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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Shusha was declared the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024

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25.09.2023

25.09.2023 02:13

At 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!

NEWS

06.12.2024 14:36

Press Conference on the Measurement of Teachers' Knowledge and SkillsOn December 6, a press conference was held at the Museum Center on the assessment of teachers' knowledge and skills in music and art schools and centers. Aynur Karimova, Head of the Department of Media and Communication of the Ministry of Culture, said that the attestation is intended to measure the professional competence and skills of teachers in educational institutions under the Ministry, evaluate their suitability for their positions based on their specialty and mastery, and establish an optimal teaching staff. The assessment is scheduled to take place throughout the country in 2025-2026, beginning with certification in piano and music theory, followed by other disciplines. Advisor to the Minister of Culture Jahangir Salimkhanov provided details on the formation of the attestation commission, stating that seven commissions, each comprising five members, will be established for the piano specialty and three for the music theory specialty. In line with legislation, one member of each commission will represent the Trade Union Committee, while the remaining four will be independent experts from institutions such as the Baku Music Academy named after U. Hajibeyli, Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, Azerbaijan National Conservatory, and others. Advisor to the Minister of Culture Jasarat Valehov stated that 123 teachers were recruited this year to educational institutions under the Ministry of Culture. An additional 35 teachers were admitted to fill the remaining vacancies. The recruitment process was conducted for the first time through a single personal account on “my.culture.az,” and 65 percent of those recruited have higher education degrees. It was noted that in February 2025, an assessment of teachers specializing in piano and music theory will take place at schools under the Baku City Main Department of Culture, the Absheron-Khizi Regional Culture Department, and the Central Art School named after Gara Garayev. By the end of the year, the attestation process for these specialties is planned to be completed in the Mil-Mughan, Shirvan-Salyan, and Guba-Khachmaz Regional Culture Departments. The first stage of the attestation process is expected to involve 4,100 teachers. Jasarat Valehov explained that the attestation process will begin with the specialties of piano and music theory, as these teachers account for 57 percent of the total number of teachers, with 45 percent in piano and 12 percent in music theory. It was mentioned that an attestation program has been created for each specialty, which will be made available to teachers at least one month before the process begins, as required by law. These programs will also be available on the official website of the ministry at https://culture.gov.az. Finally, questions from the media were answered. ..

05.12.2024 12:54

Lecture Held on Restoration of Architectural Ceramics: Technologies and ExamplesOn December 4, the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art hosted a lecture titled Restoration of Architectural Ceramics. Technologies, Examples. The lecture, delivered by Konstantin Likholat, director of the Keramarx Architectural Art Ceramics Museum and the Pallada Restoration and Production Company, addressed the challenges and intricacies of restoration and emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The speaker highlighted traditional technologies and materials specific to different historical periods. He spoke about his work, provided detailed information about the stages of restoration of ancient fireplaces that once adorned palaces and homes and also introduced the audience to interesting facts about the symbolism behind ceramic decorations. At the end of the lecture, Konstantin Likholat answered questions from the audience and discussed how modern technologies can be used to preserve the historical authenticity and cultural significance of objects without causing damage. ..

04.12.2024 16:59

Cultural Relations Between Azerbaijan and Yemen DiscussedOn December 4, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli met with Muhammad Saleh Ahmed Tourig, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Yemen to Azerbaijan. The minister congratulated the ambassador on commencing his duties and wished him success, stressing Azerbaijan's commitment to cooperation with Muslim nations as a member of the Islamic world. It was emphasized that culture is an important tool for building bridges between peoples. There is a need for the creation of a legal framework for cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Yemen, and Azerbaijan is ready to move forward in this direction. Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Ambassador Muhammad Saleh Ahmed Tourig expressed satisfaction with his diplomatic role in Azerbaijan. He confirmed his commitment to establishing relations between the two countries in various fields, including culture, during his tenure. During the discussion, opinions were exchanged on the education of Yemeni youth in Azerbaijani art institutions, as well as on the possibilities of gaining experience in libraries, museums, and preservation of cultural heritage. ..

04.12.2024 16:51

Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum Hosts International Conference on Resources and Culture: From Archaeology to New TechnologyAmina Malikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, opened the event with information about the history and activities of the museum. Elena Titova, Director of the All-Russian Museum of Decorative Arts, gave a speech in which she emphasized the importance of the conference. She noted that during three days interesting reports would be presented and useful ideas and experiences would be exchanged. After exchanging souvenirs, the directors of the two museums proceeded to an academic session on “Inter-museum cooperation in the CIS”. The panel exhibition “Heritage of Union. Traditions for the Future“ was also presented as part of the session. Museum directors and specialists from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan are taking part in the international event, which will continue until December 5. The academic sessions will include discussions on such topics as “Museum and People,“ “Museum and Information Resources,“ “Nature and Traditions as a Source of Inspiration,“ “The Ancient Foundations of Eurasian Cultures: Archetypes, Symbolism, Archaeological Artifacts,“ “Decorative Art of the CIS Peoples,“ and “The Role of the Modern Museum in Preserving Traditions.“ Additionally, a cultural program will be organized as part of the conference. The conference was jointly organized as part of the multi-year complex program “Heritage of the Union. Traditions for the Future“ by the All-Russian Museum of Decorative Arts and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States. ..

04.12.2024 14:36

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli meets TIKA PresidentOn December 4, Adil Karimli, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with a delegation led by Serkan Kayalar, President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), during its visit to Azerbaijan. Welcoming the guests, the minister underlined that the friendly and brotherly relations between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Türkiye are a strong basis for the high-level development of relations in all fields, including culture. It was mentioned that there are wide opportunities for strengthening cooperation in various cultural fields. Considerable progress can be achieved by using the potential of both countries in such areas as restoration and preservation of historical monuments, joint archaeological studies, cinema, audio-visual arts, and other fields. TIKA President Serkan Kayalar expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and outlined the areas of activity of the organization he heads and its ongoing relations with Azerbaijan. He expressed TIKA's interest in cooperation in the mentioned areas. During the meeting, views were exchanged on other issues of mutual interest. ..

04.12.2024 12:18

Winners of Shusha Creativity Marathon in OIC Youth Capital AnnouncedThe Creativity Marathon organized by the Ministry of Culture in Shusha on December 2-3 has come to an end. The marathon, which was held as part of the closing events of the Youth Capital, focused on animation, fashion, film, and design as its main directions. Bringing together young talents from Islamic countries, the Creativity Marathon served as a unique platform to promote cooperation and the creation of innovative works in various creative fields. During the marathon, 14 teams of international and local participants developed their products within 24 hours under the guidance and support of experienced mentors in the specified fields. On December 3, the teams presented their work to the jury. After the evaluation by the jury, the winners of the marathon were announced, including “Little Simurg“ in the animation category, “Last Night“ in the film category, “Gothica“ in the fashion category and “Millennium“ in the design category. The project, developed in line with the “Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026,“ aimed to promote innovative and creative thinking among young people. The main goals of the “Creative Azerbaijan“ program, which is implemented in support of this strategy, are to create favorable conditions for creative industries and related businesses in the country, to promote the export of products and services of this sector, and to open new consumer markets. The organization of the marathon with a focus on these goals demonstrates the possibilities for the emergence of a new pan-regional market in the field of creative industries. ..

