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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8th DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival Held as Part of Baku Cinema Breeze

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07.10.2024

07.10.2024 10:31

The eighth DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival concluded on October 7 within the framework of the Baku Cinema Breeze Festival of the Ministry of Culture.

In 2024, DokuBaku presented a selection of thought-provoking films under the theme "iCosmos." The program consisted of 72 films chosen from over 200 entries across 36 countries, offering fascinating stories on a wide range of subjects. Categories included Best Feature Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Local Documentary, Best Children's Documentary (DokuKids), and a non-main segment.

In addition to the film screening, the festival also hosted a contemporary photography exhibition, "Changing Reality: Noises and Dreams," in collaboration with photography platform f37Union. The exhibition displayed a range of visual images focusing on themes of identity, transformation, and sustainability by local and international artists.

The winners of the festival:

Best Short Documentary: I've been flying ever since (Switzerland), Director: Aylin Gokmen
Best Short Documentary / Special Jury Award: 4:30 (Russia), Director: Vasilii Ovchinniko
Best Local Short Documentary:
First place: Call of Kaifu (Azerbaijan), Director: Saghaali Sadirli
Second place: Seasons (Azerbaijan), Director: Parviz Hasanov

Best local short documentary /Special Jury Award: God's Saving Hand (Azerbaijan), Director: Babek Abbaszadeh
Best Feature Documentary: Faces of Agata (Poland), Director: Małgorzata Kozera
Special Jury Award: Mother of Snow Cranes (Finland), Director: Iiris Härmä
Special Jury Award: A Stranger Quest (Italy), Director: Andrea Gatopoulos
Non-main nomination:
Best Documentary Feature: These Wildcats (Canada), Director: Steve Patry

Special Jury Award #1: Alice On&Off (Romania), Director: Isabela Tent
Special Jury Award #2: Mrs. Buica (Romania), Director: Eugene Buica
Non-main nomination:
Best Documentary Short: Getting to Know You (Poland), Director: Joanna Krzyżewska
SPECIAL AWARD #1: To Esteban (Cuba), Director: Héctor Almeida
Audience Choice Award: I Did Not Wake Up Dead Today (Belgium), Director: Erin McPherson

NEWS

09.10.2024 18:17

Shusha and Aghdam Monuments Added to ICESCO's Tentative List of Islamic World HeritageAs reported earlier, Shusha, designated as the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2024, hosted the 12th meeting of Islamic World Heritage Committee of ICESCO on October 8-9. The meeting resumed on October 9. During the third session, various nominations for the Islamic World Heritage List were reviewed. The proposal of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan to nominate the “Shusha Historical-Architectural Reserve“ and the “Aghdam Building Complex and Juma Mosque“ for inclusion in the ICESCO Tentative List of Islamic World Heritage was discussed. First, the Islamic World Heritage Committee of ICESCO listened to Rizvan Bayramov, an expert representing our country in the Committee. Later, Araz Baghirli, Head of the Division for Cooperation with International Organizations of the Ministry of Culture, gave a presentation titled “Pearls of Aghdam.“ The presentation highlighted four key phases of the cultural heritage of Aghdam: the creation phase related to the Karabakh Khanate and the 19th century, the expansion of cultural institutions until 1993, the period of occupation and culturicide from 1993 to 2020, and the cultural revival after 2020. The participants saw photos reflecting the condition of symbolic monuments such as the Imarat Complex, Juma Mosque, Aghdam State Drama Theater, Bread Museum, and Tea House in different periods. During the meeting, it was emphasized that Azerbaijan's experience in the restoration of cultural heritage serves as a unique model for revitalization of post-conflict areas all over the world. The 12th session of the Committee in Shusha was of special importance for our country. After discussions, the Committee members decided to include “Shusha Historical and Architectural Reserve“ and “Aghdam Imarat Complex and Juma Mosque“ in the Tentative List of Islamic World Heritage. This step serves as a basis for their possible inclusion in the Islamic World Heritage List in the coming years. It should be noted that at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee (2019) held in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, the Old City (with the Maidens' Castle and the Shirvanshahs' Palace Complex), the historical center of Shaki (with the Khan's Palace), and the Gobustan rock paintings of our country were included in the ICESCO World Heritage List. ..

09.10.2024 09:17

Islamic World Heritage Committee Holds Its 12th Meeting in ShushaShusha, the cultural capital of the Islamic world, is hosting the 12th meeting of ICESCO's Islamic World Heritage Committee. Participants who visited Shusha for the event were taken on a tour of cultural heritage sites. Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, delivered the opening speech at the meeting, which began on October 8, welcoming the guests to Shusha and wishing the Committee success. Then the address of ICESCO Director General Salim bin Mohammed Almalik was read out to the participants of the event. In her opening speech, Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova provided detailed information on the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan and the state policies for its protection. Noting the importance of Karabakh's heritage in the vast historical and cultural heritage of our country, S. Yusifova provided statistics on the monuments destroyed during the occupation and spoke about the ongoing restoration and construction efforts aimed at revitalizing the cultural environment and heritage. Stressing the importance of preserving the natural heritage, the Deputy Minister presented the international events and new initiatives planned by the Ministry of Culture for COP29. During the opening session, the Chairman of the Committee, the representative of Saudi Arabia, Alayidarus Muhammed, thanked Azerbaijan for the exceptional organization and presented the agenda of the session. The opening session concluded with a special presentation on the Shusha Reserve and a commemorative photo of the committee members. After the break, Webber Ndoro, Director of the Islamic World Heritage Center, presented the concept of the Center and its priorities for the next two years. The proposals of Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Qatar, Palestine, and other countries were discussed. Rizvan Bayramov, who represented our country in the Council of Experts, proposed improvements to the Committee's efforts to preserve non-Islamic heritage in Islamic countries and to improve the mechanisms for documenting Islamic heritage in non-Islamic countries. During the second session, the group reviewed the reports on the projects of 2024 and discussed the proposals of the committee members. The session will continue its work tomorrow. ..

