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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The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan Announce the Results of Post-Production Film Support Competition

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11.07.2024

11.07.2024 02:52

In May of this year, ARKA announced a competition to support the completion of film projects in their post-production stages. The competition, aiming to stimulate and increase the efficiency of the country's film production, raise the competitiveness of independent production centers, and support joint film production, has concluded.

Applications from nine projects were received for the competition in various categories, including full-length feature and documentary, short feature, documentary, and animation films. The Arts Council decided to award state support to six of these evaluated projects. Short documentary film "Memory Palaces" directed by Matlab Mukhtarov, "Rental Azerbaijan" LLC; full-length documentary film "The Return", directed by Elmaddin Aliyev, "Karvan Production" LLC; full-length feature film "Silent Time", directed by Tahir Tahirovich, "Nova Gorica Kino" Center" LLC; full-length documentary "Black cat, white shani", directed by Alamdar Faig, "Chinar Film" LLC; short feature film "Inverted Shadows", directed by Haji Safarov, "Chinar Film" LLC; full-length feature-documentary "Where are you, crane?" film directed by Ilkin Yusif "Boomerangfilm" LLC

It’s worth mentioning that for the first time in the country, a competition is held to support film projects in the post-production phase. The Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue to conduct competitions throughout the year to offer state support for film projects.

NEWS

12.07.2024 18:07

TÜRKSOY Celebrates its 31st AnniversaryIt has been 31 years since the foundation of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY). On July 12, 1993, at a meeting in Almaty attended by the Ministers of Culture of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan, an agreement was signed to establish the “Joint Administration of Turkic Culture and Arts“ (TÜRKSOY). Since 2009, the organization has been known as the International Organization of Turkic Culture. The Secretariat of TÜRKSOY is located in Ankara, Türkiye. In addition to its six founding member countries, TÜRKSOY has observer members, including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Republics of Altai, Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Tiva, Khakassia, and Sakha-Yakut of the Russian Federation, and the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia of Moldova. As a common cultural platform of the Turkic peoples, TÜRKSOY promotes our moral values with deep historical roots, our rich cultural and literary heritage, and the diverse art of friendly and brotherly countries worldwide. Azerbaijan has actively participated in the activities of the organization since its establishment. The first Secretary General of TURKSOY was Polad Bulbuloghlu, the former Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and currently our Ambassador to Russia. Every year TURKSOY carries out projects related to our country. In particular, the project “Cultural Capital of the Turkic world“ has been implemented twice in Azerbaijan. In 2016, Shaki city held this title. In 2023, Shusha, known as the capital of Azerbaijani culture and a symbol of our historical victory, became the “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World“. At the 40th session of the TURKSOY Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture, which was held in Shusha in October 2023, important discussions were held and decisions were made on the future spectrum of the organization's activities. On the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the establishment of TÜRKSOY, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan congratulates the General Secretary of the organization, Sultan Raev, and the staff of the TURKSOY Secretariat, as well as all the brotherly nations represented in the organization, and wishes new successes in our future joint activities! ..

12.07.2024 15:22

Minister Adil Karimli Participates in the Meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the SCO Member StatesOn July 12, a meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held within the framework of the XXXIII International Festival of Arts “Slavic Bazaar“ in Vitebsk, in the Republic of Belarus. Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli took part in the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Minister Adil Karimli congratulated the Republic of Belarus on becoming a full member of the SCO. He reminded the participants of the 2016 Memorandum between Azerbaijan and the SCO and emphasized the great importance of cultural development within the framework of this organization. It was noted that the participation of President Ilham Aliyev in the SCO Summit held in Astana on July 4 this year once again emphasized our country's intention to further strengthen cooperation within this organization. The Minister said that we highly value our role as a dialogue partner in the SCO and are committed to strengthening cooperation in various fields, including culture, education, and science: “Our goal is not only to strengthen our relations, but also to use the potential to support sustainable development.“ Adil Karimli also mentioned that this year Azerbaijan hosted the Days of Culture of Belarus, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and the Russian Federation, while Uzbekistan hosted the Days of Culture of Azerbaijan. The minister noted that Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November 2024. This prestigious event will include a cultural agenda, including a meeting of ministers of culture. This meeting will provide an important platform to address the negative impacts of climate change on cultural heritage. The Day of National Cultures of the SCO countries will be held at the “Slavic Bazaar in Vitebsk“ festival. The Day of Cultures began on July 12 with a concert “For peace and creation together with the SCO“ on Victory Square in Vitebsk. Delegations of the member states of the organization also attended the event. Established in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization includes full members such as China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, and Belarus. Several countries hold observer and dialogue partner statuses with the organization. Since 2016, Azerbaijan has taken an active role as a dialogue partner in the SCO. ..

11.07.2024 17:11

Information Session Held for Non-governmental OrganizationsOn July 10, an information session on the grant competition for the promotion of cultural and creative industries announced by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held. More than 40 non-governmental organizations took part in the session, which was held at the Center for Development of Cultural and Creative Industries. During the information session, representatives of the Ministry and the Competition Commission presented detailed information on the priority areas and subtopics of the competition. They also explained the terms of participation in the contest and the requirements for the project proposal, and answered the questions of the representatives of non-governmental organizations. The Ministry of Culture announced the grant competition for non-governmental organizations to promote cultural and creative industries on July 4. Applications are accepted electronically on the website grants.culture.az until August 2, 2024. For details, call 147 (Call Center). ..

11.07.2024 12:37

Admission Exam Results Announced for Music and Art Schools, and CentersThe results of admission exams for the 2024-2025 academic year for music and art schools and centers under the Ministry of Culture have been announced. Candidates were informed of their results via the “MyCulture“ single personal cabinet (my.culture.az) and e-mail. Additionally, exam results can be accessed through the resource https://imtahan.culture.az, developed as an alternative to enhance citizen satisfaction and communication. From May 6 to 31, 16,280 people applied for admission to music and art schools and centers through the personal cabinet “my.culture.az“. Of these applicants, 12,196, or 75 percent, were successful. Based on the exam results, 9,428 of them were admitted to free programs and 2,768 to paid programs. This year, 2,000 more students have been admitted to schools compared to last year, which had 10,215 admissions. Successful candidates are required to finalize their electronic admission process through their personal accounts by August 15, 2024. To do so, they must log in to their personal “my.culture.az“ cabinet, fill out the required information in the “Student Placement“ section, and pay the tuition fee, if applicable. Appeals regarding exam results will be considered on July 15-17. The main objective of the reform measures in the cultural sector is to ensure transparent and effective management, the introduction of digital solutions, and the satisfaction of citizens. The admission procedures for music and art schools and centers are carried out under the digital development strategy “e-Culture“, which plays an important role in ensuring flexible and direct communication and transparency. We congratulate our students and their parents and wish them a successful academic year! ..

