Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Awarding Azerbaijani Film Workers

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01.08.2024

01.08.2024 02:41

Guided by Items 23 and 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I hereby order:

1. to award "Taraggi" medal to the following persons for their contributions to the development of Azerbaijani cinematography:

Jilgamli Ramziya Akramovna
Guliyeva Gulshan Rasul gizi
Mammadov Rovshan Isakh oghlu
Najafov Bayram Hidayat oghlu
Yunusov Adalat Mammad oghlu.

2. to award the individual pension of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the following persons for their enduring effective work in the development of Azerbaijani cinematography:

Gurbanova Firangiz Agha Dadash gizi
Rustamov Akif Zabi oghlu

Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku city, August 1, 2024

NEWS

07.08.2024 15:22

Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on awarding "Sharaf" Order to R.B. HuseynovGuided by Item 23 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I hereby order: To award “Sharaf“ Order to Rafael Baba oghlu Huseynov for his great contirbutions to the development of science in Azerbaijan and his long-standing and impactful public and political activity. Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, August 7, 2024 ..

07.08.2024 10:26

Famous Turkish Actress to Present a Mono-Performance in BakuSumru Yavrucuk, the famous Turkish film and theater actress, will perform her mono-performance “Shirley Valentine” in Baku with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the organization of “Caspian Media Group.“ Scheduled for October 5–6, hosted at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre, the stage work is a two-act mono-performance about Shirley Valentine. The two-act mono-performance brings the story of Shirley Valentine into focus, highlighting her transformation from a mundane existence to finding her footing in life. The play is directed by the award-winning theater actress Sumru Yavrucuk. She is taking on the challenge of playing all the characters in the production. Sumru Yavrucuk rose to fame with her character in the TV series “Foreign Groom“ and later made her mark with roles in “What's Fatmagul's Fault?“ My Wonderful Life“ and “All About Marriage.“. ..

03.08.2024 19:10

Interview Stage for Recruiting Teachers to Music and Art schools Begins Interviews for the recruitment of teachers to music and art schools will be held from August 5 to 8. A total of 337 candidates are expected to participate in this stage of the competition. The interview will evaluate the candidates' knowledge, skills, mental state, and general attitude. Candidates can review the interview topics at https://shorturl.at/lBgA2. Candidates who achieve the required score in the interview stage will be appointed as teachers in music and art schools. Candidates were informed about the interview schedule through a single personal “MyCulture“ account (https://my.culture.az), SMS and e-mail. ..

03.08.2024 14:19

National Cinema Day Celebrated with Ceremony The 126th anniversary of cinema in Azerbaijan was celebrated on August 2. This important date dates back to August 2, 1898, when the first films were publicly screened in Baku. According to the order signed by the national leader Heydar Aliyev on December 18, 2000, August 2 was declared the “National Cinema Day“ of Azerbaijan. On this remarkable day, a solemn event took place at the Nizami Cinema Center under the organization of the Ministry of Culture. At the event, attended by ministry officials, cultural figures, representatives of the film community, and film lovers, guests first explored the history of our cinema through an exhibition at the Nizami Cinema Center. At the event, which continued in the hall of the Center, the names of the filmmakers awarded by the order of President Ilham Aliyev dated August 1, 2024 were announced and congratulations were extended. In her opening speech, Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova noted that Azerbaijani cinema, which is celebrating its 126th anniversary, has developed significantly in parallel with world cinema. Over the years, it has experienced various ups and downs and undergone many changes. However, it has always remained faithful to its national traditions, high moral values and love for art: “The development of modern Azerbaijani cinema is closely associated with the national leader Heydar Aliyev. The 1970s are considered the golden era of Azerbaijani cinema. Thanks to the research carried out with the support of Heydar Aliyev, the true age of the history of our cinema was determined and the date of the release of the first film “The Oil Fire in Balakhany“, i.e. August 2, 1898, was declared as the Cinema Day. For the past 24 years, by the order of the head of state Heydar Aliyev, August 2 has been celebrated as a professional holiday of cinema workers, known as “National Cinema Day“. The deputy minister emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev, as the successor of this heritage, consistently supports our cinema art. The adoption of the “State Program on the Development of Azerbaijani Cinema for 2008-2018”, the enhancement of the material and technical base of film studios, the construction of a modern building for the Azerbaijan State Film Fund established in 1993, the creation of a Cinema Agency under the Ministry of Culture, and the annual allocation of funds from the President's reserve fund to support state-ordered films and young filmmakers' creativity are clear examples of state support for cinema. Over the past 20 years, more than 100 million funds have been allocated to the development of Azerbaijani cinema, resulting in the production of 1763 art, documentary, animation, and other films. Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan (AKI), People's artist Rasim Balayev and people's artist and film director Ogtay Mirgasimov expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in the development of cinematography in our country and wished the filmmakers success. Orkhan Fikratoghlu, the Acting Director of the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, spoke about the activities of the organization. After the speeches, video materials highlighting ARKA's activities and a compilation of jubilarian films were presented. The actors who starred in the jubilarian films spoke and shared their sincere feelings. Music from the films was performed by People's artists Gulyanag Mammadova and Gulyaz Mammadova, Honored artist Ramil Gasimov, soloists Miralam Miralamov and Elgun Huseynov, as well as the dance ensemble “Mirvari“ and the young actors of The Independent Children's Theater “Oyug.“ Following that, the winners were presented with the traditional AKI Award in various nominations. In the evening, the winners of the short feature film script competition “People of the Rear Front,“ organized by AKI, were announced and awarded. The Ministry of Culture awarded a group of film workers for their contribution to Azerbaijani culture. The event concluded with the screening of the short film “Monologue of a Lonely Man.“ Directed and written by Emin Efendiyev, the film featured camerawork by Daniel Guliyev and was produced by Sarvar Bayramov. The lead actors were Mahir Dervish and Elshan Asgarov. ..