07.10.2024 17:27

International Animation Festival of the Turkic World Takes PlaceThe International Animation Festival of the Turkic World (ATA Festival) was held as part of “Baku Cinema Breeze“ (BCB), organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and supported by the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Organized by TURKSOY and the Association of Turkic Animation (ATA), the event aimed to promote collabrotion and cultural exchange among Turkic-speaking countries through the art of animation. At the opening ceremony of the festival, Kayrat Mukanov, Advisor to the Secretary General of TURKSOY, noted the significant progress in the film industry of Azerbaijan. He mentioned that such events would help to create a platform for the exchange of filmmakers influencing the market, in addition to supporting joint projects. Masud Panahi from Azerbaijan, Mazur Mahmudov from Uzbekistan, Salimgali Mirzashev from Kazakhstan, Kanybek Omurbekov from Kyrgyzstan, Mojek Charyyev from Turkmenistan, Berat Ilk from Turkey, and Elchin Akhundov, who were awarded “for their contribution to the development of the animated film industry“ at the event, thanked the organizers and all those who did not forget their contributions. At the Creative Center, a meeting was held by distinguished animated film director Dmitriy Vysotsky, and Oktay Iyusibov, Chairman of the Animation Association of Turkic States, held a meeting on the topic of “Creating animated series for the international market“ and discussed the issues of co-production of animated series within the framework of ATA with international partners. The discussion covered various topics such as the animation industry in the TURKSOY countries, the influence of government bodies on the development of creative sectors in our countries, policies related to co-productions, Kyrgyzstan's experience in creating a Creative Industrial Park, the establishment of a Center for Creative Industries and Digital Development in Azerbaijan, and issues related to state support, tax incentives, subsidies, and copyright. “ATA: The Best Animated Films of the Turkic World“ was screened at the Azerbaijan Cinema, while the photo exhibition “Turkic World: Animation Scenes“ presented storyboards, character sketches, and backgrounds from classic animated films of the Turkic people. The exhibition provides a deep insight into the rich heritage of Turkic animation and serves as a source of inspiration for filmmakers and animators. ..

07.10.2024 17:22

* Documentary "On Melting Snow" Screened* The documentary film “On Melting Snow“ by director Mojitaba Bahaduri was screened at Park Cinema (Flame Towers) on 7 October. * The film was awarded the “For the Green World“ prize at the DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival. Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova presented the award to the young director. “On Melting Snow“ is more than a documentary; it is an artistic interpretation of the memories of our planet. The film explores the essence of life, creation, and the complicated interaction between human and nature. Mojitaba Bahaduri studied cinema at the Tehran University of Arts and later continued his education in Paris. While in Paris, he improved his skills in shooting and editing by collaborating with the famous Louis Lumière School. At the DokuBaku festival, three films dealing with climate issues were presented, including “On the Melting Snow.“ Other nominated documentaries included “Against the Wind“ by Tatiana Soboleva from Russia and “Latika“ by Samsul Islam Shopon from Bangladesh. ..

07.10.2024 17:18

7th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival Takes PlaceThe 7th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival took place in Baku from October 2 to 6 as part of the “Baku Cinema Breeze“ (BCB) Festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The international festival, themed “LOVE,“ attracted more than 1,000 viewers who enjoyed over 100 films from 26 countries. The main segments of the festival included competition, non-competition, and professional programs. The selection committee chose 48 films from 18 countries for the competition program. Twelve films competed in the national category, while 36 participated in the international category. The films were judged by both the international jury and the audience, and the winners received the elegant “LOVE“ award during the closing ceremony. At the closing ceremony, the trailers of the 7th ANIMAFILM Festival, the animated film “Nargiz“, and two student films created in animation workshops led by Ayan Novruz and Dante Rustav were presented. The winners of the festival: In the category of “Best animated short film— GRAND PRIX“: “Pear Garden,“ directed by Shadab Shayegan. Germany Special award in the category “Best animated short film— GRAND PRIX“: “The Family Portrait,“ directed by Lea Vidakovic. Croatia In the category of “Best animated short film for children— GRAND PRIX“. “The Night Tunnel, directed by Annechien Strouven. Belgium Special award in the category of “Best animated short children's film - GRAND PRIX“: “Baking With Boris,“ directed by Maša Avramović. France Audience Award: “Believe.“ Director Rustam Bashirov, Azerbaijan In the category “Best animated short film of Azerbaijan (trip to Annecy Award): “Thinking a lot,“ directed by Zahrakhanim Guluzadeh. Azerbaijan Special award in the category of “Best animated short film of Azerbaijan“: “Chasing Time“ directed by Ayla Gasimova and Si Yi Lee. Azerbaijan, USA Special award of the Azerbaijan Animation Association: (“The best animated short film“): “Wild Animal,“ directed by Tianyun Liu. China Special award of the Azerbaijan Animation Association: (“The best animated children's short film“): “Puddle“ directed by Maria-May Backhaus Brown, Mads Theodor Bonde. Denmark. The out-of-competition segment featured animated works from countries such as the Czech Republic, Portugal, Greece, and Georgia as part of the program “With love from the countries of the world.“ It also included the collection “ATA: selected animation films from the Turkic world,“ presented in collaboration with the Association of Turkic Animation (ATA). The series “Red Railway“ from the animated horror anthology series based on the works of famous European authors was presented to the audience for the first time in Azerbaijan. The program included local animation film projects that were presented to the audience, meetings and workshops organized with the international jury, as well as special guests. ..