10.07.2024 18:35

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan The Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan JOINT STATEMENT On Unlawful Appropriation and Other Copyright Violations Related to the Composition "Karabagh" by the Azerbaijani Composer Bahram NasibovThe appropriation and theft of works of Azerbaijani authors and Azerbaijani folklore by Armenians continues. The most recent example is the song “Karabagh“ (“The cradle of dreams is always Karabakh“) by the well-known Azerbaijani composer Bahram Nasibov, which was performed by Gor Yepremyan with changed lyrics under the name “Sirun Jan“, posted on the YouTube platform, and labeled as “Armenian folk,“ i.e., “Armenian folk song“ in the video description. Like the appropriation of Uzeyir Hajibeyov's works by Armenians, this case of plagiarism also caused a wide reaction within Azerbaijani society. On July 9, 2024, the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan released a detailed comment on the matter. Regarding the subject discussed above, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan state the following: 1. The composition “Karabagh“ (from now on referred to as the “Composion“), was written and composed by the Azerbaijani composer Bahram Nasibov in the 20th century and was first performed by the People's Artist of Azerbaijan Arif Babayev in 1972. 2. The Composition was registered on June 2, 1972, in the Azerbaijan Branch of the All-Union Agency on Copyrights, the legal predecessor of the Intellectual Property Agency, in accordance with the legislation of the USSR. After Bahram Nasibov passed away in 1998, his heirs registered many of his song genre compositions, including this one, with the Copyright Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (predecessor of the Intellectual Property Agency) on July 14, 2004. They received composition registration certificate No. 662 from the agency. 3. The Composition is one of Bahram Nasibov's most famous songs, it has been performed many times in Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and other countries, and there are numerous video and audio recordings of these mass performances. 4. The state registration documents of the Composition, its copies on various media, and the recognition of Bahram Nasibov's authorship during mass performances in Azerbaijan serve as evidence that Bahram Nasibov is the sole author of the Composition. 5. The Composition can be used with the consent of Bahram Nasibov's heirs, and to the extent specified in such consent, with proper attribution to him. However, as can be seen from the description and content of the “Sirun Jan“ video on YouTube, Bahram Nasibov is not credited as the author. Instead, the illegally performed composition is posted on YouTube as an “Armenian folk song.“ 6. Based on the registration documents and the mass performance history of the Composition, the Ministry of Culture and the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan unequivocally conclude that this case constitutes plagiarism of the music of the Composition. 7. As further evidence of plagiarism, several performances of the composition and the video “Sirun Jan“ were submitted to the experts of the Intellectual Property Agency for assessment of similarity. The People's Artists and Composers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Faig Sujaddinov and Eldar Mansurov, acted as experts and concluded through their research that the music of the song “Sirun jan“ performed by the Armenian singer, is completely identical to the music of the song “Karabagh“ composed by Bahram Nasibov in the Chahargah Mugham. In addition, the composition originally named “Karabagh“ was renamed “Sirun Jan“ and the Azerbaijani lyrics containing the phrase “The cradle of dreams is always Karabakh“ were replaced by Armenian lyrics, resulting in a distortion of the original piece. 8. Consequently, the Composition was distorted, and plagiarism was committed on the music that is part of the Composition. As a result, performer Gor Yepremyan and those involved in the unauthorized performance, recording, and online posting of the work infringed upon Bahram Nasibov's personal copyright and the property rights of his heirs. In the given case of copyright violation, Gor Yepremyan bears the main legal responsibility, and other persons involved in the violation share this responsibility. 9. We state that the failure to investigate and address the aforementioned violation would violate the principle of “national treatment,“ a fundamental principle set forth in Article 5 of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, to which the Republic of Armenia is a signatory, as well as other international agreements to which it is a party, including the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization, the WIPO Copyright Treaty, and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. In this regard, we demand that the relevant authorities of the Republic of Armenia address the case of plagiarism, stop the presenting of the Azerbaijani composer Bahram Nasibov's composition as the Armenian folk song “Sirun Jan“ with lyrics modified by Gor Yepremyan, restore Bahram Nasibov's copyright, hold the responsible parties accountable, and report on the actions taken in accordance with international law and national legislation. ..

10.07.2024 15:30

The reception of citizens by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli in Gadabay district is rescheduled The reception of the citizens from Gadabay, Shamkir, Tovuz, Aghstafa, and Gazakh districts by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli, originally scheduled to take place on July 12 at 10 am at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Gadabay (address: Heydar Aliyev Avenue 1), has been postponed. The new date of the reception will be published in advance on the official web resources of the Ministry. ..

08.07.2024 15:55

Info Session Announced for Grant Competition Promoting Cultural and Creative IndustriesAn open information session on the grant competition for NGOs to promote cultural and creative industries, announced by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, will take place on July 10 at 4 p.m. at the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Center (the 8th floor of “Simurg“ plaza, Mehdi Mehdizadeh 33, Khatai district). During the information session, representatives of the Ministry and members of the Competition Commission will provide detailed information on the terms of participation, priority areas and subtopics, and the requirements for project proposals. Representatives of the NGOs interested in the competition are welcome to attend. On July 4, 2024, the Ministry of Culture announced a grant competition for non-governmental organizations to promote cultural and creative industries. Applications must be submitted by August 2, 2024, through the online platform grants.culture.az. For more information, please call 147 (hotline of the Ministry of Culture) or mob. 994505200674 (The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Center). ..

08.07.2024 11:07

Production of Short Animated Film "Nargız" ContinuesThe production of the winning film projects from the competition organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Cinema Agency (ARKA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan between July and October 2023 is underway with state support. Currently, work continues on “Nargız,“ a short animation film that is among the 11 winning entries. The film, produced by “Peri Film“ LLC (Animafilm Studio), is directed by Masud Panahi. Rashid Aghamaliyev is the producer, with Masud Panahi, Ismayil Iman, and Nazrin Aghamaliyeva as the screenwriters. The editors are Rafig Mammadli and Gulshan Huseynova. Firangiz Bagirova is the lead animator, while Kubra Binnetova handles the storyboard. The animation artist is Rustam Bashirov, and artists include Elchin Hami Akhundov, Emil Shiran, Kubra Binnetova, and Nazrin Hajiyeva. The animators are Mehriban Aliyeva, Rustam Bashirov, and Emil Shiran. Zarifa Akbarova coordinates the production, and Emil Gozalov serves as the lawyer. The objective of the film is to spotlight the issue of landmines and raise awareness among both children and adults about the dangers of these mines. The short animated film “Nargız“ is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. ..

05.07.2024 09:18

Grant competition for NGOs to promote cultural and creative industriesThe Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan has announced a grant competition for NGOs in order to promote cultural and creative industries. The main objective of the competition is to promote the development of cultural and creative industries and foster a cultural and innovative society in accordance with the “Strategy of Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026“ approved by the Order No. 3378 of July 22, 2022 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This includes the implementation of projects that meet today’s challenges, ensuring modern, sustainable and comprehensive cooperation, and increasing the participation of civil society organizations in this process. Priority Areas of the Grant Competition: 1. Projects focused on developing cultural and creative industries (enhancing and institutionalizing management within cultural and creative sectors; improving statistical data related to cultural and creative industries; volunteer efforts in cultural and creative industries; establishing digital platforms for the sale and export of cultural and creative products and services or upgrading current platforms; implementing activities promoting skill development in the capital and districts, including educational initiatives; performing statistical research in the book industry; 2. Projects dealing with digital solutions in the cultural sector (Organizing international events on digital creative industries within the country; Implementing innovative technologies in cultural and creative industries, including artificial intelligence; “E-culture“ - digitalization of culture; Digitization of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible); 3. Projects to support local animation (hosting international animation events within the country; taking part in international animation events abroad); 4. Projects for the institutionalization of the film industry (hosting international film events within the country; taking part in international film festivals abroad; improving management within the film industry). Criteria for the Applicants of the Grant Competition: 1. Eligible applicants must be state-registered non-governmental organizations within the Republic of Azerbaijan; 2. To qualify, the NGOs entering the competition must have relevant experience in implementing cultural projects and organizing cultural events; 1. The non-governmental organizations participating in the contest must submit the following documents - a digital copy of the original state registration certificate; - a digital copy of the original extract from state register; - a digital copy of the original charter; - a digital copy of the PIN code and identity card of the legal representative. 1. Non-governmental organizations that have previously received funding from the Ministry of Culture but have not fully fulfilled their obligations prior to the start of the grant competition, despite the conclusion of the grant agreement, are not eligible to participate in the grant competition; Criteria for Project Submissions 1. The project proposal must be implemented within the Republic of Azerbaijan for a period not exceeding 3 months. 2. The maximum amount that can be allocated to a single project proposal is AZN 30,000. 3. The content of the projects submitted to the grant competition shall not contradict the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the protection of historical and cultural monuments“, “On the cultural capital of Azerbaijan – Shusha city“, “On publishing“, “On cinematography“, “On theater and theater activities“, “On library work“, “On museums“, “On legal protection of Azerbaijani folklore expressions“, “On protection and development of Azerbaijani carpet art“, “On media“, “On copyright and related rights“, “On education“, the Civil Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and any other regulatory acts of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Additional Requirements for Project Submissions: Project proposals that follow these principles will be prioritized during the selection process: 1. Regional inclusiveness - Project proposals should extend beyond Baku city and the Absheron district, and include various other cities and regions within Azerbaijan. 2. Multilateral collaboration - project proposals should include the expertise of specialists who will work in close cooperation and partnership with central and local government institutions. Where appropriate, the private sector and stakeholders should also be involved. 3. Innovation – Project proposals should be based on new, previously unused mechanisms and methods. Emphasis should be placed on using opportunities created by proven information and communication technologies in developed countries. 4. Diversity and Inclusion - Project proposals should reflect specific approaches to ensure the involvement of people with disabilities, vulnerable groups and people in need of social protection including youth, and women. 5. Sustainability – When drafting project proposals, it is essential to consider the sustainability of the projected outcomes, and this criterion must be clearly and precisely demonstrated within the proposal. The application deadline for the competition is August 1, 2024. Submissions are accepted electronically via grants.culture.az. The following documents are required to apply to the competition: 1. Project proposal form 2. Form of Implementation Plan 3. Budget Estimate Form For inquiries regarding the grant competition, please contact projects@culture.gov.az or call the Ministry of Culture hotline at 147. ..

