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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UNESCO celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Silk Roads Programme

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06.04.2023

06.04.2023 05:56

The headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris is hosting a series of events in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Silk Roads Programme.

‘The International Forum on Silk Roads Diversity, Dialogue and Peace' began on April 6, 2023, as part of events organized jointly by the World Heritage Center, Azerbaijan, China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Oman. Saadat Yusifova, the Deputy Minister of Culture, spoke on behalf of Azerbaijan during the ministerial panel of the forum and emphasized that the country has a rich cultural heritage due to its location on the Silk Roads.

A meeting was held on April 6 between Azerbaijan and UNESCO

As part of the anniversary events, a special exhibition titled "Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads" was opened in the UNESCO building. It was noted that Azerbaijan presented the exhibition, under the slogan "Find Your Silk Road in Azerbaijan" to showcase the rich cultural heritage that unites us.

NEWS

02.10.2023 13:33

Azerbaijan will host the III Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic WorldThe 3rd Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic Worldwill be held in Baku and Shusha cities of Azerbaijan on October 8-11. The festival will be co-organized by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, the Heydar Aliyev Center, TURKSOY, Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Baku Media Center. The festival aims to foster the unity of the Turkic world and cultural cooperation among Turkic nations and, by creating a joint audiovisual space together with the Turkic states, contribute to the integration of the Turkic nations into it. The first of the festivals organized since 2021 was held in Istanbul city of Turkiye and in Bursa city of the brotherly country, last year. This festival is expected to be attended by Turkish Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Batuhan Mumju, Director of the Cinematography Agency under the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Uzbekistan Matyakub Matchanov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the “Center for State Support to National Cinema” CJSC of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kurmanbek Jumagali, President of “Gazakhfilm“ Azamat Satıbaldı, other competent officials of other Turkic states, TURKSOY management, as well as the renowned Turkic film producer Semih Kaplanoghlu – in total more than 100 foreign guests comprising cinematographers from Turkic nations. Around 40 feature, documentary, and animation films presented by Gagauz Yeri (Moldova), Tatarstan, Altay, and Bashkiria (Russian Federation), including minority Turkic nations, will be screened at Nizami Cinema Center alongside films from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan from October 8 to 11. The plan is in place to organize an introductory trip of the renowned cinematographers from the Turkic states to Shusha city declared by TURKSOY as “the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World” in 2023, and hold their summit in Baku city. The solemn opening ceremony of the 3rd Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World will be held on October 8 and the closing ceremony on October 11 at the Heydar Aliyev Center. ..

29.09.2023 14:53

Minister of Culture visits institutions in MingachevirAs we reported, on September 28, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli received citizens at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Mingachevir. After the reception, the Minister got acquainted with the activities of a number of cultural institutions in the city. First, he visited the Mingachevir State Drama Theater and was informed about the history, material and technical facilities, current situation, and the repertoire of the cultural center. Later, the Minister visited eleven-year Music School No. 1 named after U. Hajibayli, Mingachevir City Central Library of the Centralized Library System (CLS), the History Museum, the Cultural Center, and Branch No. 9 of the CLS. During the review, appropriate instructions and recommendations were given regarding the elimination of existing problems in the institutions and the efficient organization of activities. Lastly, the Minister visited the House-Museum of Ali and Islam Ahmadovs, the martyred brothers of the 44-day Patriotic War, which resulted in the historic victory. Sevinj Ahmadova, the mother of the martyred brothers, gave information about the way of fighting of her sons, as well as the exhibits stored in the museum. ..

29.09.2023 14:48

To the attention of experienced and beginning producersWith the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Cinema Agency of the Azerbaijan Republic (ARKA), together with the Guild of Producers of Azerbaijan, started application announcement for the trainings of the “Producers Elevator” program. The training will be conducted with the participation of the film producer Martina Hagemann, of an expert and teacher from one of the leading film schools in Europe – and with the participation of an expert and teacher of the film school - film producer Titus Kreinenberg. The training will begin on 9th of October and will last 8 weeks. As part of the program, participants will have the opportunity to acquire fundamental knowledge in areas such as creating and managing a competitive film business, attracting local and foreign financial resources for film production, organizing local and international film sales, and others. In addition, during the training, participants will have the opportunity to develop film projects that meet modern international standards. All participants will be awarded certificates, and the authors of the best film projects will be awarded certificates of honor and will receive a guaranteed right to participate in film competitions organized by ARKA and in other projects. In accordance with subsection 1.1.14 of the Action Plan “Strategy for the socio-economic development of the Azerbaijan Republic for 2022-2026”, approved by Order of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic dated July 22, 2022 No. 3378. Registration will last until 8th of October. Willing to participate in the training can send their resume and filmography (if any) to the email address: kino@creative.az. ..

28.09.2023 15:48

The Minister of Culture received the citizens in MingachevirSubject to the schedule of reception of citizens in cities and regions by the heads of central executive power bodies and other administrative bodies, the Minister of Culture Adil Karimli received citizens in Mingachevir on September 28. Before the reception, the Minister and the Head of the Mingachevir City Executive Power, Ilham Ismayilov, honored the memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani Nation by placing flowers in front of the monument erected in front of the Mingachevir Heydar Aliyev Center. Then they viewed the Center. Mainly citizens from Mingachevir City, Aghdash, Goychay, Kurdemir, Ujar, Yevlakh, and Zardab regions took part in the reception held at the Mingachevir Heydar Aliyev Center. At the meeting held with the participation of the officials of the Ministry of Culture, citizens' appeals on various topics were heard. The appeals were mainly related to employment, proposals for the cultural sector, solutions to emerging problems, and other matters. Listening to the citizens individually, the Minister gave relevant instructions to review all appeals and resolve the raised issues subject to the legislation. To treat the issues raised by the families of martyrs and veterans with special sensitivity and consider them in a timely and objective manner, every appeal was registered and taken under control. ..

27.09.2023 17:55

Cultural cooperation was discussed between Azerbaijan and QatarAs we reported, the delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan took part in the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in Islamic World, held on September 25-26 in Doha, Qatar. Within the framework of the visit, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Culture of the State of Qatar with the Minister of Culture of this country Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. Greeting the delegation, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke about cultural relations between the two countries and noted the importance of further development of relations. It was noted that there are wide opportunities for the development of relations in the fields of culture and information. The Qatari Minister said that he had been to Azerbaijan, and loved the culture, people, and cuisine of our country. He stressed the importance of holding days of mutual culture of the two countries, as well as the exchange of experience in the field of museums. Minister Adil Karimli expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, and special attention and hospitality rendered to the Azerbaijani delegation participating in the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World. It was noted that the friendly relations of our heads of state have laid the foundation for the development of cultural relations, as in other areas. At the meeting, the Minister of Culture of Qatar was also invited to the International Book Fair to be held in Baku in November this year and the VI World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue to be organized in our capital in 2024. It was brought to attention that the days of Azerbaijani culture were planned to be held in Qatar this year, and work is underway to clarify the calendar and program of the event. During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. ..