07.10.2024 14:37

The 15th Baku International Film Festival Kicks Off with Opening CeremonyThe opening of the 15th Baku International Film Festival took place on October 5 at the Nizami Cinema Center as part of the “Baku Cinema Breeze“ (BCB) held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The opening ceremony was attended by the officials of the Ministry of Culture, members of the jury of the festival, artists, and film lovers. Fehruz Shamiyev, the director of the festival, said that the festival, which has been held for 15 years, unites cinematographers every year. He emphasized: “We have managed to expand our scope considerably over the years, which is our achievement. The festival not only promotes local authors but also creates opportunities for creative discussions.“ In his speech, Orkhan Fikretoghlu, Honorary Artist and Acting Director of the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, highlighted the role of festivals: “The Baku International Film Festival is the longest running film festival in Azerbaijan. We welcome all festivals that support the development of cinematography. We are happy to be at the opening ceremony of this 15-year-old festival, one of such successful projects. I thank everyone who has contributed to the tradition of this festival and wish the participants success.“ In keeping with the festival tradition, he presented People's artists Hamida Omarova and Shukufa Yusupova with the “Golden Nar“ award for their contributions to Azerbaijani cinema. Afterwards, the jury members of the festival were invited to the stage. It was pointed out that the festival has introduced several innovations for its 15th anniversary, and this year it is holding a competition for feature-length films. As a result, both feature-length and short films are part of the festival's international competition. Two films were screened at the closing ceremony. The festival will go on until the 8th of the month. ..

04.10.2024 17:15

First City Day Celebrated In JabrayilOctober 4 is one of the most glorious days in the recent history of Azerbaijan—the day when the first great victory was achieved in the Patriotic War, which symbolizes the honor and dignity of our people. Four years ago on this day, the mighty Azerbaijani Army, under the leadership of President and Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, liberated Jabrayil city and some villages of the district from the occupation. Jabrayil became the first veteran city of the Patriotic War. Day by day, hour by hour, our Army struck devastating blows to the enemy and liberated our lands. On July 31, 2023, the head of state signed an order to perpetuate the historic victory achieved in the Patriotic War and to establish the days of cities liberated from occupation. This order proclaimed October 4 as the Day of Jabrayil City. On October 4, a holiday event was held in Jabrayil under the organization of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The event was attended by Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, other officials, prominent cultural and scientific figures, a group of Jabrayil residents who returned to their homeland under the “Great Return“ program, and members of the media. First, the participants viewed the exhibition, which consists of several sections and is located in the reconstructed central square of the city. The photo exhibition “On the Wings of Time. Jabrayil,“ supported by the Union of Photographers of Azerbaijan, shows the pictures of Jabrayil from the photo archives, as well as the depictions of its contemporary environment and reviving life. Meanwhile, the painting exhibition titled “My Homeland. Jabrayil“ presents works of art by both visiting and local artists, highlighting Jabrayil's landscapes and monuments through the artists' interpretations. The exhibition features carpets and carpet products woven using traditional methods from the permanent collection of the National Carpet Museum, presenting examples from the Jabrayil Carpet School. Traditional carpets such as “Gasimushagi,“ “Karagoyunlu,“ and “Bahmanli“ from Jabrayil are exhibited. The exhibition entitled “Our Heritage. Our Soul. Khudafarin“ has attracted special interest. The Khudafarin bridges, a symbol of Jabrayil, have been important commercial and economic monuments for centuries, connecting the two banks of the Araz River. These bridges reflect key elements of medieval Azerbaijani architecture. During the exhibition, a group of artists worked on a small replica of the Khudafarin bridges with its 11 spans. The model not only highlights the ancient history of the bridge but also shows the distinctive style of the participating artists. The Azerbaijani kelaghayi serves as a common motif, symbolizing a red line connecting the 11 spans. In addition to displaying a fine example of our national heritage, this section emphasizes the importance of the Khudafarin Bridges in the development of the historic Silk Road. Meanwhile, a literary and artistic composition by the Shusha State Musical Drama Theater was presented in a special section of the exhibition hall. The composition was written by the poet and dramatist Ilgar Fahmi, the secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, and included mainly the works of authors from Jabrayil district. After the exhibitions, the participants enjoyed a rich concert program. The presenters gave information about the Patriotic War and emphasized that the glorious victory won in 44 days is written in golden letters in our history. Then the music came to the fore. In the program celebrating the Motherland, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble performed the dance “Karabagh,“ the Orchestra of Folk Instruments played “Holiday Suite“ by Vasif Adigozelov, and Honored Artist Yagut Abdullayeva sang Bahram Nasibov’s song “Karabagh.“ Additionally, Honored Artist Ilkin Ahmadov performed the folk song “Azerbaijani Deer,“ Ashug Agshin Tariyeloghlu presented “Ovsharı,“ and singers Vusal Zamanov, Gullu Muradova, and Ravana Gurbanova rendered “Karabagh Shikastesi.“ Honored Artist Gulustan Aliyeva also performed “Jabrayil“ by Mammadbaghir Baghirzadeh, and Zahid Guliyev sang Ibrahim Topchubashov’s song “The Fog in the Mountains Is Beautiful.“ In the concert, singer Taleh Huseynli performed “My Jabrayil“ by Elnur Shahmarov, while Ilhama Gasimova sang Elsa Ibrahimova's “O Motherland.“ People's Artist Azer Zeynalov presented Fikret Alizadeh's “My Motherland,“ and Sona Azizova performed “Everybody Knows That You Are Mine.“ The Sazanda ashug group presented Dirili Gurbani's “Bayati-Shikasta.“ People's Artist Samir Jafarov performed Javanshir Guliyev's “This is Motherland,“ and the “Renaissance“ children's choir sang “Azerbaijan“ by Rauf Hajiyev. The Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble also performed the “Zangezur Yallisi.“ People's artist Malakkhanim Ayyubova closed the concert with a performance of “Long Live My People“ by Rauf Mammadov. In the second half of the day, the Azerbaijan State Young Audience Theater staged “Garaja Giz,“ while the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater performed “Arshin Mal Alan.“ The Jabrayil City Day celebrations ended with a stunning performance by the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble. The musical and theatrical performances delighted the hearts of Jabrayil residents recently resettled in their homeland and other guests. ..