04.07.2024 17:49

Board of Appeals of the Ministry of Culture Convenes Next MeetingOn July 3, 2024, the next meeting of the Board of Appeals of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister Saadat Yusifova. The meeting was attended by the Members of the Board of Appeals - Elchin Najafov, Deputy Chief of Staff, and the Head of the Department of Document Processing and Citizen Affairs, Shahin Hasanov, Head of the Human Capital Management Department, Vugar Mammadov, the Head of the Strategic Development and Project Management Department, Rashad Azizov, the Head of the Creative Industries and Digital Development Department, and Javid Aliyev, the head of the Audit and Internal Control Department. During the meeting, the appeals of 2 candidates related to the competition announced by the State Examination Center on February 14, 2024, and the internal interview announced on February 22, 2024, for filling vacant civil service positions in the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan were reviewed. At the meeting, the views of the candidates on the interview were heard and the opinions formulated by the Board on the basis of video recordings and documents submitted by the State Examination Center were considered. At the end of the meeting, the decisions on the considered issues were made based on the votes of the members of the Board. The Board of Appeals confirmed that the decision of the Interview Commission regarding the results of the previous interview of Aghayeva Esmira Tahir was completely objective and justified, and therefore the decision remained unchanged. In response to the appeal of Aghalar Suleyman oghlu Aghamammadov, the Board of Appeals decided to change the results of his previous interview, and found him suitable for the position he applied for, and subsequently included him in the reserve list. ..

03.07.2024 10:01

Filming of "The Kura - the Mother of Rivers" Documentary in ProgressThe film projects that have won the competition organized by the Ministry of Culture and Cinema Agency (ARKA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan in July-October 2023 are produced with the support of the state. It should be mentioned that the competition was held by the state in order to support the growth of the film industry, to promote cinematographic activities, to increase the experience of local filmmakers, to achieve the production of films that promote national, moral and universal values, and also to support the private sector in this field. The documentary “The Kura - the Mother of Rivers“, one of the 11 winning projects of the competition, is currently being filmed. The film is directed by Seyran Mahmudoghlu, and written Akbar Najaf. The producer is Fariz Ahmadov, while the production company is OD Media Production. The film will be shot along the entire length of the Kura River, from its source to its mouth, covering the territories of Terkiye, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The film will depict the geography of the Kura River, Azerbaijan's largest natural water source, as well as the surrounding cities and the socio-economic, historical and cultural developments in these regions. The central idea of the film is to illustrate the historical, cultural and economic impact of the river from the past to the present and to highlight its value to humanity. ..

02.07.2024 09:52

Workshop conducted on the fight against corruptionA workshop on strengthening the fight against corruption was conducted on July 1 under the joint organization of the Ministry of Culture, the General Anti-Corruption Directorate under the Prosecutor General's Office, and the Scientific-Methodical and Specialization Center of the Ministry. The workshop held at the International Mugham Center, was attended by executives and employees of the entities within the structure of the Ministry. During the event conducted in connection with the implementation of the order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan of April 4, 2022 on the Approval of 2022-2026 National Action Plan to Strengthen the Fight Against Corruption, discussions were held on corruption-related offenses among the employees of cultural institutions, as well as on responsibility, conflicts of interest related to these offenses, and other related topics. Piraya Samadzadeh-Aliyeva, Senior Prosecutor of the Organizational and Information Support Department of the Anti-Corruption Directorate delivered a report on “The Concept of Corruption, Its History and Forms of Manifestation“. Prosecutors Ilkin Babazadeh and Kamil Kamilli from the same department presented on the types of corruption crimes, responsibility for corruption crimes, international practice in combating corruption, and anti-corruption methods. I. Babazadeh discussed the actions of specialized institutions combating corruption in Azerbaijan and the reports received via the hotline and citizen applications concerning corruption in the cultural sector. K. Kamilli talked about the State Program, legislative improvements made in our country in this area, the international initiatives Azerbaijan has joined in combating corruption, and the National Action Plan for fighting corruption. It was pointed out that the Anti-Corruption Directorate will maintain its efforts at the highest level to strengthen the fight against corruption, which is a major form of organized crime both domestically and internationally. ..

01.07.2024 18:07

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli to receive citizens in GadabayAccording 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 Adil Karimli will receive citizens from Shamkir, Tovuz, Aghstafa, and Gazakh districts on July 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Heydar Aliyev Center of Gadabay district (address: Heydar Aliyev Avenue 1). Citizens can apply for the reception until July 8, 2024 via the Ministry's e-mail address info@culture.gov.az and phone number (012) 493-43-98. ..

01.07.2024 12:31

Aptitude exams for the admission of students in music and art schools and centers under the Ministry of Culture for the 2024/2025 academic year have concludedThis year, for the first time, the admission of students to music and art schools and centers under the Ministry of Culture was carried out through my.culture.az via a single personal account. In order to ensure the satisfaction of the citizens and an objective evaluation, all necessary conditions were created to allow students to take the exams centrally in one place. A total of 16,280 people registered electronically. Approximately 15,000 candidates took the exams. Please note that candidates (or parents/guardians for those under the age of 18) will soon be notified of their exam results via a private account or email. Successful candidates will need to confirm their enrollment through the system. ..

28.06.2024 15:35

Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Attends the Maqom Art International Forum in UzbekistanThe 2nd Maqom (Mugham) Art International Forum is taking place from June 27-30 in the Zaamin city of Jizzakh province, Uzbekistan. The opening ceremony of the 2nd Maqom Art International Forum will take place on June 27. Among the attendees will be Simona-Mirela Miculescu, Chairperson of the 42nd session of UNESCO; Salim Al-Malik, Director General of ICESCO; Sultan Raev, Secretary General of TURKSOY; A. Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation; Mehmet Süreyya Er, Chairman of TürkPA; Adil Karimli, Minister of Culture; Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye; Moon Hyung Suk, Secretary-General of the Asia Region of the International Folklore Organization; and other officials and representatives of the diplomatic corps of foreign countries accredited in Uzbekistan. At the opening ceremony, the President of Uzbekistan, Shevkat Mirziyoyev, spoke about the history and importance of maqom art. The ceremony was followed by the speeches of the President of the 42nd Session of the UNESCO General Conference Simona Miculescu, and the Director General of ICESCO, Salim Muhammad al-Malik. Following the speeches, an extensive concert program took place. Various groups presented captivating music and dance performances and compositions. All performances were received with applause. We would like to inform you that the “Zaminsay“ complex, where the forum was held with around 400 guests from over 80 countries, was decorated for the event. A large area has been dedicated to exhibitions that display the rich culture of the Uzbek people and their magnificent applied art. As part of the forum, an international scientific-practical conference titled “Development Perspectives of Maqom Art: Theoretical and Practical Foundations“ will take place on June 28-29. Our country is represented in the competition by young singers Nisbat Sadrayeva and Safali Mirzaliyev. They will be accompanied by musicians Ruslan Zarbaliyev on tar, Parviz Farhadov on kamancha, and Siyavush Farhadov on drums. An international jury, with experts from Azerbaijan, the USA, Egypt, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and India, will judge the performers in categories such as “Best Maqom Ensemble“, “Best Instrumental Solo“, and “Best Vocal Solo“. The organizing committee of the forum will award cash prizes, diplomas, and figurines to the winners. The closing ceremony of the Forum and the award ceremony for the winners will take place on June 30. The first Maqom Art International Forum took place in Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan, from September 6-10, 2018, and the Mugham instrumental group representing our country secured the first place. ..

