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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"Simurg" Ensemble from Azerbaijan Wins Grand Prix at the 13th Sharq Taronalari Festival in Uzbekistan

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30.08.2024

30.08.2024 11:39

The Grand Prix of the 13th Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from August 26–30, was awarded to the "Simurg" mugham ensemble from Azerbaijan.

More than 300 representatives from about 80 countries took part in this year's festival, which was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, UNESCO, ICESCO, and TURKSOY.

The Mugham ensemble "Simurg," consisting of the famous singer Miralam Miralamov and instrumentalists Zaki Valiyev (tar), Elnur Mikayilov (kamancha), Honored Artist Kamran Karimov (drums), Idris Huseynov (oud), and Anar Velizadeh (balaban), for the third time won the main prize of the world-famous festival for Azerbaijan with its outstanding performance.

The statuette of the festival and the certificate of the main prize were handed over to the ensemble by the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov, and the Chairman of the International Jury of the 13th "Sharq Taronalari," the Director of the International Mugham Center, tar performer, Honored Artist Sahib Pazashadeh.

For the first time in the 27-year history of the festival, the representative of Azerbaijan headed the international jury.

The amount of the Grand Prix prize is 10,000 US dollars.

The "Sharq Taronalari" festival was established in 1997 and is held every two years. At the first festival, singer Simara Imanova from our country won the Grand Prix, while tar performer Sahib Pashazadeh secured the Grand Prix at the 11th festival in 2017. Various musicians from our country have won at this festival in different years.

NEWS

29.08.2024 16:37

Ministry of Culture Represented at the Moscow Film WeekMoscow Film Week was organized by the Creative Industries Agency of the Russian Federation from August 23 to 28. Among the countries participating in the event were the USA, Turkiye, India, China, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, UAE, and others. The project provides a convenient platform for establishing contacts between the international professional film community and key figures of the Russian film industry. During Moscow Film Week, Rashad Azizov, Head of the Department of Creative Industries and Digital Development, represented the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the Moscow Film Week. He took part in the panel discussions on “Creative Economy“ and emphasized in his speech that Azerbaijan pays special attention to the strategic development of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) through grants and educational programs. He mentioned that grant and educational programs and activities of the Creative Center in support of young start-ups are aimed at strengthening the CCI sector of the country and raising its global standing. During the event, he also met with representatives of the creative industries of various countries. During the first Moscow Film Week, participants had the opportunity to learn about leading projects in the creative sector from various countries. Participants included the representatives of international film commissions, film industry executives, and experts from 25 countries. ..

29.08.2024 14:50

Minister of Culture Receives Citizens in Astara DistrictIn accordance with the directive of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, every month, heads of central executive power bodies and other administrative institutions receive citizens in various cities and districts and hear citizens' concerns on different issues. On August 29, Adil Karimli, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with citizens in Astara district. Before the reception, Minister Adil Karimli and the head of Astara District Executive Power, Gazanfar Aghayev, paid tribute to the national leader Heydar Aliyev by visiting his monument in the district center and laying flowers in front of it. During the reception, citizens from Astara, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Jalilabad, and Yardimli districts mainly raised concerns 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. Members of martyrs' families and veterans also attended the reception. Special attention was paid to their concerns, and their requests were recorded and put under supervision for timely consideration. ..

29.08.2024 09:40

Meeting with Opera Singer Tamara Sinyavskaya at the Ministry of CultureA meeting with Tamara Sinyavskaya, an outstanding opera singer and People's Artist of Russia, Azerbaijan, and the USSR, took place at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan on August 28. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli spoke about the artist's creative journey and noted her exceptional virtuosity in opera performances. It was emphasized that T. Sinyavskaya, the lifelong companion of the legendary singer and composer, People's Artist of the USSR Muslim Magomayev, also contributed to the promotion of Azerbaijani culture. Her work in this field has always been highly appreciated by our state. Last year, she was awarded the “100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev (1923-2023)“ jubilee medal and the “Honorary diploma of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan“ by the decree of President Ilham Aliyev. The artist was ceremonially presented with the state awards, and Tamara Sinyavskaya expressed her deep gratitude to the head of the country for the constant support and high appreciation of her work. At the end, commemorative photos were taken with the artist. ..

28.08.2024 17:54

‘One Thousand and One Nights’ Captivates Art Lovers in BeijingThe ballet “The Thousand and One Nights“ by Fikret Amirov, the world-famous composer of Azerbaijan, was performed in Beijing, the capital of China, on August 23-25. The work, which has triumphed on many stages around the world, was performed by the Primorsky stage of St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theater (Vladivostok) as part of the ballet troupe's tour to the People’s Republic of China. Over 3,500 ballet lovers in China watched the performance newly staged by Eldar Aliyev, the troupe's artistic director, at the Beijing National Performing Arts Center. This event was the first major ballet production at the newly opened Beijing National Performing Arts Center. The leading roles were performed by Anna Samstrelova, Irina Sapojnikova, Liliya Berezhnova, Sergey Umanets, Viktor Mulygin, and others. Among the spectators during the three-day performances were Oleg Kojemyako, the Governor of Russia's Primorsky region, Wang Ning, the Director of the Chinese Grand Theater, Claudio Yang, the President of the “Silk Road“ International Cultural Association, and various other officials and guests. The performance was 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 laureate of international competitions, Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev. The performance featured soloists of the Chorus and Opera Troupe of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre Anastasia Kikot and Samira Halimova, a native of Azerbaijan, and the soloists of the Azerbaijan Opera and Ballet Theatre Ramin Azimov (Baku) and Nadezhda Medvedeva (Vladivostok) as tar performers. The ballet “One Thousand and One Nights,“ celebrating the musical glory of Azerbaijan and the Middle East, was received with great interest by Chinese art lovers. 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. The libretto of the play is by prominent Azerbaijani writers Magsud and Rustam Ibrahimbayov brothers. The composer included 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 richness of Arabic rhythms to the audience. ..