27.09.2023 16:42

The staff of the Ministry of Culture commemorated our martyrsThree years have passed since the 44-day Patriotic War, which ended with a glorious victory and has been written in golden letters in our modern history. On September 27, 2020, under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the brave Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive to fight for the freedom of our ancient lands in response to the large-scale provocation of the invading Armenian armed forces. With the unprecedented sacrifices and bravery of the sons of the Motherland, the thirty-year occupation was ended in just 44 days, Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, including our cultural capital Shusha, were liberated from the enemy. With the brilliant Victory of our Army, our nation has embraced the everlasting spirit of triumph. Thousands of our heroes have risen to the pinnacle of martyrdom. Based on the order of President Ilham Aliyev dated December 2, 2020, September 27 was declared the Day of Remembrance in Azerbaijan as a sign of respect for our soldiers and officers, as well as all our martyrs who fought heroically in this war and sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of our country. On September 27, employees of the Ministry of Culture laid flowers in front of the memorial stone at the entrance of the Victory Park, which is under construction in Baku, and paid homage to the immortal souls of the heroic sons and daughter of the Motherland. May God have mercy on all our martyrs! ..

26.09.2023 17:17

Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan made a speech at the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic WorldAs reported, on September 25-26, the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World was held in the capital of the State of Qatar, Doha. The event was attended by a delegation led by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli. On September 26, the Minister addressed the 12th conference under the theme “Towards the Renewal of Cultural Action in the Islamic World”. Expressing his gratitude to the Government of the State of Qatar and the leadership of ICESCO, Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Thani for hosting the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World at a high level and with hospitality, the Minister noted that President Ilham Aliyev attaches special importance to Azerbaijan's cooperation with this organization. At the same time, our country's cooperation with ICESCO is further strengthened and expanded with the close support of First Vice-President, ICESCO goodwill ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva. “The efforts of the Director General of the organization Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik in strengthening our relations are also commendable. ICESCO's Regional Office will be opened in Baku this year within the framework of international cooperation, and this is a very important step in terms of relations with ICESCO and the presentation of the ICESCO agenda in the region as a whole, ” he said. Then it was said that the continuous support given by ICESCO to the “Baku Process“ initiative on intercultural dialogue put forward by President Ilham Aliyev in 2008 was highly appreciated in our country. It was noted that the organization has been represented at a high level at the World Forums on Intercultural Dialogue held in our country since 2011. It was brought to the attention that ICESCO's participation in the next forum to be held in our country in 2024 will be important. Giving information about the historical and cultural richness and Islamic heritage of our country, Adil Karimli noted that Islamic culture in our country manifests itself not only in ancient religious buildings, and their architecture but also in our intangible heritage and traditions, folk art, literature, music, dance, carpet weaving, applied art, cinema, etc. Later, it was noted that during the 30-year occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia, the historical and cultural heritage here had been completely destroyed, the cultural and religious heritage had been erased from the face of the Earth or subjected to embezzlement. The destruction of more than 1000 historical monuments in the region, including more than 60 mosques, was brought to attention. Despite the end of the conflict, the remnants of Armenian military units posed a threat to security and peace in the territories of Azerbaijan. Thus, since November 2020, more than 300 Azerbaijanis, most of them civilians, including journalists, have died as a result of mines deployed by Armenian military units in internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan. Therefore, last week, Azerbaijan decided to start local anti-terrorist activities and achieved the surrender and disarmament of illegal forces within 24 hours, and the process of reintegration of Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan was started. In this context, the government of Azerbaijan provides the necessary humanitarian aid to local residents and implements all necessary measures to ensure a safe and peaceful reintegration process. In conclusion, the Minister invited the guests to watch a video about Shusha in connection with the announcement of Shusha as the Cultural Capital in the Islamic World for 2024. A video presentation of the city of Shusha was made from the honorable tribune. The presentation was welcomed by the participants. ..

26.09.2023 14:31

Minister of Culture Mr. Adil Karimli will be receiving citizens in Sumgayit cityFollowing the schedule of citizens’ reception schedule by central executive powers and other managerial bodies in cities and districts, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli will arrange reception ofmeet the citizens from Sumgayit city, Absheron, Khizi, and Gubadli districts at Sumgait city Heydar Aliyev Center (Address: Sumgait city, Zulfu Hajiyev street 53) on October 27, 2023 at 10:00. Citizens may register for reception by visitingvia email address absheron-khizi@culture.gov.az or calling (018) 64-4-46-04 (internal 210) of Absheron-Khizi Regional Culture Office until October 20 2023. ..

26.09.2023 12:11

DokuBaku VII International Documentary Film Festival will be heldFrom September 26 to October 1, 2023, DokuBaku VII International Documentary Film Festival will be held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The DokuBaku festival has been held every year since 2017 with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the last two years. The program of the festival consists of 43 shows. During this period, more than 60 films will be screened in five categories: Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, DokuDarwin, No Main Competition, Out of Competition and DokuKids - films for children. The winners in each category will be determined by an international jury of 20 experts, including renowned masters of the genre such as François Scullier, Nick Voight, Michael Graversen, Andrea Tsulkova, Emil Najafov and Fuad Shabanov. Festival awards will be given to the first place filmmakers in each category. This year, in addition to the existing “iHuman“, “iCyborg“, “NewEye“ awards, the new “CosmoHuman“ award will be presented. It should be noted that the number of festival partners is increasing every year. Yanis Palavos, representative of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, and Justin Jackle, program developer of the Lisbon Documentary Film Festival, are participating in the festival held in Baku this year. ..

25.09.2023 16:35

The city of Shusha, the pearl of Karabakh, was unanimously declared the “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World”As we reported, the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World is being held on September 25-26 in Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar. At the conference, the city of Shusha, one of the ancient cradles of literature and art of Azerbaijan, was nominated for the ICESCO “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World“ program for 2024. By the unanimous decision of the conference participants, Shusha, the pearl of Karabakh, was awarded the title of “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2024“. The historical glory of our fortress city, which was freed from the Armenian occupation by the glorious Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of the victorious Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev during the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020 is being restored. The reconstruction of the city of Shusha in a short period of time, the restoration of life in this ancient land of ours, the intensive work carried out in the direction of the restoration and use of historical, cultural and religious monuments, and the transformation of Shusha into a venue for international events under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev were highly appreciated by Muslim countries and ICESCO. In order to nominate Shusha for the title of “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World“, the corresponding mission of ICESCO visited the country, and the construction works carried out in the city were highly appreciated. Taking into consideration the attention paid by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation under the leadership of the First Vice-President, ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva to the restoration of Shusha's cultural heritage, cultural, historical and religious monuments, the Islamic countries unanimously decided to nominate Shusha as the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for the next year. It is worth mentioning that the Goodwill Ambassador of ICESCO, Mehriban Khanum, provided important support to the process of Shusha's candidacy. It should be noted that 2022 was declared the “Year of Shusha“ in Azerbaijan by the relevant order of President Ilham Aliyev. Shusha is the “cultural capital of the Turkic World“ this year. Today, the city of Shusha hosts international events and large cultural projects. Messages of peace, unity, and humanism are sent to the world from our ancient city. ..

25.09.2023 14:13

Shusha was declared the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024At the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World held in Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar, the Minister of Culture Adil Karimli presented Shusha's candidacy for the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024. The city of Shusha is one of the important centers of the historical, cultural, social, and political life of Azerbaijan, as well as one of the symbols of Islamic civilization. 2022 was declared the year of Shusha in Azerbaijan. In order to support the revival of the cultural life of Shusha, music festivals, poetry days, and numerous local and international cultural events have been held. The International Organization of Turkic Culture, or TÜRKSOY has announced Shusha as the cultural capital of the Turkic world for 2023. Later, a video about Shusha was shown at the event. With the unanimous opinion of the conference participants, Shusha was declared the Capital of the Islamic World for 2024! ..