27.06.2024 15:44

Uzbekistan Hosts the 2nd Maqom Art International ForumThe 2nd Maqom (Mugam) Art International Forum is taking place from June 27-30 in the Zaamin city of Jizzakh province, Uzbekistan, under the auspices of UNESCO and ICESCO. More than 400 guests from nearly 80 countries are attending the forum, which seeks to preserve, develop, and promote the rare examples of Uzbek national maqom art on an international scale, as well as enhance friendship and creative partnerships between peoples. The opening ceremony of the 2nd Maqom Art International Forum will take place on June 27. Among the attendees will be Simona-Mirela Miculescu, Chairperson of the 42nd session of UNESCO; Salim Al-Malik, Director General of ICESCO; Sultan Raev, Secretary General of TURKSOY; A. Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation; Mehmet Süreyya Er, Chairman of TürkPA; Adil Karimli, Minister of Culture; Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye; Moon Hyung Suk, Secretary-General of the Asia Region of the International Folklore Organization; and other officials and representatives of the diplomatic corps of foreign countries accredited in Uzbekistan. As part of the forum, an international scientific-practical conference titled “Development Perspectives of Maqom Art: Theoretical and Practical Foundations“ will take place on June 28-29. A performance competition will be held on June 28-29. An international jury, with experts from Azerbaijan, the USA, Egypt, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and India, will judge the performers in categories such as “Best Maqom Ensemble“, “Best Instrumental Solo“, and “Best Vocal Solo“. The organizing committee of the forum will award cash prizes, diplomas, and figurines to the winners. The Grand Prix prize is $15,000, while the 1st place winners in both solo and ensemble categories will receive $10,000, the 2nd place winners will receive $7,000, and the 3rd place award for solo and ensemble performers is $5,000. To support and encourage the participants, awards will be presented in several categories including “Best Maqom Composer“, “Best Soloist - Maqom Performer“, “Best Musician - Maqom Performer“, “Best Teacher in Maqom Art“, “Best Maqom Promoter“, and “Best Young Maqom Performer“. Additionally, during the forum, various exhibitions featuring cultural examples from 14 regions of Uzbekistan will be held in the pavilions. The closing ceremony of the 2nd Maqom Art International Forum and the award ceremony for the winners will take place on June 30. The first Maqom Art International Forum took place in Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan, from September 6-10, 2018, and the Mugham instrumental group representing our country secured the first place. ..

25.06.2024 17:11

Acting and vocal master classes at the Academic Russian Drama TheaterAs part of the Days of Russian Culture in Baku, the Azerbaijan State Academic Russian Drama Theater hosted acting master classes by Alexandrina Kologriva and Nataliya Kulikova, and a vocal masterclass by Alina Ivakh on June 25. Art and acting students attended the master class where Alina Ivakh, the troupe leader of the Moscow Governorship Theater, shared her creative journey and mentioned that she not only teaches acting for vocalists but also leads master classes on “vocal therapy“. Ivakh also noted that the seventh International Children's Festival will take place in Russia. She explained that “Roskonsert“ invites educators and artists from various regions and abroad to participate in the festival. “We are looking forward to welcoming Azerbaijani artists to Moscow. I hope that the cultural cooperaion between Russia and Azerbaijan will keep flourishing. This is very important. Because sharing experiences always adds value,“ the expert added. The guests highlighted that they watched Azerbaijani art, especially our films and plays. In the master class, discussions covered topics like authors, writers, actors, screenplays, sound issues, new generation actors, repertoire, and dramaturgy, strategies for engaging a younger audience, introducing new talent, and maintaining audience’s interest. It was noted that new plays in Russia are initially performed in regional theaters, and then directors from the capital select and present the best ones. The guests talked about the new approaches implemented in Russian theaters and responded to the students' questions. ..

25.06.2024 10:57

Days of Russian Culture Begin in BakuOn June 24, an opening ceremony of the Days of Russian Culture took place at the Heydar Aliyev Palace, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The event was attended by officials from both countries, culture and arts figures, and art lovers. During the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Andrei Malyshev, thanked the Government of Azerbaijan for their warm welcome and support for the Days of Russian Culture. It was mentioned that Azerbaijan and Russia are bound by centuries-old friendly relations and a shared historical path of development. The Days of Russian Culture in Azerbaijan were last organized in 2019: “We aim to make this an annual event from now on. These cultural projects facilitate the further development of relations between the two countries at the strategic partnership level. I believe that today's joint performance by Russian and Azerbaijani art masters will be seen as the best example of their cooperation,“ stated Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Murad Huseynov, highlighting in his speech the dynamic development of cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. After the performances, a magnificent gala concert took place. The audience cheered the concert featuring Alexei Melnikov on piano, Sergey Dogadin on violin, and mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova, with accompaniment from the State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, conducted by Honored Artist of Russia Ivan Rudin. The collaboration between Azerbaijani vocalists and Russian performers that evening also received enthusiastic applause. The program featuring pieces by P. Tchaikovsky, S. Rachmaninov, D. Shostakovich, and N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov provided the audience with unforgettable moments. Notably, as part of the Days of Culture on June 25, the Azerbaijan State Academic Russian Drama Theater will host acting master classes by Russian experts Alexandrina Kologriv and Natalia Kulikova, as well as vocal master classes by Alina Ivakh. On the same day, art lovers can watch the performance of the play “Family Picture“ (1847) by Alexander Ostrovsky at the Academic Russian Drama Theatre. ..

25.06.2024 09:54

Our Culture on the Air – New ProjectsThe Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and “Pro Media Group“ LLC have organized new radio projects. This collaboration has led to the presentation of the “Azerbaijani language“, “Our cultural heritage“, and “Culture guide“ sections, along with the “Voice of Art“ program, to listeners The “Cultural Heritage“ aired on “Retro FM“ radio station (93.3 FM) offers information about our cultural heritage handed down through generations, and highlights historical-architectural and cultural landmarks and buildings found in Baku and other regions of Azerbaijan. The “Culture Guide“ segment aired on “Avto FM“ (107.7 FM) and “Retro FM“ (93.3 FM) provides information about upcoming performances at the Academic National Drama, Academic Opera and Ballet, Academic Musical, Academic Russian Drama, National Young Spectators, Puppet, Pantomime, Yugh, and Shusha State Musical Drama theaters. The “Azerbaijani language“ segment aired on “Avto FM,“ “Retro FM,“ and “Hit FM“ (97.7 FM) radio stations discusses correct spelling and pronunciation based on the lexical and grammatical rules of the Azerbaijani language. The “Voice of Art“ program, broadcast live on “Retro FM“ five days a week from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., features interviews with composers, singers, pop and opera performers who have played an important role in shaping our national music, as well as researchers of their heritage, their family members and students. These four projects support the promotion of Azerbaijani culture to a wider audience and aim to increase interest in cultural events, theater and performances. ..