04.10.2024 15:17

Omarket Platform Opened at 'Baku Cinema Breeze' Festival With the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Cinema Agency (ARKA), the “Omarket“ platform was opened on October 3. Held for the first time in our country as part of the Baku Cinema Breeze International Film Festival, it will play a crucial role in promoting Eastern films globally. During the ceremony at the Heydar Aliyev Center, guests were first introduced to an exhibition aimed at promoting the activities of representatives of the creative industries. The exhibition brought together creative clusters such as cinema, animation, music, cultural start-ups, game technologies, fashion, design, as well as creative spaces. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova noted that Baku Cinema Breeze, held for the first time, unites all film festivals operating in our country and brings together the film ecosystem. The “Omarket“ exhibition, organized within the framework of the project, highlights the considerable potential for the development of the film industry in our country and reflects the support of our state for this development. She mentioned that the “Baku Cinema Breeze“ platform involves representatives from more than 15 countries, hosts more than 100 guests, and organizes events with around 300 films, giving our talented directors the opportunity to express themselves and reach a global audience. Each film screened at the festivals has been made with a lot of effort, creativity, and love. It was noted that several projects are being implemented by the Ministry of Culture to support young talents, increase their potential, and achieve international recognition for our national cinematography. These include the ARKA film project competition announced for 2023, the competition to support post-production film projects announced this year, and the CCI grant competition to promote cultural and creative industries for non-governmental organizations. The Ministry of Culture also regularly supports film festivals for animation, feature films, short films, and documentaries. It was highlighted that relevant state initiatives are currently being considered by the Working Group on CCIs. These initiatives include the project for the development of film parks, the establishment of preferential conditions for representatives of the film industry, and the adoption of laws and official documents regulating the “rebate“ mechanism. Close cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Economy, the Intellectual Property Agency, and other relevant authorities is essential in this regard. It was noted that as part of the “Creative Discussions“ project, which has been attended by thousands of people over the past two years, trainings, master classes, and creative discussions have been organized in the capital and districts to raise awareness about the film cluster and other clusters. Today, Azerbaijani cinema not only serves its domestic audience but is also becoming a major player in the international film market. To further support the development, competitiveness, and profitability of the sector, additional tax incentives and investment attraction mechanisms are needed. In this regard, we would like to highlight the importance of the “Omarket“ exhibition. This market is an important platform for introducing films from Eastern countries on the global stage. Azerbaijan aims to develop the film sector of our region and integrate it into the global film industry by presenting our national films at this market. At the same time, it will provide regional directors and producers with access to the global market and opportunities for international cooperation. Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), highlighted the care and attention given to the film industry in Azerbaijan. He stressed that effective management of the sector depends on the optimal organization of financial, creative and human resources. In Azerbaijan, as in many European countries, state institutions play an important role in financing national films. They support the development of the local film industry and finance the production of feature films. It is also important to inform investors, train entrepreneurs, and implement other support measures. The importance of the festival was also recognized by other speakers. The opening ceremony was followed by a panel discussion. ***The first panel session of “Omarket,“ entitled “Omarket: Industrial Locomotive,“ was dedicated to the topic “Broadcasting Platform, Co-Production.“ Moderated by Kamran Gasimov, a member of the American Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the panel included Maratbek Asanaliyev of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Culture's Film Industry Department, Leyla Atakishiyeva, head of the Turkish film company Kunay, Georgi Shkhvediani of the Georgian Film Centre, Azerbaijani producer Zaur Darabzade, and Russian digital media expert Nina Laricheva, who all shared their perspectives. ..

03.10.2024 17:26

Baku Hosts UNESCO Conference on Silk RoadOn October 3, the “Volga-Caspian Corridor of the Silk Roads: Second Annual Subregional“ Conference, jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and the UNESCO World Heritage Center, with the support of the UNESCO Japanese Funds-in-Trusts and the International Institute for Central Asian Studies, began its work at the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan. Representatives of the countries of the Caspian region—Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan—as well as experts from UNESCO, the United Kingdom, and Japan took part in the event, which was held in a hybrid format. The conference was organized to identify the cultural heritage sites to be included in the “Transnational Nomination for the Volga-Caspian Corridor of the Silk Roads“ and to discuss relevant documents with government representatives, national coordinators, and local and international experts of the 5 countries included in the corridor. At the conference, officials from the countries involved in the project, the World Heritage Center, Japan's Teikyo University, the UK's University College London, and experts from the International Institute for Central Asian Studies (IBSAI), noted the important steps taken to document the nomination. The speakers highly appreciated the importance of the large-scale “ Nomination of the Transnational Silk Road Monuments for the World Heritage List “ program initiated by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Discussions were held on the impact on trade and cultural development in the regions, countries, and communities crossed by the historic Silk Road. The importance of the program in promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Silk Road countries internationally was highlighted, noting its unifying effect not only economically but also culturally. Later, experts from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan gave presentations on the program. The conference will continue until 6 October. It is important to note that since 2005, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has been implementing a major program entitled “Nomination of Transnational Silk Road Monuments for the World Heritage List.“ In the first two stages of the program, two corridors were prepared for serial nomination and included in the World Heritage List. The Republic of Azerbaijan became part of the program in 2018. In the third stage of the program, the Caspian countries are working together on a joint nomination to present the third corridor to the World Heritage List. As part of this process, sub-regional conferences are organized annually in Baku. ..