02.08.2024 13:11

The Azerbaijani Carpets: Dialogue with Nature Exhibition Opened in MontenegroOn August 1, the Azerbaijani Carpet: Dialogue with Nature exhibition was opened at the Miodrag Dado Djuric Art Gallery of the National Museum of Montenegro. The exhibition is dedicated to the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in Baku. 24 valuable art pieces from the collection of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum are presented. These include carpets, carpet products and sketches reflecting the rich culture, worldview, lifestyle and traditions of our people from the 18th century to modern times. The Minister of Culture and Media of the Republic of Montenegro Dr. Tamara Vujović attended the opening of the exhibition. Flat-woven carpets varni, zili, pile carpets such as Aghajli, Shikhli, Jayirli, Alpan, as well as carpet products such as chul, heyba, mafrash and lamagabaghi are displayed within the exhibition. They are distinguished from each other by their unique artistic structure, colour harmony, delicacy and unique patterns. These exhibits produced in Shirvan, Guba, Baku, Gazakh, Karabakh and Tabriz weaving centres are rich in ambiguous elements, stylised zoomorphic and floral ornaments. Carpets and sketches from the modern period, authored by People’s Artists Latif Karimov, Kamil Aliyev and Eldar Mikayilzade, also occupy a special place among the examples of applied art. It should be noted that the exhibition is organised with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and the National Museum of Montenegro. The exhibition Azerbaijani Carpet: Dialogue with Nature will be on display until August 31. ..

31.07.2024 17:24

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli to receive citizens in Astara According 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 Astara, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Jalilabad, Yardimli districts on August 29, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Heydar Aliyev Center of Astara district (address: Astara city, Istiglaliyet street 26 b) Citizens can apply for admission until August 24, 2024 via the Ministry's e-mail address info@culture.gov.az and phone number (012) 493-43-98. ..

31.07.2024 13:22

New Ballet Production "One Thousand and One Nights" Debuts in Beijing “One Thousand and One Nights“, the ballet by Fikret Amirov, the distinguished Azerbaijani composer and People's Artist of the USSR (1922-1984) and a laureate of state awards, continues to captivate the world stage. The Primorsky Stage (Vladivostok) Ballet Troupe of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg will make its debut in Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China. From August 23 to 25, the troupe will present the ballet “One Thousand and One Nights“ under the new direction of our compatriot and Honored Artist of Russia Eldar Aliyev. Chinese ballet lovers will watch the performances on the stage of the Beijing National Performing Arts Center. For the first time, the creative team of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre will present a large-scale ballet in the newly opened Beijing Art Center, which is recognized one of the masterpieces of modern architecture. The performance will be accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Chinese National Ballet under the baton of the Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Azerbaijan Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, the Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev. The performance will feature soloists of the Chorus and Opera Troupe of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre Anastasia Kikot and Samira Galimova, and the soloist of the Azerbaijan Opera and Ballet Theatre Ramin Azimov (Baku) and Nadezhda Medvedeva (Vladivostok) as tar performers. The prima ballerinas of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre Anna Samstrelova, Irina Sapozhnikova and Lilia Berezhnova will perform the leading roles. Soloists Sergei Umanets, Viktor Mulygin, Yuri Zinnurov, Saki Nishida, Lada Sartakova, Alexandra Shalimova and Shizuru Kato will take part in the premieres. In addition, Timur Asgarov, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan and leading soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre of St. Petersburg, will perform the role of Shahriyar in the August 25 performance. The ballet “The Thousand and One Nights“ is one of the most brilliant performances of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre, and its tours have a wide geographical range. Commenting on the upcoming tour, choreographer Eldar Aliyev said that it is important that the ballet “One Thousand and One Nights“ is recognized by the Beijing audience as a grand production that reflects the richness of colors and the shades of a unique culture. In creating the choreography, he aimed to closely follow both the literary material and the original music of the author, and he hopes that all the performances will be well received. Fikret Amirov's ballet “One Thousand and One Nights,“ based on well-known Arabic fairy tales, premiered in 1979 at the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Baku. “I want Azerbaijani music to sound all over the world,“ said the composer, masterfully combining Eastern melodies with classical European forms. The libretto of the play is by prominent Azerbaijani writers Magsud and Rustam Ibrahimbayov brothers. In accordance with the plot, the music of the ballet brings to life the magnificence of the Middle East. The composer included the tar, the national instrument of Azerbaijan, in the orchestra and created a rich collection of percussion instruments (bongos, tam-tam, xylophone, vibraphone, drum, bell, timpani, cymbals, etc.) to effectively convey the fullness of Arabic rhythms to the audience. ..

31.07.2024 09:31

National holiday of Morocco Celebrated in Baku An official reception was organized in Baku on July 30 to celebrate the national holiday of the Kingdom of Morocco, known as Throne Day. The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Morocco were listened to at the event. Mohammad Adil Embarch, the Ambassador of Morocco to Azerbaijan, discussed his country's achievements in recent years. The diplomat indicated that Morocco is pleased to participate in COP29, which will be held in Baku in November this year. Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of the Government of Azerbaijan, the Minister of Culture, Adil Karimli, extended his congratulations on the remarkable day. It was noted that the sincere relations between the leaders of the two countries enhance Azerbaijani-Moroccan relations. Each year, the collaboration between our countries in political, economic, cultural, and other areas grows stronger. After the speeches, the event proceeded with a banquet. ..

30.07.2024 14:04

Discussions Held on Expanding Azerbaijani-Chinese Cultural CooperationOn July 30, the Minister of Culture, Adil Karimli, had a meeting with a delegation led by Li Qun, the Vice-Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China and the Head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, who was invited to our country by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Chinese delegation included Ding Tao, charge d'affaires of the embassy of this country in Azerbaijan, Li LiuSan, Director-General of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, and other officials. Welcoming the delegation, the Minister spoke about the relations between Azerbaijan and China. He emphasized that the two countries have established wide-ranging cooperation based on mutual interests and trust, guided by the political will of the leaders of our countries. A new era in relations between Azerbaijan and China began with the adoption of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana on July 3. Stressing the importance of cultural cooperation in growing relations, Adil Karimli noted that Azerbaijan is interested in further developing relations in various cultural fields. The Minister mentioned that his visit to China in September 2023 left a strong impression and emphasized the importance of the meetings for future cooperation. Li Qun, the head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China, expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and his satisfaction with the elevation of the relationship between the two countries to a strategic partnership. Providing information on the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia, or ACHA, the head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration said that the organization has implemented 15 programs in various directions. Li Qun stressed the importance of Azerbaijan's participation in the specialized structures of ACHA and suggested that our country should host the 4th Conference of the Alliance. He mentioned that the Alliance, which has extensive experience in the field of underwater heritage research, could carry out a project in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. He also expressed interest in Azerbaijan's experience in digital monitoring of cultural heritage. The meeting emphasized the importance of reciprocal tours by artists and creative teams from both countries. The sides discussed the development of road maps and memoranda on cultural cooperation. China submitted draft memoranda to the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan. Li Qun mentioned that the signing of the memoranda in Beijing next year would be beneficial for the cooperation between the two countries. Moreover, the head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration expressed his hope to see an Azerbaijani gallery in the famous 798 Art Zone cultural complex in China. During the meeting, it was brought to the delegation's attention that Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November. It was emphasized that COP29 will address cultural perspectives on climate change and discuss the role of culture in environmental protection. The importance of China's participation in this prestigious event was stressed. The two sides then discussed other issues of mutual interest. At the end, they exchanged gifts and took photos together. ..