24.06.2024 17:59

Days of Russian Culture Kick off in our CountryAs it is known, on January 22, 2024, the Intergovernmental State Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation signed the “Roadmap of the Key Directions of Development of Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia for 2024-2026“. According to the relevant paragraph of this document, the Days of Russian Culture will be held in Azerbaijan from June 22 to 26. A large delegation, including famous masters of art from the neighboring country, visited Azerbaijan during the Days of Culture. On June 24 at 19:00, a gala concert with Russian artists will be held at the Heydar Aliyev Palace. The next day, on June 25, at 11 a.m., Azerbaijan State Academic Russian Drama Theater will host acting master classes by Russian experts Alexandrina Kologriva and Nataliya Kulikova, as well as vocal master classes by Alina Ivakh. Art lovers can watch the performance of the play “Family Picture“ (1847) by Alexander Ostrovsky at the Academic Russian Drama Theatre on the same day at 8 pm. ..

24.06.2024 14:57

Media Representatives Observe Music and Art School Admission ExamsAs reported earlier, admission exams for the 2024/2025 academic year at music and art schools and centers under the Ministry of Culture are currently in progress. This year, for the first time, exams are being centrally administered for the convenience of citizens. The exam stage from June 20-30 is taking place at the Baku Choreography Academy in our capital. On June 24, a media tour was organized at the Baku Choreography Academy to acquaint journalists with the examination process. In addition to media representatives, Deputy Minister of Culture Murad Huseynov, Advisor to the Minister Jasarat Valehov, Chairman of the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan People's Artist Firangiz Alizadeh, People's Artists and tar performers Ramiz Guliyev and Elchin Hashimov, and other guests, participated in the event. They were informed about the progress of the exam stage and given details about the admission exam. It was mentioned that from June 20 onwards, candidates registered with the single electronic admission system for the first time are participating in in-person exams. A total of 16,280 individuals registered electronically, and 4,167 of them are applicants from Baku city. This newly implemented method was highlighted as a key component of the ongoing cultural education reforms. The transition to electronic admissions for music and art schools and centralized aptitude tests provide transparent assessment, increase citizen satisfaction, and saves time. Moreover, the selection of students at this level is important for evaluating the actual capabilities of the schools and for accurately assessing the educational performance of the students. A group photo was taken at the end of the tour. After all the exams are completed, the candidates (or the parent/legal representative for those under the age of 18) will be notified of the results within three working days via personal office, e-mail, or SMS notification service. ..

24.06.2024 12:55

Russian Pianist Conducts a Master Class at the Baku Music AcademyAs part of the Days of Russian Culture held in our country from June 22 to 26, Russian pianist Alexey Melnikov conducted a master class, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On June 23, A. Melnikov shared his knowledge and experience with piano students at the master class held at the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli. The well-known pianist responded to the young people's questions and shared his recommendations. ..

24.06.2024 12:36

Azerbaijani Language Weekend School Opened in BerlinThe opening ceremony of the Azerbaijani Language Weekend School “Kharibulbul,“ jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, the State Committee for Work with Diaspora, and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Germany, was held at the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Berlin. The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Farid Jafarov. During the speeches, the importance of the Azerbaijani language weekend school was emphasized, and it was mentioned that the school will support the promotion of our language. The establishment of Azerbaijani language schools on the initiative of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva was emphasized as extremely important for maintaining ties with the historical motherland and teaching the mother tongue to the young generation. The Azerbaijani diaspora in Germany also makes an active contribution in this field. After the opening ceremony, the rhythm courses that are newly organized at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center were introduced to the guests. At the end, the gifts of the Ministry of Culture and the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora were handed over to the students of the Mother Tongue School. ..

24.06.2024 12:32

Delegation of the Ministry of Culture Cisits GermanyThe delegation of the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan visited the Federal Republic of Germany. On June 21, they visited the Dresden State and University Library, where they were informed about its historical background and activities. After that, they held talks with the management of the library on the prospects of cooperation. The delegation also examined a handwritten copy of the epos “Kitabi-Dada Gorgud,“ a remarkable cultural and literary relic of the Turkic world, which is kept in the library. The study of the epos began with the discovery of a manuscript in the Dresden Library in 1815, written in the 15th century by the German Orientalist Heinrich Friedrich von Dietz. This manuscript contains an introduction and 12 sagas. The second copy of the epos is kept in Vatican. In this copy, published by the Italian scholar Ettore Rossi in 1952, the epos contains six sagas. More recently, other manuscripts of this epic have been found. The 1300th anniversary of the epos “Kitabi-Dada Gorgud“ was officially celebrated in 1999. Readers are presented with facsimiles of the Dresden and Vatican manuscripts in the two-volume encyclopedia “Kitabi-Dada Gorgud.“. ..

24.06.2024 12:25

Meeting Held on the Translation and Publication of Azerbaijani and Chinese classicsThe Azerbaijani delegation met with the Chinese side on June 21 at Beijing Language and Culture University. In the meeting, discussions were held about the current status and future tasks concerning the translation and publication of classical works from both countries, based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022 between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the General Administration of Press and Publication of the People's Republic of China. Zhao Haiyun, a first-category inspector of the General Administration of Press and Publication and Deputy Director-General for SAPPRFT Import Administration Department, welcomed the delegation and highlighted the significance of the translation project in the continuing cultural cooperation between China and Azerbaijan. He mentioned that this project will support the study and promotion of the cultural heritage of the two countries. The official delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan expressed their gratitude for the support in organizing Azerbaijan's participation in the Beijing International Book Fair, as well as for the attention given to Azerbaijan's cultural heritage. The Chinese side was informed about the progress of the translation project, and the possibilities for enhancing cultural cooperation between the two nations were discussed within the framework of the Baku International Book Fair. The Chinese side confirmed that a number of Chinese publishing houses would join the 10th Baku International Book Fair. The meeting concluded with the presentation of the promotional video of the Baku International Book Fair. ..

24.06.2024 12:19

The exhibition "Vajiha Samadova 100: Pages of the Life of an Artist," dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the honored artist Vajiha Samadova, was opened on June 20 at the National Art Museum of AzerbaijanPeople's artist Salhab Mammadov and Vajiha Samadova's grandson Agshin Mirfeyzullazadeh spoke at the event. They emphasized the importance of the exceptional artist's work in the national fine arts and the significance of the exhibition for Azerbaijani art. The exhibition, jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, featured some 60 paintings and graphic works of the artist in various genres, mainly from the collections of the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan State Art Gallery. The exhibition is curated by Shirin Malikova, Ph.D. in Art Studies and Associate Professor. The works of Vajiha Samadova, Azerbaijan's first professional painter known for her unique style and diverse subjects, are displayed in thematically organized halls. The landscape paintings in the exhibition bring to life the mysterious nature of Azerbaijan, captured by the artist through direct observation. Her creations, inspired by her creative trip to Bulgaria, feature compositions dedicated to the country's landscapes, buildings, and people. The artist's works, such as “Before the Exam“ and “Waiting for the News,“ among other thematic works, are characterized by their vivid emotions and feelings, with a flawless compositional structure. This style of artistic solution is also common in her graphic works from the 1950s and 1960s. “On the Shore of the Kura River,“ painted in 1961, represents the apex of her artistic and aesthetic exploration and occupies a prominent place in the exhibition. The artwork is presented with an engaging visual presentation using multimedia. The exhibition also includes portrait works, highlighting one of the primary genres in which Vajiha Samadova has established herself as an artist. The captivating portrait of the artist, painted by her dear lifelong friend Latif Feyzullayev, along with a video about her personality and creative world, adds a special meaning to the exhibition concept. The exhibition will continue until November 25, 2024. ..

21.06.2024 15:14

Admission Exams Start for Music, and Art Schools and CentersThe next round of exams for the admission of students for the 2024/2025 academic year in music and art schools and centers under the Ministry of Culture has begun. For the first time this year, the exams will be held centrally for the convenience of citizens. From June 20 to 30, the exams will be held at the Baku Choreography Academy in our capital. Starting from June 20, the candidates who registered for the first time through the single electronic admission system will participate in the in-person entrance exams. At this stage, a total of over 16,000 candidates will demonstrate their skills and knowledge, and over 4,000 of them are from Baku. After all the exams are completed, the candidates (or the parent/legal representative for those under the age of 18) will be notified of the results within three working days via personal office, e-mail, or SMS notification service. ..