28.08.2024 09:21

Lachin City Day Solemnly CelebratedLachin City Day was celebrated for the second time on August 26 under the organization of the Ministry of Culture and the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Lachin region and with the support of “Baku Maintenance Service“ LLC. The event was attended by officials, cultural figures, and other guests, as well as Lachin residents returning to their homeland. City Day is celebrated in four places in Lachin: Bayrag Square, the “Lacinema“ movie theater, the “Seyrangah“ area, and the banks of the Hakari River. At the opening ceremony, held at Flag Square, a minute of silence was observed to honor the precious memory of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, and then the national anthem was played. The Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Lachin region, Masim Mammadov, congratulated the residents and participants of the event on the occasion of Lachin Day. “The enemy destroyed Lachin city during nearly thirty years of occupation. After Lachin was liberated, extensive restoration and construction efforts were rapidly implemented. Now, the city is regaining its former glory,“ M. Mammadov said. It was mentioned that this is only the second time Lachin City Day is being celebrated, following President Ilham Aliyev's order dated July 31, 2023, “On the Establishment of City Days in the Territories of Azerbaijan Liberated from Occupation.“ Other speakers talked about the appealing nature of Lachin and extended their best wishes to the residents of the city on the occasion of the holiday. The Military Orchestra of the Defense Ministry performed patriotic music at the event. Afterwards, the event participants marched to the “Lacinema“ cinema with a military band accompanying them. Exhibitions and films at Lacinema As part of Lachin City Day celebrations, “Lacinema“ hosted the art exhibition “My Lachin“ and the photo exhibition “On the Wings of Time“. At noon, the guests watched the documentary film “Shusha, you are free!“ The film, jointly produced by the Baku Media Center and the “Salnamefilm“ studio with the support of the Ministry of Culture, is directed by Javidan Sharifov and produced by Nazim Huseynov and Orman Aliyev. This film presents for the first time the highlights of the Shusha operation, one of the most remarkable chapters in modern military history. It features interviews with our brave soldiers and officers who took part in the operation, chronicles the journey of the Special Forces, who played a valuable role in liberating Shusha from occupation, and includes exclusive footage shot during the mission. In the afternoon, the animated films “Stolen Spring,“ “Tig-Tig and Friends in Search of Wonders,“ and “My Little Prince“ were shown in the theater. In the cartoon “Stolen Spring,“ Spring Girl is kidnapped by Div. When the little hero sees this, he rushes to rescue her. Both the little hero and the Spring girl escape from Div's castle, and then Spring adorns the surroundings with flowers. The director of the film, which was produced by order of the Ministry of Culture, is Aleksandra Shirinova, the composer is Azer Hajiasgarli, and the producer is Mansur Shafiyev. In the first part of the two-part animated film “Tig-Tig and Friends in Search of Wonders,“ Tig-Tig and her friends travel to our southern region and tell the young viewers about the rare ironwood tree that grows there. The film also presents various educational facts to children in a variety of ways. In the second part, Tig-Tig and her friends visit Gobustan, one of our ancient settlements. They encounter unusual and mysterious events, and the best part of these mysterious events is that she makes a new friend. Sultan Abbasbeyli is the scriptwriter and producer of the animated film “Tig-Tig and Friends in Search of Wonders,“ produced on the order of the Ministry of Culture. The composer of the film is Azer Hajiasgarli, the artist is Kubra Binnetova, the editor is Yusif Sheykhov, the sound director is Mehman Nadirov, and the producer is Mansur Shafiyev. In the animated film “My Little Prince,“ the oil paintings of the young artist Maryam Alakbarli, inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's “The Little Prince,“ were shown within the animated segments. The way her thoughts and feelings about “The Little Prince“ were conveyed through 3D animation created a unique new style. The film was directed by Arif Maharramov on the order of the Ministry of Culture, with Elchin Efendiyev as artistic director, Iman Ismayil as screenwriter, Amil Guliyev as set designer, Azer Hajiasgarli as composer, Mehriban Zaki as sound director, and Mushfiq Hatamov as producer. In fact, the animated film “My Little Prince“ achieved success at festivals in Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and South Korea. Master classes and performances in the Seyrangah area of Lachin city As part of the festivities, master classes in folk applied arts were held in the Seyrangah area of the city. Shabaka, mat making, ceramics, and coppersmithing were some of the areas covered in the master classes. The participants received information about these fields, and the preparation processes for many of them were visually demonstrated. Later, the interactive exhibition “Goçdash“ was organized. The independent children's theater “Oyug“ performed sketches based on our national fairy