04.12.2024 12:00

UNESCO Adds New Cultural Element of Azerbaijan to Its Heritage ListAt the nineteenth session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asuncion, Paraguay, from December 2 to 7, the national nomination file titled ‘Tandir craftsmanship and bread baking in Azerbaijan’ was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The decision on the nomination file, which received a positive opinion against the relevant criteria by the UNESCO Evaluation Body, was announced on December 3. Thus, the number of our elements included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has been increased to 24. After the decision was announced, the Permanent Representative of our country to UNESCO, Ambassador Elman Abdullayev, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UNESCO Evaluation Body and the Intergovernmental Committee for supporting the cultural heritage of our people. He then gave the floor to Saadat Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan. In her speech, Deputy Minister Saadat Yusifova first thanked the Evaluation Body and the Secretariat for their positive decision. She highlighted the importance of including tandoor craftsmanship, rooted in ancient traditions, in the Representative List for the Azerbaijani people. S. Yusifova emphasized the critical importance of preserving cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations in a rapidly modernizing world. She also discussed the initiatives of the Ministry of Culture in this area, highlighting the Culture for Climate (C4C) initiative presented during COP29. The nomination file titled Tandir craftsmanship and bread baking in Azerbaijan was submitted to UNESCO by the Ministry of Culture through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2023. Representatives from the Ministry of Culture, the Permanent Representation to UNESCO, and the National Commission for UNESCO are participating in the 19th Session, where the element was inscribed. The session will continue until December 7. ..

04.12.2024 09:34

Premiere of Historical Feature-Documentary 'Azerbaijani Atabegs' Takes PlaceThe historical feature-documentary film “Azerbaijani Atabegs“ is produced with the joint participation of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA), Azerbaijan Television, “Shahdaghfilm,“ and the Turkish production companies “IkinciYeniFilm,“ “Patik Production,“ and “Ernet Group.“ On December 3, the premiere of the film was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center. It was attended by state and government officials, parliamentarians, prominent cultural figures, and other guests. First, the film was presented to the participants in the foyer of the center, where the guests were provided with information about the film. It was emphasized that the story revolves around the lives of two prominent historical figures of the Turkic world of the Middle Ages: courageous commanders Gara Sungur and Shams ad-Din Eldiguz, the founder of the Atabegs state. The script takes the audience back to the 12th century, sheds light on the glorious history of Azerbaijan, and promotes the national and spiritual heritage of that era. Then the movie was presented. After the screening of the film, the creative team was welcomed to the stage with applause. Ilgar Mehti, scriptwriter, producer, and director of “Shahdaghfilm“ production, and Mejit Guven, production manager, expressed their opinions about the script. It was noted that the script of the film is based on the knowledge and insights of the employees of the Institute of History and Ethnology of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, independent historians, and military experts. The script, which was developed through extensive research to authentically portray the language, social, and cultural structure of the Middle Ages, was based on historical sources. The film also depicts significant events such as the Battle of Dabil, the Great Ganja Earthquake of 1139, and the palace coups of the period. It was noted that the film was produced in cooperation with professional filmmakers from Azerbaijan and Türkiye. “Shahdaghfilm“ and “IkinciYeniFilm,“ well-known producer of historical films in Turkey, joined forces for this important project and demonstrated exceptional professionalism. More than 80 percent of the creative and technical team consisted of Azerbaijani film specialists. Real historical castles and complexes in Azerbaijan were used as filming locations, while about 500 special costumes were made and hundreds of dresses, props, and accessories were either produced or purchased. In their speeches, the speakers thanked everyone who contributed to the creation of the film. The director of the production is Mejit Guven, and the scriptwriters are Sarvar Bayramov, Ilgar Mehti, Sakhavat Sahil, and Ercan Kaya. The producers are Ilgar Mehti, Sarvar Bayramov, and Furkan Basli, representing “IkinciYeniFilm,“ while the production designer is Zafer Malkoç. In the feature documentary, famous K1 fighter Zabit Samadov portrayed Shams ad-Din Eldiguz, while Ilgar Mehti took on the role of Gara Sungur. Other key roles were played by People's Artist Mehriban Zaki as Momina Khatun, Honored Artist Bahruz Vaqifoghlu as Muhammad Jahan Pahlavan, Jala Hasanli as Zubayda Khatun, Gunay Ahmed as Lachin, Tural Ahmed as Arslan Shah, Ilgar Musayev as Jandar Chavli, Samimi Farhad as Vazir al-Khazni, Samir Gulamov as Ganjar Bey, Salam Ismayilov as Sheikh Imad, Turkay Jafarli as Sheikh Imad's assistant, Rashad Kasamanli as Commander, Hidayat Aliyev as Sultan Masud, and other actors from Azerbaijan. More than 100 actors appeared in episodic roles in the film, and in total, more than crew members contributed to the production. The film, created through a public-private partnership, will be released in cinemas from December 5. ..

03.12.2024 10:23

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli to Receive Citizens in KurdamirAs per the schedule for citizen receptions by the heads of central executive authorities and other administrative bodies, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, will meet with residents from Kurdamir, Ujar, Zardab, Aghdash, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, and Goychay districts. The reception is scheduled for December 14, 2024, at 10:00, in the administrative building of the New Azerbaijan Party in Kurdamir (address Heydar Aliyev Avenue 20, Kurdamir city). In order to register, you can send an e-mail to the Ministry at info@culture.gov.az or call (012) 493-43-98 no later than December 11, 2024. ..

03.12.2024 10:09

Shusha Hosts Creativity Marathon for Youth from Islamic CountriesAs is known, the closing events of the “Youth Capital of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation“ for 2024 began in Shusha city on December 2. Around 300 representatives from OIC member and observer countries, as well as youth and volunteers, are participating in the international program jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Youth Forum of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The Creativity Marathon, organized by the Ministry of Culture, gathers young talents from Islamic countries and provides a unique platform to promote cooperation and development of innovative products in various creative fields. The main goal of this project, implemented in accordance with the “Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026,“ is to cultivate an innovative and creative mindset among young people. Animation, fashion, film, and design have been identified as the main directions of the marathon. In the marathon, teams of local and international participants, mentored by experts, will complete their products within 24 hours and present them to the judges on December 3. Special prizes will be awarded to the winners. ..

02.12.2024 10:19

CulTech Incubation Program Accepts Applications!The CulTech Incubation Program, supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Center for the Development of Cultural and Creative Industries, offers a unique platform for creative youth and startup owners to advance their projects and introduce them to the global market. What is CulTech? CulTech is an incubation program aimed at supporting innovative projects at the crossroads of culture and technology. It offers comprehensive support to both current startup owners and those with new ideas to help their projects reach the global stage. Benefits of the program: 1. Access to a global network: The program allows you to present your project at international events, gain global experience, interact with international investors, and work with experts from different parts of the world. 2. Mentorship opportunities: You will work with top professionals in their field who will support you at every stage of your project. They will provide valuable insights, share their expertise, and help your project grow. Weekly training sessions will help you acquire new skills and ensure more effective project management. 3. Office Space and Technical Support: You will have access to modern office space and technical equipment within the Creative Center. 4. Opportunity to secure funding: At the end of the program, you will be able to pitch your project to investors and receive the financial support you need to grow your project. 5. Networking and Teamwork Opportunities: By participating in the program, you will connect with teams and individuals working on similar creative ideas. This network will benefit your future projects. 6. Foreign visits: Each startup will have the opportunity to visit a pre-selected European or Asian country to explore its ecosystem and assess potential investment opportunities. Importance of the program: The CulTech Incubation Program not only supports the development of individual projects, but also enriches Azerbaijan's cultural sector with innovative initiatives. The program aims to become one of the most influential innovation platforms in the region by supporting the development of creative industries in our country. It also creates opportunities for Azerbaijani youth to demonstrate their talents on the international stage. Who is eligible? Any individual, team, startup owner or project manager with a creative and innovative idea can participate. All that is required is creativity, an innovative mindset and a passion for bringing the project to life. Registration link: http://surl.li/reurqc Deadline for registration: December 20, 2024 Contact: Phone: +994 51 240 41 55 Email: infosup.vc ..

