our existence as a nation. It was noted that President Ilham Aliyev, First Vice President, Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva focuses on the protection, restoration, and promotion of our cultural heritage. In particular, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is doing great work in this field, various projects are being implemented. Speaking about the heritage examples of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, liberated from occupation, the Deputy Minister pointed out that 705 historical and cultural monuments have been registered with the state: “As a result of the analysis, it has been determined that there are many immovable cultural heritage objects of historical, archaeological and architectural importance in those areas that are not registered with the state. During the occupation, they were deliberately destroyed and vandalized by the Armenians, and 47 monuments were razed to the ground. In 2020-2022, the State Service for the Protection, Restoration and Development of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture inspected 433 historical and cultural monuments, as well as 182 objects with historical, architectural, and archaeological features located in those areas that are not state-registered - monitoring of newly discovered monuments was carried out“. Talking about the promotion of our cultural heritage in the international community, Saadat Yusifova said that there are 26 historical and cultural reserves in our country. 4 of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. 23 intangible cultural heritage elements of Azerbaijan have been included in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It was reported that currently there are 6308 monuments under state protection in our country. Among them, more than 1,400 historically and culturally significant objects were registered as newly discovered monuments: “Cultural heritage is among the threats that Azerbaijan, which has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty over the past 3 years, will face in the future. Therefore, the work to be done in this direction should be approached more sensitively, systematically, and comprehensively, special attention should be paid to personnel training, and the number and quality of scientific research should be increased. In this regard, during the two-day forum, the issues and proposals that will be brought up for discussion regarding the protection of cultural heritage will be taken into consideration and will be reflected in the new Culture Concept for 2040. At the end of his speech, Saadat Yusifov wished success to the work of the forum. Elbay Gasimzadeh, Chairman of the Board of the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan, highly appreciated the importance of the forum. He said that our rich cultural heritage is an indicator of our uniqueness among the nations of the world. It was noted that the study of our cultural heritage and its worldwide promotion was the focus of national leader Heydar Aliyev's attention during both periods of his leadership. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, follower of the great leader's ideas, continuous work is being done in this direction. Large-scale projects were implemented with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva. People's artist Farhad Khalilov, chairman of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, noted the importance of the forum and wished success in the upcoming discussions. After the speeches, the forum continued its work with panel discussions. ..

06.12.2023 14:43

Four more elements related to the intangible cultural heritage of Azerbaijan included in the UNESCO listAt the 18th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Kasane, Botswana, on November 4-9, four more elements related to the intangible cultural heritage of Azerbaijan were included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It should be noted that among the nominations submitted to the Representative List are the multinational files “Craftsmanship and performing art of balaban/mey “ presented jointly by Azerbaijan and Turkiye, as well as “Art of Tazhib“ developed with the participation of our country (Azerbaijan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkiye and Uzbekistan), “Iftar and its socio cultural traditions“ (Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkiye and Uzbekistan) and “ Mother of pearl inlay“ (Azerbaijan and Turkiye). The decision on the nomination files, which received a positive opinion on all criteria from UNESCO's Evaluation Body, was announced on December 6. Ambassador Elman Abdullayev, Permanent Representative of our country to UNESCO, speaking at the session, thanked the UNESCO Evaluation Body and the Intergovernmental Committee on behalf of the Republic of Azerbaijan for supporting the examples of cultural values of our people. The permanent representative also expressed his gratitude to the countries involved in the preparation of the files. It should be noted that the above-mentioned nomination files were developed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, and the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, as well as the relevant institutions of the above-mentioned foreign countries. Thus, the number of our elements included in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage has reached 23. ..

06.12.2023 13:24

An individual exhibition called "Dialogue with Time" will be openedOn December 8, at 18:00, a personal exhibition called “Dialogue with Time“ will be opened in the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the People's Artist Tofig Aghababayev, who was awarded the “Shohrat” Order. At the exhibition organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, about 50 works of art created by the artist in different periods of his creativity will be displayed. The exposition of the exhibition will be organized by works of painting and graphics from the collections of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, the Azerbaijan State Art Gallery, and the Khazar Museum Center, as well as samples created in the fields of glass and ceramics of decorative and applied art. Portraits dedicated to figures of state, literature, art, and science such as “Shah Ismayil Khatai“, “General Aliagha Shikhlinski“, “Mahammed Fuzuli“, “Ilyas Afandiyev“, “Rasim Babayev“, “Izzat Orujova“, beautiful Absheron landscapes, rich paintings with folklore motifs with decorative and color solutions, ceramic triptych “Azerbaijani lyric“, plastic forms, and other glass and ceramic products in which the image creates harmony will allow you to fully trace the individual stages of the artist's long, multifaceted creative path that began in the 1950s. The exhibition of the outstanding artist Tofig Agababayev, who made great contributions to the art of Azerbaijan and created works in the genres of portrait, landscape, plot-thematic, and still life with high artistic-emotional impact, will continue until January 10, 2024. ..