tale heroes and held a concert program with examples of children's films of Azerbaijan. The Shusha State Musical Drama Theatre presented the play “Little Red Riding Hood,“ directed by the Honored Artist Loghman Karimov, based on the work of the same name by Yevgeny Shvarts. The music was composed by Azad Mammadov, and Valeh Mammadov was the stage designer. The roles are performed by Surahi Alimammadova, Pustakhanim Zeynalova, Aybeniz Jahangirova, Nihat Heybatov, Orkhan Abishov, and Javid Javadzadeh. The children who returned to their homeland enjoyed the play “Little Red Riding Hood“ very much. Celebrations on the Banks of the Hakari River. The Lachin City Day celebrations carried on with various events on the banks of the Hakari River. First, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, got acquainted with the exhibitions organized for the special occasion. Next was the “Jan Lachin“ fair, presenting samples of regional cuisine. At the same time, children's activities such as kite flying, mask making, balloon games, sack races, face painting, and others were organized. Children met authors Sevinj Nuruguzi and Solmaz Amanova and took part in quizzes. Participants of the event showed great interest in the cutting of carpets “Father's Will—Son's Victory“ and “One Nation, Two States“ from the looms. The “Father's Will—Son's Victory“ carpet was created based on the Karabakh testament of national leader Heydar Aliyev to President Ilham Aliyev. The “One Nation, Two States“ carpet is inspired by Heydar Aliyev's famous saying about Turkish-Azerbaijani brotherhood. In the background of the carpet with the flags of the two states, fragments of the “Ajdahali“ carpet of the famous Khatai group (XVII century) of Karabakh and the “Lotto“ carpet (XVII century) of Turkey were given. The author of both carpets is Elnara Rasulova. Then a “poetry hour“ was organized as part of the program. Ilgar Fahmi, secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, hosted a presentation of the newly published literary anthology “Lachin-100.“. The book, collected and compiled by poet and essayist Ilham Kahraman, is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Lachin (1924-2024). The anthology collects the works of poets, prose writers, and ashugs who created in the territory of present-day Lachin. The poetry section, which spans 400 years, begins with the works of classics such as Sarı Ashug and Mir Hamza Nigari. The book also includes examples of the creativity of people from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries whose works have not fully reached our era and whose names are unknown to the literary community, such as Ashug Ali (from Suvat), Amir Bey, Ashug Abbas, Gara Karim, the poet Mammadali, and Ashug Jafargulu. Later, a mugham and poetry gathering called “Fuzuli 530 - majlisi-uns“ took place. Writers from Lachin, including Sharif Aghayar and Saddam Lachin, and musicians such as honored artist and singer Ehtiram Huseynov, Khayal Huseynov, Ashiq Sahil, Ashiq Afil, and others presented an artistic performance at the event. At the end, “The Story of Sari Ashug“ was performed by actors of the Shusha State Musical Drama Theater. City Day events ending with a gala concert and fireworks On the afternoon of August 26, a grand gala concert was held on the main stage set up along the Hakari River to celebrate City Day. The concert was attended by officials, well-known cultural figures, Lachin residents, and other guests. The event started with the screening of a video depicting President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Lachin and his interaction with the city's residents. The event featured performances by People's Artist Faig Aghayev, honored artists Ehtiram Huseynov, Lala Mammadova, Ilkin Ahmadov, Rashad Ilyasov, Elza Seyidjahan, Gunel Sheikhova, performers Ashug Ramin, Araz Humbatli, Kamila Nabiyeva, Fuad Musayev, Konul Mammadli, Vusal Hajiyev, and Murad Arif, as well as the “Amarok“ group, the Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble named after Fikret Amirov, and the “Lachin“ Mugham group. Performances in the program included Mahabbat Kazimov's “My Lachin“ and “I Have a Mountain of Mountains,“ Aydan Aliyeva's “Beautiful Azerbaijan“, Rauf Mammadov's “Long Live Azerbaijan,“ Ogtay Kazimi's “O Life, How Strange You Are,“ Emin Sabitoghlu's “My Thin-Waisted,“ Elsa Seyidjahan's “In the Mountains of My Lachin,“ Alakbar Taghiyev's “In the Name of Homeland,“ Bahram Nasibov's “Cradle of Dreams,“ Telman Hajiyev's “Homeland Suite,“ and Khanim Ismayilgizi's “You Are a Winner.“ The concert included “Pearls“ composition, “Jangi“ dance, “Folk bayatis“, “Misri“ ashug song, “Uzundara“ folk dance, “Ay Lachin“ folk song, and the “Shur“ tasnif. Later, the audience enjoyed a solo performance of Ibrahim Babayev, laureate of republican and international competitions, young tar performer. The artist performed the folk song “I can't forget“, “MughaMix“, which refers to the synthesis of Azerbaijani mugham with modernity, “Dance in the sky“ and other songs. Each performance was received with great enthusiasm and thunderous applause by the audience. The Lachin City Day events concluded with a breathtaking fireworks display that lit up the sky of the liberated city with colorful lights. Thus, Lachin City Day, once again celebrated with great solemnity, went down in history with unforgettable moments. ..