25.09.2023 12:37

The 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World has startedOn September 25-26, the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World began in Doha, Qatar. A delegation led by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, visited Doha on September 25 to participate in the event. Adil Karimli participated in the opening ceremony of the 12th Conference dedicated to the theme “Toward renewing cultural action in the Islamic world”. This year's event will discuss issues such as cultural policy guidelines and sustainable development indicators, mechanisms for developing the “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World“ program, and the expansion of joint cultural activities in the areas of fighting the illegal circulation of cultural resources. The conference will also include consideration of the nomination document submitted by our country regarding the declaration of the city of Shusha, the cradle of culture and art of Azerbaijan, as the “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World“ for 2024, as well as a speech and presentation about Shusha. ..

21.09.2023 18:42

The results of the interview stage of the competition for the recruitment of teachers for children's music, art, painting, mugham, ashug schools and centers were announcedThe results of the interview stage of the competition for the recruitment of teachers to children's music, art, painting, mugham, ashug schools and centers held by the Ministry of Culture of theRepublic of Azerbaijan on September 5-12, 2023 were announced. Out of 488 candidates who registered for the vacant positions announced by the Ministry of Culture to participate in the interview stage, 456 participated in the exam, 246 of them obtained the required passing score, and a decision was made regarding the appointment of 147 people to the positions considered suitable. 99 people were included in the list of reserve personnel.Candidates who are dissatisfied with the result of the interview stage of the competition can apply to the Appeals Council of the Ministry via e-mail at apellyasiya@culture.gov.az until September 25, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. for consideration of their complaints. You can get acquainted with the results of the interview by clicking on the link: https://bit.ly/46ng9Ft Note: Candidates who have successfully passed the competition for the recruitment of teachers for children's music, art, painting, mugham, ashug schools and centers should approach the schools for which they have been found suitable and register in order to be appointed to the suitable positions until September 30, 2023. Failure to register by the deadline will be considered a denial of the candidate's right to be considered for the position in question. ..

20.09.2023 15:26

Alagoz Salahova died at the age of 70Alagoz Salahova, Tahir was born in 1953 in Moscow. She is the daughter of People's Artist Tahir Salahov. In addition to being engaged in painting, she played the roles of Seville in the film “Dante's Jubilee“ (1978), Tamilla in the film “A Different Life“ (1987), and Rena in the film “Closed Door“ (1981). Alagoz Salahova died on September 19, 2023. ..

20.09.2023 14:31

The International Scientific-Practical Conference on the topic of "National libraries are the protectors of the spiritual memory of the peoples" was heldOn September 20, the opening of the International Scientific-Practical Conference on the topic of “National libraries are the protectors of the spiritual memory of the peoples“ was held at the National Library of Azerbaijan. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli made an opening speech at the conference. At the plenary session, the Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Milli Majlis, professor Ganira Pashayeva, the head of the Administrative Affairs Department of the National Library of Turkey Filiz Berna Gültekin, the director general of the State Library of Russia Vadim Duda, the deputy minister of science and education Firidun Gurbanov, the member of the Milli Majlis, academician Nizami Jafarov, the head of the National Library of Uzbekistan director Umida Teshabayeva, director of the Central National Library of Rome Stefano Campainolo spoke. ..

20.09.2023 13:20

An art exhibition of a well-known artist was opened within the framework of the Uzeyir Hajibeyli FestivalThe 15th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival is being organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture on September 18 - 28. Concert programs, performances, conferences, and other events are organized within the framework of the rich program of the festival. On September 19, at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic named after M. Magomayev, the opening of the exhibition of the works of the honored artist, well-known architect and artist Elturan Avalov was one of the memorable events of the music festival. Deputy Minister of Culture Murad Huseynov made a speech, and congratulated the artist on the occasion of his new exhibition, and wished him creative success. He said that the artist has donated more than 150 works to the ministry these days. Elturan Avalov expressed his gratitude for the organization of the exhibition. He said that the illustrations of Uzeyir Hajibeyli's musical comedies and our folk songs are displayed at the exhibition. The exhibition, which includes about 50 works, was met with interest by the audience. ..

20.09.2023 12:51

TURKSOY XXIII "Meeting of Artists" has endedOn September 19, at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic named after M. Magomayev an event held dedicated to the conclusion of the “Artists' meeting“, which is one of the traditional projects of the International Organization of Turkish Culture - TURKSOY and which took place this year for the XXIII time. “Meeting of artists“ covered the dates of September 10-20. People's artists Arif Aziz and Sakit Mammadov represented our country in this project, in which 12 artists from 6 countries of the Turkic world participated. Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov spoke about the importance of the project, wished the participants new artistic successes and presented letters of thanks from TURKSOY. It should be noted that the XXII “Meeting of Artists“ of TURKSOY was hosted by the city of Safranbolu (Karabuk Province) in Turkey last year. ..

20.09.2023 10:20

The National Theater will perform in Sheki with the play "Garabaghname"The Ministry of Culture continues the tours organized in the new season within the framework of a series of events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the national leader Heydar Aliyev and the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the professional national theater of Azerbaijan. The purpose of the tour action is to activate the cultural life in the regions, improve the quality of leisure time of the population, especially the youth, create conditions for closer communication with local creative collectives and the exchange of useful experience. Within the framework of the project, the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater will perform the play “Garabaghname“ on September 26 at 18:00 at the Sheki State Drama Theater. The play tells about the historical events that took place in Shusha, the center of the Karabakh Khanate in the 18th century. ..

19.09.2023 14:09

The delegation of the Ministry of Culture met with the senior director of the ICCROM organizationWithin the framework of the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, the delegation of the Ministry of Culture met with the leadership of the International Center for the Study of Protection and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). Opening the meeting with an introductory speech, the director general of the organization, Joseph King, recalled his visits to Azerbaijan with pleasure, shared his impressions about the cultural heritage of our country, and talked about new opportunities for cooperation. In her turn, the head of the delegation of the Ministry of Culture, Deputy Minister Saadat Yusifova expressed her gratitude with sincere words, spoke about the importance of protecting the cultural heritage for Azerbaijan, and was interested in the institutional support mechanisms of the organization in the direction of training restoration and conservation experts. The meeting also discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda regarding the development of cooperation between our country and ICCROM, the exchange of experience in the field of protection and restoration of cultural heritage samples, and the joint organization of training and seminars for this purpose. ..