05.12.2023 12:58

Azerbaijani films were screened in higher education institutions within the framework of "Creative Week"Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, film screenings were organized in the country's leading higher education institutions in order to better introduce the films produced with state support to the audience and to contribute to educating the young generation in the national and cultural spirit within the framework of the “Creative Week“. As part of the events, feature and documentary films such as “Don't Die Without Revenge“, “Olympia“, “We“, “Wolf Hunt“, “Return to the Caucasus“ were screened with the participation of teachers and students of ADA University, Azerbaijan State University of Economics, Azerbaijan University of Languages, and Azerbaijan Technical University. At the same time, the audience showed great interest in the films presented at the screenings, which were attended by the creative teams of the films, the employees of the Ministry of Culture, and the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. ..

05.12.2023 09:43

The Days of Kazakh Culture ended with an exhibition and a gala-concertAn exhibition and a gala-concert were held at the Heydar Aliyev Center on December 4 within the framework of the Days of Kazakh Culture held in Baku. Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva and other officials, culture, and art figures of the two countries took part in the event. First, an exhibition featuring Kazakh culture was opened in the center. Minister Aida Balayeva spoke about the cultural relations between our countries. She said that as friendly countries, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have always strived for the welfare of each other and peace in the region: “Today, the exhibition of Kazakh artists reflecting our history and culture is a journey into the past of our nation. Culture, sometimes even stronger than politics, plays an important role in people's lives. I thank everyone who participated in the exhibition.“ After the speech, the minister presented a carpet with a painting of the famous Azerbaijani poet Khurshidbanu Natavan to the Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Later, there was a gala-concert of culture days in the big hall of the Heydar Aliyev Center. Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, who was the first to take the stage, said that relations between the two countries are based on the brotherhood of our people, as well as the friendly relations of our heads of state. This friendship and comprehensive cooperation will continue and bring our people closer to each other. The minister said that the memory of the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, is cherished, and his name is immortalized in Kazakhstan. At the same time, the minister pointed out that there are streets named after the genius poet Mahammad Fuzuli and great Kazakh political and literary figures in Azerbaijan. Later, a concert program performed by Kazakh artists was presented. The program consisting of dance, vocals, and national music was greeted with applause by the audience. Thus, the Days of Kazakh Culture held in our country on December 2-4 came to an end. ..

04.12.2023 17:01

Winners of the Creative Marathon “Come and Create!” determinedA creative marathon titled “COME AND CREATE” was organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture at YARAT Modern Art Space on December 1-3. The final stage of the marathon took place on December 3, and the products prepared by 25 participating teams were presented in five categories (animation, cinema, graphic design, theater and videography). In the end, the winning teams were selected and presented awards in the following categories by the decision of the jury: Cinema - “Alpha” Theater - “Voiceless” Design - “The last of us” Videography - “The pulse of innovator” Animation - “Spell” The marathon “COME AND CREATE!” was realized within the framework of “Creative Week” thanks to the mentoring in the direction of cinema and theater by the Azerbaijan Film Academy, graphic design by Baku Design Academy, and animation by the Azerbaijan Animation Association. ..

04.12.2023 12:55

Minister of Culture met his Kazakhstani counterpartOn December 4, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, met with the Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, Aida Balayeva, who is visiting our country. The delegation led by Minister Aida Balayeva visited our country in connection with the Kazakhstan Culture Days held in Baku on December 2-4. At the meeting, Minister Adil Karimli talked about the cooperation relations between our countries and said that the friendship and brotherly relations between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, Ilham Aliyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the strategic partnership established by our heads of state, have a positive impact on the cultural field as well as in all fields. Adil Karimli emphasized the importance of implementing joint projects to further strengthen cooperation in various fields of culture and art. Minister Aida Balayeva also expressed her satisfaction with the high level of relations between the two countries and noted that friendly relations between our countries have created a fertile ground for deepening cooperation in the field of culture. In this sense, the reliable and lasting friendship of our peoples, especially our heads of state, who historically live by the principles of friendship and brotherhood, plays an important role in the successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. We see the impact of intensive bilateral and multilateral cooperation on dynamic development in the cultural field. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. ..