29.11.2024 17:51

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli Receives Citizens in KhirdalanAccording to the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the heads of central executive authorities and other administrative structures hold monthly receptions in cities and districts to listen to and address citizens' appeals on various issues. Adil Karimli, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received citizens in Khirdalan on November 29. Before the reception, Adil Karimli and Abdin Farzaliyev, the head of Absheron district executive power, laid flowers at the monument of the national leader in Khirdalan to honor his cherished memory. At the reception held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in the Absheron district, the minister listened to the appeals of the residents of Sumgayit city, Absheron, Khizi, and Gubadli districts. The citizens expressed their concerns and made suggestions, mainly in the areas of culture, employment, job transitions, improvement of material and technical resources, recognition of labor, and other issues. After listening to the citizens' requests and suggestions, the Minister of Culture emphasized that all the issues raised would be thoroughly examined and addressed in accordance with the law. He also instructed the ministry's officials to pay special attention and impartial consideration to the issues raised by the families of martyrs and veterans who attended the reception. ..

28.11.2024 09:44

Adil Karimli Presents Report at Global Conference on Safeguarding Religious Sites During 10th UNAOC ForumOn November 27, a global conference titled Safeguarding Religious Sites: A Multistakeholder Approach was held as part of the 10th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Cascais, Portugal. Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli delivered a speech at the conference. The minister highly appreciated the UNAOC report on the Action Plan to Safeguard Religious Sites: In Unity and Solidarity for Safe and Peaceful Worship, highlighting it as one of the most comprehensive documents addressing intolerance toward religious sites. He mentioned that the Republic of Azerbaijan has organized six global forums on intercultural dialogue referenced in the Action Plan and three global summits of religious leaders. He also highlighted Azerbaijan's efforts in protecting cultural and religious heritage both locally and internationally. It is worth mentioning that the 10th Global Forum, under the theme United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future, is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Alliance of Civilizations. ..

27.11.2024 09:14

Adil Karimi Addresses High-Level Meeting of the Ministerial Group of Friends of the Alliance of CivilizationsAs reported earlier, the 10th Global Forum of the UNAOC, under the theme “United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future,“ is being held in Cascais, Portugal, on November 26-27. This year’s event celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Alliance of Civilizations. After the opening ceremony on November 26, the High-Level Meeting of the UNAOC Ministerial Group of Friends took place with the theme “Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity: Reflecting on Lessons Learned and Forging a Path Forward.“ Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli made a speech at the meeting. He noted that Azerbaijan, as a multinational and multi-confessional country, plays an important role in promoting intercultural dialogue. As part of the “Baku Process“ initiated by President Ilham Aliyev in 2008, Azerbaijan has hosted the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue six times since 2011 in partnership with the Alliance of Civilizations. ..

25.11.2024 17:34

Azerbaijani Youth Participates in the First International Turkic World Youth ForumThe Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan actively supports the development of creative youth, their active participation in international platforms, and cultural integration. This commitment is reflected in events aimed at promoting Azerbaijani youth globally and strengthening ties with the Turkic world. Azerbaijani youth took part in the First International Turkic World Youth Forum, organized by the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The event aims to strengthen cultural and historical ties among Turkic peoples and strengthen the sense of brotherhood and unity. With the support of the Ministry of Culture, 10 talented young people distinguished by their achievements in various cultural fields represented Azerbaijan at the event. As part of the forum, the participants took part in workshops, discussions, and presentations aimed at promoting the cultural heritage of the Turkic world. Our youth proposed solutions for common challenges and joint projects and explored opportunities to develop cooperation and strengthen ties among young people. At the forum, the Azerbaijani delegation also presented the rich cultural heritage of our country, contributing to cultural integration and dialogue among the Turkic world. The event holds special significance for strengthening the connections of Azerbaijani youth with the Turkic world, sharing experiences, and building new friendships. ..

23.11.2024 17:41

Ministry of Culture conducts tree-planting campaign in Gobustan PreserveOn November 23, the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan organized a tree planting campaign in the Gobustan National Historical and Artistic Reserve to help maintain ecological balance. During the campaign, organized on the occasion of the 29th session of COP29, which Azerbaijan hosted from November 11 to 22, employees of the Ministry planted numerous tree seedlings suitable for the local climate and provided agro-technical care for them. ..

23.11.2024 17:38

Adil Karimli Meets with the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of IranOn November 21, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, met with the delegation led by the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, who was visiting our country in connection with COP29. Adil Karimli welcomed the delegation and thanked his Iranian counterpart for attending the prestigious event hosted by Azerbaijan. He noted the potential for extensive cultural cooperation between the two countries, particularly in libraries, museums, exhibitions, and cinematography, as well as through mutual participation in traditional music festivals and competitions. There are also opportunities to strengthen cooperation at the level of international organizations. The importance of jointly preparing nomination files for UNESCO's cultural heritage lists and coordinating efforts against the illegal circulation of cultural property was highlighted. Minister Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri expressed his satisfaction with the participation in COP29 and thanked for the meeting. He underlined their interest in mutually beneficial cooperation and stressed the need to continue efforts to strengthen relations in various fields. The Iranian minister stressed the need for public-private partnerships in the protection of cultural heritage. He suggested that the two countries could exchange experiences in this field and suggested the possibility of jointly restoring the Khudafarin bridges over the Araz River. The discussion covered cultural heritage and environmental issues in the context of COP29, as well as an exchange of views on other areas of mutual interest. At the end of the meeting, Adil Karimli presented the minister with a commemorative gift. ..

20.11.2024 16:54

‘Nasimi’ Opera Premieres at Heydar Aliyev PalaceOn November 20, the opera Nasimi, dedicated to the life and legacy of the great Azerbaijani poet and philosopher Imadeddin Nasimi (1369-1417), premiered at the Heydar Aliyev Palace. The event was presented by the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater with the support of the Ministry of Culture. The audience included Anar Alakbarov, assistant to the president of Azerbaijan and executive director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation; Minister of Culture Adil Karimli; official guests of the COP29 in Baku; members of parliament; and well-known cultural and literary figures of our country. The new opera, composed by People's Artist Professor Siyavush Karimi with a libretto by academician Rafael Huseynov, is a significant contribution to Azerbaijani art, sharing the great poet's rich heritage with future generations and a global audience through the language of art. The musical and stage director of the performance is Ayyub Guliyev; the stage director is Honoured Artist Inare Babayeva; the choreographer is Honoured Artist Yuriy Lobachev; the choirmaster is Honoured Artist Sevil Hajiyeva, while the set designer is Honoured Artist Ramil Gasimov, and the light designer is Rafael Hasanov. The main role of Nasimi is played by Honoured Artist Ramil Gasimov. Other roles in the performance are performed by People's Artists Teyyub Aslanov (Fazlullah Naimi), Nuraddin Mehdikhanli (Chronicler), Honoured Artists Ilkin Ahmadov (Abdulgadir Maraghayi), Anton Fershtandt (Vizier of Amir Teymur), Jahangir Gurbanov (Malik al-Shu'ara), soloists Fatima Jafarzadeh (Sanam), Kamila Nabiyeva (Fatima), Sama Hamzayeva (Nasimi's mother), Mahir Taghizadeh (Amir Teymur), Taleh Yahyayev (Zahid), Fahmin Ahmadli (Amir Teymur's representative), Khayal Huseynov (Dervish), Ruslan Persan (First Guard), Rza Khosrovzadeh (Second Guard), Fuad Azizzadeh (Keeper of the keys of the dungeon), and Elmir Rustamov. The symphony orchestra and choir of the Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the ballet troupe, the “Natig Rhythm“ group led by People's Artist Natig Shirinov, People's Artist Elchin Hashimov on the tar, Honoured Artist Elnur Ahmadov on the kamancha, and Amrah Orujov on the lute performed together during the performance. The opera, which reflects Imadaddin Nasimi's profound philosophy, free spirit, and humanistic ideals, was warmly applauded by the audience. After the performance, academician Rafael Huseynov, the librettist of the opera, took the stage and highlighted the important role of national leader Heydar Aliyev in introducing Imadaddin Nasimi as an Azerbaijani poet during the Soviet era. He expressed his gratitude to all those involved in the creation of the Nasimi opera and to the Ministry of Culture. ..