30.07.2024 10:20

Minister of Culture Visits Establishments in Gadabay As reported earlier, on July 29, the Minister of Culture Adil Karimli met with citizens at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Gadabay district. After the reception, the Minister familiarized himself with the activities of several cultural institutions in Gadabay City, including the Gadabay District Ashug School, Gadabay District Children's Art School, Gadabay Central Library System building, Gadabay District Cultural Center, Local History Museum, and the Children's Department of the Central Library System located in the same building. The folklore club and music school in the village of Slavyanka, Gadabay district, were also visited. The final visit was to the village library. During the visit, relevant tasks and recommendations were given to address current issues in the institutions and optimize their operations. ..

30.07.2024 10:18

Minister of Culture Hears the Appeals of Citizens in Gadabay In accordance with the directive of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, heads of central executive power bodies and other administrative institutions hold monthly meetings with citizens in various cities and districts and hear citizens' concerns on different issues. On July 29, the Minister of Culture Adil Karimli met with citizens at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Gadabay district. Before the reception, Minister Adil Karimli and the head of Gadabay District Executive Authority Orkhan Mursalov paid tribute to National leader Heydar Aliyev by visiting his monument in the district center and laying flowers in front of it. During the reception, citizens from the Gadabay, Shamkir, Tovuz, Aghstafa, and Gazakh districts primarily expressed their concerns, suggestions, and initiatives regarding employment, labor recognition, and other issues related to the field of culture. The Minister of Culture heard the citizens and instructed the relevant representatives of the Ministry to promptly look into each matter and resolve it in accordance with the law. Particular attention was given to the concerns brought up by the families of martyrs and veterans, and their applications were recorded and put under supervision for timely consideration. ..

26.07.2024 15:32

Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Meets His Serbian Counterpart On July 26, the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, had a meeting with Nikola Selakovic, the Minister of Culture of Serbia and a co-chair of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the two countries. Selakovic is visiting our country for the 8th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission. Adil Karimli welcomed the guest and remarked that the relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia were comprehensively developing based on the sincere friendship and mutual trust of both countries. He noted the extensive prospects for cultural ties between the two nations. Additionally, there is a legal framework for cooperation in the cultural field, established by an agreement between the governments of Azerbaijan and Serbia signed in 2011. Minister Nikola Selakovich thanked for the warm welcome and praised the meeting of the intergovernmental commission held on July 25. During the conversation, the format of extensive cooperation in various cultural areas was discussed. It was pointed out that the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in our country in November, will include discussions on the impact of climate change on culture and the role of culture in environmental protection. Serbia's participation in COP29 was welcomed with great pleasure. Nicola Selakovich, on his part, invited the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan to pay an official visit to Serbia. ..

24.07.2024 16:55

Joint information of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan As recently reported in the media, the lyrics and music of the composition “Karabakh“ (“The cradle of dreams is always Karabakh“) by the Azerbaijani composer Bahram Nasibov were changed by Gor Yepremyan, presented as an “Armenian folk“ song “Sirun Jan“ and uploaded to YouTube under the tag “Armenian folk song“. In this regard, on July 9, 2024, the Intellectual Property Agency issued a detailed statement, followed by a joint statement with the Ministry of Culture on July 10, and additional joint information on July 12. Following the actions described in the joint information on July 12, 2024, YouTube has deleted the video recording of “Sirun Jan“ from Gor Yepremyan's official page due to copyright infringement. It was also reported that the distribution company “CD BABY“ has taken the necessary steps to remove the song from digital music platforms such as YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer. We would like to inform you, that as a result of these efforts, with the support of the agency, an application was submitted to YouTube on behalf of Adil Nasibov, the heir of composer Bahram Nasibov. The application supported by technical assistance from the Digital and Audiovisual Broadcasting Industry Public Union (RAYS) (https://rays.az/) accredited by the agency, resulted in the removal of Gor Yepremyan's song “Sirun Jan“ from YouTube for copyright infringement. In addition, the distribution company CD BABY has ensured its removal from YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, and other digital music platforms. In addition to the above, we would like to point out that the music of the song “Aghji jan“ performed by Harout Pamboukjian is identical to the melody of “Karabakh“ (“Cradle of dreams is always Karabakh“) by Azerbaijani composer B. Nasibov. As a result, YouTube removed the song from its platform. Thus, the fact that the lyrics and music of the song “Karabakh“ (“The cradle of dreams is always Karabakh“) belonged to the Azerbaijani composer Bahram Nasibov and the violation of Nasibov's copyright by the Armenian performer Gor Yepremyan was confirmed by the management of “Youtube“ and by “Youtube Music“, “Spotify“, “Apple Music“, “Amazon Music“, “Deezer”, and other digital music platforms, and the violated rights of the composer were restored. ..

24.07.2024 16:06

Date of Reception of Citizens by Minister of Culture Adil Karimli in Gadabay Scheduled The reception of the citizens from Gadabay, Shamkir, Tovuz, Aghstafa, and Gazakh districts by the Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, scheduled for July this year, will take place on July 29, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Gadabay (address: Heydar Aliyev Avenue, 1). ..

24.07.2024 15:04

Special Scholarship Program for Culture and Creative Industries to be IntroducedAs outlined in the Action Plan of the “Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026,“ approved by Order No. 3378 of July 22, 2022 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, one of the issues under the activity “Ensuring the dynamic development of Cultural and Creative industries (CCI) and strengthening their export potential“ is the development of human resources in the CCI sector. The Action Plan designates the Ministry of Culture as the chief agency responsible for implementing the measure “Creation of certificate programs tailored to modern and competitive Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) and a special scholarship program for studying abroad.“ The criteria for selecting candidates for education and the procedures and rules for financing education under the “Special Scholarship Program for Culture and Creative Industries“ have been approved by the decision of the Collegium of the Ministry of Culture. The scholarship program allows to study abroad at bachelor's and master's levels, to participate in short-term training, courses, and programs (including distance education), as well as to take part in short-term training, courses, and programs in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The CCI abroad scholarship program aims to educate 60 students, certify 1,000 professionals in the field, establish a training center, and attract at least 100 young people annually to pursue education in this field. It also aims to increase the number of specialties taught in the field by 10 percent and improve their content. The scholarship program covers fields such as audiovisual (music, cinema, including animation, videography, and photography), fashion art, design, curatorial work, architecture, event organization, cultural and creative management, organization of work with publishers, gaming industry, theater, comedy and performance, and creative technologies. The program is open to individuals over the age of 15 who wish to develop their creative skills. Detailed information on the application process for the scholarship program, as well as the criteria and procedures for selecting participants, will soon be available on the Ministry's official online platforms. ..