21.06.2024 10:00

Azerbaijan Represented with a Stand at the International Animation Film FestivalThe Annecy International Animation Film Festival took place in Annecy, France. Under the organization of the Ministry of Culture, the members of the Azerbaijan Animation Association Elchin Hami Akhundov, Nazrin Aghamaliyeva, Ogtay Yusibov, Rashid Aghamaliyev, and Shahin Aliyev represented our country at the festival. This year over 17,000 spectators and guests visited the biggest animation festival in the world. The names of the winners of the festival are published on the official website of the festival. The Turkic Animation Association (ATA) and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) shared a stand at the MIFA Market during the festival. The stand featured animation products, projects, associations and festivals from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Türkiye. The catalog “Animation of Turkic Countries 2024“ was one of the highlights of the stand. The joint stand project of ATA and TURKSOY was implemented as part of the “Creative Azerbaijan“ program for the development of creative industries with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the International Organization of Turkic Culture. Animation director Ravan Muradov (Crambone Inventive League) also took part in the Annecy Festival. He was able to participate in the festival thanks to the award “Best Azerbaijani Short Animation Film“ at the 6th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival for the film “The Half - “What if we die“. The next Annecy International Animation Film Festival will be held on June 8-14, 2025. ..

20.06.2024 09:24

The First Stand of Azerbaijan Featured at Beijing Book FairThe 30th Beijing International Book Fair kicked off on June 19, bringing together book industry representatives from various countries. This year, for the first time, Azerbaijan is represented with a national stand at the fair, under the organization of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and with the support of our Embassy in the People's Republic of China. The stand features 309 newly released publications, covering 133 different titles about our country. In honor of the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and philosopher Muhammad Fuzuli (1494-1556), President Ilham Aliyev has issued an order, and the Ministry of Culture is launching a series of related projects and events. Publications on the life and works of Muhammad Fuzuli were also displayed at our stand. The Azerbaijani delegation provided the visitors with detailed information about the history, culture, book industry of our country and mission of Shusha as the “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World“ in 2024. As part of the exhibition, cooperation meetings with the Chinese representatives were held at the national stand with the involvement of several publishing houses of Azerbaijan. Following the opening ceremony of the exhibition, the Azerbaijani delegation visited the National Library of Beijing, where the possibilities of collaboration with the library were discussed. The Beijing International Book Fair, where Saudi Arabia is the guest of honor, will continue until June 23. ..

14.06.2024 17:04

Minister of Culture Receives Citizens in SamukhIn accordance with the instruction of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the heads of central executive bodies and other administrative bodies hold receptions in cities and districts every month, address citizen appeals on various issues and take appropriate measures. In line with the schedule of receptions by the heads of the central executive authorities, the next meeting of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli with the citizens took place on June 14 in Samukh district. Before the meeting, the Minister and the Executive Head of the District, Firdovsi Aliyev, laid flowers at the monument of the national leader Heydar Aliyev in Samukh and paid tribute to his cherished memory. At the reception held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Samukh, the applications of the residents of the Samukh, Goranboy, Goygol, and Dashkasan districts, as well as Ganja and Naftalan cities, were reviewed. The applications concerned proposals and initiatives in the field of culture, employment, and various other issues. In addition, several existing issues in the field were highlighted. The Minister of Culture, Adil Karimli, listened to the citizens and instructed the relevant officials of the Ministry of Culture to investigate the issues in each application swiftly and resolve them according to the law. During the reception, the applications of the families of martyrs and veterans were recorded and placed under supervision to ensure that they receive timely attention. ..

14.06.2024 09:28

Culture Days in Uzbekistan Conclude with 'My Azerbaijan' ConcertThe closing concert of the Days of Azerbaijan Culture, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan took place in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. On June 13, the Musical Drama Theater named after Mugimi hosted a concert by the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble titled “My Azerbaijan.“ The event was attended by cultural and artistic figures and members of the public of the brotherly country. The evening, presenting the best examples of Azerbaijani dance art, was held in a full house. Our dancers professionally performed the dances “Suita“, “Gaval“, “Gazaghi“, “Scarf Dance“, “Naghara“, “Shali“, “Gaitaghi“, “Toy“, “Sword Dance“, “Chaychi“, and “Vatan“ along with musical performances and the audience applauded continuously. As the closing event of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture held in Tashkent from June 10 to June 14, the concert has gone down in history as an unforgettable art festival for the participants. ..

13.06.2024 18:02

"Sword and Pen," presented in TashkentThe Days of Azerbaijani Culture, held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, continue with vibrant events. One such event took place on June 13 at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Tashkent. The center hosted a presentation of the Uzbek translation of the book “Sword and Pen“ by Mamed Said Ordubadi, a well-known author of historical novels. The opening speech at the ceremony, attended by scientists and intellectuals from Uzbekistan, was delivered by Ilgar Fahmi, the poet and playwright and the secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers (UAW). Then he gave the floor to the Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov. Greeting the guests, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan is dedicated to promoting the works of our prominent poets and writers through their translation into various foreign languages. To date, over 100 authors' works have been translated and published. The Deputy Minister emphasized the special importance of the recognition of our authors in the Turkic world and said that it would give Uzbek readers a comprehensive insight into both the celebrated prose writer Mammad Said Ordbadi and the world-renowned Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi, whose portrayal is created in the work. The speakers of the event included literary critics and scientists of Uzbekistan, professors Nurboy Jabbarov and Abdulla Ulugov; AUW secretary, poet, and translator Selim Babullaoghlu; executive director of the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Friendship Society Erkin Nuriddinov; poet Agshin Yenisey; and the director of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Ankara, Samir Abbasov. In the speeches, the importance of the new edition was noted, and the world of ideas of Nizami Ganjavi was discussed. The event featured the recitation of his poems and the performance of mughams sang to his ghazals. While Nizami Ganjavi's image holds a central position in the work, the author wasn't content with this alone and aimed to revive a complete picture of the period when the great poet lived, creating extensive portrayals of the people's lives. Therefore, the novel is named “Sword and Pen“ rather than after the main character, symbolizing the important influence of both the physical and spiritual power of the people. The novel was translated into Uzbek by Nazira Aliyeva, Muhsin Hamidov, and Rustam Komilov. ..

13.06.2024 17:04

State Yugh Theatre presents "It's Me" in TashkentThe Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Tashkent continue with interesting events. As part of the event, on June 12, the troupe of the Azerbaijan State Yugh Theater performed “It’s Me“ at the Uzbekistan State Institute of Art and Culture. Before the performance, an announcement was made that the director of the International Mugham Center, Honored Artist Sahib Pashazadeh, had received the title of Honorary Professor from Moscow State University. The honorary professor diploma was presented to the tar performer. Faculty members and students of USIAC, as well as cultural and artistic figures of the brotherly country, watched the performance. The play, which was based on the work of the writer and playwright Ilgar Fahmi and written in 2019 for the 650th anniversary of poet and thinker Imadeddin Nasimi (1369–1417), was organized by the honored artist Mehriban Alekbarzadeh. The artist of the performance is Vusal Rahim, the composer is People's Artist Aygun Samadzadeh, and the author of the plastic solution is Jeyhun Dadashov. The play, classified as a mystical-psychological drama, was developed through a joint project of the Azerbaijan State Yugh Theater and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. People's Artist Mammadsafa Gasimov, Honored Artist Gasim Naghi, and actors Abdulgani Aliyev, Ziya Agha, Amid Gasimov, Vugar Hajiyev, Elgun Hamidov, Elshan Askerov, and Famil Guliyev took part in the performance. The stage performance presents the concept of Hurufism to the audience through the lenses of science, love, the divine scriptures, and sainthood. The Uzbek audience was introduced to Nasimi's era, love, sorrow, joy, truth, death, and immortality by merging different concepts of time and space on stage. Art lovers greeted the performance with applause. ..