27.08.2024 16:11

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli to Receive Citizens in NakhchivanAccording 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 Nakhchivan city, Babek, Julfa, Kangarli, Ordubad, Sadarak, Shahbuz, and Sharur districts on September 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Ministry of Culture of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (address: Nakhchivan city, Heydar Aliyev avenue, 1). Citizens can apply for the reception until September 9, 2024 via the Ministry's e-mail address info@culture.gov.az and phone number (012) 493-43-98. ..

27.08.2024 13:11

Free Admission to Priority Specialties AnnouncedA total of 10,000 students have passed the entrance exams for the 2024/2025 academic year in music and art schools and centers under the Ministry of Culture. The registration period for these admitted students has now been extended until August 31. Due to the high demand for musicians skilled in symphonic and national instruments, students who scored 50 points or more in the entrance exams will be eligible for additional free placements in these specialties to encourage interest in these fields. 1. Cello 2. Double Bass 3. Harp 4. Flute 5. Oboe 6. Clarinet 7. Bassoon 8. Saxophone 9. Trumpet 10. Trombone 11. Valthorn 12. Percussion Instruments 13. Balaban 14. Kanun 15. Saz Those interested in additional placement for these specialties can register via the personal account at my.culture.az. More information will be provided in the coming days. ..

27.08.2024 11:36

Lachin City Day Ends with a Gala Concert and FireworksThe events of Lachin City Day, organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Lachin region, and supported by the “Baku Maintenance Service,“ concluded. On the afternoon of August 26, a grand gala concert was held on the main stage set up along the Hakari River to celebrate City Day. The concert was attended by officials, well-known cultural figures, Lachin residents, and other guests. The event started with the screening of a video depicting President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Lachin and his interaction with the city's residents. The event featured performances by People's Artist Faig Aghayev, honored artists Ehtiram Huseynov, Lala Mammadova, Ilkin Ahmadov, Rashad Ilyasov, Elza Seyidjahan, Gunel Sheikhova, performers Ashug Ramin, Araz Humbatli, Kamila Nabiyeva, Fuad Musayev, Konul Mammadli, Vusal Hajiyev, and Murad Arif, as well as the “Amarok“ group, the Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble named after Fikret Amirov, and the “Lachin“ Mugham group. Performances in the program included Mahabbat Kazimov's “My Lachin“ and “I Have a Mountain of Mountains,“ Aydan Aliyeva's “Beautiful Azerbaijan“, Rauf Mammadov's “Long Live Azerbaijan,“ Ogtay Kazimi's “O Life, How Strange You Are,“ Emin Sabitoghlu's “My Thin-Waisted,“ Elsa Seyidjahan's “In the Mountains of My Lachin,“ Alakbar Taghiyev's “In the Name of Homeland,“ Bahram Nasibov's “Cradle of Dreams,“ Telman Hajiyev's “Homeland Suite,“ and Khanim Ismayilgizi's “You Are a Winner.“ The concert included “Pearls“ composition, “Jangi“ dance, “Folk bayatis“, “Misri“ ashug song, “Uzundara“ folk dance, “Ay Lachin“ folk song, and the “Shur“ tasnif. Later, the audience enjoyed a solo performance of Ibrahim Babayev, laureate of republican and international competitions, young tar performer. The artist performed the folk song “I can't forget“, “MughaMix“, which refers to the synthesis of Azerbaijani mugham with modernity, “Dance in the sky“ and other songs. Each performance was received with great enthusiasm and thunderous applause by the audience. The Lachin City Day events concluded with a breathtaking fireworks display that lit up the sky of the liberated city with colorful lights. Thus, Lachin City Day, once again celebrated with great solemnity, went down in history with unforgettable moments. ..

26.08.2024 17:27

Festivities in Lachin ContinueLachin City Day celebrations, organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Lachin region and supported by Baku Maintenance Service LLC, continue. On August 26, “Lacinema“ hosted the art exhibition “My Lachin“ and the photo exhibition “On the Wings of Time.“ At noon, the guests watched the documentary film “Shusha, you are free!“ The film, jointly produced by the Baku Media Center and the “Salnamefilm“ studio with the support of the Ministry of Culture, is directed by Javidan Sharifov and produced by Nazim Huseynov and Orman Aliyev. This film presents for the first time the highlights of the Shusha operation, one of the most remarkable chapters in modern military history. It features interviews with our brave soldiers and officers who took part in the operation, chronicles the journey of the Special Forces, who played a valuable role in liberating Shusha from occupation, and includes exclusive footage shot during the mission. In the afternoon, the animated films “Stolen Spring,“ “Tig-Tig and Friends in Search of Wonders,“ and “My Little Prince“ were shown in the theater. In the cartoon “Stolen Spring,“ Spring Girl is kidnapped by Div. When the little hero sees this, he rushes to rescue her. Both the little hero and the Spring girl escape from Div's castle, and then Spring adorns the surroundings with flowers. The director of the film, which was produced by order of the Ministry of Culture, is Aleksandra Shirinova, the composer is Azer Hajiasgarli, and the producer is Mansur Shafiyev. In the first part of the two-part animated film “Tig-Tig and Friends in Search of Wonders,“ Tig-Tig and her friends travel to our southern region and tell the young viewers about the rare ironwood tree that grows there. The film also presents various educational facts to children in a variety of ways. In the second part, Tig-Tig and her friends visit Gobustan, one of our ancient settlements. They encounter unusual and mysterious events, and the best part of these mysterious events is that she makes a new friend. Sultan Abbasbeyli is the scriptwriter and producer of the animated film “Tig-Tig and Friends in Search of Wonders,“ produced on the order of the Ministry of Culture. The composer of the film is Azer Hajiasgarli, the artist is Kubra Binnetova, the editor is Yusif Sheykhov, the sound director is Mehman Nadirov, and the producer is Mansur Shafiyev. In the animated film “My Little Prince,“ the oil paintings of the young artist Maryam Alakbarli, inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's “The Little Prince,“ were shown within the animated segments. The way her thoughts and feelings about “The Little Prince“ were conveyed through 3D animation created a unique new style. The film was directed by Arif Maharramov on the order of the Ministry of Culture, with Elchin Efendiyev as artistic director, Iman Ismayil as screenwriter, Amil Guliyev as set designer, Azer Hajiasgarli as composer, Mehriban Zaki as sound director, and Mushfiq Hatamov as producer. In fact, the animated film “My Little Prince“ achieved success at festivals in Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and South Korea. ..