04.12.2023 10:23

The Humor Festival of the Turkic World was heldOn December 2, the Humor Festival of the Turkic World was held at the Nizami Cinema Center as part of the “Creative Week“ with the support of the Ministry of Culture. The main goal of the festival is mutual cultural integration, exchange of experience, creative and professional interaction, strengthening of the development path, and the preparation of joint international creative projects in the field of show business. Kayrat Mukanov, Adviser to the Secretary General of TURKSOY, delivered the opening speech and conveyed the greetings of the Secretary General Sultan Raev to the guests. He noted that the Humor Festival of the Turkic World is being held for the first time. It is gratifying to hold this festival in Azerbaijan. Well-known figures of the creative industry representing the field of humor from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tatarstan (RF) take part in the festival. This evening, masters of humor from the Turkic world will perform in the “stand-up“ genre, and at the end, based on the evaluation of the jury, one of the countries will be chosen as the winner. Later, the masters of humor Erkin Ergin, Javid Gurbanov, Rustam Ahmadov (all from Azerbaijan), Oguljan Bektash, Doruk Kaparlar (both from Turkiye), Ayrat Mavlyutov, Bulat Khanmurzin (both from Tatarstan), Medet Kalibekov, Aubakir Emilbay (both from Kazakhstan), Taras Kosimbarov, Indira Miftakhova (both from Uzbekistan), Azimkhan Rakhatov, and Anzor Borzayev (both from Kyrgyzstan) demonstrated their talents. According to the decision of the jury, Bulat Khanmurzin, a member of the Kazan stand-up club representing Tatarstan, was the winner of the festival. The winner was presented with the cup of the festival. At the end, the members of the jury made a speech and thanked the organizers of the festival. ..

03.12.2023 22:08

Days of Kazakhstan Culture were held in our country on December 2-4The Kazakh State Theater for Children and Youth named after G. Mursepov performed on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater within the framework of the days of culture on November 3. The visiting theater staged a performance “Garagoz” based on the literary work of the same name by the classic of Kazakh literature, writer and playwright Mukhtar Auezov (1897-1961). The play directed by set-up producer Farhad Moldaghali, tells the ill-fated love of two young people who became victims of old traditions: the beautiful Garagoz and the young poet Sirim. The stage performances by Madina Ozervayeva, Nurjan Asilkhan, Maksat Rakhmet, etc. received long ovations. It’s worth mentioning that Kazakhstan descriptive art exhibition will be open at the Heydar Aliyev Center on December 4, and a gala concert will be held by the masters of art of our friendly country. ..

03.12.2023 17:53

Days of Kazakh Culture are held in our countryDays of Kazakh Culture started in Azerbaijan on December 2. The days of culture to last until December 4 have an interesting program. A solo concert by the “Hassak” ethno-folklore ensemble from Kazakhstan was held at the International Mugham Center as part of the days of culture on December 2. On December 3, the Kazakh State Academic Theater of Children and Youth named after G. Musrepov will perform the play “Garagoz” on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater. The Kazakhstan descriptive art exhibition will open up at the Heydar Aliyev Center on December 4. A gala concert will be held by the masters of art of the friendly country on the same day at the Heydar Aliyev Center. ..

01.12.2023 18:53

Results of the interview stage of the competition for the recruitment of principals and deputy principals of children’s music, art, painting, mugham, and ashug schools and centers were announcedThe results of the interview stage of the competition for the recruitment of principals and deputy principals of children's music, art, painting, mugham, and ashug schools and centers held by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan on November 21-24, 2023 were announced. 42 out of the 45 candidates who registered to take part in the interview stage for the vacant positions announced by the Ministry of Culture participated in the exam, 13 of them obtained the required passing score and were deemed suitable for the positions they claimed. You can get acquainted with the results of the interview by clicking on this link. Candidates who are dissatisfied with the result of the interview stage of the competition can apply to the Appeals Council of the Ministry via the e-mail address apellyasiya@culture.gov.az until December 8, 2023 to have their complaints considered. Note: Candidates who have successfully passed the competition for the recruitment of principals and deputy principals of children's music, art, painting, mugham and ashug schools and centers will be given further information. ..