19.09.2023 13:08

The long-awaited ballet"Məhəbbət Əfsanəsi (Legend of Love)" was presented at the Heydar Aliyev PalaceThe long-awaited performance of the ballet “The Legend of Love“ by the outstanding composer, and People's Artist of Azerbaijan Arif Malikov took place at the Heydar Aliyev Palace. The opening ceremony of the XV Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, was also held on September 18 - National Music Day, with the performance of the world-conquering ballet. “Legend of Love“ is played in the Heydar Aliyev Palace for two days - on September 18 and 19. This great presentation is a nice gift for the audience with its wonderful music, stage structure and layout on the National Music Day. On this occasion, an exhibition was organized in the foyer of the Heydar Aliyev Palace. Posters of the “Legend of Love“ ballet released so far, as well as photos and information about Arif Malikov's work were displayed at the exhibition. It should be noted that guests from other countries also came to this music festival in Baku - the presentation of the “Legend of Love“ ballet. Among them are Stefano Trespidi, the artistic director of “Arena di Verona“, one of the largest and most famous concert venues in Italy, Paolo Fazioli, the founder of the factory that produces the world-famous FAZIOLI grand pianos, Nikolai Tsiskaridze, a famous Russian ballet dancer, who was one of the performers of the role of Farhad in “The Legend of Love“. Preparations for today's presentation of “Legend of Love“ in the Heydar Aliyev Palace have been made for a long time and a lot of rehearsals have been going on for a month. As in 1961, the play was staged based on the sketches of the famous painter Simon Virsaladze. So, for the historical presentation, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation prepared more than 200 costumes, as well as decorations and props based on Simon Virsaladze's original sketches. In an unforgettable presentation not only artists of the troupe of Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet theater and the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble but also soloists invited from foreign theaters have performed. On September 18, Princess Mahmanabanu will be performed by Ayan Eyvazova, the leading soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, laureate of the international competitions of ballet artists, President's prize winner, Farhad by Denis Rodkin, the leading actor of the famous Bolshoi Theater of Russia, the laureate of the international competitions of ballet artists, and Shirin by Maria Vinogradova, the leading soloist of the theater, and laureate of international competitions of ballet artists. Arif Malikov composed the ballet “Legend of Love“ to the libretto written by the well-known Turkish poet Nazim Hikmat based on the drama “Farhad and Shirin“. Nazim Hikmat wrote the work inspired by the famous Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi's poem “Khosrov and Shirin“. Arif Malikov gave a new life in the form of music to the work about tragic love and sacrifice. The composer started working on the work consisting of 3 acts and 7 scenes in 1958 and finished it in 2 years. The premiere of the ballet “The Legend of Love“ was held on March 23, 1961 at the Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theater (now St. Petersburg State Academic Mariinsky Theater), and a little later on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. The choreographer of this ballet, which is rightly called a masterpiece, is Yuri Grigorovich. The Baku premiere is presented by Grigorovich's assistant ballet master-director Oksana Tsvetnitskaya and chief ballet master of Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist of Russia Ruslan Proni. When the work was staged for the first time, the conductor was Maestro Niyazi. Currently, the mysterious music of the “Legend of Love“ is being performed by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, conducted by People's Artist of Azerbaijan Yalchin Adigozelov. “The Legend of Love“ ballet has been performed many times in more than 60 theaters of different countries under the direction of outstanding ballet masters. The stage play was well received in the USA, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, Japan, and other countries. It is no coincidence that Arif Malikov's masterpiece “The Legend of Love“ was presented in the “Year of Heydar Aliyev“. 2023 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great leader Heydar Aliyev, and the 90th anniversary of the outstanding composer Arif Malikov. National Leader Heydar Aliyev highly valued the outstanding composer Arif Malikov as an artist and a person. Arif Malikov reflected his love and respect for National Leader Heydar Aliyev in his works, and the composer's 8th symphony “Eternity“ was dedicated to the Great Leader. Cultural Landscape of Khinalig and “Köç Yolu” Transhumance Route ..

18.09.2023 17:30

Cultural Landscape of Khinalig and “Köç Yolu” Transhumance Route was included in the UNESCO World Heritage ListThe nomination territory of Azerbaijan called “Cultural Landscape of Khinalig and “Köç Yolu” (“Transhumance Route“) has been included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. The decision was made on September 18, 2023 at the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. According to the nomination prepared by the State Tourism Agency, the World Heritage Area covers the surrounding grasslands used by the local population (Guba and Gusar) including the Khinalig village and the wintering areas of the Central Aran region (Absheron and Hajigabul), as well as the length of more than 200 km of historical migration route (Guba-Shamakhi-Qobustan) between them. The basis of the document submitted to UNESCO is the nomadic culture of Khinalig. Taking into account the universal values it reflects, this rich heritage distinguished by its uniqueness was presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2021 with the nomination document entitled “ Cultural Landscape of Khinalig and Transhumance Route Thus, “Khinalig and Transhumance route“ became the fourth cultural heritage site in Azerbaijan to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Before that, along with the Shirvanshahs Palace and the Maiden's Castle, the Old City, the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, the historical center of Sheki along with the Khan's Palace were also included in the World Heritage List. It should be noted that a day ago, at the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Hirkan forests were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the first natural heritage area of Azerbaijan. ..

18.09.2023 15:12

President Ilham Aliyev congratulates musical community of AzerbaijanI congratulate the Azerbaijani music community, all fans of music on the occasion of September 18, National Music Day. This cultural holiday has been celebrated solemnly every year since 1995 in our country at the initiative of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev on the birthday of our brilliant composer Uzeyir Hajibayli. This year's National Music Day is also marked by the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the birth of Arif Malikov, one of the brightest figures of Azerbaijani culture, an outstanding composer, People's Artist of the USSR and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Arif Malikov worthily continued the bright creative traditions of the generation of artists that Azerbaijani culture left behind and wrote new pages in the annals of our national music. The works created by this composer in the most diverse genres of music are included in the golden fund of Azerbaijani culture. The richness and variety of themes, the unique style formed in the unity of national musical traditions and new thinking, the rich content and deep emotional, psychological and philosophical expression of images are characteristic features of Arif Malikov's legacy. Arif Malikov was a great person who devoted himself to Azerbaijan throughout his life and loved it from the bottom of his heart. His truly intellectual and civic position, his devotion and commitment to his nation and his loyalty to his state earned him the love of all Azerbaijanis. The composer's masterpiece is the ballet “The Legend of Love” based on the libretto of the famous Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet. Considered one of the pearls of the 20th century world ballet music, this piece decorated popular theater stages for more than half a century and represents one of the great achievements of our musical culture. The “Legend of Love” ballet, first staged at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg in 1961, was later performed in more than 60 countries and brought the author world fame. It is gratifying that the “Legend of Love” ballet, considered the peak of the composer's career, is staged in the author's homeland again with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation after a long break. Arif Malikov's legacy represents the cultural wealth of the Azerbaijani people. Arif Malikov's music, which meets the requirements of high art and calls for spiritual perfection, will live forever. Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 18 September 2023 ..

18.09.2023 13:32

Concert takes place at Baku Music Academy as part of the Uzeyir Hajibeyli festivalAs part of National Music Day, another event took place at the Uzeyir Hajibeyli Baku Music Academy (BMA) on September 18. Officials of the Ministry of Culture and well-known figures from the fields of culture and art attended the event. People's artist Farhad Badalbeyli, rector of BMA, spoke about the significance of the brilliant composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli in our cultural history, emphasizing the need to preserve and develop the rich musical culture of Azerbaijan and the traditions of Uzeyir Bey. Later, a concert program was performed. The Separate Exemplary Band of the Ministry of Defense (artistic director and chief conductor, People's Artist, Major General Yusif Akhundzadeh), Azerbaijan State Capella Choir (artistic director, People's Artist Gulbaji Imanova), Honored Artist Khayyam Mustafazadeh, and soloists Aynur Isgandarli, Kanan Gadimov, and others performed at the concert. The program included “Overture“ and “Dance“ from the opera “Koroghlu“ by U. Hajibeyli, “O Motherland“, “Land of Fires“ by M. Magomayev, “Our Mother Azerbaijan“ by F. Badalbeyli, “Victory March“ by R. Akhundzade, and the rhythmic mugham “Heyrati“. ..