20.11.2024 10:57

Communiqué of the Second High-Level Ministerial Meeting of the Ministers of Culture Held within the Framework of COP29 AdoptedAs reported earlier, on November 15, the second High-Level Ministerial Meeting of the Ministers of Culture was held within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The meeting was led by the COP Presidencies Troika, the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, and Brazil—the presidencies of COP28, COP29, and COP30, respectively. The event was attended by ministers of culture from a number of countries and representatives of participating entities. At the end of the event, the communiqué of the Second High-Level Ministerial Meeting of Ministers of Culture was adopted. The document notes that significant progress has been made on the relationship between culture and climate over the past year since the establishment of the Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action. It expresses deep concern about the increasing and diverse impacts of climate change on cultural heritage in all its forms, as well as the disproportionate impact of climate change on certain regions and vulnerable groups. It is stated that, recognizing the relevance of the strategy defined by the Culture Troika of COP29, they will continue to work towards the adoption of the first Work Plan on Culture-Based Climate Action at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). To this end, the integral role of culture for climate action, as regards both climate mitigation and adaptation as well as behavioral change, and the importance of supporting the ecological transition of the cultural and creative sectors is emphasized. In striving to achieve the commitments enshrined in international normative instruments, such as the 2022 MONDIACULT Declaration and the 2024 G20 Salvador da Bahia Declaration, the COP29 Culture Troika communiqué highlights the need for a strong commitment of Member States to: i) Further integrate culture in policies and strategies on climate adaptation and mitigation, including national adaptation plans and nationally determined contributions; ii) Foster cross-sectoral policy-making at the national level, including through enhanced inter-ministerial cooperation; iii) Harness the transformative agency of the cultural sector to promote behavioral change and sustainable production and consumption patterns. iv) Invest in knowledge building and data collection on culture and climate change; v) Promote structured dialogue and coordinated advocacy on culture-based climate action and sustaining a standing working mechanism in the COP; vi) Foster international cooperation on culture and climate action, including South-South and North-South cooperation, based on values of solidarity and inclusiveness; and, vii) Bolster support for the inclusion of culture as a stand-alone goal in future discussions on how to advance sustainable development beyond 2030, recognizing the power of culture as a transformative enabler and driver for sustainable development. The document also expresses gratitude to the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan for convening the second High-Level Ministerial Meeting of the Ministers of Culture within the COP framework and welcomed the launch of the Culture For Climate (C4C) initiative, which contributes to the ongoing efforts to make culture part of the climate frameworks. According to the communiqué, it was agreed to reconvene at COP30 in 2025, under the presidency of Brazil, to take stock of new developments and challenges related to the culture-climate nexus. For more information on the communiqué adopted at the II High-Level Meeting of Ministers of Culture, please click on the link below. ..

20.11.2024 10:43

‘Culture for Climate: Engaging Youth to Effect Behavioural Change’ Panel Session Takes PlaceA panel session on “Culture for Climate: Engaging Youth to Effect Behavioural Change“ was held on November 19 as part of the COP29 in Baku. This panel was co-organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action), ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. First, Martin Newman, founder of the Newman Partnership, provided information about the topic of the panel and introduced the speakers. There was a video presentation on the “Culture for Climate“ (C4C) initiative put forward by our country. Later, Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, Director General of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM); Dr. Salim M. Al Malik, Director General of ICESCO, President of the Petra National Trust, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage; Princess Dana Firas of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; and Soltan Mammadov, Member of Parliament and Head of the International Relations Department of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, delivered speeches. The speeches touched on the inspiring and transformative role of cultural projects, tools, and practitioners, and the role of the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA) and Azerbaijan's new global initiative, Climate for Culture (C4C), in showcasing these efforts and amplifying the power of culture as a catalyst for behavior change worldwide. It was noted that, according to research, around 72% of greenhouse gas emissions could be attributed to individual behavior and choices. This suggests that, alongside financial mechanisms for mitigation and adaptation and ambitious targets and pledges to reduce emissions, a decisive change in human behavior must be seen as one of the most important levers in tackling the climate crisis. Culture, which has played a central role throughout human history in transmitting the values that guide our behavior, now has a central role at local, national, regional, and global levels in establishing and modeling the fundamental behavioral changes without which our efforts to tackle the climate crisis will be severely hampered. Until recently, there have been relatively limited attempts to address the much-needed shift towards climate-positive and climate-resilient behavior. However, there is now an opportunity for this to change. It was pointed out that the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA), recently strengthened by a surge of new members—including national ministries of culture, institutional representatives from intergovernmental bodies, and NGOs—solidified its relevance at COP29. This was marked by the successful adoption of the Terms of Reference for the Group's work during the Second High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Culture-Based Climate Action in Baku. During the discussions, it was highlighted that in the year of its COP Presidency, the Government of Azerbaijan has supported efforts to strengthen the voice of culture in the climate debate by announcing the launch of the Culture for Climate (C4C) initiative, a new platform for research, dialogue, and active promotion of innovative cultural projects from around the world that have the power to change our perspectives and human behavior. At the end of the event, questions from the audience were answered, and a group photo was taken. ..

19.11.2024 12:16

Meeting with TikTok Delegation at the Ministry of CultureAs part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, bilateral meetings are being held with foreign delegations and representatives of international organizations. On November 18, a meeting was held with a delegation from TikTok social media platform. The meeting was attended by Helena Lersch, TikTok's Vice President for Public Policy; Sergey Sokolov, Director of Government Relations and Corporate Affairs in Eastern Europe; and Emin Akhundov, the company's advisor for public institutions. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli welcomed the delegation and thanked the guests for attending this prestigious event hosted by Azerbaijan. During the conversation, the importance of the #LearnOnTikTok competition organized earlier this year with the support of the Ministry of Culture was highlighted. It was mentioned that users created and shared over 20,000 educational videos in two months. The ministry expressed interest in producing new, relevant cultural content on the platform and in continuing cooperation in this regard. The meeting continued with an exchange of views on cultural projects. ..

18.11.2024 15:44

Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, Princess of Jordan, and ICCROM Director General Watch MangurtOn November 17, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and President of the Petra National Trust, and Aruna Francesca, Director General of ICCROM, attended the performance Mangurt at the Azerbaijan State Pantomime Theater as part of their visit on the occasion of COP29. The play, inspired by the famous Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov's work A Day Equal to an Age, was written by Jeyhun Dadashov; Sanubar Samadova is the artist, Elman Rafiev is the musical director of the performance, while People's Artist Bakhtiyar Khanizadeh was responsible for the choreographic expression. The entire cast of the theater takes part in the performance. The play, which has been in the repertoire of the theater for many years, is presented to art lovers in a new style this season. The audience received the play with great interest. ..

18.11.2024 14:32

Minister of Culture Meets with the Princess of JordanOn November 16, within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) hosted by our country, a meeting was held between Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and President of the Petra National Trust Princess Dana Firas of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The minister welcomed the guest and thanked her for active participation in this prestigious event. He highlighted the strong cooperation between the two countries, based on mutual trust, and stressed the wide prospects for further cultural cooperation. The Princess expressed her pleasure at visiting our country and participating in the highly organized COP29 event. She shared that she had watched the performance of Mangurt based on the motifs of Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aytmatov's A Day Equal to an Age at the Azerbaijan State Pantomime Theater the previous evening, and was deeply impressed by the mastery of the actors. The conversation included an exchange of views on the issues addressed within COP29 and climate and cultural heritage agenda. ..