26.08.2024 16:32

Lachin City Day Begins with Ceremonial Opening CeremonyLachin City Day is celebrated for the second time on August 26 under the organization of the Ministry of Culture and the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Lachin region and with the support of “Baku Maintenance Service“ LLC. The event is attended by officials, cultural figures, and other guests, as well as Lachin residents returning to their homeland. City Day is celebrated in four places in Lachin: Bayrag Square, the “Lacinema“ movie theater, the “Seyrangah“ area, and the banks of the Hakari River. At the opening ceremony, held at Flag Square, a minute of silence was observed to honor the precious memory of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, and then the national anthem was played. The Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Lachin region, Masim Mammadov, congratulated the residents and participants of the event on the occasion of Lachin Day. “The enemy destroyed Lachin city during nearly thirty years of occupation. After Lachin was liberated, extensive restoration and construction efforts were rapidly implemented. Now, the city is regaining its former glory,“ M. Mammadov said. It was mentioned that this is only the second time Lachin City Day is being celebrated, following President Ilham Aliyev's order dated July 31, 2023, “On the Establishment of City Days in the Territories of Azerbaijan Liberated from Occupation.“ Other speakers talked about the appealing nature of Lachin and extended their best wishes to the residents of the city on the occasion of the holiday. The Military Orchestra of the Defense Ministry performed patriotic music at the event. Afterwards, the event participants marched to the “Lacinema“ cinema with a military band accompanying them. Lachin City Day has a rich program, and it will continue throughout the day with vibrant events. ..

23.08.2024 17:51

Results of Teacher Recruitment Competition for Music and Art Schools AnnouncedThe final results of the teacher recruitment competition for music and art schools and centers under the Ministry of Culture have been announced. After the interviews, 237 candidates were successful, and 123 of them were selected to be appointed as teachers. In June of this year, the test phase of the teacher recruitment competition was held in cooperation with the State Examination Center. Out of 856 candidates, 317 passed the exam and went on to the interview stage. About 300 candidates participated in the interviews from August 5 to 8. Those who have successfully passed the competition for the recruitment of teachers into music and art schools and centers and have been appointed must register at the respective educational institutions and submit the required employment documents by September 5, 2024. Candidates on the reserve list will be eligible to participate in the next placement. More details about the next placement date will be provided in the information resources of the Ministry of Culture. The Ministry of Culture is carrying out systematic reforms in music and art schools to improve the quality of education. Implemented for the first time this year, the admission of students and recruitment of teachers through a single electronic system, updating of educational content and optimization of the school network are aimed at facilitating a more harmonious development of cultural educational institutions. ..

23.08.2024 15:07

Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan signed documentsOn August 23, a ceremony of signing documents between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan was held in Tashkent with the participation of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, signed the “Treaty on Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.“ Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, also adopted the “Decision of the First Meeting of the High Intergovernmental Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.“ Adil Karimli, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, signed the “Roadmap for Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation for 2024-2026 between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.“ ..

23.08.2024 09:35

Honorary Titles Presented to Azerbaijani and Uzbek Artists in TashkentAs reported earlier, well-known pop singer, composer, and actor from Uzbekistan, Farrukh Zakirov, was awarded the honorary title of “People's Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan“ by the order of President Ilham Aliyev on July 22, 2024. On August 6 of this year, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev awarded the honorary title of “People's Artist of the Republic of Uzbekistan“ to the outstanding Azerbaijani composer and singer, Polad Bulbuloghlu. On August 22, during the state visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Uzbekistan, a ceremony was conducted at the Palace of Forums in Tashkent to present the honorary titles to both artists. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli, the Minister of Culture of Ubekistan Ozodbek Nazarbekov, well-known art figures of the two brotherly countries and others. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli read the Order of the President of Azerbaijan on awarding Farrukh Zakirov. The representative of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan drew attention to the Order of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on awarding Polad Bulbuloghlu. The holders were then presented with badges and certificates of honorary titles. The artists, who received awards, expressed their gratitude to the leaders of the brotherly countries for appreciating their creative work. In the end, photos were taken to commemorate the occasion. ..

22.08.2024 09:05

Discussion Held on Creating a Broadcast Platform for Turkic Regions and StatesOn August 21, a meeting took place at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan to discuss the creation of a broadcasting platform connecting Turkic-speaking regions and states. It was noted that in order to promote Azerbaijani culture, appropriate steps should be taken to support the development of the creative sectors, including the enhancement of the country's cinematic potential and the involvement of foreign experts in the local film industry. The development of the local film industry requires support for dubbing infrastructure, the creation of new employment opportunities, and the promotion of business in this segment, all of which are key to promoting the Azerbaijani language in the modern digital age. For these purposes, special measures are to be implemented within the framework of the “Creative Azerbaijan“ program. This need is also included in paragraph 5.6.6 of the “Statute of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan,“ approved by Decree No. 119 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan of June 6, 2018, and in the corresponding section of the Action Plan for the “Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026.“ One of the priorities for the implementation of this clause is to support the activities of market participants in cultural and creative industries (CCI), improve the production base, and promote sectoral clustering. It was noted that research is being carried out to establish a broadcasting platform connecting Turkic-speaking regions and states, and a work plan to achieve this effect is in progress. In order to improve the platform and accelerate its creation, Nina Laricheva, the strategic and business consultant of the “BBC-Maestro“ project, and Oktay Yusibov, the chairman of the “ATA-Association of Turkic Animation“ organization, are involved in the project as experts. It was emphasized that the platform, which will operate on a monthly or annual subscription basis, aims to offer both local and international content (with dubbing) and to provide its viewers with high-quality, culturally relevant programs. ..