18.09.2023 12:44

Uzeyir Hajibeyli's grave visited on National Music DayOn September 18, we celebrate National Music Day in honor of Uzeyir Hajibeyli (1885–1948), the brilliant composer, musicologist, educator, publicist, and public figure whose name is written in golden letters in the annals of the music culture of Azerbaijan on the 138th anniversary of his birth. Today in our country is National Music Day in honor of the great composer. Since 2009, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture have organized a traditional international music festival in tribute to the great composer. This year, the famous music festival will be held for the 15th time. Traditionally, the events of this important day in our cultural history began with a visit to the grave of Uzeyir Bey in the First Alley of Honor. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, officials of the ministry, and well-known figures from the fields of culture and art attended the ceremony. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli congratulated those gathered on the occasion of National Music Day, highlighting that September 18 is one of the most significant days of our culture: “Today is the birthday of the great composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli. Furthermore, in our country, September 18 is celebrated as National Music Day (also known as “Uzeyir Music Day) in honor of this great musician. This significant day was established by the decree of President Heydar Aliyev dated September 18, 1995, on the occasion of the 110th birthday of Uzeyir Bey. In this connection, every year a number of events are held in our country to commemorate the incomparable services of the composer to our culture. This year, the 15th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival will be organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture from September 18 to 28. Within the framework of the festival, various events will be held, and artists and groups from different countries will perform. We wish you a great musical holiday“. Firangiz Alizadeh, a People's Artist and the head of the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan, shared her thoughts on the immortal legacy of the great composer. She stressed that as long as the Azerbaijani people exist, the timeless legacy of this brilliant composer will endure forever. After the speeches, the participants of the ceremony visited the graves of Azerbaijani musical luminaries, including Gara Garayev, Fikret Amirov, Bulbul, Rashid Behbudov, Niyazi, and Muslim Magomayev in the First Alley of Honor. The participants of the ceremony also visited the graves of Heydar Aliyev, the great supporter of our culture, and the renowned ophthalmologist and scientist, Academician Zarifa Aliyeva, and placed bouquets of flowers at their graves. ..

18.09.2023 11:48

The website of the 15th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival launchedAs already reported, the 15th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival is being held in our country from September 18 to 28. The festival is organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture. The website of the international festival (https://uhf.culture.az) is created and launched by the Ministry of Culture. The website provides music lovers with comprehensive information about the history of the festival, the program of the 15th festival, and the life and works of Uzeyir Hajibeyli. It is worth mentioning that in addition to Baku, the festival will extend its reach to Ganja and Shamkir, with the participation of musicians from the USA, France, Georgia, Croatia, Russia, Germany, Singapore, and other countries. The program also includes engaging concerts, master classes, and more. ..

15.09.2023 18:24

The XVI Forum of Creative and Scientific Intelligentsia of the member countries and the 38th meeting of the Council for Cultural Cooperation of CIS member states convenedThe XVI Forum of Creative and Scientific Intelligentsia of the member countries and the 38th meeting of the Council for Cultural Cooperation of the CIS member states took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 12–13. The delegation headed by Oleg Amirbeyov, advisor to the Minister of Culture, also took part in the event. People's Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan, opera singer of Azerbaijan and Russia Dinara Aliyeva, and Honored Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan, tar performer Shahriyar Imanov, were among the winners of the next award ceremony of “Stars of the Commonwealth“ and “Commonwealth of Debuts“, which took place within the framework of the event. The 38th meeting of the Council for Cultural Cooperation of the CIS member states began on the same day. Various issues were discussed at the meeting. The XVI Forum of Creative and Scientific Intelligentsia of the CIS member states, attended by about 200 representatives from the member countries, ended with the adoption of the final declaration, which provides for the agreement on the intensification of cooperative activities in the field of science and culture on September 13. The event concluded with a performance of K. Moldobasanov's ballet, “Mother Earth,“ at the Kyrgyz National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after A. Maldybaev. ..

15.09.2023 17:52

The 15th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival Brings Together Musicians from 10 CountriesIn a few days, the XV Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival will begin. Organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, the festival will be held from September 18 to 28. This year, the festival will be attended by performers and groups from several countries. The festival, taking place in four cities (Baku, Ganja, Shamkir, and Shusha) will offer interesting concerts, master classes, and more. It will feature musicians from the USA, France, Georgia, Croatia, Russia, Singapore, and other countries. On September 19, Igor Fedotov, a professor from the University of Michigan (USA), will hold a master class at the U. Hajibeyli Baku Music Academy. Then, on September 21, the Georgian pianist Elisso Bolkvadze will give a concert at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic named after M. Magomayev. Finally, the Quatuor Diotima string quartet from France will perform at the International Mugham Center on September 25. On September 26, the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra, under the leadership of Singaporean conductor Darrell Ang, will perform at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic. The closing ceremony of the music festival will take place on September 28 at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic. The Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, will play the final notes of the festival together with foreign guests. At the concert, the conductor Valentin Egel (Germany) will be conducting the performance, and the soloists will be Chloe Kiffer (violin, France), Henri Demarquette (cello, France), and Alexander Mutuzkin (piano, USA). ..

15.09.2023 12:13

Today is the 80th anniversary of the outstanding film director, People's Artist Khamis MuradovOn September 15, the distinguished film director, People's Artist, and recipient of the Pension of the President turns 80 years old. On this occasion, on behalf of the staff of the Ministry of Culture and the film community of our country, we sincerely congratulate the artist, who has dedicated more than four decades of his life to the development of national cinematography, and wish him good health and many more happy years full of creative inspiration. Khamis Bakir oghlu Muradov was born on September 15, 1943, in the village of Qakhmughal, Gakh district. After graduating from Baku Secondary School No. 72, he continued his studies at the Azerbaijan State Art Institute named after M. Aliyev (now referred to as ADMIU), specializing in directing from 1962 to 1966. In 1966, he joined the “Azerbaijanfilm“ film studio named after Jafar Jabbarli. He worked as an assistant director in the films “Land, Sea, Fire, and Sky“ (1967) by renowned director Shamil Mahmudbeyov and “For the sake of the law“ (1968) by Mukhtar Dadashov. He also worked as the second director on Sh. Mahmudbeyov's film “Shared Bread“ in 1969. Between 1969 and 1971, Khamis Muradov continued his studies, attending the “Higher Course of Directors and Screenwriters“ in Moscow in order to get to know the secrets of cinema more deeply. After returning to Baku, he made his directorial debut with the short historical-biographical documentary “Nasimi“ (1971). After this screenplay, he directed his creative energies towards documentary filmmaking, creating more than 50 remarkable films portraying distinguished literary and cultural figures and more under the banner of “Azerbaijanfilm. Director's “Ashug Alasgar“, “Dashkasan“, “Hamid Sultanov“, “Spring Sun“, “Nightingales of Karabakh“, “Celebration Suits Us“, “A Man Comes to the World“, “Uzeyir Hajibeyov“, “Lights of Baku“, “Natavan“ , “Colors of Absheron“ and other films with colorful styles and techniques played an important role in educating new generations, increasing civic responsibility, and in introducing our outstanding personalities. The director received state awards for “Echo“ and “Balaban“, while “9 Minutes“ won prestigious awards such as “Humay“ and “Golden Chirag“. Khamis Muradov has worked as a scriptwriter on about 20 documentaries and as a producer on nearly 10 feature films, including titles such as “Enchanter“, “Lie“, “We Will Return!“, “Good Morning, My Angel!“, “Side Effect“, “The Upside-Down World“ and others. From 1988 to 2001, the director held the position of head at the “Chronicle“ documentary film studio. In 2002–2011, he served as the director of the “Azerbaijanfilm“ film studio. In recognition of his significant contributions to Azerbaijani cinema, Khamis Muradov received the prestigious titles of “Honored Art Worker“ in 2000 and “People's Artist“ in 2005. Since 2012, he has been a personal pensioner of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. ..