24.07.2024 11:03

Grant Competition for NGOs to Promote Cultural and Creative Industries Continues The grant competition announced by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan on July 4, 2024 for non-governmental organizations to promote cultural and creative industries continues. The main goal of the competition is the development of cultural and creative industries, and nurturing cultural and innovative society, in line with the implementation of the Action Plan of the “Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026“, approved by Order No. 3378 of July 22, 2022 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It also aims to implement projects that address contemporary challenges, support modern, sustainable, and multilateral cooperation, and increase the involvement of civil society organizations. The grant competition includes projects focused on the development of cultural and creative industries, digital solutions in the field of culture, and institutional reforms in the film industry, supporting local animation. ..

22.07.2024 18:00

Ministry of Culture Represented 46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session in New Delhi The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, regarded as one of the most important events of UNESCO, is held in New Delhi, the capital of India, from July 21-31 this year. A delegation led by Deputy Minister Saadat Yusifova represents the Ministry of Culture at the event. During the official opening ceremony of the session on July 21, speeches were delivered by the Director-General of UNESCO, the Prime Minister of India, and other senior officials. The agenda of the meeting, adopted on July 22, included the Secretariat's report, reports from the Advisory Bodies ICOMOS, IUCN, ICCROM, and the Regional Centers, as well as discussions on the Committee's budget and the Strategy for Cultural Heritage Capacity Building. Ambassador Elman Abdullayev, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, delivered Azerbaijan's national statement during the discussions, outlining the actions planned at COP29 to support Azerbaijan's cultural heritage, restore cities and historical monuments deliberately destroyed during the Armenian occupation, and protect cultural heritage from the effects of climate change. Discussions according to the agenda will continue in the coming days. As part of the visit, Deputy Minister S. Yusifova met with her UAE counterpart Mubarak al-Nakhi on July 22. The successful development of cultural cooperation between the two countries and the intensification of contacts over the past year were highlighted during the meeting. Mr. Al Nakhi mentioned that he had attended the opening of “Shusha Capital of Islamic Culture 2024“, the Khari Bulbul Festival, and had been fascinated by Shusha. The meeting also covered future plans for joint activities to continue the cultural initiatives started during COP28 in Dubai last year. The Deputy Minister also met her Australian counterpart, Ms. Rachel Perry, on the same day. They discussed cooperation on international platforms for the protection of cultural heritage, the exchange and promotion of best practices, and effective mechanisms to protect against the effects of climate change on cultural heritage. The other party was given general information about the cultural events and new initiatives planned in our country as part of COP29. The delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan participating in the 46th session consists of members from the Permanent Mission to UNESCO, the National Commission for UNESCO, ICOMOS Azerbaijan, and the “Icherisheher” State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration. ..

22.07.2024 15:51

The Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Awarding the Honorary Title of "People's Artist" to F.K. Zakirov Guided by Item 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I hereby order: To award “People’s Artist” honorary title to Farrukh Karimovich Zakirov for his services rendered to the development of cultural ties between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan. Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, July 22, 2024 ..