20.08.2024 18:14

Maestro Niyazi Honored for Distinguished Service to Musical CultureIn honor of the 112th anniversary of the birth of Niyazi, the People's Artist of Azerbaijan and the USSR, Hero of Socialist Labor, and State Prize laureate, an event was organized in the house-museum of the artist on August 20. Jahangir Salimkhanov, advisor to the Minister of Culture, employees of the State Museum of Music Culture of Azerbaijan and its branch, the House Museum, and others took part in the event. The guests were first introduced to the exhibition “Niyazi: 112“ in the lobby of the museum. A video of national leader Heydar Aliyev's reflections on Maestro Niyazi was shown at the event. Honored cultural worker Rza Bayramov, director of Niyazi's House Museum, spoke about the unique contributions of the unforgettable artist to the enrichment and promotion of Azerbaijani musical culture. He mentioned that the museum is rich with exhibits: “The museum has an extensive collection that provides an insight into Niyazi's life and creative work. Photographs, personal items, and his handwritten compositions from different periods are preserved in the museum.“ People's Artist Azer Dadashov, a professor at the Baku Music Academy named after U. Hajibeyli, shared his memories of Niyazi and played a fragment of the cantata “Sumgayit“ and the song “Golden“ on the piano. He also donated a book written by him to the museum. Other speakers also spoke about Niyazi's life and work. It was noted that Niyazi contributed significantly to the development of national symphonic music by creating symphonic works with rich and comprehensive content in Azerbaijani music. His opera “Khosrov and Shirin,“ symphonic mugham “Rast,“ ballet “Chitra,“ and many other works are invaluable treasures of our musical tradition. At the event, a video was shown in which famous musicians remembered Niyazi. Each performance was accompanied by a slide show of the collections of the State Museum of Musical Culture of Azerbaijan. It should be noted that on the occasion of the unforgettable artist's birthday (August 20), an “open door“ event was announced in the apartment museum. ..

20.08.2024 17:22

Deadline for Enrolment in Music and Art Schools ExtendedCandidates admitted to music and art schools and centers under the Ministry of Culture for the 2024/2025 academic year had to confirm their enrollment by uploading the required documents through their single personal account at “my.culture.az” via the electronic system by August 15. However, due to numerous requests received by the Ministry regarding an extension because of graduation and summer vacation days, the registration period through the personal account has been extended until August 25 of this year to ensure citizen satisfaction. ..

20.08.2024 14:23

Maestro Niyazi’s Memory Honored in the Alley of HonorAugust 20 was the 112th anniversary of the birth of the world-famous conductor and composer, People's Artist of Azerbaijan and the USSR, Hero of Socialist Labor, and receiver of state awards, Niyazi (Niyazi Tagızadeh-Hajibeyov; 1912–1984). On this occasion, Jahangir Salimkhanov, adviser to the Minister of Culture, employees from both the State Museum of Music Culture and the Niyazi’s House Museum operating under it, as well as notable cultural figures, gathered at the Alley of Honor to lay flowers at the maestro's grave. During the memorial ceremony, the significant contributions of the outstanding artist to the development of Azerbaijani musical culture were recognized. It was stated that Niyazi is considered a national treasure by the Azerbaijani people, and his name is always spoken of with great respect. His exceptional role in the establishment and development of the Azerbaijan Conducting School was emphasized. It was noted that Niyazi began his conducting career in the 1930s. In 1935, the composer first recorded the classic Azerbaijani folk music examples, “Rast“ and “Shur“ mughams, and by 1946, he had earned the title of laureate in the young conductors’ competition. In 1949, he composed his most famous piece, the symphonic mugham “Rast.“ The operas “Nargiz“ by Muslim Magomayev, “Motherland“ by Gara Garayev, and “Sevil“ by Fikret Amirov, along with the ballets “Seven Beauties“ and “The Pass of Thunder“ by Gara Garayev, directed by the maestro at the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theater, achieved great success. The artist, who was the artistic director and conductor of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, also prepared the debut performance of Arif Malikov's ballet “The Legend of Love“ at the Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Opera and Ballet Theater in 1961. At the Ankara Opera and Ballet Theater, he led the operas “The Queen of Spades“ by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and “Aida“ by Giuseppe Verdi, and directed the first performance of Adnan Saygun's opera “Koroghlu“ and the oratorio “Yunis Emre“ at the Istanbul Opera and Ballet Theater. It was noted that today Niyazi's name is associated with world-famous conductors and composers. His work serves as a genuine example for the new generation of musicians. Many generations to come will reap the benefits of Niyazi's art school. ..