15.09.2023 10:34

The Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan extended the document submission deadline for the film project competitionThe Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA), under the Ministry of Culture, announced a competition for film projects on July 18 this year. The aim is to support the development of the cinematographic field, promote cinematographic activities, enrich the experience of local filmmakers, facilitate the creation of films that promote national, moral, and universal values, and support the private sector involved in this field. The competition accepts projects in various categories, such as films, commercial films, author (art) films, debut films, and student films, to be produced through state orders by independent production centers and other legal entities engaged in cinematography. The deadline for project submissions was set for September 15, 2023. However, taking into account that the competition of this scale is being held for the first time in the country, that participants need time to prepare high-quality film projects, and the importance of involving more legal and physical entities in film activities in terms of the development of the national film industry, the deadline for the first stage of the competition (project submissions) has been extended to October 1, 2023. For more information on terms and conditions and project submission requirements, please visit ARKA's official website (arka.culture.gov.az). ..

15.09.2023 08:40

The delegation of the Ministry of Culture meets with the OIC Deputy Secretary General in JeddahThe visit of the delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Saadat Yusifova, to Saudi Arabia began on September 14. On the first day of the visit, the delegation met with Tariq Bakheet, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural, and Social Affairs of the organization, at the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah. Mr. Tariq Bakheet warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed his satisfaction with the strong relations between the OIC and Azerbaijan, as well as with the growing reputation of our country in the world. Expressing her gratitude for the warm reception, the Deputy Minister stressed that our country values its relations with the OIC. It was noted that during the period when the territories of Azerbaijan were under the occupation of Armenia, the OIC consistently supported the rightful position of our country. Later, information was provided on the large-scale reconstruction works in the territories liberated by the Azerbaijani state, with special attention paid to the restoration of our historical and cultural heritage. During the meeting, there was also an exchange of views on the traditional World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue held in our country as part of the “Baku Process“. Within the framework of the visit, the delegation of the Ministry of Culture will also participate in the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. ..

13.09.2023 15:46

A postage stamp dedicated to Shusha, the "Cultural Capital of the Turkic world", was issued in UzbekistanA commemorative postage stamp dedicated to Shusha, the ancient cradle of Azerbaijani literature and art, declared the “Cultural Capital of the Turkic world“ by TURKSOY for 2023, has been released. The stamp, made using the design of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Uzbekistan, was produced by the Central Post Office of Uzbekistan. The stamp depicts the Shusha fortress, the Azerbaijani flag, the enchanting Karabakh scenery including Shusha and its misty majestic mountains, the world-famous Shusha intellectuals and poets who brought glory and fame to the region and the city, our national musical instruments (gaval, tar, kamancha) reflecting our culture, and the kharibulbul flower symbolizing Karabakh, Shusha, and our historical victory. It is worth mentioning that the project was supported by relevant state institutions in Uzbekistan, and the Central Post Office of Uzbekistan intends to release the stamp for circulation in the country and abroad. The stamp “Ancient city of Shusha of Azerbaijan, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World“ will be sent to museums in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan and to state and government officials of both countries. Presentation ceremonies will be held in Tashkent and Baku. ..

13.09.2023 15:01

Arif Malikov's grave in the Alley of Honor visited on his birthdayThe 90th anniversary of the birth of the distinguished composer, educator, People's Artist of the USSR and Azerbaijan, recipient of State and Heydar Aliyev awards, and academician Arif Malikov (1933–2019) was commemorated on September 13. On this occasion, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, well-known figures of culture and art, officials of the ministry, family members of the artist, and other guests paid a visit to the grave of the artist in the First Alley of Honor and laid flowers on it. Speaking at the memorial ceremony, Adil Karimli emphasized that Arif Malikov, with his unique creativity, has forever etched his name in the history of musical culture. He noted that the national leader, Heydar Aliyev, always paid attention to the composer's creativity and highly appreciated it. President Ilham Aliyev has been and is continuously working to perpetuate the memory of Arif Malikov, keep his art alive, and pass it on to future generations. The order on perpetuating the memory of the outstanding composer, signed by President Ilham Aliyev in 2019, is evidence of this attention. The minister noted that the 90th anniversary of the famous composer's birth will be widely celebrated. On the initiative of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva and with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation under her leadership, the artist's anniversary will also be marked by the performance of his ballet “The Legend of Love“, considered one of the masterpieces of world classical music, in his homeland after half a century. This magnificent ballet, which has conquered numerous international stages, will be performed at the Heydar Aliyev Palace as part of the XV Uzeyir Hajibeyov International Music Festival on September 18–19. People's Artist and Chairman of the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan, Firangiz Alizadeh, emphasized that Arif Malikov was not only an exceptional composer but also an artist, educator, and public figure. She noted, “Arif Malikov, in his capacity as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, made significant contributions to supporting the just cause of the Azerbaijani people. His compositions cover various genres, and I am glad that his works are now part of the curriculum in educational institutions. Arif Malikov raised talented students and left behind a great legacy.“ People's Artist Farhad Badalbeyli, rector of the Baku Music Academy named after U. Hajibeyli, emphasized that Arif Malikov was not only an exceptional composer but also a great personality: “He had a strong-willed character, which sometimes led to conflicts with others. Nevertheless, he always spoke his mind directly. I hope that his students will continue his legacy in the ballet genre. It's worth mentioning that Arif Malikov was born on September 13, 1933, in Baku. He pursued his education at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory (now BMA) between 1953 and 1958, specializing in composing (Gara Garayev's class). Starting in the 1960s, he worked as a teacher, from 1979 to 1986 as a professor, and from 1986 to the end of his life as the head of the composers' department at this educational institution. The outstanding composer, known for his substantial contributions to the development of musicians in our country, died on May 9, 2019. ..

12.09.2023 16:45

The Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on awarding the "Shohrat" Order to T.M. AghababayevGuided by Item 23 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I hereby order: To award the “Shohrat“ Order to Tofig Mammadali oghlu Aghababayev for his services rendered to the development of Azerbaijani art. Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku city, September 12, 2023 ..

12.09.2023 14:52

The results of the literary competition honoring the historical victory in the Patriotic War were announcedThe winner of the literary competition, announced by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the creation of substantial works dedicated to the historical victory in the Second Karabakh War, is determined. For the purpose of assessing the entries submitted to the competition and choosing the winner, a commission comprised of experts in the relevant field was established as follows: Vidadi Gafarov, Head of Theater, Cinema, and Television Department of the Institute of Architecture and Art of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies Salim Babullaoghlu, secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, poet, and translator Gismat Rustamov, poet, translator, and essayist Javanshir Yusifli, literary theorist, critic, and translator To ensure impartiality and transparency throughout the competition, 23 works accepted in the novel, drama, and verse story genres and their authors were assigned special barcodes and presented to the members of the Commission. Each entry was reviewed by commission members who judged it on subject matter, artistic merit, and professional creativity and assessed it according to the submitted table. At the final meeting held at the Ministry of Culture, the members of the Commission shared their thoughts on each work that stood out in the competition. According to the final decision of the commission, the winning entry was not determined because the artistic quality of the 15 works presented in the genres of novels and verse stories did not meet the requirements of the competition. The winner was chosen from among the eight entries submitted in the drama genre: Sevinj Elsever, “Flower Letters“ In accordance with the rules, the winner will receive a cash prize of 5,000 (five thousand) manats along with a special diploma of the Ministry. ..