01.12.2023 14:15

Summary of the Culture and Creative Industries ForumOrganized by the Ministry of Culture, “Creative Week“ is held from November 27 to December 3. The purpose of the project, which was implemented in connection with the implementation of the “2022-2026 socio-economic development strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan“ approved by the relevant order of the head of state, is to support the formation of cultural and creative industries as a single field and the activities of market participants, including the promotion of sectoral clustering. The Culture and Creative Industries Forum was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center on November 28-30 as part of the rich program “Creative Week“. The forum was organized for the purpose of discussing the prospects of mutual cooperation and existing problems among the ecosystem players, and exploring the possibilities of comprehensive development of the creative industry. The opening ceremony of the forum was held on November 28. State officials, representatives of relevant institutions, cultural workers, and other guests took part in the event. First, the guests got acquainted with the Exhibition of Culture and Creative Industries (MY EXPO-2023), which was organized to promote creative products and activities of creative industry representatives during the forum. The exhibition brought together creative clusters such as cinema, animation, music, cultech (startups in the field of culture), gametech (game technologies), fashion, and design, as well as creative spaces and regions. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli said that creative industries are one of the important fields of culture: “As the Ministry of Culture, we have announced the “Creative Week“ from November 27 to December 3. Various events will be organized during the week. The Culture and Creative Industries Forum is also one of the main events of the week. Our expectation from the forum is to discuss various fields of creative industries, work on future challenges, and define our road map, just like other fields of culture. The minister stated that the state has a special approach to this field. Culture and creative industries are given a special place in the “2022-2026 socio-economic development strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan“ approved by the relevant order of President Ilham Aliyev. This is an indication ofthe importance of the field of culture and creative industry for the state: “We believe that the forum will be of great importance in this regard. The Culture and Creative Industries Exhibition is also organized during the Forum. The goal is to visually show the areas covered by culture, and creative industries. It was pointed out that there will be discussions in 7 panels and 3 round tables will be held at the forum. The “Creative Talks“ project will also be organized within the week. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of national leader Heydar Aliyev, a total of 100 events are planned to be held in 10 creative clusters in Guba, Baku, Sumgayit, Lankaran, Nakhchivan, Ganja, Mingachevir, Shaki, Shamakhi, and Shusha. At the end of his speech, the minister wished the Forum success in its work. First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev highly appreciated the importance of the forum dedicated to culture and creative industries, which is considered one of the new approaches for the country's economy, and expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to the organization of the project. Fazil Mustafa, the Deputy Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Milli Majlis, spoke about the importance of the forums held by the Ministry of Culture in various fields of culture during the year. Such forums, he said, set a road map for stakeholders in relevant fields. After the speeches, the forum continued its work with panel sessions. *** The Culture and Creative Industries Forum continued its work after the opening ceremony on November 28 with a panel session entitled “Development of Cultural and Creative Industries Ecosystems: an International Perspective“. At the panel discussion moderated by Jahangir Salimkhanov, Adviser to the Minister of Culture, the new president of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Aktotu Raimkulova, evaluated the appointment of the head of the organization as a result of the high attention paid to its activities and expressed gratitude to the state of Azerbaijan. Speaking about the activity of the Foundation, A. Raimkulova said that important work is being done to protect the material and moral heritage and history of the Turkic world. The President of the Foundation highly appreciated the forum in terms of the exchange of thoughts and ideas in the relevant field, as well as revealing young talents. Nargiz Hajiyeva, Director of the Local Office of the “British Council“ organization, emphasized that the organization's “Creative Spark: Higher Education Program“ project was successfully implemented. She said that “Creative Spark“ is a five-year initiative aimed at supporting inter-university and institutional cooperation at the international level in order to develop business skills, and creative economy in a total of seven countries with the support of the United Kingdom. Ornela Ramasauskaite, Executive Director of artXchange Global, a Lithuanian specialist in the art market, said that the creative and cultural industry is not only beauty, but also the economy. She shared her thoughts on ways to present Azerbaijan as the cultural capital of the Caucasus, changing society's view of the creative industries, and attracting investment. She said that the creative industry in Azerbaijan has multi-field activities, and for the development of this field, priorities should be determined first: management of the cultural field, cultural marketing education, strengthening of educational work, as well as state support for education in this field. Daniar Amanaliyev, Chairman of the Creative Industries Association of Kyrgyzstan, gave information about the Creative Industrial Park operating in his country. He said that the creative economy is one of the most dynamically developing sectors of the world economy in recent years. D. Amanaliyev said that the creative industry networks of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan have been established. More than three thousand companies have already joined the network. The exchange of mutual experience has produced positive results, and a corresponding road map has been prepared in this area. Stating that the IT sector is the fastest -growing cluster in Kyrgyzstan, the expert pointed out that income in this field increases almost twice every year. Tal Catran, an Israeli expert on international business and technologies, said that finance and skilled professionals are important factors for the development of the creative industry. At the end of the panel, ideas were exchanged on the development of the creative industry, business support in this area, and the organization of creative people and business entities. *** The next panel of the Culture and Creative Industries Forum was dedicated to the topic “Culture and Creative Industries: Export Potential, International Cooperation“. The head of the Creative Industries Council of Turkiye, Sertaç Eray Ersay, who spoke at the panel moderated by Araz Baghırli, the head of the Department for the Work with International Organizations of the Ministry of Culture shared his views on the impact of the creative field on the economy and the contributions that can be made to this field. He pointed out that the development of this field is directly related to human consciousness. He noted that the creative product is based on the human factor. Converting human skills into economic potential and using them is one of the most important issues at present. Adviser to the Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), Tural Hajili said that AZPROMO is currently working on a project to promote carpets in the field of the export of creative industries: “One of the most important points is education in the field of export organization. We need to create awareness programs in this regard. Because creative people should be helped in this direction.