13.06.2024 09:51

'Arshin Mal Alan' Back on Tashkent StageAs reported earlier, the Days of Azerbaijani Culture are being held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, from June 10 to June 14, under the organization of the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan. The world-famous operetta “Arshin mal alan“ (The Cloth Peddler) by the great Uzeyir Hajibeyli was performed for Uzbek art lovers on June 12. The musical comedy was presented by the creative team of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre at the State Academic Theatre named after Alisher Navoi. Honored Art Worker Hafiz Guliyev was the director of the production, while the roles were performed by Honored Artists Ramil Gasimov (Asker), Inara Babayeva (Gulchohra), People's Artist Gulaz Mammadova (Telli), and honored artists Jahangir Gurbanov (Soltan Bey), Gulstan Aliyeva (Jahan), Sabina Vahabzadeh (Asya), along with Taleh Yahyaev (Suleyman) and Sadig Melikov (Veli). Directed by honored art worker Sevil Hajiyeva and accompanied by the orchestra of the brotherly country, the play, which is one of the masterpieces of Uzeyir Bey, was met with great interest and applause. Written by U. Hajibeyli in 1913, it is considered the first operetta in the Muslim East. After its successful debut in Baku on October 25 of the same year, the play went to the stages of the Caucasus countries, Russia and reached a global audience. The play has been performed several times in Uzbekistan. In 2013, the centenary of “Arshin Mal Alan“ was celebrated at the UNESCO level. In 1945, the film “Arshin Mal Alan“ was made in Baku, dubbed into 80 languages, and shown in over 150 countries. In 1965, a new film of the same name was made on the basis of this work. ..

13.06.2024 09:31

‘National Heritage of Azerbaijan: Living in Pearls of Art’ Exhibition Opens in TashkentOn June 12, as part of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Uzbekistan, the exhibition ‘National Heritage of Azerbaijan: Living in Pearls of Art’ was launched at the Fine Arts Gallery of Uzbekistan. The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov, well-known figures from the fields of culture, art, and science from both countries, and members of the general public of the brotherly country. Kamila Baltabayeva, director of the Uzbekistan Fine Art Gallery, talked about the art center and the exhibition. Sevil Karimova, the Head of the Department of Art and Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, provided information about the visual and decorative-applied art of Azerbaijan. She explained that the concept of the exhibition is based on the rich history and ancient artistic traditions of the national heritage of Azerbaijan, as well as the principles of artistic inheritance. Following this, the guests got acquainted with the exhibition. It was noted that the first section of the exhibition presents the works by Azim Azimzadeh, the founder of professional Azerbaijani graphics, preserved in the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan and created in the early 20th century. Artistic renditions of these graphic works are based on unique exhibits from the museum fund. In the second hall, visitors can see 27 pieces of Kelaghayi dating from the 18th to the 20th centuries, collected privately over the last 20 years. The third hall is dedicated to the carpets of “Azerkhalcha“ OJSC. In the following hall, a video created by the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan is shown. In the lobby on the second floor of the gallery, handicrafts pertaining to embroidery, jewelry, coppersmithing, and shabaka art are on display. The process of creating handicrafts is visually demonstrated by our craftsmen. The idea of living traditions was part of the individual photo exhibition called “Ordinary City“ presented at this venue. After this, the guests watched a presentation featuring the clothing brands “ATIDE“ and “Anara Zakirli.“ “ATIDE“ is an Azerbaijani brand established in 2019 by the talented fashion designer Aida Kahveci. The name of the brand, which translates as “chest,“ is intentional. The goal is to maintain and pass on Azerbaijan's cultural heritage by merging our ancient national clothing, just like in the chests of our mothers and grandmothers, with modern fashion. The “Shamakhi“ clothing collection is named after an ancient city in Azerbaijan known for producing some of the country's famous Kelaghayi headscarves in the Shirvan region, which were called “Shamakhi“ by the locals. The clothes in the collection also feature Kelaghayi ornaments. The Azerbaijani brand “Anara Zakirli“ was established in 2018. Developed by the talented fashion designer Anara Zakirli, the brand aims to introduce our national carpet ornaments, synthesizing them with modern fashion and bringing the culture of our country, blending Eastern and Western harmony, into focus. The presented clothing collection “Zarafshan“ is inspired by the famous Azerbaijani carpet “Afshan.“. Clothes made of unique fabrics that reflect the national ornaments of Azerbaijan, Land of Fire, are featured in the collection. Each piece is infused with centuries of history, captivating stories, fine craftsmanship, and boundless creativity. Accompanied by Azerbaijani folk songs, the historical relics, carpets, and other handicrafts offer visitors a rich and unforgettable experience. ..

12.06.2024 14:27

Monument of National Leader Heydar Aliyev Visited in TashkentOn June 12, as part of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture held in Uzbekistan, the monument of Heydar Aliyev, the national leader of our people, who made outstanding contributions to the strengthening of political relations between the two countries, was visited in Tashkent. The Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, and the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov, well-known figures of culture, art, and science of our country, laid flowers in front of the monument of the great leader in honor of his cherished memory. ..

12.06.2024 11:23

Another celebration of Azerbaijani art in TashkentDays of Azerbaijani Culture are being held in Uzbekistan from June 10 to June 14 under the organization of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The gala concert of the Days of Azerbaijan Culture was held on June 11 at the Palace of Forums of Uzbekistan in Tashkent. The evening was attended by ministers of culture of both countries, Adil Karimli and Ozodbek Nazarbekov, along with other officials and prominent figures from the cultural and artistic communities, as well as hundreds of fans of Azerbaijani music and mugham. The participants of the event were first invited to taste our national pastries presented in the lobby of the magnificent Palace of Forums. The guests tasted shakerbura, badambura, baklava, and other pastries. Shirzod Asadov, the head of the press service for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, took the stage before the gala concert and read a congratulatory letter from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The letter emphasized the friendship and brotherhood between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, pointing out that the culture and art of both countries play a special role in strengthening relations between our peoples. Then, the solemn concert program started. Hazrat Azizli's rendition of the “Bayati-Shiraz“ mugham, along with the composition by the “Natig“ rhythm group and the “Mirvari“ dance ensemble, were met with great enthusiasm. The honored artist and tar performer Sahib Pashazadeh performed the “Chahargah“ rhapsody and the “Andijon polka“ Uzbek folk dance, while singer Almakhanim Ahmadli presented the song “Don't get hurt, come over here.“ The Garabakh Mugham group, under the direction of People's Artist Mansum Ibrahimov, performed “Musical Bouquet,“ followed by Honored Artist Nigar Shabanova's rendition of “You did not come“ and Afag Abbasova's performance of “Baku.“ The Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble performed the dances “Uzundara,“ “Gaitaghi,“ and “Zangazur yallisi.“ Uzbek singer and People's Artist of both countries, Nasiba Abdullayeva, performed “Garabagh.“ People's artist Gulyanag Mammadova sang “Ulugumsan Vatanim“, Ashig Samira and Ashig Ali presented “Ashug melodies“, People's artist Zulfiya Khanbabayeva performed “Mountains of Shusha“, People's artist Azer Zeynalov sang “Shukriya“, and Afag Abbasova and Azer Zeynalov performed a duet from the operetta “Arshin Mal Alan“. Additionally, Azad Shabanov presented “Popourri“ from the film “Mother-in-Law,“ along with other musical performances. As the concert concluded, all the participants performed Rauf Hajiyev's song “Azerbaijan“ together. Ministers Adil Karimli and Ozodbek Nazarbekov joined the artists on stage after the song, which received a standing ovation from the audience. They congratulated the artists on their successful performances. Group photos were taken at the end. ..