11.09.2023 13:53

VI "Animafilm" International Animation Festival has endedThe 6th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival, organized by the Azerbaijan Animation Association, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Film Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was held at the Nizami Cinema Center from September 6 to 10. A total of 64 diverse animated films for both children and adults were screened over the course of five days. This year's theme of the festival was “Women's Rights“. The revenue obtained from ticket sales will be donated to local young women directors. The organizers stated that they would announce the total amount to the public in the coming days. This year, within the framework of the professional program of the festival, the development workshop and financial program “Women's Rights Through Animated Films“ was implemented with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation featuring training sessions and one-on-one consultations with animation professionals — Swiss director Isabelle Favez, French producer Olivier Catherin for 5 women authors selected to the program. The selected animation projects were presented to the public at the “ANIMAFILM School: Pitching Competition“ and evaluated by program judges — Ana Chubinidze, Tehzeeh Khurana, and Nazrin Aghamaliyeva. The revenue obtained from ticket sales will be donated to support the winners of this program. The international jury at the 6th ANIMAFILM Festival included such professionals as Isabelle Favez (Switzerland), Ismayil Iman (Azerbaijan), Ana Chubinidze (Georgia), Oktai Iusibov (Azerbaijan, Finland), Olivier Catherin (France) and Tehzeeb Khurana (India). The festival’s special guests were directors and animators from Europe and Asia: Masud Panahi (Azerbaijan, Germany), Kireet Khurana (India), Matthew Lyon (Canada) and Michaёl Dudok de Wit (Netherlands, United Kingdom). The children's audience at the festival voted this year and selected the winner of the “Best Short Animated Film for Children“. Furthermore, the “Audience Award“ contest was decided by electronic voting after the screenings. One winner of the local competition of the festival — “Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film“ award (the prize was 500 US dollars) was announced by Orkhan Fikretoglu, the advisor to the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the other winner was announced by the Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan, Ann Bouillon. The ambassador stated that, the winner of this award will attend the Annecy International Animation Festival, the world's largest animation festival, with MIFA professional accreditation. A short film made by TOTD Public Relations Organization about this year's festival was shown at the event. In the end, the director of the festival, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Animation Association Rashid Aghamaliyev and the creative director of the festival Nazrin Aghamaliyeva announced the festival closed. Winners and awards of international competitions: “Best Animated Short Film - GRAND PRIX“ – 1,000 USD – “The End of War“, directed by Lei Chen, China. “Best Animated Short Film for Children” – 500 USD – “Everywhere”, directed by Step Cheung, Kai Chung Ng, Hong Kong. Local competition winners and prizes: “Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film“ – 500 USD – “Stolen Spring“, directed by Aleksandra Shirinova, Azerbaijan. “Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film“ – trip to Annecy festival – “The Half - If We Die“, director Ravan Muradov, Azerbaijan. “Best Azerbaijani Student Short Animated Film“ – 300 USD – “Empty Spaces“, directed by Ayan Novruzlu, Azerbaijan, Great Britain. Audience Award Winner: “Empty Spaces“, directed by Ayan Novruzlu, Azerbaijan, Great Britain. “Women's Rights Through Animated Films“ development workshop and funding program winners: 1st place: “Zuleykha Seyidmammadova“ (Züleyxa Seyidməmmədova), director Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijan. 2nd place: “Ring“ (Üzük), directed by Leyla Novruzova, Azerbaijan. The co-organizer of the festival is “PERI FILM” LLC. The general sponsors of the festival are the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation as the main sponsor. Other sponsors include the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the TOTD Public Relations Organization. This year the festival’s partners are the Azerbaijan Union of Film-makers, the Azerbaijan Creative Industries Federation, Shahmaran Metaceramica, Gender Hub Azerbaijan, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Embassy of France in Azerbaijan, the French Institute in Azerbaijan, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Tripsome, XPPen, Mr. Chemical, Bonaqua, and Dynamic Box. The festival’s media partners are Skwigly Animation Magazine, Madaniyyat TV, Trend News Agency, Day.az, Milli.az, Azernews, the Akinchi, VarYox, KYNO platforms and CityLife.az. ..

11.09.2023 10:20

People's Artist Tofig Aghababayev turns 95On September 9, the Minister of Culture met with the Jubilee. The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Union of Artists, People's Artist Farhad Khalilov, Deputy Minister of Culture, and employees of the Ministry. Minister Adil Karimli congratulated the outstanding representative of our school of painting on his 95th birthday. He emphasized the artist's contributions to the development of Azerbaijani culture and fine arts, as well as his effective activity in promoting our rich culture. The Minister also conveyed the best wishes and congratulations of the staff of the Ministry of Culture to the artist. In recognition of his contribution to the development and promotion of Azerbaijani culture, the Minister awarded the master painter the Honorary Diploma of the Ministry. Tofig Aghababayev expressed his gratitude for the attention paid to him. It's worth mentioning that Tofig Aghababayev created works in the fields of monumental decorative-applied art, graphics, and painting. He was the first chief artist of Baku city. The creation of the symbolic key of our capital is also connected with the name of the artist. ..

08.09.2023 14:45

Cooperation in the field of protection and restoration of cultural heritage was discussed in BeijingAs reported earlier, the delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan is on a visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC). During the visit, on September 8, the delegation met with the Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, the Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the President of the China Association for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage, the Secretary General of the China National Art Foundation, and the Chinese Co-Chairman of the UNESCO International Coordinating Committee for the Conservation and Enhancement of the Temple of Preah Vihear, Li Chun. Mr. Li Chun warmly welcomed the Azerbaijani delegation and thanked Minister of Culture Adil Karimli for accepting the invitation and for the visit to China. The Deputy Minister gave information about the historical and cultural monuments of China and talked about the efforts made to protect the ancient heritage of his country. Li Chun also touched upon international cultural cooperation. Minister Adil Karimli expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and exceptional hospitality extended to the delegation and shared his satisfaction to be in China, which is considered to be one of the cradles of the ancient civilizations in the world. He talked about the cultural riches of Azerbaijan and emphasized that our countries were also historically connected through the Great Silk Road. It was emphasized that joint efforts to protect and promote the cultural heritage of the countries located along this historical route can bring better results. It was noted that the protection, restoration, and promotion of historical and cultural monuments in Azerbaijan were always the focus of the state. President Ilham Aliyev, First Vice President, and Head of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva undertake a number of measures for the development of various cultural spheres and implement local and international projects. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation supports the protection of cultural heritage not only in our country but also beyond our borders. The Minister stressed the importance of expanding cooperation with China in various cultural spheres and underlined the value of exchanging experience in various fields. In this regard, the need for strengthening the contractual and legal framework between the two countries was emphasized. Adil Karimli pointed out that the historical territories of Azerbaijan were occupied by Armenia for three decades, during which time the entire infrastructure, including historical, cultural, and religious heritage, was subjected to vandalism, theft, and looting. It was reported that in the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020, the mighty Azerbaijan Army under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, inflicted a severe defeat on the enemy, putting an end to the 30-year occupation of our lands and restoring historical justice and territorial integrity. After the war, the true extent of the vandalism committed by Armenia was revealed, and it became known that hundreds of our cities, towns, and villages were wiped off the face of the earth. Shortly after the war, the state of Azerbaijan started extensive restoration and reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories. In our historical lands, continuous work is being carried out for the restoration of cultural heritage. A number of historical and religious monuments have already been fully restored. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest and discussed the possibilities of cooperation. ..