22.07.2024 10:48

Comprehensive Overview of Vagif Poetry Days As reported earlier, Vagif Poetry Days took place in Shusha from July 17 to 19 under the organization of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture. We present a comprehensive overview of the festival of literature and arts. The poetry festival began on July 18 in front of the Molla Panah Vagif Museum and Mausoleum Complex. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the state and government, prominent figures of literature, science, and culture of the Republic, as well as residents of Shusha who returned to their homeland in May this year. Chingiz Abdullayev, the people's writer and first secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers (UAW), expressed his happiness at participating in such a grand event in Shusha. He noted that this year's Vagif Poetry Days coincided with several important occasions: “It is the first poetry festival conducted under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, after the complete restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Shusha holds the title of “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024“. This year coincides with the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli and the 90th anniversary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers. Over 100 members of the Union are taking part in this year's event”. Academician Isa Habibbayli, President of ANAS, spoke about Molla Panah Vagif's literary contributions. He highlighted that Vagif was the first to extensively introduce Azerbaijani geography into our literature, celebrating the land's beauty: “Vagif praised the beauty of Azerbaijan in his poetry. He brought the vernacular into literature at a high level. His creativity is, first of all, an Azerbaijani phenomenon.“ The scholar noted that at the time when the USSR was discreetly pursuing its internationalist movement in Karabakh, the national leader Heydar Aliyev built a grand mausoleum for Vagif in Shusha, which was a sign of Azerbaijan's presence in Karabakh. It is important to restore it in all its glory. The newly organized Vagif Poetry Days are a great celebration of Azerbaijan, which is developing day by day under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, expressed through the language of poetry and art. The people's writer Elmira Akhundova spoke about the boundless love and care of the national leader Heydar Aliyev for the Azerbaijani language and literature. She mentioned that during the most difficult periods of the Soviet era, Heydar Aliyev promoted the preservation and development of national consciousness and the concept of Azerbaijanism. He made sure that works that nurtured this idea and passed it on to future generations were awarded the State Prize. Fazil Mustafa, a deputy of the 6th convocation of the Milli Majlis, said that the successful liberation of our lands was due to the outstanding organizational talent of President and Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and the exceptional bravery of the Azerbaijan Army. At present, Shusha, which has become a symbol of Azerbaijan, is being restored to its former glory. People's Poet Sabir Rustamkhanli, Chairman of the Press Council of Azerbaijan and Deputy Chairman of the UAW Rashad Majid, Secretary of the UAW Selim Babullaoghlu, and Chairman of the Kazakh branch of the Union Barat Vusal spoke about the charm, exceptionality, and uniqueness of Shusha, which has become the venue of international events, and recited poems. During the artistic part, a poetic duet based on the works of Mohammad Fuzuli and Molla Panah Vagif was performed by the honored artists Azad Shukurov and Nazir Rustamov. The musical pieces “Karabagh“, “Shusha Mountains“ and “This is the Homeland“ were performed by Honored Artist Nigar Shabanova and soloists Abgul Mirzaliyev, Ilkin Dovlatov, and Leyla Rahimli. The audience greeted the concert program with applause. At the end, photos were taken to commemorate the event. *** The Vagif Poetry Days, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture continued with colorful events after the opening ceremony. A theatrical composition titled “Fuzuli's Nexus,“ dedicated to the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli (1494-1556), was presented the same day in front of Khurshidbanu Natevan's house. Speaking before the composition based on Fuzuli's works, Ilgar Fahmi, secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, spoke about the works of Muhammad Fuzuli. Fahmi highlighted the poet’s significant influence on native-language poetry. He mentioned that Mohammad Fuzuli's works such as “Bangu-bade,“ “Leyli and Majnun,“ “Sahhati-Maraz,“ and “Rindu-Zahid“ were used in the artistic and musical composition. Ilgar Fahmi wrote the script of the play, which aroused great interest among the audience, and the director is Honoured Artist Loghman Karimov. Participants in the composition included honored artists from the Shusha State Musical Drama, State Pantomime, and State Yugh Theater: Nazir Rustamov, Azad Shukurov, Bahruz Vaqifoghlu, Teymur Mammadov, and Gasim Nagh, Orkhan Abishov, Pustakhanim Zeynalova, Jala Novruz, Zahra Salayeva, Surahi Alimammadova, Nurlan Rustamov, Javad Nuriyev, Elnur Ismayilov, and Nihat Heybatov. The Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble and students of the Baku Choreography Academy also took part in the performance. *** On July 18, as part of the Vagif Poetry Days, a modern poetry hour titled “The Motherland of the Word - Karabakh“ took place in front of Khurshidbanu Natevan's house. First, Ibrahim Ilyasli, the head of the poetry section of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers and the host of the event, shared his thoughts about the Poetry Days. He described it as a celebration of poetry, art, and spirituality. He also mentioned that this year's event was again organized at a high level. Aghalar Bayramov, professor at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, honored artist and master of artistic recitation, recited patriotic poems. Later, poets took the stage. Ramiz Gusarchayl, chairman of the Guba section of the UAW, writer, playwright, and translator Seyran Sakhavat, Elchin Isgenderzadeh, chairman of the Karabakh section of the UAW, poets and honored cultural workers Gasham Najafzadeh, Rafig Yusifoghlu, head of the press service of the UAW Khayal Rza, Farid Huseyn, and Intigam Yasar recited their poems on various subjects. Poems about Shusha were particularly well received. *** The day concluded with an ethno-jazz concert held in front of Khurshidbanu Natevan's house. Jazz musician and pianist, Honoured Artist Emil Afrasiyab, performed a lively program at the concert, accompanied by Honoured Artist Iskander Alasgarov (drums) and Elvin Nabiyev (bass). Before the concert began, Emil Afrasiyab addressed the audience and spoke about the historical significance of the Vagif Poetry Days in Shusha. He noted that just as free Karabakh is the symbol of modern, independent Azerbaijan, the Vagif Poetry Days are the symbol of the liberated Shusha. He mentioned that the first ethno-jazz concert in Shusha will remain in the memory of all participants for a long time, and expressed confidence that similar events will be held more often in our fortress city. Then, interesting performances were presented. The program included “Two worlds“, “Extra Trace“, “And I Love Her“, “Aziza“, “Rainy Day“, “Letter to Father“, “Fantasia“, “Prayer“, “Nueva“ and other musical performances. The audience met the concert with loud applause. The Vagif Poetry Days will end on July 19. *** A conference titled “Mohammed Fuzuli. Beyond Time“ dedicated to the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli took place on July 19 at the Shusha Hotel-Congress Center. The event was moderated by Ilgar Fahmi, the Secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers. Academician Govhar Bakhshaliyeva, Acting Vice-President of ANAS, and Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies named after Z. Bunyadov, mentioned that the conference was organized in accordance with the plan of events developed to implement the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the celebration of the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Muhammad Fuzuli: “For more than five centuries, the works of Muhammad Fuzuli have been appreciated by readers in Azerbaijan and all over the world. Although centuries have passed since Fuzuli wrote and created, the charm of his works does not diminish from year to year. On the contrary, with the passage of time, new generations, with their intelligence and comprehension, engage with the great poet's creativity on different levels and reinterpret it from their own point of view”. The academician noted that in addition to the numerous events planned by ANAS to commemorate the 530th anniversary of the great poet's birth, extensive work is being done to research the poet's scientific legacy. Academician Teymur Karimli, Director of the Institute of Manuscripts named after Muhammad Fuzuli of ANAS, said that in 1994, while Azerbaijan was progressing towards development and stabilization of its independence, a great historical and literary event was taking place in our country: “The 500th anniversary of Muhammad Fuzuli. Even amidst the turmoil, the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev did not postpone the celebration of the jubilee of the great poet in those years that were challenging for the destiny of our country. Instead, he ensured that Fuzuli's anniversary was celebrated grandly through a series of celebrations in Azerbaijan, and neighbouring countries. Poet Farid Huseyn, a member of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, spoke about the unique literary universe of Fuzuli. He emphasized that the timeless legacy created by Fuzuli will always remain relevant and adored by readers. Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov said that after our historic victory, we are meeting for the fourth time in Shusha, our cultural capital, to celebrate Vagif Poetry Days: “It is a fortunate coincidence that the 530th anniversary of Fuzuli falls in the same year as our country hosts a significant global event like COP29. This jubilee year, we must ensure that writers and poets from abroad receive comprehensive information about Fuzuli. At the same time, let's share the news of our Karabakh victory and the realities of the 30-year occupation period.“ The deputy minister stated that last month, a conference titled “Mohammed Fuzuli and Alishir Navai: Our Common Literary and Moral Values“ was held during the Days of Azerbaijan Culture in Tashkent, and an anthology of the poet's works translated into Uzbek was presented. The great poet's legacy has also been promoted at international book fairs with special sections at the Azerbaijani stand. The 10th Baku International Book Fair, scheduled for October this year, will also honor Muhammad Fuzuli. Following the speeches, the soloists of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist Anar Mikayilov and Roza Zeynalova, performed a composition based on “Leyli and Majnun“ by Mahammad Fuzuli. *** On July 19, the documentary film “Repression of the Word“ (2022), produced with the support of the Ministry of Culture, was screened at the Shusha Hotel-Congress Center as part of the Vagif Poetry Days. Rafig Hashimov is the director of the film, produced by the “Bulatfilm Production“ company, while Selim Babullaoghlu is the screenwriter and Rufat Suleymanov is the cameraman. The film pays tribute to 31 writers, poets, and other intellectuals who were victims of repression and tells the tragic life stories of some of them. It also looks back at the tragic and historical philosophy behind Stalin's repressions. The film includes the opinions of the people's writer Anar, historian and researcher of work and life of Javid Hamid Jafarov, academician Rafael Huseynov, the director of the Museum of the Victims of Political Repression Mirabbas Mammadov, the doctor of philological sciences and professor Badirkhan Ahmadov, and the doctor of philosophy in philology and associate professor Firudin Gurbansoy on the wave of repression in the 1930s and the reactionary nature of communism. *** On July 19, the poetry festival ended with an artistic and musical performance named “Travel with Vagif,“ staged in front of Khurshidbanu Natevan's home. The performance presented for the first time is dedicated to the Azerbaijani traveler, geographer, historian, ethnographer, philosopher, and poet Haji Zeynalabdin Shirvani. Zeynalabdin Shirvani, born in 1780 in Shamakhi, moved to the city of Karbala with his family, where he received his first education. In 1796, he moved to Baghdad to complete his studies covering philosophy, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and several languages. The travel books in Baghdad's libraries, the discussions among scholars who gathered from across the Eastern world, and the stories of visiting pilgrims revealed a new world to him. Since then, young Zeynalabdin aimed to see the world and share its wonders with his fellow countrymen, and decided to travel without hesitation... The name of the outstanding scientist has gained wide fame not only in our homeland, but also far beyond its borders. H. Z. Shirvani's historical, philosophical, geographical, and biographical works have been published in countries such as China, India, the Republic of Korea, Iran, Türkiye, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Poland, France, England, and beyond, and have been highly appreciated by experts and scholars of these regions. The stage performance in Shusha, presents the scientist’s life story and life credo to the spectators. The performance is intended to introduce our compatriot who has promoted Azerbaijani culture worldwide. The author of the play, ordered by the Ministry of Culture, is Ilgar Fahmi, the Secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, and the production director is Honored Artist Loghman Karimov. Participants in the performance included honored artists from the Shusha State Musical Drama, State Pantomime, and State Yugh Theater: Nazir Rustamov, Azad Shukurov, Bahruz Vaqifoghlu, Teymur Mammadov, and Gasim Naghy, Orkhan Abishov, Pustakhanim Zeynalova, Jala Novruz, Zahra Salayeva, Surahi Alimammadova, Nurlan Rustamov, Javad Nuriyev, Elnur Ismayilov, and Nihat Heybatov. At the same time, People's Artist Gulyanag Mammadova, Honored Artist Nigar Shabanova, khanandas Huseyn Malikov, Nushaba Karimli, Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble and students of the Baku Choreography Academy took part in the performance. The artistic and musical stage performance prepared with great professionalism was met with applause by the audience. After the performance, photos were taken to commemorate the occasion. With this event, the Vagif Poetry Days, held for the fourth time in liberated Shusha, our cultural capital, went down in history. On January 14, 1982, with the participation of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the mausoleum of the great poet and statesman Molla Panah Vagif (1717-1797) and the House of Poetry were opened in Shusha. At this event, Heydar Aliyev supported the initiative of our literary figures in this field and ordered the launch of Vaqif Poetry Days. The first festival of literature and art was held in July 1982. ..