“ Fakhri Eminov, an expert on digital transformation, said that the creative industry in Azerbaijan has been developing since 2010. He pointed out that the creation of an innovative business model has become a natural process. He said that the formation of legal framework, financial and innovative clusters is the main issue. Conducting training in relevant directions, and searching for investors can help in this matter. Viktoriya Yurtayeva, the founder and head of the “Prima“ public foundation of Kyrgyzstan, spoke about the classical music festival - “TENGRİ Music fest“, which she created, and spoke about the impact of the project on the country's creative industry. She emphasized the importance of festivals, forums, exhibitions, fairs, and other events for the development of the creative industry. At the end of the panel, issues such as modern business challenges of the creative industry, increasing the knowledge and skills of creative people related to entrepreneurial activity, problems, and the development of the sector were discussed, suggestions were made, and questions were answered. *** In the last panel of the first day of the forum, the topic “Global art markets: current trends and opportunities for local art representatives“ was discussed. In the panel moderated by curator of art projects Emin Mammadov, artistic director of YARAT Modern Art Space, Farah Alakbarli, provided information about the projects implemented by the institution she represents in the field of painting. The co-founder of “Ta(r)dino6“ art platform, culture manager Asli Samadova (Azerbaijan, Italy) spoke about the Azerbaijani art school and the projects they implemented in order to promote art examples over the world. Artist Faig Ahmed and art critic Mehpara Abbasova talked about the level of education and the level of scientific knowledge in the field in question. It was stated that propaganda should be carried out to increase attention and interest in this field in the regions. Although various organizations allocate grants, artists and galleries in the regions are not aware of these processes. In the panel discussion, the issue of the participation of Azerbaijani artists in international exhibitions was also in focus. In this context, Moderator Emin Mammadov cited the example of the “Fly to Baku“ modern Azerbaijani art exhibition organized jointly by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and “Baku“ magazine. He said that the exhibition initiated by the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva, became an opportunity for a number of authors to be recognized in the international world. The exhibition created a unique opportunity to display the modern art of Azerbaijan in the capitals of 6 countries - London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Vienna, and Moscow. More than 100 works of 21 artists belonging to the elderly and middle generation were exhibited in the project. In the panel session, discussions were held and questions were answered about the access and promotion of local art representatives to the world market. The Culture and Creative Industries Forum will continue its work on November 29 with panel sessions and a round table. *** The second day of the Culture and Creative Industries Forum organized by the Ministry of Culture within the framework of the “Creative Week“, included three panel meetings on November 29. The panel on “Innovation in the Field of Culture: Advanced Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Game Technologies“ was moderated by Marino Pasquale, an Italian expert and representative of the CultTech accelerator project. Çağıl Özdemir, the founder of the German company “3dots“, speaking at the panel, noted the importance of “Culttech“ startups for technology, culture, and society in general. He said that thanks to startups, creators and consumers can potentially become empowered, provide mass access to culture, and develop new economic models. Because it is necessary to understand where the business world is going, meet people's expectations, and always be open to innovation. Egle Trovato, co-founder and chief marketing officer of the Italian organization “Mae“, also emphasized the importance of “Culttech“ startups. He said that it differs from ordinary start-ups in a number of features: “We create an environment where people can get together, and share their thoughts and ideas. The goal should not be just business, even if it is one of the important points. First, people should exchange ideas about the innovation they want to organize, come up with creative proposals, and then take action. We must face the challenges in this field together.“ Tara Wieckowska Merrigan, co-founder of Italian startup Proofcheck, said the creative industry has a lot of potential. She said that artificial intelligence is currently a hot topic and helps us in a number of projects: “However, I try to communicate with people more. Because we have to create a balance between humans and artificial intelligence, we have to be able to appreciate humans. It is possible to go further than our current situation, to increase our knowledge, and to take a step towards innovation with the power of humans and technology. There are some places where artificial intelligence is making people's lives easier, but other places have yet to take steps with this technology. We must learn and apply the possibilities of technology to make our lives easier and live in better conditions. Sabina Atayeva, the founder of the “Luxout“ company, noted that a few years ago, the population was reluctant to buy local model brands: “The situation has already changed. Now, we see that local brands are very popular among the population. This is something to be very proud of. At the end of the panel, Director of the Events and Exhibitions Organization Department of the Heydar Aliyev Center Amina Malikova gave information about the exhibition “Uzun Hasan - the ruler of Akkoyunlus State“ organized in the Center and invited the participants to visit the exhibition. Later, the guests got acquainted with the exhibition. *** On November 29, the next panel of the forum was dedicated to the topic “Formation of a Competitive Audiovisual Field in the Digital Age“. Animation expert Ogtay Yusibov, speaking at the panel moderated by the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Producers