03.10.2024 12:34

Kazakh Writer Kemel Tokayev's Special Task Presented in Azerbaijani TranslationThe 10th Baku International Book Fair, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, continues at the Baku Expo Center. As part of the fair, the book Special Task by the distinguished Kazakh writer and public figure Kemel Tokayev (1923-1986), translated into Azerbaijani and published by the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation (TCHF), was presented on October 2. Speaking at the event, TCHF President Aktotı Raimkulova noted that the peace-advocating book “Special Task“ has been included in the “Pearls of Turkic Literature“series. She noted that Kemel Tokayev, a pioneer of the detective genre in Kazakh literature, made great contributions to the development of Turkic culture and literary art. In addition to his writing career, he also worked as a journalist, addressing important cultural and social issues related to Kazakhstan. The Foundation's publication aims to promote the study of the rich heritage of the outstanding writer. “We hope that this publication will serve as a valuable resource for generations to come,“ she said. Malik Otarbayev, Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan, mentioned that Kemel Tokayev relied on archival information and trustworthy sources for all his works: “Today is also the birthday of Kemel Tokayev, a famous writer in the Turkic world. The presentation of his publication at the Baku International Book Fair on this day has a special meaning.“ The chairman of the Union of Azerbaijan Writers (UAW), the people's writer Anar, expressed his deep affection for Kazakhstan and said that he had written an article about the outstanding writer Abay. He also expressed his respect for the creative work of Kemel Tokayev. People's writer Chingiz Abdullayev, the first secretary of the UAW, highly appreciated the importance of publishing the book “Special Task“ in Azerbaijani language. Academician Isa Habibbayli, President of ANAS, Academician Nizami Jafarov, Director of the Atatürk Centre in Azerbaijan, and Fazil Mustafa, Chairman of the Committee on Public Associations and Religious Institutions of the Milli Majlis, spoke about the book and its author. They emphasized that it will introduce the creative work of Kemel Tokayev to local readers. The project leader and author of the foreword to the book is Aktoti Raimkulova, President of TCHF; the translation was done by Rabiga Nazimgizi; and the editor is Akbar Goshali. ..

03.10.2024 12:14

Baku Cinema Breeze International Film Festival Kicks Off with Opening CeremonyThe International Film Festival “Baku Cinema Breeze“ (BCB), organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and supported by the Cinema Agency (ARKA), began with the opening ceremony at the Heydar Aliyev Center on October 2. The festival, which is organized within the framework of the “Creative Azerbaijan“ project, is aimed at the development of the audiovisual industry. The opening ceremony was attended by officials, film figures of Azerbaijan and a number of countries, other guests, and film lovers. In his speech, Deputy Minister of Culture Murad Huseynov said that the purpose of the festival is to promote Azerbaijan as the center of the film industry in the region and to develop film culture. Kayrat Mukanov, Advisor to the Secretary General of TURKSOY, noted the significant progress in the film industry of Azerbaijan. He mentioned that such events would help to create a platform for the exchange of filmmakers influencing the market, in addition to supporting joint projects. Rashad Azizov, Head of the Department of Creative Industries and Digital Development of the Ministry of Culture, emphasized that the festival will accelerate progress in the film industry and encourage cooperation among related companies. At the opening ceremony, the directors of the film festivals participating in the “Baku Cinema Breeze“ festival, namely Imam Hasanov (DokuBaku), Rashid Aghamaliyev (ANIMAFILM), Oktay Iyusibov (Turkic World International Animation Festival—ATA), and Fehruz Shamiyev (Baku International Film Festival—BIFF), expressed their opinions on the significance of the event, noting that it provides a new arena for integration into the world cinema. At the event, a plaque with the inscription “Baku Cinema Breeze“ was signed to commemorate this special day. As part of the event, ARKA's “For the Green World“ film award was presented. Saadat Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture, presented the award to cinematographer Mojitaba Bahaduri for his work “On Melting Snow“ and its impact on the global climate agenda. Masud Panahi from Azerbaijan, Mazur Mahmudov from Uzbekistan, Salimgali Mirzashev from Kazakhstan, Kanybek Omurbekov from Kyrgyzstan, Mojek Charyyev from Turkmenistan, Berat Ilk from Turkey, and Elchin Akhundov, who were awarded “for their contribution to the development of the animated film industry“ at the event, thanked the organizers and all those who did not forget their contributions. Yevgeny Simbal, a distinguished documentary film director and screenwriter of the former USSR and Russia, is among the laureates. He received the award for his contribution to the development of documentary films. Starting from October 3, “Omarket“ (cinema market of Eastern countries) will be organized for the first time in the Heydar Aliyev Center as part of the festival. ..

03.10.2024 11:40

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli to Receive Citizens in AghjabadiAccording to the schedule of the reception of citizens in cities and districts by the heads of the central executive authorities and other administrative bodies, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli will receive citizens from Aghjabadi, Aghdam, Barda, Tartar, and Lachin districts on October 30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the Aghjabadi Museum of History and Local Lore (address: 91 Uzeyir Hajibeyli str.). Citizens can apply for the reception until October 24, 2024, via the Ministry's e-mail address info@culture.gov.az and phone number (012) 493-43-98. ..

02.10.2024 17:29

10th International Book Fair Kicks Off in Our CapitalOn October 2, the opening ceremony of the 10th Baku International Book Fair organized by the Ministry of Culture was held at the Baku Expo Center. The 10th Book Fair honors the 530th anniversary of the birth of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli (1494-1556). The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, Vice-speaker of Milli Majlis Academician Rafael Huseynov, President of ANAS Academician Isa Habibbayli, Chairman of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, People's Writer Anar, deputies, well-known cultural, scientific, literary figures, and other guests. The event began with the presentation of the artistic part. A ghazal by Mohammad Fuzuli was accompanied by mugham music, and compositions by the talented Uzeyir Hajibeyli were also played. People's writer Anar, who gave the opening speech, emphasized the importance of the exhibition and said that this traditional project is a great celebration for book lovers. The writer stressed the importance of book culture for all countries and communities and invited everyone to benefit from the exhibition. He ended his speech by saying, “May the book live forever and give us life! Afterwards, the guests proceeded to viewing the fair. The fair will be attended by participants from 56 institutions from 18 countries and four continents, as well as 110 local publishing houses and book art enterprises. The world-famous Irish author John Boyne, the well-known German writer Wulf Dorn, and the native of Azerbaijan Fariba Vafi are the “honorary guests“ of the exhibition. The poet Salam Sarvan and the prose writer Rovshan Abdullaoghlu represent our country as “honorary authors.“ In addition to Azerbaijan, famous writers, poets, scientists, and young writers from Turkiye, Italy, China, Russia, South Korea, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Oman, Argentina, Morocco, Venezuela, Georgia, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Mongolia will participate in the exhibition. For the first time in the history of the fair, 327 activities will be organized, including master classes for children and adults, book presentations, book signings, conferences, symposiums, competitions, reading, and music sessions. Until October 8, the exhibition will provide special buses for visitors from the “Academy of Sciences,“ “28 May,“ and “Koroghlu“ metro stations to the Baku Expo Center. The exhibition is open to the public every day from 10:00 in the morning till 20:00 in the evening. Entry is free of charge. ..