22.07.2024 10:09

Interview Stage Begins for Recruitment of Teachers in Music, Art, Painting, Mugham, and Ashug SchoolsThe test stage of the competition for recruiting teachers to music, art, painting, mugham, and ashug schools and centers under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan was conducted on June 2, 2024, together with the State Examination Center. Candidates who score at least 35 points in the test exam are eligible to proceed to the interview stage of the competition. From July 23-30 of the current year, candidates can sign up for the interview stage using the “my.culture.az“ single personal account. Those who passed the test stage of the 2023 teacher recruitment competition by the Ministry of Culture, but did not attend or succeed in the interview, are eligible to re-register for the interview. Candidates who have been successful in the 2023 Teacher Recruitment Competition and are on the reserve list can select available vacancies by registering through their personal “my.culture.az“ account. Candidates must use the “Digital.Login“ for registration in order to participate in the interview and vacancy selection phases. ..

19.07.2024 17:34

Vaqif Poetry Days Conclude in Our Cultural Capital The Vagif Poetry Days organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture in Shusha have come to a close. On July 19, the poetry festival ended with an artistic and musical performance named “Travel with Vagif,“ staged in front of Khurshidbanu Natevan's home. The performance presented for the first time is dedicated to the Azerbaijani traveler, geographer, historian, ethnographer, philosopher, and poet Haji Zeynalabdin Shirvani. Zeynalabdin Shirvani, born in 1780 in Shamakhi, moved to the city of Karbala with his family, where he received his first education. In 1796, he moved to Baghdad to complete his studies covering philosophy, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and several languages. The travel books in Baghdad's libraries, the discussions among scholars who gathered from across the Eastern world, and the stories of visiting pilgrims revealed a new world to him. Since then, young Zeynalabdin aimed to see the world and share its wonders with his fellow countrymen, and decided to travel without hesitation... The name of the outstanding scientist has gained wide fame not only in our homeland, but also far beyond its borders. H. Z. Shirvani's historical, philosophical, geographical, and biographical works have been published in countries such as China, India, the Republic of Korea, Iran, Türkiye, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Poland, France, England, and beyond, and have been highly appreciated by experts and scholars of these regions. The stage performance in Shusha, presents the scientist’s life story and life credo to the spectators. The performance is intended to introduce our compatriot who has promoted Azerbaijani culture worldwide. The author of the play, ordered by the Ministry of Culture, is Ilgar Fahmi, the Secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, and the production director is Honored Artist Loghman Karimov. Participants in the performance included honored artists from the Shusha State Musical Drama, State Pantomime, and State Yugh Theater: Nazir Rustamov, Azad Shukurov, Bahruz Vaqifoghlu, Teymur Mammadov, and Gasim Naghy, Orkhan Abishov, Pustakhanim Zeynalova, Jala Novruz, Zahra Salayeva, Surahi Alimammadova, Nurlan Rustamov, Javad Nuriyev, Elnur Ismayilov, and Nihat Heybatov. At the same time, People's Artist Gulyanag Mammadova, Honored Artist Nigar Shabanova, khanandas Huseyn Malikov, Nushaba Karimli, Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble and students of the Baku Choreography Academy took part in the performance. The artistic and musical stage performance prepared with great professionalism was met with applause by the audience. After the performance, photos were taken to commemorate the occasion. With this event, the Vagif Poetry Days, held for the fourth time in liberated Shusha, our cultural capital, went down in history. On January 14, 1982, with the participation of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the mausoleum of the great poet and statesman Molla Panah Vagif (1717-1797) and the House of Poetry were opened in Shusha. At this event, Heydar Aliyev supported the initiative of our literary figures in this field and ordered the launch of Vaqif Poetry Days. The first festival of literature and art was held in July 1982. ..