08.09.2023 11:31

The oldest printed book in the Chinese National Library is 1,600 years oldThe National Library is a multi-functional science center with a total area of 280,000 square meters and is housed in three buildings. The area of the main building is 80.5 thousand square meters, and it is possible to serve 8 thousand readers at the same time. In a single day, the National Library can accommodate 12 thousand readers. The annual number of readers is 5.2 million. The library houses a collection of approximately 45 million copies of books, including some of the oldest books in the world. The oldest printed book in its possession is 1,600 years old. The library also preserves written artifacts dating back 3,000 years, such as inscriptions on turtle shells and bones. The library stores 1300 terabytes of electronic resources and extensively uses innovative modern tools. ..

07.09.2023 18:06

The delegation of the Ministry of Culture visits the National Library of ChinaOn September 7, the delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan visiting the People's Republic of China (PRC) paid a visit to the National Library of China. There was an overview of the library's book collection, protection of publications, reader services, and the museum operating here. The director, Ms. Chen Yin, informed the delegation about the activities of the library. It's worth mentioning that there are cooperation relations between the National Library of Azerbaijan and the National Library of China. A memorandum of mutual cooperation between the two libraries was signed at the National Library of Azerbaijan. According to the document, a permanent corner of China was established in the National Library of Azerbaijan. It is planned to establish a permanent corner of Azerbaijan in the National Library of China. ..

07.09.2023 17:30

The 6th "Animafilm" festival takes place in BakuThe 6th “Animafilm“ International Animation Festival is taking place in Baku from September 6 to 10, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan Animation Association, and “Peri Film“ LLC. The opening ceremony of the festival was held at the Nizami Cinema Center on September 6. This year, the festival focused on “Women's rights“ is supported by partners such as the Azerbaijan Union of Film-makers, the Azerbaijan Creative Industries Federation, the embassies of the Czech Republic and France in our country, the French Institute in Azerbaijan, the “Annecy“ International Animation Film Festival, “Shahmaran Metaceramica,“ “Gender Hub Azerbaijan,“ and other institutions. Representatives of the Ministry of Culture, film personalities, and film lovers from our country and abroad attended the opening event. The festival began with the screening of its trailer. Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova emphasized that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, special importance is attached to the development of the audiovisual sector as well as to all areas of culture. She also pointed out that the establishment of the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2022 by the decree of the head of state signifies the new development prospects of the national cinematography in response to modern challenges: “One of the main tasks ahead of us is to develop the rich national cinematic traditions and open up to the world. Moreover, considering the modern propaganda and promotion potential of cinematography and the role of cultural diplomacy as an integral part of culture, we aim to establish a stable, modern film industry in our country. Currently, we are in the process of developing a new cultural concept. The concept will encompass the creation of an enabling environment for the development of the film industry.“ Stressing that animation is one of the independent branches within the film industry, the deputy minister pointed out that the goal is to industrialize this sector in our country, to make it commercially appealing, and to ensure its development through cooperation between the public and private sectors. Giving information about the festival, Saadat Yusifova pointed out that a total of 174 films from 46 countries were submitted to the festival. The selection committee accepted 39 films from 13 countries for the competition program: “As every year, during the days of this year's festival, the audience will have the opportunity to get acquainted with numerous contemporary animation films presented from near and far countries, to exchange ideas with experts of the field, and to participate in master classes. Concuding her speech, the deputy minister wished the festival success. Later, Alberto Hernandez, the representative of the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in Azerbaijan, Mrs. Pauline Eizema, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to our country, and the Oscar-winning Dutch filmmaker Michaël Dudok de Wit shared their views on the festival. After the speeches, director Nazrin Aghamaliyeva's “Hadith“ which narrates the story of the South Azerbaijani Hadis Najafi, who was killed by security forces during protests in Iran, “Air Mail“ by Swiss director Isabelle Favez; “Father and Daughter” by Dutch director Michaël Dudok de Wit, Georgian director Ana Chubinidze's films “Parikhanim Sofiyeva“ which portrays Parikhanim Sofiyeva, the first Muslim (Azerbaijani) female deputy democratically elected to the legislative body in the Muslim world; as well as the trailer of the animation film “Magic Carpet“ by “Alove“ animation studio, were screened. At the conclusion, a video was presented to offer an overview of the first day of the 6th Animafilm International Animation Festival. This year, the festival will present three main programs to the audience: competition, non-competition, and professional. Films will contend in two international and two national categories. The program includes 11 films competing in the “Best Short Animation Film“ category, 10 films in the “Best Short Animation Film for Children“ category, 8 films in the “Best Azerbaijani Short Film Animation“ category, and 10 films in the “Best Azerbaijani Student Short Film“ category. Two juries will evaluate the films, and the winners will be announced at the closing ceremony of the festival. The total prize fund of the festival amounts to 2300 USD. In addition, the winners will receive special ceramic figurines. As in previous years, the winner of the local category will receive the right to participate in the International Animation Film Festival “Annecy“, which will be held this year in France. A special prize will be awarded for the workshop and financial program “Women's Rights through Animation“ supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The fund of the prize will be generated from the ticket sales of the festival. It's worth mentioning that as part of the festival, Nizami Cinema Center will host around 20 events and the screening of more than 60 animated films. Funds raised through ticket sales at the festival will be donated to support our young female directors. ..

07.09.2023 12:54

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli meets with his Moldovan counterpart in ChinaThe visit of the delegation headed by the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli to the People's Republic of China continues. On September 6, as part of the visit from September 3 to 9, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli met with Sergiu Prodan, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Moldova. During the meeting, the current state of cultural relations between the two nations was addressed, and the broader potential for future cooperation in this area was emphasized. Sergiu Prodan suggested organizing Moldovan cultural events in Azerbaijan next year. This led to an exchange of views on the proposal. ..

07.09.2023 09:31

Azerbaijani music and dance presented at the gala-concert program of the 6th Silk Road International Cultural ExpoAs reported earlier, a large delegation led by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli is on a visit to the People's Republic of China from September 3 to September 9. The delegation also includes art masters from our country. During the visit, in the artistic part of the Forum on Inheriting Silk Road Culture and Building a New Form of Civilization held within the framework of the 6th Silk Road International Cultural Expo in Dunhuang, China, our artists performed an interesting concert program. At the concert, Azerbaijani songs were performed by honored artist Ilkin Ahmadov and khananda Gunay Imamverdiyeva. Azerbaijani folk dances were presented by the soloists of the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble, Inara Zeynalova and Aydamir Aydamirov. The concert program came to a close with a duet by Gunay Imamverdiyeva and Ilkin Ahmadov. Each of the performances received a warm reception and applause. ..