19.08.2024 12:14

'Summer School in Fuzuli' Project Impresses with Colorful, Engaging EventsThe “Summer School in Fuzuli“ project, organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Science and Education, and supported by the President’s Special Representation in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand, aimed at providing engaging and entertaining leisure for Fuzuli schoolchildren who returned to their native lands, left a lasting imporession with its colorful and interesting events in Fuzuli on August 15-18. On August 17, during the “Music“ day at the Children's Creative Center named after Kurmangazy in Fuzuli, well-known cultural and artistic figures conducted master classes for the participants, and two major concerts were organized. Opera singer and People's Artist Samir Jafarov went behind the piano and held an open-air vocal master class for schoolchildren interested in music and singing, sharing the secrets of his craft. He worked with the schoolchildren both individually and in groups, providing each with tailored advice on areas for improvement. Later, People's Artist and actor Vidadi Hasanov engaged in a conversation with schoolchildren about theater and creativity in an informal, open-air setting. Interested in the books they read and the films they watch, the actor offered advice to those aspiring to specialize in the arts and encouraged their development. He also conducted educational games aimed at enhancing their self-expression and focus on stage. The daily program of the summer school continued with concerts, and a grand concert program called “Nightingales of Karabakh“ in Fuzuli“ was organized in the Assembly Hall of the Children's Creative Center named after Kurmangazy. At the concert, the skilled performances of “Nightingales of Karabakh“ accompanied by Honored Artist, singer Tayyar Bayramov were met with great applause. At the end of the day, a vibrant musical concert program was performed by students from the Karabakh region's music schools and the group of the Children's Creative Center named after Kurmangazy. *** On August 18, schoolchildren at the Children's Creative Center named after Kurmangazy attended “Creative Writing“ master class led by writer and literary critic Ramil Ahmed. Following that, various outdoor sports competitions and relay races were organized for the summer school participants, and each child received a gift. The program of the summer school continued with a film screening. Afterwards, the closing ceremony of “Summer School in Fuzuli“ was held. At the closing event, schoolchildren shared their impressions of the summer school and voiced their wishes for future activities of this kind. The children mentioned that they were taught various subjects as part of the “Summer School in Fuzuli“ project, had a great time, met new friends, and learned new things, and they hoped for such projects to be repeated. It should be noted that the companies “Füzulidə yay məktəbi“ layihəsinə “Sirab“, “Final çayı“, “Bazarstore“ and “Nort Vest“ also supported the “Summer School in Fuzuli“ project. ..

16.08.2024 14:40

Appeals for Music and Art School Admissions ReviewedAs an important part of the reforms implemented by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the field of cultural education, the process of admission of students to music and art schools and centers under the Ministry for the 2024–2025 academic year was conducted electronically for the first time. Between May 6 and 31 of this year, applications for admission were registered through the single personal account “my.culture.az,“ and entrance examinations were conducted on-site in a centralized manner from June 20 to 30. Based on the results of the exams, students were automatically assigned to schools and fields of study by an electronic system according to the admission plans for free and paid education, taking into account the candidates' scores and the age limit. Of the 16,147 applicants, 12,089 were enrolled in grades 1 to 8 (for eleven years of education) in various specialties. Complaints regarding the results of the entrance examinations were received through the electronic system, and appeal commissions were established in the regional cultural offices to review the appeals. The commissions examined the relevant appeals and decided to approve 24 of them. ..

15.08.2024 16:54

Special Scholarship Program for Culture and Creative Industries Now Accepting ApplicationsThe Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan announces the acceptance of documents for funding studies abroad at the undergraduate and graduate levels through the Special Scholarship Program for Culture and Creative Industries. Citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan over the age of 15 who wish to develop their creative potential and engage in various CCI and cultural activities, who have been accepted to foreign higher education institutions or are studying at their own expense, may apply for the scholarship program to finance their education. Funding for education abroad is provided in the following areas of specialization, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels: Audiovisual (music, cinema (including animation), videography, and photography) Fashion Arts Design Curation Architecture Event Organization Cultural and creative management Organization of work with publishers Game industry Theater, Comedy and Performance Creative Technologies The admission process for the scholarship program consists of two stages: the document acceptance stage and the interview stage. Documents Required: For undergraduate studies abroad: - A certificate or a copy of a state document on full secondary or specialized secondary education, proving that the applicant is enrolled in the graduating class of general education institutions in the current academic year (11th grade or its equivalent for study abroad); - A copy of the document confirming the candidate's enrollment or study in a foreign higher education institution (translation of documents from languages other than English, Russian, and Turkish into Azerbaijani, certified by a public notary); - A copy of the international language certificate proving the candidate's proficiency in the language of instruction of the foreign institution of higher education to be attended, or a copy of the document proving the candidate's previous education in that foreign language; - A copy of the transcript from the appropriate educational institution confirming that the candidate's scores fall within the required minimum and maximum limits for international education programs; - The health certificate of the candidate, form AZS086/1; - Photos and videos related to CCI products created by the candidate (if any) and business activities including any start-ups, TIN and start-up certificates, if any, and other supporting materials may be attached to the above documents; For graduate studies abroad: - A certificate confirming the candidate's enrollment in the final academic year of the higher education institution during the current academic year or a copy of the state-issued bachelor's degree document; - A copy of the document confirming that the candidate has been admitted to or has studied in a foreign higher education institution (translations into Azerbaijani of documents in languages other than English, Russian and Turkish certified by a public notary); - A copy of the certificate of recognition of the foreign higher education qualification at the bachelor's level (in case of higher education abroad); - A letter of recommendation from at least two members of the teaching staff of the higher education or scientific institution expressing their opinion on the candidate's ability to study abroad (alternatively, if the candidate is employed, one of the recommendations may come from the employer), either in the original or as a copy; - A copy of the international language certificate showing the candidate's proficiency in the language of instruction of the foreign institution of higher education to be attended, or a copy of the document verifying the candidate's previous education in the foreign language; - A copy of the candidate's transcript (showing GPA); - The candidate's health certificate, form AZS086/1; - Photos and videos related to CCI products created by the candidate (if any) and business activities including any start-ups, TIN and start-up certificates, if any, and other supporting materials may be attached to the specified documents; Documents are accepted online via the platform “edu.creative.az.“ You can check the list of preferred institutions of higher education abroad and their specializations or programs by accessing the relevant sections of the application form. If the institution where the candidate wishes to study under the scholarship program is not listed, the Commission may consider funding by evaluating the country's indicators and the institution's achievements and potential in training personnel in specialized fields. Persons who have studied more than half of the standard period of education at the bachelor's or master's level in higher educational institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan under state order or at state expense, as well as those who have completed their bachelor's or master's education in foreign institutions within the framework of state programs and international agreements (interstate scholarship programs) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, are not eligible to apply as candidates for the same level of education. As already reported, the Ministry of Culture has been designated as the main implementing body for the creation of certificate programs and special scholarship programs for study abroad in accordance with the requirements of the CCI sectors under the activity “Ensuring the dynamic development of cultural and creative industries (CCI) and strengthening their export potential“ outlined in the Action Plan of the “Socioeconomic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026.“ The Collegium of the Ministry of Culture has approved the “Criteria and Rules for Selection of Candidates for Education and Procedures for Financing Education“ within the framework of the “Special Scholarship Program for Culture and Creative Industries“. Acceptance of documents will continue from August 15, 2024, to September 15, 2024. For more information about the scholarship program, please call 012 525 11 28 (extension: 102 or 103) from August 16. ..