19.07.2024 13:05

"Repression of the Word" screened at Vagif Poetry DaysOn July 19, the documentary film “Repression of the Word“ (2022), produced with the support of the Ministry of Culture, was screened at the Shusha Hotel-Congress Center as part of the Vagif Poetry Days. Rafig Hashimov is the director of the film, produced by the “Bulatfilm Production“ company, while Selim Babullaoghlu is the screenwriter and Rufat Suleymanov is the cameraman. The film pays tribute to 31 writers, poets, and other intellectuals who were victims of repression and tells the tragic life stories of some of them. It also looks back at the tragic and historical philosophy behind Stalin's repressions. The film includes the opinions of the people's writer Anar, historian and researcher of work and life of Javid Hamid Jafarov, academician Rafael Huseynov, the director of the Museum of the Victims of Political Repression Mirabbas Mammadov, the doctor of philological sciences and professor Badirkhan Ahmadov, and the doctor of philosophy in philology and associate professor Firudin Gurbansoy on the wave of repression in the 1930s and the reactionary nature of communism. ..

19.07.2024 12:06

Conference on "Mohammed Fuzuli. Beyond Time" Held in Shusha The Vagif Poetry Days, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, continue in Shusha. A conference titled “Mohammed Fuzuli. Beyond Time“ dedicated to the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli took place on July 19 at the Shusha Hotel-Congress Center. The event was moderated by Ilgar Fahmi, the Secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers. Academician Govhar Bakhshaliyeva, Acting Vice-President of ANAS, and Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies named after Z. Bunyadov, mentioned that the conference was organized in accordance with the plan of events developed to implement the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the celebration of the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Muhammad Fuzuli: “For more than five centuries, the works of Muhammad Fuzuli have been appreciated by readers in Azerbaijan and all over the world. Although centuries have passed since Fuzuli wrote and created, the charm of his works does not diminish from year to year. On the contrary, with the passage of time, new generations, with their intelligence and comprehension, engage with the great poet's creativity on different levels and reinterpret it from their own point of view”. The academician noted that in addition to the numerous events planned by ANAS to commemorate the 530th anniversary of the great poet's birth, extensive work is being done to research the poet's scientific legacy. Academician Teymur Karimli, Director of the Institute of Manuscripts named after Muhammad Fuzuli of ANAS, said that in 1994, while Azerbaijan was progressing towards development and stabilization of its independence, a great historical and literary event was taking place in our country: “The 500th anniversary of Muhammad Fuzuli. Even amidst the turmoil, the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev did not postpone the celebration of the jubilee of the great poet in those years that were challenging for the destiny of our country. Instead, he ensured that Fuzuli's anniversary was celebrated grandly through a series of celebrations in Azerbaijan, and neighbouring countries. Poet Farid Huseyn, a member of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, spoke about the unique literary universe of Fuzuli. He emphasized that the timeless legacy created by Fuzuli will always remain relevant and adored by readers. Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov said that after our historic victory, we are meeting for the fourth time in Shusha, our cultural capital, to celebrate Vagif Poetry Days: “It is a fortunate coincidence that the 530th anniversary of Fuzuli falls in the same year as our country hosts a significant global event like COP29. This jubilee year, we must ensure that writers and poets from abroad receive comprehensive information about Fuzuli. At the same time, let's share the news of our Karabakh victory and the realities of the 30-year occupation period.“ The deputy minister stated that last month, a conference titled “Mohammed Fuzuli and Alishir Navai: Our Common Literary and Moral Values“ was held during the Days of Azerbaijan Culture in Tashkent, and an anthology of the poet's works translated into Uzbek was presented. The great poet's legacy has also been promoted at international book fairs with special sections at the Azerbaijani stand. The 10th Baku International Book Fair, scheduled for October this year, will also honor Muhammad Fuzuli. Following the speeches, the soloists of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist Anar Mikayilov and Roza Zeynalova, performed a composition based on “Leyli and Majnun“ by Mahammad Fuzuli. ..

18.07.2024 19:44

First Ethno-Jazz Concert in Shusha at Vagif Poetry DaysThe Vagif Poetry Days, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, kicked off in Shusha on July 18 and continued with a series of colorful events after the opening ceremony. The day concluded with an ethno-jazz concert held in front of Khurshidbanu Natevan's house. Jazz musician and pianist, Honoured Artist Emil Afrasiyab, performed a lively program at the concert, accompanied by Honoured Artist Iskander Alasgarov (drums) and Elvin Nabiyev (bass). Before the concert began, Emil Afrasiyab addressed the audience and spoke about the historical significance of the Vagif Poetry Days in Shusha. He noted that just as free Karabakh is the symbol of modern, independent Azerbaijan, the Vagif Poetry Days are the symbol of the liberated Shusha. He mentioned that the first ethno-jazz concert in Shusha will remain in the memory of all participants for a long time, and expressed confidence that similar events will be held more often in our fortress city. Then, interesting performances were presented. The program included “Two worlds“, “Extra Trace“, “And I Love Her“, “Aziza“, “Rainy Day“, “Letter to Father“, “Fantasia“, “Prayer“, “Nueva“ and other musical performances. The audience met the concert with loud applause. The Vagif Poetry Days will end on July 19. ..

18.07.2024 18:09

"The Motherland of the Word - Karabakh": Modern Poetry Hour in ShushaOn July 18, as part of the Vagif Poetry Days, a modern poetry hour titled “The Motherland of the Word - Karabakh“ took place in front of Khurshidbanu Natevan's house. First, Ibrahim Ilyasli, the head of the poetry section of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers and the host of the event, shared his thoughts about the Poetry Days. He described it as a celebration of poetry, art, and spirituality. He also mentioned that this year's event was again organized at a high level. Aghalar Bayramov, professor at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, honored artist and master of artistic recitation, recited patriotic poems. Later, poets took the stage. Ramiz Gusarchayl, chairman of the Guba section of the UAW, writer, playwright, and translator Seyran Sakhavat, Elchin Isgenderzadeh, chairman of the Karabakh section of the UAW, poets and honored cultural workers Gasham Najafzadeh, Rafig Yusifoghlu, head of the press service of the UAW Khayal Rza, Farid Huseyn, and Intigam Yasar recited their poems on various subjects. Poems about Shusha were particularly well received. ..