18.11.2024 10:46

An International Exhibition Climates and Carpets is now open at the Azerbaijan National Carpet MuseumOn November 15th, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum hosted opening ceremony of an international exhibition Climates and Carpets, dedicated to the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The exhibition is organised by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum. Amina Melikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Lidiya Grigoryeva, Deputy Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, Tatyana Valovaya, Maria Victoria Romero Caballero, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Mexico to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Boris Titov, Commissioner for Entrepreneurs' Rights to the President of the Russian Federation, owner of the “Abrau-Durso” Azerbaijan Group of Companies and Olga Daniele, curator of Professor of the North Park University Nnenna Okore, founder of “365 Art Gallery” delivered speeches at the opening ceremony and underlined the significance of the event. The exhibition showcases works created by renowned artists from Azerbaijan, the USA, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Russia, inspired by the Azerbaijani art of carpet weaving, a craft of universal value and its traditional patterns. For the first time, the exhibition features works by a famous Russian actress, director, artist, singer and TV presenter Natalya Bochkareva; Dr. Nnenna Okore (Chicago), a professor at North Park University; Mexican artist Pedro Cesar Peralta; artist, founder of the YARAT Contemporary Art Space and CHELEBI brand Aida Mahmudova; Honoured Artists Taryer Bashirov and Faig Ahmed; Honoured Worker of Culture Elmira Abbasly; artists Mammad Rashidov, Milena Nabiyeva, Mahar Maharramov, Tarana Aliyeva and students of Integration Training Boarding School #11 of Bilgah settlement take part in this international project. These diverse art pieces are made from various recycled materials such as glass, wool, metal, bioplastics, cheesecloth, fibers, sawdust, etc. The opening ceremony also featured cutting of the loom a carpet by Honoured Artist Taryer Bashirov Green World, dedicated to COP29 and woven in the Traditional Technology Department of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum. Furthermore, members of the Women’s Union of the United Arab Emirates conducted masterclasses on weaving. The event also included a dance by the members of the Development Centre for Kids and Youth #3. The exhibition aimed to draw attention to the importance of combating climate change and promoting a healthy lifestyle through artworks, created in new techniques by contemporary artists, based on ancient traditions, while calling for solutions to ecological problems and protection of the environment, will be on until November 30. Tickets are available on iticket.az https://iticket.az/events/exhibitions/an-international-exhibition-climates-and-carpets1 ..

18.11.2024 10:31

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli Meets with the Director General of ICCROMThe 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), taking place in Baku from November 11 to 22, continues with various events, presentations, bilateral meetings, and discussions. On November 16, a bilateral meeting took place between Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, Director General of the International Center for the Study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), and Adil Karimli, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The minister welcomed the guest and thanked her for attending the COP29 event. He noted that Azerbaijan has always prioritized the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage. With the support of the state and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijan has successfully contributed to the preservation of religious monuments around the world. The country has financed projects such as the reconstruction of the Islamic culture section of the Louvre Museum in Paris, the restoration of Strasbourg Cathedral, and the renovation of the “Hall of Philosophers“ at the Capitoline Museum in Rome. The minister informed the guest about the destruction and looting of Azerbaijan's historical and cultural heritage in the territories occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years. He added that the State is currently making systematic efforts to restore the destroyed monuments. The Director General of ICCROM expressed her gratitude for the high-level organization of COP29 and the opportunity to meet. The discussion focused on strengthening cooperation between Azerbaijan and ICCROM, exchanging experiences in the field of protection and restoration of cultural heritage, organizing joint trainings and webinars, and other related issues. At the end of the meeting, the guest was presented with a gift. ..

18.11.2024 10:01

Cooperation with the International Council of Museums Discussed at the MeetingAs part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, a bilateral meeting took place on November 16 between Minister of Culture Adil Karimli and Director General of ICOM Medea Ekner. The minister welcomed the guest and thanked her for attending the prestigious COP29 event. It was noted that Azerbaijan places great importance on the activities of museums that safeguard historical and cultural heritage. The leading museums of Azerbaijan align their activities with modern standards and value collaboration with the famous museums of the world, and ICOM. The head of ICOM provided information about the organization and spoke about the various events and projects implemented by the organization. Medea Ekner highly appreciated the cooperation of Azerbaijani museums with the Council and noted the active participation of the national committee in the work of the institution. The discussion covered the involvement of Azerbaijani museums in ICOM projects and the representation of Azerbaijan at the organization’s General Conference in Dubai, UAE, in 2025. At the end of the meeting, the guest was presented with a gift. ..

18.11.2024 09:43

Second High-Level Meeting of the Ministers of Culture Held at COP 29The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), hosted by our country, continues. Within the framework of the session, the second High-Level Meeting of Ministers of Culture on Culture-Based Climate Action was held on November 15, organized by the Ministries of Culture of the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and Azerbaijan. The Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, welcomed the participants and gave an opening speech in which he emphasized the importance of the meeting. The Director General of ICESCO, Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik, expressed his satisfaction at participating in the event. He noted that the impact of climate change on culture is gradually increasing: “We will try to protect our cultural heritage for our future. At today's event, we will talk about the ways out“. Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, Director General of the International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties (ICCROM), expressed regret that sustainable solutions to the climate crisis have not been found. She said that as we make fundamental progress in this area, we must also protect our own culture. Dorine Dubois, Chief of the Executive of the Culture Sector at UNESCO, said that many examples of cultural heritage are now in danger of being destroyed as a result of climate change. In order to prevent this, different strategies should be implemented. In his speech, the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Fuad Naghiyev, talked about the work carried out by the organization in the direction of protection of cultural heritage monuments in our country: “It is very important to pass our cultural heritage to future generations. Joint efforts should be made to achieve development in this field. I believe that by taking care of the cultural sphere, we will be able to leave a greener world for future generations“. UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, President of Petra National Trust, Princess of Jordan Dana Firas said that integrating cultural heritage into climate change issues has already become a necessity: “Last year's COP28 held very successful events in this regard. I hope that important steps will be taken in the mentioned field within the framework of the session“. Prince Rahim Aga Khan, Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network's Climate and Environment Committee, spoke about the work done by the organization in the field of cultural heritage protection. He said that it is possible to contribute to the protection of historical and cultural heritage by protecting the environment. Aktoti Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, noted that climate change affects culture as well as many other fields. Due to global warming, floods and storms occur, and as a result, historical monuments are in danger of being destroyed. Then, the address of the Minister of Climate Change and the Environment of the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, was brought to the attention of the event participants. Later, a video on the cultural agenda of COP29 was shown. Then the meeting continued with reports. Minister Adil Karimli noted that Azerbaijan's efforts in the field of green energy are highly appreciated by the international community. He said, “We expect productive results from today's ministerial meeting. Our work is in line with that of UNESCO, ICESCO, and other institutions. We believe that culture is an important tool and value its role in environmental protection. The document we will adopt at the end of today's meeting will serve as a basis for future cooperation and positive climate action. The Minister of Culture of the United Arab Emirates, Salem bin Khalid Al-Qassimi, expressed his satisfaction with the growing membership of the Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA). Noting that this would result in a stronger cross-sectoral voice, he said, “At this meeting we will focus on highlighting the cultural aspect of climate action. There is a strong link between culture and climate change. I believe that more investment in research is needed in this area. We invite all parties to engage in inter-ministerial cooperation“. This was followed by the video message of Margareth Menezes, Minister of Culture of the Federal Republic of Brazil. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, expressed his hope that the COP29 meeting would live up to public expectations, saying, “Climate change is also a threat to our culture. There is a lot of work to be done in this area. Türkiye is taking various steps in this regard. We fully support Azerbaijan's initiative at COP29 and are always open to mutual cooperation. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, noted that the effects of climate change are felt everywhere and emphasized that cultural heritage is also affected. He stressed the need for a sensitive approach to environmental issues. He expressed his pleasure at participating in such an event within the prestigious COP29 session and thanked the Azerbaijani side for organizing it at a high level. Ataullah Tarar, Minister for National Heritage and Culture of Pakistan, spoke about the impact of climate change on his country, mentioning the devastating floods in 2022: “This disaster threatened the loss of cultural heritage in certain areas. I hope that the achievements we have made today in Baku will help us to successfully continue our efforts in this area in the future“. Styliani Mendoni, Minister of Culture and Sports of Greece, thanked Azerbaijan for its hospitality. Stressing the need for action to address the effects of climate change, she said, “We need to make risk maps in this area. The Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action should take practical steps to fill the gaps in this area. In recent years, this group has organized international seminars in many countries. I believe that today's event will also contribute significantly to addressing these issues. The other speakers shared their views on the topic, highlighting the important role of culture in shaping climate policy. Following the speeches, the final document of the second High-Level Meeting of Ministers of Culture was adopted. COP29 Lead Negotiator, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yalchin Rafiyev, who delivered the closing speech, said that culture has a large role to play in climate action. He said that the importance of culture-based climate action is particularly emphasized in the adopted document. ..