01.10.2024 14:35

Children's Creativity Center named after Kurmangazy is the First Art Education Center in Liberated TerritoriesThe Children's Creativity Center named after Kurmangazy, built by the Republic of Kazakhstan in Fuzuli and put into operation in March this year, has opened its doors to teachers and students from the school year 2024/2025. This center is of special importance, as it is the first institution providing art education in the territories liberated from occupation. As part of the “Great Return“ program, children of Fuzuli residents who moved from Baku and other regions will receive lessons in piano, accordion, tar, violin and dance in the new school year. Initially, 24 schoolchildren will receive lessons. They are being taught the secrets of the arts by five experienced teachers. In this group the students like Famil Mammadli committed to the accordion, Sama Tanrıverdiyeva to the tar, Aysu Gojazadeh to visual arts (painting), Nigar Abdullazadeh to the piano, and Ali Hazizadeh to singing pursue their chosen fields with love and a strong determination to succeed. The Children's Creativity Center will create favorable conditions for children and teenagers in Fuzuli to develop their creative talents and gain knowledge in the field of art. In the next stages, as more residents return to Fuzuli, the number of students is expected to increase. ..

01.10.2024 10:22

Baku Cinema Breeze Film Festival Opens in DaysWith the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Cinema Agency of Azerbaijan, a major film festival “Baku Cinema Breeze“ will be held for the first time in our country from October 2 to 8. The opening ceremony of the event will be held on October 2 at the Heydar Aliyev Center. The Baku Cinema Breeze event will bring together several well-known festivals, which were previously held independently, and will serve as a single network for the presentation of masterpieces of world cinema. The event will be attended by the heads of relevant state institutions, representatives of the creative sector, international and local organizations, and hundreds of creative individuals, companies, and public associations. “Omarket“ (cinema market of Eastern countries) will be organized as part of the festival. It will serve as an important platform for introducing the films of Eastern countries to the world. The opening of “Omarket“ will take place on October 3 at the Heydar Aliyev Center. The festival will organize film screenings at Nizami Cinema Center, CineMastercard Azerbaijan Cinema, YARAT Contemporary Art Space, Kapellhouse Baku, Landmark, and YAY Gallery for residents, guests of the capital, and film lovers. The primary goal of the event is to position Azerbaijan as the center of the regional film industry, develop the film culture, and bring the local ecosystem together. The Baku Cinema Breeze“ festival will unite film industry professionals from countries such as the USA, Canada, India, Netherlands, Turkiye, Germany, Portugal, UAE, Greece, Korea, Georgia, Estonia, and beyond, as well as well-known figures of world cinema, in one place in Azerbaijan. This event, aimed at the development of the audiovisual industry, is implemented as part of the Creative Azerbaijan Project of the Ministry of Culture. For details about the festival, please visit this link: www.bakucinemabreeze.az ..

30.09.2024 17:47

Press Conference Held for the 10th Baku International Book FairThe 10th Baku International Book Fair (Baku International Book Fair 2024) will take place from October 2 to 8 at the Baku Expo Center under the organization of the Ministry of Culture, with the participation of 18 countries. A press conference on the exhibition was held on September 30. Aynur Karimova, the Head of the Department of Media and Communication of the Ministry of Culture, said that this year's jubilee exhibition will celebrate the 530th anniversary of the birth of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli (1494-1556). According to Akif Marifli, Head of the Book Industry Department of the Ministry, 56 foreign organizations from 18 countries across 4 continents and 110 local publishing houses and book art enterprises will take part in the exhibition. In addition to Azerbaijan, well-known writers and poets, scientists, and young writers from Turkiye, Italy, China, Russia, the Republic of Korea, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Oman, Argentina, Morocco, Venezuela, Georgia, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Mongolia will participate in the exhibition. It was pointed out that the Book Fair, traditionally held for 5 days in the past three years, will be extended to 7 days this year. The exhibition program includes a total of 327 events, such as master classes for all ages, book presentations, book signings, conferences, symposiums, competitions, readings, and musical performances. This is the highest number in the 15-year history of the Baku International Book Fair. It was noted that the world-famous Irish author John Boyne and the German author Wulf Dorn will attend the event as “honorary guests.“ John Boyne is the author of 25 books translated into 46 languages. The meeting with the Irish author will take place on October 3 at 11:00 a.m. in the “Fuzuli“ presentation area of the fair. Known as one of Germany's most popular authors of psychological thrillers, Wulf Dorn achieved great fame with his debut novel, “Psychiatrist.“ The exhibition will feature another guest author from Germany, Fariba Vafi. Born in Tabriz, South Azerbaijan, she has been awarded the prestigious German literary prize “Liberaturpries.“ Rovshan Abdullaoghlu, the honorary author of the exhibition, emphasized the importance of international exhibitions for writers and said that the Baku International Book Fair is a remarkable platform in this regard. Shahbaz Khuduoghlu, the head of the publishing house “Qanun,“ spoke about the culture of reading books and shared his opinion about the current state of the book industry in our country. He mentioned that Qanun Publishing House will offer books to readers at discounted prices during the exhibition. Afterwards, the questions of media representatives were answered. Special buses will transport visitors from the “Academy of Sciences,“ “28th May,“ and “Koroghlu“ metro stations to the Baku Expo Center. You can visit the exhibition free of charge every day between 10.00 and 20.00. ..