Guild, Fikrin Bektashi, shared his views on the development prospects of this field. He noted that children's emotions should be taken into account when making animated films. Yelena Eyvazli, head of “Baku Blogging School“, said that according to this year's report of “Global Digital“, 5.44 billion people use mobile phones in the world. This is 68% of the world's population. The number of Internet users is estimated at 5.16 billion. That is, 64.4% of the world's population has access to the Internet. The number of social network users is 4.76 billion. This is close to 60% of the world's population. Emrah Kılıç, Director of “Poetika“ Film Production Company, founder of the “Diaspora“ international short film festival, gave information about the mechanism of financial support for the audiovisual sector in Turkiye. He said that currently the technical level of Turkish films has reached world standards, and educated and talented representatives of film schools have begun to dominate this field. Fehruz Shamiyev, Director of the Baku International Short Film Festival (BBQFF), Chairman of the Center for Young Cinematographers, gave information about the festival he is in charge of. He said that the most interesting ones are selected from among more than 1500 films sent from different countries of the world every year and included in the program of the festival. BBQFF is now a meeting place for dozens of foreign and local directors, producers, and screenwriters. The goal is to create special programs for the development of local and joint projects in the future. Producer Zaur Mirzazadeh spoke about the support of the Ministry of Culture, the training program “Rise of Producers“ organized by the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA) and the Azerbaijan Producers Guild, and the film project competition announced by ARKA. Funda Demir Şen, the president of “Wediacorp Holding“, emphasized in her speech on “Digital journey of audiovisual content“ that it is possible to earn income from visual and audiovisual content on digital platforms through sales and licensing, advertising, subscriptions and memberships, donations and support. After the speeches, questions related to the topic were answered, and ideas were exchanged about suggestions. *** On the last panel of the second day of the forum, the topic “Development of the Design Industry“ was discussed. The head of “Safaroff Agency“ Chingiz Safarov spoke about the development stages of the design industry at the panel moderated by the art director of “Coders“ company Rasul Hasan. He said that nowadays digital design has developed more in the private sector: “Educational programs in the Azerbaijani language are being implemented in the field, relevant centers are operating. The main issue in this field is education. We hope that special attention will be paid to the development of design education in our universities.“ Chairman of the Azerbaijan Design Association Rahim Ismayil provided information about the history of the establishment of the organization he leads and the directions of its activity. Parviz Hamzayev, director of the Baku State Vocational Education Center said that the center, known as vocational school No. 5, carries out personnel training for creative industries. Emphasizing that personnel training is designed for the labor market, the speaker drew attention to the fact that personnel training in 28 specialties in the field of culture is carried out in the center. It was noted that camerawork, film editing, sound engineering, batik, fashion and cloth designing, make-up, carpet weaving, jewelry, etc. specialties are taught. The center also has two recording studios and inclusive classes. After the speeches, ideas were exchanged on the development prospects of the design field, and questions were answered. *** The last panel session of the forum took place on November 30. The panel moderated by Nazli Ahmadova, a member of the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was dedicated to the topic “Culture and Creative Industries as a National Priority“. Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova emphasized the importance of the “Creative Week“ and the Culture and Creative Industries Forum held within the framework of this project. She noted that Azerbaijan's location on the historical “Silk Road“, its constant openness to innovation, and its integration of various cultures have determined the high creative potential of our people. It was reported that issues such as the development of the cultural and creative industries and increasing their share in the GDP were also reflected in the “Socio-economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026“, approved by the order of President Ilham Aliyev dated July 22, 2022. A working group on creative industries has been formed in the ministry to achieve the goals envisaged in the strategy. Representatives were appointed by other government agencies to support the group's activities. During the year, 5 local educational programs were launched, and for this purpose, the edu.creative.az information resource was created. Currently, a creative education scholarship program and an electronic directory of local industry players are being developed. The events are mainly focused on the development of new creative products. The main goal is to create conditions for the realization of the industrial chain in the country, and to achieve a regional and international level of creative industrial products. In this direction, the support of other relevant state institutions is also needed in the preparation of the correct methodological framework and the formation of statistical indicators. Samir Humbatov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), provided information about the activities of the agency in the field of the creative industry. He noted that KOBIA performs multifaceted activities in the direction of the development of the creative industry. The development of the creative industry in our country, business support, and organization of creative persons and business entities are important in this field. The head of the Office of the Intellectual Property Agency, Khudayat Hasanli, shared his views on the role of intellectual property in the creative industry, the management of this field, and pointed out that successful reforms have been carried out in this direction in our country in recent years. It was noted that the necessary assistance is provided for creative people to start entrepreneurial activities, to increase the export potential of the sector, and to export creative products. In this process, cooperation between the public and private sectors is necessary for sustainable development. Rashad Huseynov, deputy executive director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication , spoke about the modern business challenges of the creative industry, increasing the knowledge and skills of creative people related to entrepreneurial activity. In the panel session, the questions of interest to the participants were answered, and opinions were exchanged on the proposed suggestions. Thus, the three-day Culture and Creative Industries Forum ended its work. The activities of the “Creative Week“ (November 27 - December 3) organized by the Ministry of Culture continue. ..