18.11.2024 09:38

Adil Karimli Meets with the Minister of Culture and Tourism of TürkiyeBaku is hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) from November 11 to 22. As part of this session, on November 15, Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli met with Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. Adil Karimli greeted the guest and expressed his pleasure with the participation of the brotherly Republic of Turkey in this prestigious event. The minister noted that successful cooperation has been established between Azerbaijan and Türkiye in all spheres of culture and emphasized the potential for further development of these relations. He emphasized that Azerbaijan's participation in the 41st International Book Fair, which was held in Istanbul from November 2 to 10, as an “honorary guest country“ for the first time is a testimony to the high level of relations between the two countries. The minister thanked his Turkish counterpart for the warm hospitality shown to the Azerbaijani delegation during the fair. The Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, extended congratulations on November 8—Victory Day—and underlined the successful and high-level hosting of the COP29 event by our country. He mentioned that if Turkey hosts COP31, Azerbaijan's experience in this field would be studied. The guest minister stressed the importance of addressing environmental and cultural issues within the framework of COP29. The discussion touched upon potential areas of cooperation between the two countries, with a special focus on archaeological heritage and cinema. In particular, the planned production of Molla Nasreddin, under the organization of TURKSOY, and the feature film Friend of Difficult Days were mentioned. During the meeting, various other issues of mutual interest were discussed. At the end of the meeting, commemorative gifts were presented to the Turkish minister. Later, the ministers visited the pavilions of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan at the venue of the event. The Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov, joined them in the introduction of the pavilions of Türkiye and Uzbekistan. ..

14.11.2024 11:14

Concert-Performance ‘Awakening’ Presented to COP29 GuestsThe Ministry of Culture prepared an interesting artistic program to effectively organize leisure time for participants of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and introduce the rich cultural heritage and art of Azerbaijan to the foreign guests. On November 13, under the organization of the Ministry of Culture, a show composition entitled “Awakening“ was presented at the Heydar Aliyev Palace. A large audience, including officials from various countries attending the COP29 in Baku, watched the program presented by the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. ‘Awakening’ is a sacred ritual that reconnects humanity with nature, urging people to consider the basic elements necessary for life. In our time, vital elements such as air, water, earth, and fire have become new sources of inspiration. Thus, this performance aims to awaken by connecting water with life, air with intellectual power, earth with mindful existence, and fire with the light of civilization. Guided by the wisdom of priests traveling from ancient times to the present, humanity witnesses that each element contains a work of art related to nature. The carpet image in the show composition is created by countless knots, symbolizing the beauty of unity achieved through the collective will of people. The pure-hearted princess of the Maiden Tower, once imprisoned by human limitations, breaks free from the stones that hide her, reminding us all to “be human“ and inspiring us with her beauty, purity, and fragility. To be human is to accept our fragility, but that does not mean we should retreat from the stage of life. Let us remember that life, like beauty, ceases to exist if it is not cared for or honored. Thus, the awakening offered to humanity to revitalize all things begins with the passion of dance and the exciting promise of spring as the herald of a new world... The show composition, featuring Azerbaijani artists and foreign masters, is directed and written by Francesco Bondi. Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev, chief conductor of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, is the music director, while choirmaster is Honored Art Worker Sevil Hajiyeva. ..

12.11.2024 12:12

Adil Karimli meets with the Minister of Culture of RussiaOn November 12, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli had a bilateral meeting with Minister of Culture of Russia Olga Lyubimova, who is visiting our country in connection with COP29. Adil Karimli welcomed the minister and thanked her for taking part in this prestigious event in our country. The minister expressed appreciation for the cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Russia and pointed out the recent strengthening of collaboration in this field. He noted that mutual artistic tours, exchange of experience in art education, and regular participation in exhibitions, competitions, and festivals provide a full picture of our relations. The Minister of Culture of Russia, Olga Lyubimova, noted that Azerbaijan hosted the prestigious COP29 event at a high level and expressed her pleasure to be in Baku for this occasion. She also spoke highly of the future prospects for cultural relations between the two countries. Adil Karimli provided information on the COP29 agenda related to cultural and environmental issues. He mentioned that the second High-Level Meeting of Ministers of Culture on Culture-Based Climate Action would take place as part of the event. The meeting aims to build international consensus on integrating arts and cultural heritage into the climate change agenda. A session focusing on the Culture for Climate (C4C) initiative proposed by our country and the presentation of this initiative will be held under the organization of the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The meeting also included an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest. ..

12.11.2024 12:07

Ministers of Culture to Meet for 2nd High-Level Meeting at COP29On November 11, Baku hosted the opening of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). This important event, recognized as the leading forum for global dialogue on climate change, reflects the high level of confidence in our country and successful cooperation with international organizations under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. The Second High-Level Meeting of Ministers of Culture on Culture-Based Climate Action is scheduled to take place on November 15 at 13:00 as part of the session, which will continue until November 22. Around 120 participants, including officials, experts, and representatives of non-governmental organizations, are expected to attend the meeting, which is being organized by the Ministries of Culture of the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and Azerbaijan. It will focus on promoting a high-level dialogue on culture, including arts and cultural heritage, to build international consensus for its inclusion in the climate action agenda. A session dedicated to the “Culture for Climate” (C4C) initiative, organized by the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, will be held on November 16 at 11:00 during COP29. The session will bring together high-ranking representatives and leading experts to explore cultural approaches for addressing climate challenges and increasing inclusivity. Later that day, at 15:30, Azerbaijan's “Culture for Climate“ (C4C) initiative will be presented. The initiative seeks to inspire meaningful behavioral changes globally by placing culture at the heart of the climate discussion and demonstrating its potential as a powerful tool for building a sustainable future. The Ministry of Culture has organized numerous events this year in preparation for COP29. These include a presentation at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on cultural events planned for COP29, the conference ‘COP29 and Culture: Cultural Dimensions of Climate Change’, panel and plenary sessions on environmental protection and the impact of climate change on cultural heritage at the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, a special conference on the impact of mines and unexploded ordnance on cultural property in Aghdam city, and the presentation of the bibliographical book Ecology of Azerbaijan, dedicated to the Green World Solidarity Year, etc. ..