30.09.2024 17:40

Ilham Aliyev attended the unveiling of Ashig Alasgar's monument in BakuOn September 30, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, along with his son Heydar Aliyev, participated in the unveiling ceremony of a statue of the prominent figure of Azerbaijani ashug art and great folk artist, Ashig Alasgar, in Baku. The head of state addressed the event. Speech by President Ilham Aliyev - Dear friends, it is a very significant day in our city today. I can even say that it is a very significant day for the country. We are unveiling the statue of Ashiq Alasgar, a prominent representative of Azerbaijan’s ashiq art, in the center of Baku. I would like to sincerely congratulate you and all the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion. This is a truly wonderful event. As you may know, I signed two decrees three years ago to perpetuate the name of Ashiq Alasgar. Based on the first decree, the 200th anniversary of Ashiq Alasgar was celebrated at a state level. The second decree envisaged erecting a statue of Ashiq Alasgar. Today, in this beautiful location in Baku, in the heart of the city, in a beautiful park, we are unveiling the statue of Ashiq Alasgar. As you may know, Ashiq Alasgar lived all his life and created in the Goycha district, the ancient land of Azerbaijan, lived a long life there but was forced to leave his native land in the last years of his life. He was 97 years old at the time. In 1918, Armenian savages subjected Azerbaijanis to ethnic cleansing. This was the first deportation of Azerbaijanis from their ancient land in Western Azerbaijan in the 20th century. Unfortunately, our people were subjected to two more waves of deportation after that. Ashiq Alasgar moved to the neighboring Kalbadjar district together with his family. However, his native land never stopped attracting him, although in terms of climate, nature, and beauty Kalbadjar and Goycha districts are not very dissimilar. But his love of the Motherland and his native land was so strong that despite all the perils, he returned to his native village of Agkilsa in about three years and died there a few years later. We all know very well that the 150th anniversary of Ashiq Alasgar’s birth was celebrated on the Soviet Union-wide scale on the initiative of the National Leader in the 1970s and his statue was erected in his native Agkilsa village on the occasion of his jubilee. When our people were subjected to the third wave of deportation, Armenian vandals destroyed that statue. We are seeing that today. In Karabakh and East Zangezur, our historical sites, monuments to prominent personalities, mosques, palaces and cemeteries were destroyed by Armenian vandals. This practice is not new, this injustice, this brutality has been committed against us in front of the whole world for centuries. Today, those attending this event will talk about the activities of Ashiq Alasgar. I simply want to say that his works have left an indelible mark in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people and that even 200 years on he still remains in the memory of our people as an outstanding personality, a patriot, a person who loved his people and homeland. Of course, we see the high spirit of our people in his example. Let me repeat, he was forced to leave his land at the age of 97 but returned there at the age of 100, despite all the dangers - the dangers hadn’t entirely faded by that time. As I mentioned, our nation was subjected to three waves of deportations in the 20th century – first in 1918, second in the 1940-50s, and third in the late 1980s and early 1990s. After a certain period, after the two deportations, the Azerbaijani people returned to their ancestral lands, not all of them but a large part of them did. This gives us legitimate confidence that the Western Azerbaijanis who were subjected to the third wave of ethnic cleansing will also return to their ancestral lands. There are many reasons for this. Of course, the love of the Motherland, those lands have not been and will not be forgotten. The next generations of Western Azerbaijanis who have not seen those lands are living with a dream for the Motherland. Today, we are seeing the indomitable spirit of the Azerbaijani people in the example of our compatriots returning to Karabakh and East Zangezur. Our compatriots from Karabakh and East Zangezur, who had not seen those lands before, are eagerly and impatiently waiting for the day of their return. They are looking forward to the implementation of the Great Return program. In fact, this program is already underway. The people of Karabakh who had never lived in those lands but lived with the dream of returning to those lands are now returning to Karabakh. I am sure that we will see the same during the period of return to Western Azerbaijan. Because our kids, our schoolchildren are going to school in Shusha, Lachin, Khankendi, Khojaly, Fuzuli today. September 15, the first day of school, showed that. It was a truly festive and holiday atmosphere in all these regions and throughout Azerbaijan. I am sure that our compatriots from Western Azerbaijan will experience the same feelings. Everything is in our hands. During the occupation of Karabakh, each of us sometimes experienced feelings of disappointment and mistrust. It felt like this injustice, which weighed on everyone’s hearts, would last forever. But we pushed those thoughts aside, lived with faith, and understood that it was up to us to restore justice—no one else would do it for us, and no one had the intention or desire to. I already said this several times in numerous meetings with foreign representatives during the years of occupation. I heard opinions that we had to come to terms with this reality, that Karabakh was already lost, that we needed to make peace with Armenia, that we needed to prepare the young generation for peace, that there was no military solution to this conflict and other ideas. Perhaps sometimes, those voicing such opinions were sincere, but sometimes they did this to divert us from our path, to instill pessimism in us. Life and reality have shown that everything is in our own hands. The Second Karabakh War, the anti-terrorist operation, and the year that followed have proven that when there is a strong will, unity between the people and the government, and an unbreakable spirit, no force or organization can stand in the way. The liberation of Karabakh and East Zangezur, the complete restoration of our sovereignty – and I know this – have further increased this optimism, these ideas and hopes among Western Azerbaijanis. Even during the occupation, about 10 years ago, perhaps even before that, in some of my speeches I voiced my thoughts about Western Azerbaijan. We should always set goals. These goals are strategic and tactical, short- and long-term. But if the goals are not identified correctly, it will not be possible to achieve any results. Goals should reflect the truth and justice, as well as the real situation and our real power. The stronger we are, the higher the chances that our voice will be heard. Today, during the year following the anti-terror operation, we are seeing that. In fact, during the first weeks and months, many baseless accusations were made against us, sanctions were imposed on us. In order to impose even greater sanctions on us, the superpowers, at least those who consider themselves as such, openly attacked us on various international platforms, unleashed a cold war on us. This continues to this day. On the eve of the anniversary of the anti-terror operation, we faced such a large-scale smear and slander campaign again. Can it affect our resolve? Never! Because ours is the cause of justice and our work enjoys the support of the people of Azerbaijan. In fact, this is the work of the Azerbaijani people. The liberation of Karabakh and East Zangezur, the complete restoration of sovereignty were possible thanks to the will of the Azerbaijani people, the heroism and valor of our heroic children. We marked Remembrance Day three days ago. Once again, we pray for Allah’s mercy for all our martyrs, their heroism will never be forgotten. But along with the sad day of September 27, two holidays were added to our calendar – November 8 and September 20. These are Victory holidays. This Victory will live with us forever. The unveiling of a statue honoring the prominent figure of Western Azerbaijan today is, above all, a sign of the Azerbaijani people’s respect for the memory of Ashiq Alasgar. At the same time, this statue is a symbol that invites all Western Azerbaijanis and indeed all the people of Azerbaijan to unite for one cause. We are looking forward to that day, we believe, I believe and you believe in that too. The day will come when we will restore the statue of Ashiq Alasgar destroyed by Armenians and hold a similar ceremony in Agkilsa village. x x x Speakers at the event also included Anar, people’s writer, Chairman of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, Ahliman Amiraslanov, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Western Azerbaijan Community, Maharram Gasimli, Chairman of the Union of Ashigs, descendant of Ashig Alasgar Khatai Alasgarli. x x x President Ilham Aliyev unveiled the statue of Ashiq Alasgar. The President of Azerbaijan placed a bouquet at the base of the statue. A commemorative photo was taken at the conclusion of the event. The author of the statue is people's artist Natig Aliyev, while Malik Babayev, a senior lecturer at the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts, is a sculptor. ..