30.11.2023 22:43

Cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan was discussedOn November 30, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli met with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Kazakhstan to our country Alim Bayel. At the meeting, the minister spoke about the historical friendly relations of the Azerbaijani and Kazakh peoples and emphasized the development of cultural relations between our countries in a number of fields. The importance of implementing joint projects for further strengthening cooperation in various fields of culture and art was noted. Ambassador Alim Bayel expressed his satisfaction with the high level of relations between the two countries. The diplomat emphasized that there are wide opportunities that will contribute to the deepening of cooperation in the field of culture. At the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the Days of Kazakh Culture, which will be held in our country on December 2-5, and other issues of mutual interest. ..

30.11.2023 18:01

"Perspectives of Cooperation in the Field of Humor of the Turkiс World" - round table within the framework of "Creative Week"The “Humor Festival of the Turkiс World“ will take place on December 2 within the framework of the “Creative Week“ organized by the Ministry of Culture. On November 30, a round table on “Perspectives of Cooperation in the Field of Humor in the Turkiс world“ was organized at the Heydar Aliyev Center with the participation of representatives of the humor festival. The moderator of the event, which was attended by guests from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tatarstan (RF), Rashad Azizov, head of the Department of Creative Industries of the Ministry of Culture, thanked TURKSOY for its support in organizing the round table. He said that the humor and comedy industry is in the spotlight in the audiovisual field all over the world, as well as in Turkiс geography. He noted that it is important for people working in this field in the Turkiс world to share their experiences and reach a wider audience. It was emphasized that two projects in this field are planned for the next year. The realization of these projects will directly depend on the outcome of today's round table. One of them can be student comedy games, and the second one can be a TV series covering the peoples of the Turkic world. Kayrat Mukanov, Adviser to the Secretary General of TURKSOY, conveyed the greetings of the Secretary General Sultan Raev to the participants of the festival and highly appreciated the initiative of the gathering of young humorists from the Turkic world. He pointed out that the organization supports projects in this direction and that they are always open to new challenges in this area. Honored artist Alakbar Aliyev, member of the “Club of the Funny and Inventiv“ and member of “Boys from Baku“ CFI, and screenwriter Javid Gurbanov shared their thoughts and suggestions regarding the organization of future joint projects. Humor, film, games, etc. of the Turkiс world were discussed at the round table. A detailed discussion was held on the ways of creating common content in these fields. ..