09.11.2024 12:01

Victory Day Concert Held at PhilharmonicOn the occasion of Victory Day on November 8, the Ministry of Culture organized a series of concerts. One of these events took place in the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic named after M. Magomayev. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, Deputy Speaker of Milli Majlis Academician Rafael Huseynov, officials, cultural figures, public representatives, and music lovers, attended the concert. Before the concert, Academician Rafael Huseynov spoke about the importance of the 44-day Patriotic War and our glorious victory, which are bright pages of our history. After the speeches, music took over. The Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after U. Hajibeyli, the Azerbaijan State Choir Chapel (conducted by People's Artist Gulbaji Imanova), and the soloist Honored Artist Ramil Gasimov performed under the direction of the artistic director and chief conductor Honored Artist Fuad Ibrahimov. The program included F. Amirov's Azerbaijan Capriccio, F. Sujaddinov's symphonic ballad Garabaghname (libretto by Academician Rafael Huseynov), O. Zulfugarov's Rejoice, My People!, Y.N. Shafag's Victory Waltz, S. Rahimova's symphonic poem The Sound of Victory, Niyazi's Turkish March, and J. Guliyev's Soldier's March. All musical performances were warmly applauded by the audience. ..

07.11.2024 09:51

Minister of Culture Meets with the Winners of the Film Project CompetitionOn November 6, at the State Film Fund, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli met with representatives of the companies that won the film project competition organized by the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA) and the post-production support competition. In the meeting, attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture, ARKA, and well-known film personalities, the agency’s competition for film projects to be produced in 2023-2024, the post-production support competition, and the current status of other supported films were thoroughly discussed, and the concerns of directors and producers were heard. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli provided information about the activity of ARKA and noted that the main goal of the institution is to create a favorable ecosystem for film producers. He mentioned that the pitching phase of the works included in the competition of film projects announced by ARKA last year has been completed. During this phase, the projects were evaluated by the members of the Selection Committee and the representatives of the Council of Experts established by the Ministry of Culture to evaluate the content of cinematographic, digital, and other audiovisual works. As a result of the competition, more than 40 films were released for production. The Minister noted that our country was successfully represented in international film competitions in 2023-2024 and said, “This is encouraging and makes us happy. However, the results are still not satisfactory for us, and probably for you as well, because there is a lot of potential in this field that we should use. That is why it is important to discuss the challenges and infrastructure issues that arise during filming. The topics of the proposals included the creation of commercial and animated films, funding sources for film production, a unified government procurement contract, the development of film criticism, tax incentives for the film sector, greater involvement of mid-career directors, the revitalization of documentary studios, the support for sports films, the financing of TV films, etc. In response to the issues raised, the Minister stated that any opinion or suggestion that would contribute to the overall development of cinema would be considered. Various opinions, including critical feedback, were expressed at the meeting regarding the shortage of personnel in the cinema industry and the problems of film dubbing, with emphasis on the gaps in these areas. The Minister stated that the shortage of personnel is evident in many areas of culture. He added that the Ministry of Culture attaches great importance to the training of cinema professionals and is working closely with the Ministry of Science and Education to address this issue. It was noted that the Ministry of Culture has launched the “Special Scholarship Program for Culture and Creative Industries“ as part of the “Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan 2022-2026,“ approved by the order of President Ilham Aliyev on July 22, 2022. Six young people, compared to one last year, are now studying abroad in the field of cinema with a grant from the Ministry. Referring to the production of animated films in addition to feature and documentary films, the minister said that special attention would be paid to the development of this field. At the end of the meeting, Adil Karimli expressed his satisfaction with the broad, professional, and friendly exchange of views with the film community and wished them success in their work. ..

06.11.2024 17:32

Natural and Cultural Heritage of AzerbaijanThis project, dedicated to the natural and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan, was developed by the Ministry of Culture as part of the COP 29 events. Its purpose is to emphasize the interaction between nature and culture and to reflect the interrelated development of nature and culture through years, generations, and centuries. In the music that accompanies the images, natural sounds—such as water flowing, birds chirping, and a bird humming—are reproduced by the human voice; the sad sound of rain and the fearful rumble of thunder are replaced by the rhythms of Gobustan stones and naghara; and the whistling wind is represented by mugham fragments played on the tar. The four elements of nature—water, fire, air and soil —are portrayed through the harmony of image and music. The project was filmed in various regions of Azerbaijan, such as Guba, Gusar, Gadabey, Shamakhi, Ismayilli, Lankaran, Nakhchivan, Shusha, Jabrayil, and Aghdam, historical monuments, and mysterious and unique natural landscapes. Ateshgah, Yanardagh, Icherisheher, Gobustan, Basgal, Lahij, and other natural reserves are presented in the video. The richness and diversity of Azerbaijan's flora and fauna are depicted through examples of ancient craftsmanship, including stone inscriptions, carpets, and paintings, emphasizing the close relationship between nature and culture. This project, which highlights the connection between natural and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan aims to convey the message that “culture is for nature too“ and “culture also serves the climate.” ..

06.11.2024 17:00

Minister of Culture Visits the Academic Musical TheaterMinister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli continues meeting with the staff of theater, concert, and educational institutions to discuss current activities and future tasks. On November 5, the Minister of Culture met with the staff of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre. He emphasized the strong traditions of the theater and the state support for the theater sector, mentioning that President Ilham Aliyev always prioritizes the development of the cultural sector: “In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to improve the material and technical resources of our theaters, to build new theaters in the capital and in the districts, to carry out major repairs and restorations, and work in this area continues. From time to time, famous artists have contributed to the Musical Theatre, where outstanding works of Azerbaijani and world drama have been performed. The theater presents interesting productions that appeal to the aesthetic sense of the audience. With the support of the Ministry, the Musical Theatre also takes part in tours in the country and abroad.“ The honored artist, Aligismet Lalayev, the director of the theater, thanked the minister for the meeting with the staff and spoke about certain issues that deserve attention in addition to the achievements of the theater. Employees of the theater, including people's artists Ilham Namig Kamal, Afag Bashirgizi, Fatma Mahmudova, honored artists Azizagha Azizov, Alakbar Aliyev, Akbar Alizadeh, Nadir Khasiyev, honored artist and conductor Fakhreddin Atayev, actors Guljahan Salamova, Eleonora Mustafayeva, Gultaj Alili, choir artists Aydan Aliyeva, Gunel Gafarova, theater artist Nabat Samadova, chief artist Vusal Rahim, and others expressed their thoughts. Members of the team shared their suggestions and requests. The Minister stated that the reforms in the theater sector are a priority for the Ministry of Culture. At the end of the meeting, the questions of some members of the team were answered. ..

06.11.2024 09:15

First-ever ‘Nasimi’ Opera to Debut in AzerbaijanWith the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre will perform the opera Nasimi for the first time. The opera, which reflects the deep philosophy, free spirit, and humanistic values of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Imadaddin Nasimi, will take the audience into his spiritual world. Composed by People's Artist Professor Siyavush Karimi, with a libretto by academician Rafael Huseynov, the opera aims to breathe new life into Azerbaijani culture and share Nasimi's legacy with future generations and the world. The role of Imadaddin Nasimi will be performed by People's Artist Ramil Gasimov at the premiere at the Heydar Aliyev Palace on November 20 at 19:00. People's Artists Teyyub Aslanov (Fazlullah Naimi), Nuraddin Mehdikhanli (Chronicler), Honored Artists Ilkin Ahmadov (Abdulgadir Maraghayi), Anton Fershtandt (Vizier of Amir Teymur), Jahangir Gurbanov (Malik al-Shu'ara), soloists Fatima Jafarzadeh (Sanam), Kamila Nabiyeva (Fatima), Sama Hamzayeva (Nasimi's mother), Mahir Taghizadeh (Amir Teymur), Taleh Yahyayev (Zahid), Fahmin Ahmadli (Amir Teymur's representative), Khayal Huseynov (Dervish), Ruslan Persan (First Guard), Rza Khosrovzadeh (Second Guard), Fuad Azizzadeh (Keeper of the keys of the dungeon), Elmir Rustamov (Veteran) will also take part. The musical and stage director of the performance is Ayyub Guliyev, the stage director is the Honored Artist Inare Babayeva, the choreographer is the Honored Artist Yuriy Lobachev, the choirmaster is the Honored Artist Sevil Hajiyeva, while the set designer is the Honored Artist Ramil Gasimov, and the light designer is Rafael Hasanov. In addition to the Symphony Orchestra and Choir of the Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, the ballet troupe, the 'Natig Rhythm' group led by People's Artist Natig Shirinov, People's Artist Elchin Hashimov on the tar, Honored Artist Elnur Ahmadov on the kamancha, and Amrah Orujov on the lute will perform together during the performance. Without a doubt, Nasimi will be a major event in the history of the national opera art of Azerbaijan. ..