15.08.2024 15:54

Fuzuli Summer School Launches with an Opening CeremonyThe opening ceremony of the “Summer School in Fuzuli“ project took place on August 15 at the Children's Creative Center named after Kurmangazy in Fuzuli. The goal of the project is to provide engaging and fun summer activities for Fuzuli schoolchildren who have come back to their homeland. The project, which will continue until August 18, is organized by the Ministry of Culture with the support of the Ministry of Science and Education, as well as the special representation of the President in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand. Schoolchildren of Fuzuli City Ulugbey Secondary School No. 1, which was a gift from the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and opened in August 2023, also take part in the project. The opening ceremony began with the national anthem, and then a minute of silence was held in memory of the martyrs who died for the independence and territorial integrity of our country. Rafiga Bakhshiyeva, an employee of the Ministry of Culture and the coordinator of the summer school, spoke about the purpose of the project and the planned activities. She thanked all the institutions that supported the summer school. Later, the team of the Children's Creative Center named after Kurmangazy performed literary and artistic pieces in Azerbaijani and Kazakh languages. Fuzuli schoolchildren performed Azerbaijani mughams and Kazakh folklore samples; dances from both cultures were demonstrated; and the center's choir presented musical performances. During the day, schoolchildren took part in drawing lessons, a wood carving master class, and fun games. At the end of the day, a survey was organized with the students to collect their impressions of the event. It's worth mentioning that the summer school is made possible by the joint efforts of the public and private sectors. Companies such as “Sirab,“ “Azerchay,“ and “North West“ also support the project. ..

14.08.2024 17:04

Summer School to Be Organized in FuzuliA summer school for schoolchildren in Fuzuli will be held from August 5 to 20. It will be organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Science and Education, with the support of the President's Special Representation in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand. The goal is to organize an engaging and fun summer vacation for Fuzuli schoolchildren who have returned to their homeland at the Kurmangazi Children’s Creative Center, built and put into use by the Republic of Kazakhstan. Schoolchildren from Ulugbey Secondary School No. 1, a school gifted by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, will join the “Summer School in Fuzuli“ project. Up to 200 schoolchildren will be provided with an engaging and productive program. During the campaign, well-known education, art, and sports figures will make speeches with various presentations, and a fun program will be organized. On the second day of the summer school, accompanied by honored artist and singer Tayyar Bayramov, students from music schools in the Karabakh region will present a concert titled “Nightingales of Karabakh“ in Fuzuli. On other days, master classes will be conducted by people's artists, such as opera singer Samir Jafarov, actor Vidadi Hasanov, and writer and literary critic Ramil Ahmed. It's planned to hold meetings with the parents of schoolchildren in different places, to organize counseling sessions, and to hold entertaining outdoor competitions during the summer school. ..

12.08.2024 10:00

Azerbaijani Publications Wins the 21st International Competition "The Art of the BookThe 21st traditional international competition “The Art of the Book“ was organized by the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). On August 7 and 8, our printed products represented our country in various categories in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, A total of 64 books from six different countries were submitted to the competition under several categories. The books for each category were selected by open voting. The representatives of the participating countries were provided with detailed information about the publications. 9 books in 10 categories from Azerbaijan were submitted to the competition. The publications of our country won the first place in four categories, the second place in two categories and the third place in three categories. The prizes of the competition “The Book of Art“ will be presenred at the traditional Moscow International Book Fair in September. ..

09.08.2024 13:39

Interview Stage of the Competition for the Recruitment of Teachers to Music and Art Schools ConcludesThe interview stage of the competition for the recruitment of teachers to music and art schools concluded on August 8. A total of 286 candidates took part in the exams held in various disciplines. The candidates who passed the test exams and won the right to fill the vacant positions had their knowledge, skills, and psychological fitness assessed by 16 dedicated commissions during the interview phase. Information about the results of the competition will soon be sent to the candidates' “MyCulture“ accounts (my.culture.az). Candidates will be assigned to the vacant positions according to the order of selection indicated in their online applications. ..

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. ..

01.08.2024 14:41

Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Awarding Azerbaijani Film WorkersGuided 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 ..

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. ..