18.07.2024 16:26

“Nexus of Fuzuli Poetry” at the Shusha Poetry Festival The Vagif Poetry Days, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, began in Shusha on July 18 and continue with colorful events after the opening ceremony. A theatrical composition titled the “Nexus of Fuzuli Poetry,“ dedicated to the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli (1494-1556), was presented the same day in front of Khurshidbanu Natevan's house. Speaking before the composition based on Fuzuli's works, Ilgar Fahmi, secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, spoke about the works of Muhammad Fuzuli. Fahmi highlighted the poet’s significant influence on native-language poetry. He mentioned that Mohammad Fuzuli's works such as “Bangu-bade,“ “Leyli and Majnun,“ “Sahhati-Maraz,“ and “Rindu-Zahid“ were used in the artistic and musical composition. Ilgar Fahmi wrote the script of the play, which aroused great interest among the audience, and the director is Honoured Artist Loghman Karimov. Participants in the composition included honored artists from the Shusha State Musical Drama, State Pantomime, and State Yugh Theater: Nazir Rustamov, Azad Shukurov, Bahruz Vaqifoghlu, Teymur Mammadov, and Gasim Nagh, Orkhan Abishov, Pustakhanim Zeynalova, Jala Novruz, Zahra Salayeva, Surahi Alimammadova, Nurlan Rustamov, Javad Nuriyev, Elnur Ismayilov, and Nihat Heybatov. The Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble and students of the Baku Choreography Academy also took part in the performance. ..

18.07.2024 15:19

Vaqif Poetry Days Kick Off in Our Cultural CapitalThe Vagif Poetry Days, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, are held in Shusha on July 17-19. The poetry festival began on July 18 in front of the Molla Panah Vagif Museum and Mausoleum Complex. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the state and government, prominent figures of literature, science, and culture of the Republic, as well as residents of Shusha who returned to their homeland in May this year. Chingiz Abdullayev, the people's writer and first secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers (UAW), expressed his happiness at participating in such a grand event in Shusha. He noted that this year's Vagif Poetry Days coincided with several important occasions: “It is the first poetry festival conducted under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, after the complete restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Shusha holds the title of “Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024“. This year coincides with the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli and the 90th anniversary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers. Over 100 members of the Union are taking part in this year's event”. Academician Isa Habibbayli, President of ANAS, spoke about Molla Panah Vagif's literary contributions. He highlighted that Vagif was the first to extensively introduce Azerbaijani geography into our literature, celebrating the land's beauty: “Vagif praised the beauty of Azerbaijan in his poetry. He brought the vernacular into literature at a high level. His creativity is, first of all, an Azerbaijani phenomenon.“ The scholar noted that at the time when the USSR was discreetly pursuing its internationalist movement in Karabakh, the national leader Heydar Aliyev built a grand mausoleum for Vagif in Shusha, which was a sign of Azerbaijan's presence in Karabakh. It is important to restore it in all its glory. The newly organized Vagif Poetry Days are a great celebration of Azerbaijan, which is developing day by day under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, expressed through the language of poetry and art. The people's writer Elmira Akhundova spoke about the boundless love and care of the national leader Heydar Aliyev for the Azerbaijani language and literature. She mentioned that during the most difficult periods of the Soviet era, Heydar Aliyev promoted the preservation and development of national consciousness and the concept of Azerbaijanism. He made sure that works that nurtured this idea and passed it on to future generations were awarded the State Prize. Fazil Mustafa, a deputy of the 6th convocation of the Milli Majlis, said that the successful liberation of our lands was due to the outstanding organizational talent of President and Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and the exceptional bravery of the Azerbaijan Army. At present, Shusha, which has become a symbol of Azerbaijan, is being restored to its former glory. People's Poet Sabir Rustamkhanli, Chairman of the Press Council of Azerbaijan and Deputy Chairman of the UAW Rashad Majid, Secretary of the UAW Selim Babullaoghlu, and Chairman of the Kazakh branch of the Union Barat Vusal spoke about the charm, exceptionality, and uniqueness of Shusha, which has become the venue of international events, and recited poems. During the artistic part, a poetic duet based on the works of Mohammad Fuzuli and Molla Panah Vagif was performed by the honored artists Azad Shukurov and Nazir Rustamov. The musical pieces “Karabagh“, “Shusha Mountains“ and “This is the Homeland“ were performed by Honored Artist Nigar Shabanova and soloists Abgul Mirzaliyev, Ilkin Dovlatov, and Leyla Rahimli. The audience greeted the concert program with applause. At the end, photos were taken to commemorate the event. It’s worth mentioning that on January 14, 1982, with the participation of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the mausoleum of the great poet and statesman Molla Panah Vagif (1717-1797) and the House of Poetry were opened in Shusha. At this event, Heydar Aliyev supported the initiative of our literary figures in this field and ordered the launch of Vaqif Poetry Days. The first festival of literature and art was held in July 1982. Vagif Poetry Days, with a history of 42 years, will be held for the fourth time in the liberated Shusha. ..

17.07.2024 16:07

Upcoming Vagif Poetry Days to Take Place in Our Cultural CapitalThe next Vagif Poetry Days will be held in Shusha under the organization of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture on July 17-19. Officials, literary figures, cultural representatives, scientists, poets, and writers from the Turkic republics visiting our country for the 90th anniversary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers will take part in the poetry festival. During the Vagif Poetry Days, various events will be held in Shusha's historical and cultural sites, such as the Molla Panah Vagif Museum-Mausoleum Complex, restored by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Natavan's House, in the area in the front of the Shusha City Executive Authority, and the Shusha Hotel-Congress Center. On January 14, 1982, with the participation of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the mausoleum of the great poet and statesman Molla Panah Vagif (1717-1797) and the House of Poetry were opened in Shusha. At this event, Heydar Aliyev supported the initiative of our literary figures in this field and ordered the launch of Vaqif Poetry Days. The first festival of literature and art was held in July 1982. Vagif Poetry Days, with a history of 42 years, will be held for the fourth time in the liberated Shusha. ..

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 14:52

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 CompetitionIn 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. ..

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

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

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. ..