05.11.2024 16:07

MINISTER OF CULTURE ADIL KARIMLI TO RECEIVE CITIZENS İN ABSHERONAccording to the schedule of the reception of citizens in cities and districts by the heads of the central executive authorities and other administrative bodies, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli will receive citizens from Absheron, Sumgayit, Kizi and Gubadli districts on November 29, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Absheron District Heydar Aliyev Centre (address: Galubiyya street, Khirdalan city). Citizens can apply for the reception until November 23, 2024 via the Ministry's e-mail address absheron-khizi@culture.gov.az and phone number 018) 644-46-04 (Ext. 308). ..

05.11.2024 15:53

Brazil Hosts Presentation on Cultural Events Planned for COP29An international seminar titled “Culture and Climate Change“ was held in the framework of G20 on November 4, 5, 2024, in Salvador, Brazil. Jeyran Jafarova from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture took part in the panel session “COP: Culture at the Center of Climate Change.“ The session, moderated by the advisor to the Brazilian Minister of Culture, was attended by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Culture of UAE representing COP28 Presidency, and the Ministry of Culture of Brazil representing COP30 Presidency. First, the UAE side reported on the first High-Level Ministerial Dialogue held during COP28 and talked about the challenges encountered during the implementation of actions dedicated to the role of culture in climate action. In the end, they thanked the Azerbaijani side for the support provided for these events during COP29. During an interactive panel session, participants received comprehensive information about the upcoming second High-Level Ministerial Dialogue organized by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, as well as the Culture for Climate (C4C) initiative to be presented at COP29. After that, participants were informed about Azerbaijan's efforts to integrate culture into the climate agenda, including the declaration of 2024 as Green World Solidarity Year by the President of Azerbaijan and the dedication of two sessions to climate and culture at the sixth World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. The representative of the Ministry of Culture of Brazil thanked both presenters for their detailed information and shared that preparations for the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue at COP30 have already started. They also expressed that they are looking forward to the results of the events held in Azerbaijan. In conclusion, the Brazilian side expressed its gratitude to Azerbaijan for supporting the initiative. ..

05.11.2024 12:38

Educational Programs in Music and Art Schools UpdatedThe Ministry of Culture has revised the curriculum for piano, string, and violin specialties in music and art schools. The aim of this update is to improve the practical and theoretical knowledge of students and to bring it in line with modern educational standards. An important innovation in these programs is the focus on the works of Azerbaijani composers. The new program will provide a broader and more comprehensive curriculum for teaching musical performance, technical skills, and creative abilities. This methodology, which will be used in piano, string, and violin classes, aims to strengthen the capacity of young talents and provide them with professional musical education. In the near future, it is planned to revise the curricula of other specialties. You can download the updated educational programs and study them in detail by visiting the link (https://shorturl.at/wL6gU). ..

05.11.2024 09:41

The test stage of the Internship Program, carried out by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan under the organization of the "Culture Volunteers" Public Union, took place on November 4, 2024, at the National Library of Azerbaijan named after Mirza Fatali Akhundov.Participants responded to questions from test blocks that focused on general worldview, legislation, and logical thinking. It is worth mentioning that around 500 applications were submitted through the electronic application system for participation in the program. After an initial evaluation, 168 applications qualified for the test stage. Young people who successfully complete this phase will move on to the management skills evaluation phase and will subsequently be invited for interviews. ..

05.11.2024 09:26

Meeting Held with People's Artist Yalchin Adigozalov at the Ministry of CultureOn November 4, the famous conductor, people's artist, and professor of the Baku Music Academy named after U. Hajibeylli Yalchin Adigozelov celebrated his 65th birthday. On this occasion, a meeting with the artist was held in the Ministry of Culture. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli congratulated the musician on the occasion of his jubilee on behalf of the staff of the Ministry and the cultural community and conveyed his best wishes. It was noted that President Ilham Aliyev and the head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, always give priority and support to the development of music and other cultural fields in Azerbaijan. The work of people who have contributed to the development of our music is highly appreciated. Yalchin Adigozelov received the honorary title of “People's Artist“ and was awarded the “Shohrat“ Order for his contributions in this field. It was noted that Yalchin Adigozelov organized many premieres of classical repertoire in Baku, actively promoted the works of Azerbaijani composers around the world, and conducted extensive concert performances with symphony orchestras in Azerbaijan and abroad. During the meeting, the jubilee was awarded the Honorary Diploma of the Ministry in recognition of his contributions to the development of Azerbaijani culture. Yalchın Adıgozalov expressed his gratitude for the recognition of his contributions and congratulations regarding his work. In the course of the conversation, opinions were exchanged on the prospects of the development of the musical field. It is worth mentioning that Professor Yalchin Adigozelov has been teaching at the Baku Music Academy for almost 30 years. His students are now prominent conductors of the republic. Since 2023, the People's Artist has held the post of artistic director and chief conductor of the State Symphony Orchestra named after Niyazi, which operates under the Heydar Aliyev Palace. ..

04.11.2024 12:06

New Events and Presentations Highlight Azerbaijan at Istanbul FairA panel discussion on New Azerbaijani Storytelling and Novel Writing was held on November 2 as part of the 41st Istanbul International Book Fair, where Azerbaijan is the “Guest of Honor.“. The speakers included Azerbaijani writers Agshin Yenisey, Narmin Kamal, Javid Zeynalli, and Ulvi Babasoy. The panel discussed the development of Azerbaijani prose and the tradition of realism in our literature. In addition, the issues of Karabakh and the relationship between writers and readers are also at the center of New Azerbaijani prose. The authors responded to the questions of the readers. On the same day, the Turkish translation of the book “The Great Azerbaijani Poet Nizami,“ by the distinguished Russian orientalist Yevgeny Bertels, was presented. The translation and publication were carried out as part of a project by the Azerbaijan Cultural Center (ACC) at our embassy in Türkiye. Samir Abbasov, Director of ACC, spoke about the Center's initiatives for the promotion of our literature and culture and emphasized the importance of this book on the life and works of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi. He mentioned that the research was translated into Turkish by Imdat Avsar, the editor-in-chief of “Turkish Literature“ magazine in Turkey and a friend of our literature. Poet and researcher Farid Huseyn, translator Imdat Avsar, and others gave speeches and considered the book an important contribution to systematic studies. This book by Yevgeny Bertels (1890–1957), who was a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences and a laureate of the USSR State Prize, was published in Baku in 1940. The researcher also studied the works of other prominent Eastern poets such as Alishir Navai, Sadi Shirazi, Abdurrahman Jami, and Abulgasim Firdovsi. * A panel discussion on Publishing Culture in Azerbaijan took place at our stand on November 2. Publishers Shamil Sadig, Nurman Tarig, Rafig Ismayilov, and others discussed the current state of the book industry in our country and outlined the tasks for its development. On the same day, the signing of the books Absurd Menu (in Turkish) by the writer Ravan Javid and History of the Future (in Turkish) by the essayist and literary critic Gismat Rustamov took place at our stand. The Istanbul Fair will conclude on November 10. ..