30.11.2023 16:17

An event dedicated to the music industry of Azerbaijan was held as part of the “Creative Week”The “Creative Week“ organized by the Ministry of Culture continues with an interesting program. On November 30, an event titled “Music Industry Platform“ was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center as part of the week. The main purpose of organizing the platform is to discuss the trends in this field in recent years, identify potential steps for the development of the music industry, and study the possibilities of application in our country by studying the international experience in this direction. A panel session on “Shaping the Music Industry Ecosystem in the Digital Era“ was held within the framework of the platform. Speaking at the panel moderated by composer, and producer Isa Malikov, rapper Elshad Jose touched upon the problems of the Azerbaijani music industry and shared his views on the development of this field. Rapper, and producer Parviz Isagov (Promete) made a speech on the promotion of Azerbaijani music. He noted that the digital music platform is already being used in our country. It is necessary to give people a choice to listen to music on a digital platform. The well-known singer, and Honored artist Sevda Alakbarzadeh said that she wants to see and listen to professional musicians on television and radio. Jazzman, composer, and pianist Etibar Asadli talked about the differences between the music industry of Azerbaijan and the music industry of foreign countries. DJ Orkhan Aghayev (DJ Pancho) talked about the problems in the field of electronic music in our country. He emphasized that if we want to develop the art of electronic music, we should pay more attention to education in this area. At the end, the questions of the event participants were answered. ..

30.11.2023 14:27

The Cultural and Creative Industries Forum concludedThe last panel session of the Cultural and Creative Industries Forum organized by the Ministry of Culture was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center on November 30. The panel moderated by Nazli Ahmadova, a member of the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was dedicated to the topic “Culture and creative industries as a national priority“. Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova, who spoke at the panel, emphasized the importance of the “Creative Week“ and the Culture and Creative Industries Forum held within the framework of this project. She said that Azerbaijan's location on the historical “Silk Road“, being always open to innovations, and combining different geography and cultures has determined the high creative potential of our people. It was noted that issues such as the development of the cultural and creative industries, and increasing its share in the GDP are also reflected in the “Socio-economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026“, approved by the Order of President Ilham Aliyev dated July 22, 2022. A working group on creative industries has been formed in the Ministry to achieve the goals envisaged in the strategy. Representatives from other government agencies have been identified to support the group. During the year, 5 local educational programs were launched, and for this purpose, the edu.creative.az information resource was created. Currently, a scholarship program for creative education and an electronic directory of local industrial actors are being prepared. The events are mainly focused on the development of new creative products. The main goal is to create conditions for the realization of the industrial chain in the country, and to achieve the regional and international level of creative industrial products. In this direction, there is a need for the support of other relevant state institutions in the preparation of the correct methodological framework and the formation of statistical indicators. Samir Khumbatov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), spoke about the activity of the agency in the field of the creative industry. He noted that KOBIA performs multifaceted activities towards the development of the creative industry. The development of the creative industry in our country, business support, and the organization of creative people and business entities are important in this field. The head of the Office of the Intellectual Property Agency, Khudayat Hasanli, shared his views on the role of intellectual property in the creative industry and the management of this field. He pointed out that successful reforms have been carried out in this direction in recent years in our country. It was noted that necessary assistance is provided for creative people to start entrepreneurial activities, to increase the export potential of the sector, and to export creative products abroad. In this process, cooperation between the public and private sectors is important for sustainable development. Rashad Huseynov, deputy executive director of the Center for Analysis and Communication of Economic Reforms, spoke about the modern business challenges of the creative industry, increasing the knowledge and skills of creative people related to entrepreneurship. During the panel session, the questions of interest to the participants were answered, and opinions were exchanged on the proposed proposals. Thus, the Culture and Creativity Forum came to an end. ..