12.06.2024 09:40

Ministers of Culture of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan meet in TashkentOn June 11, a meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the two countries, Ozodbek Nazarbekov and Adil Karimli, took place within the framework of the Days of Culture of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan. Ozodbek Nazarbekov welcomed his Azerbaijani counterpart at the meeting held in the Palace of Forums of Uzbekistan and emphasized the importance of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture held in Tashkent. The Minister expressed his pleasure to see the culture and art figures of Azerbaijan in his country once again and remarked that the Uzbek people have always embraced Azerbaijani culture with love and sympathy. Minister Adil Karimli expressed his gratitude for the bilateral meeting and the warm hospitality extended to the Azerbaijani delegation, noting that the art masters from our country came to Uzbekistan with great love and enthusiasm. It was pointed out that the reception of the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on that day clearly demonstrates the great attention of the head of state to relations with Azerbaijan and his appreciation of our culture. At the meeting, it was noted that the President of Uzbekistan emphasized the importance of implementing joint cultural projects and suggested the production of a film about prominent Uzbek and Azerbaijani poets Alishir Navai and Muhammad Fuzuli. This suggestion by the head of state was discussed at the meeting of ministers. During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. ..

12.06.2024 09:33

Azerbaijani Corner Opened in the National Library of UzbekistanAs part of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Tashkent, Azerbaijani corner was opened on June 11 at the National Library of Uzbekistan, named after Alisher Navoi. During the ceremony, Umida Teshabayeva, Director of the National Library of Uzbekistan, described the opening of the Azerbaijani corner in the library as an important event both for the library staff and its visitors. She pointed out that the library has a large number of publications on Azerbaijan and stressed that the books, magazines, and other printed materials in the permanent section will help promote the history, culture, and literature of the brotherly country. U. Teshabayeva mentioned that the National Library of Uzbekistan has more than 5,000 books about Azerbaijan, and this collection is increasing every year. According to Professor Karim Tahirov, director of the National Library of Azerbaijan named after Mirza Fatali Akhundzadeh, relations with the National Library of Uzbekistan are growing annually. In 2019, Uzbekistan corner was established at the National Library of Azerbaijan. Since then, the library has hosted events celebrating the anniversaries of well-known Uzbek poets, writers, and thinkers, along with book presentations. It was also mentioned that approximately 300 titles have been added to the newly-created Azerbaijan corner. Uzbek readers will gain access to comprehensive information about the history, culture, literature, and modern development of our country, as well as our glorious victory in the 44-day Patriotic War, as published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Following the speeches, the event participants got acquainted with the publications in the Azerbaijan corner. ..

12.06.2024 09:19

President of Uzbekistan Receives Minister of Culture of AzerbaijanPresident of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, met with Minister of Culture Adil Karimli on June 11, during his visit to Tashkent on the occasion of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture. Adil Karimli extended greetings and well wishes from the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to the head of state. During the meeting, the sides discussed issues of strategic partnership and expansion of relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan in the humanitarian sphere. It's worth mentioning that the Days of Azerbaijani Culture will be held in Tashkent till June 14. ..

11.06.2024 15:30

Conference "Mohammed Fuzuli and Alisher Navoi: Our Common Literary and Moral Values" at the Union of Writers of UzbekistanAs reported earlier, Days of Azerbaijani Culture are taking place in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, from June 10 to 14, under the organization of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On June 11, the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan hosted a conference titled “Mohammed Fuzuli and Alisher Navoi: Our Common Literary and Moral Values.“ On the occasion of the 530th anniversary of the birth of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli (1494–1556), a two-volume edition of his works in the Uzbek language was presented as part of the event. The two-volume book was published under a project by the Azerbaijani Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Tashkent. The conference was attended by the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli, the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Chairman of the Union of Writers of Uzbekistan, People's Poet Sirajaddin Said, as well as the prominent cultural figures of the two countries. Sirajaddin Said, the Chairman of the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan, pointed out that the Days of Azerbaijani Culture held in Uzbekistan significantly contribute to the development of literary relations. It was noted that Alisher Navoi, who was inspired by the works of the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi, influenced the development of all-Turkic literary thought and served as a cultural and literary bridge between our peoples. S. Said thanked President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for initiating the 100-volume anthology “Pearls of Turkic Literature.“ Ozodbek Nazarbekov, the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, greeted the Azerbaijani delegation and expressed his satisfaction with the development of literary and cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan during his speech. The minister mentioned that every week various events related to the literature, culture, and science of the two brotherly countries are held either in Uzbekistan or in Azerbaijan. Each event strengthens the ties between our countries. He mentioned that the Days of Uzbek Culture were successfully held in Baku last year and expressed confidence that the Azerbaijani Days will be successful as well. The Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, welcomed the attendees of the conference, mentioning that it was not coincidental that the Days of Culture started with a literature conference. He emphasized that the cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are based among other things, on literary ties dating back to the Middle Ages. Stressing the importance of the friendship between our heads of state and the successful policy based on mutual trust for developing cultural relations between the two countries, the Minister expressed confidence in the sustainability of this policy. The Minister mentioned that the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, named after Heydar Aliyev in Tashkent, significantly contributes to the development of literary and cultural ties between our countries. Adil Karimli expressed his appreciation for the publication of Mohammad Fuzuli's collection in the Uzbek language, noting that the two-volume book will increase the recognition of the poet in Uzbekistan. The Minister assessed the restoration of the “Majlisi-faramushan“ literary event in 2021 in Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, involving young writers from both Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan after many years, as an important new contribution to the literary relations of our countries. Later at the conference, reports were presented by literary critic and professor Nurboy Jabbarov, the member of the Azerbaijan Milli Majlis and academician Nizami Jafarov, poet and translator Mirzo Kenjabek, the secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union Salim Babullaoglu, and the director of the Institute of Oriental Studies named after academician Ziya Bunyadov of ANAS, Ruhangiz Jumshudlu. It was mentioned that Alisher Navoi and Muhammad Fuzuli had an exceptional role in the development of not only the two nations but also of Turkic literary and cultural thought in general. This was followed by discussions centered around the reports. The event concluded with the presentation of a literary and musical composition with the participation of Azerbaijani art masters. ..

10.06.2024 17:07

Days of Azerbaijani Culture Kick Off in TashkentCulture is often seen as a reliable bridge between nations. Ancient customs, historical and cultural heritage, and various fields of art have always attracted people's attention. Relations between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have a deep and ancient history. Our peoples have been brought closer by Turkic identity, common cultural values, and centuries of literary and artistic exchanges. Deep cultural cooperation is manifested through high-level mutual visits, involvement in international projects, and tours of art groups. The Azerbaijan Days of Culture, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan from June 10 to June 14 in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, mark a new chapter in the development of cultural ties between our countries. The event with a rich program will be the next celebration of Azerbaijani culture and art in the brotherly country. On this occasion, art masters, art groups, writers, and media representatives from our country visited Tashkent. As part of the program of the Days of Culture, on June 11 at 10:30 a conference on “Mohammed Fuzuli and Alishir Navai: Our Common Literary and Moral Values“ will take place in the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan. The Azerbaijani corner will be opened on the same day at 16:00 in the National Library of Uzbekistan, named after Alishir Navai. A presentation of Azerbaijani pastries will be held at 18.30 in the Palace of Forums “Uzbekistan,“ followed by a gala concert of Azerbaijani art masters and art groups at 19.00. Days of Culture will be memorable with interesting activities on June 12. The Uzbekistan Fine Arts Gallery will host an exhibition titled “Azerbaijani National Heritage Living in Pearls of Art“ at 12:00. The play “It’s Me“ by the Azerbaijan State Yugh Theater will be performed at the Uzbekistan State Institute of Art and Culture at 15.00. On the same day, art lovers of Uzbekistan will watch the performance of “Arshin Mal Alan,“ an operetta by the legendary Uzeyir Hajibeyli. The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater will stage this famous piece at 19.00 at Alishir Navai State Academic Theater. The presentation of the book “Sword and Pen“ by the famous historical novelist Mammad Said Ordubadi is scheduled for June 13 at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev in Tashkent. The events and presentations of the Days of Azerbaijan Culture will create lasting memories for the brotherly Uzbek people, who always show interest in our literary and cultural treasures. It should be noted that the days of culture of our country were last held in Uzbekistan in 2022, and the friendly country demonstrated its cultural and spiritual treasures in Baku in 2023. ..