30.09.2024 17:01

Ministry of Culture holds meeting with representatives of artists' unions of several countriesOn September 30, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan with representatives of artists' unions of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Hungary, and the director of the Ankara Art and Sculpture Museum. The guests were in our country on the occasion of the “Caspian“ Biennial, which was held in Baku from September 28 to October 1. Welcoming the guests, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli emphasized the importance of the “Caspian“ Biennial platform. He mentioned that the gathering of artists, curators, and experts from the Caspian and other countries within the framework of the traditional project is a significant event. The Biennial contributes to the expansion of relations between our countries in the field of fine arts and creates a favorable environment for the exchange of experience. The guests who spoke also emphasized the importance of the Biennale in promoting cultural exchange and mentioned that joint exhibitions would be advantageous. During the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the annual growth of the “Caspian“ Biennial. ..

27.09.2024 16:55

Staff of the Ministry of Culture Commemorates MartyrsIt is the fourth anniversary of the 44-day Patriotic War, a significant chapter in our modern history that ended with a triumphant victory. On September 27, 2020, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, under the command of President and Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, launched a counterattack to liberate our historic lands after a major provocation by the occupying Armenian forces. The unprecedented sacrifice and courage of our soldiers led to the liberation of our lands, occupied by the enemy for thirty years, in just 44 days, and to the restoration of the territorial integrity of our country. In the war, our brave man rose to the height of martyrdom. By the order of President Ilham Aliyev of December 2, 2020, September 27 was declared the Day of Remembrance in Azerbaijan in honor of our soldiers, officers who bravely fought in the war, and those who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of our country. Every year, on the Day of Remembrance, we honor the cgerished memory of our martyrs with a feeling of sorrow and pride. We express our gratitude for the great services rendered to our motherland by these brave sons. On September 27, the Deputy Minister of Culture, the Chief of Staff, employees of structural units and heads of major cultural institutions under the Ministry, and well-known cultural figures laid flowers at the memorial stone at the entrance to the Victory Park under construction in Baku to honor the immortal souls of the heroic children of the Motherland. May Allah have mercy on all our martyrs! ..

27.09.2024 15:44

Cultural Figures of Azerbaijan Honor Our Martyrs in AstanaThe delegation visiting Astana to participate in the Days of Azerbaijani Culture commemorated our martyrs at our embassy in Kazakhstan on the 4th anniversary of the beginning of the 44-day Patriotic War, September 27—Remembrance Day. The Azerbaijani delegation and the Embassy staff took part in the commemorative event and paid tribute to the national leader Heydar Aliyev by laying flowers at his monument in the Embassy building. Then flowers were laid in front of the memorial corner dedicated to our martyrs, and the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, spoke about the historical significance of Remembrance Day. He emphasized that this history shows the strength of the Azerbaijani state and the unity of our people. The 44-day Patriotic War has been inscribed in the history of Azerbaijan with golden letters. Under the leadership of President and Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Army achieved a glorious victory, liberating our territories occupied by Armenia for 30 years in a short span of time: “We remember with compassion our martyrs, who imbued our people with the timeless spirit of victory. Thanks to the sacrifices of the brave sons of the motherland, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan have been fully restored. Today, all our fellow Azerbaijanis living abroad pay tribute to the martyrs with deep respect. The date of September 27 will remain forever in the memory of the Azerbaijani people,“ the minister said. The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan, Aghalar Atamoghlanov, and other speakers emphasized that the sacrifices of our martyrs for the motherland were not in vain, the borders of our country are now united, and the Armenian separatism in Karabakh has been permanently eliminated. ..

26.09.2024 15:51

International Bestseller Author Wulf Dorn to Be the Guest of Honor at the Baku International Book FairThe world-famous German writer Wulf Dorn will be the guest of honor at the 10th Baku International Book Fair. After spending two decades as a psychiatric therapist and clinical researcher, Wulf Dorn has become Germany's most popular author of psychological thrillers. His first novel) brought him significant recognition. Subsequent books such as Cold Silence, My Evil Heart, Dark Delusion, and Phobia quickly became international bestsellers. Today, Wulf Dorn is one of the most read authors in the world. Wulf Dorn will meet with readers and hold autograph sessions in the Fuzuli presentation area on October 5 at 4:00 p.m. and on October 6 at 3:00 p.m. The 10th Baku International Book Fair will be held on October 2-8, 2024, at the Baku Expo Center under the organization of the Ministry of Culture. The fair is dedicated to the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Muhammad Fuzuli. Special buses will offer free transportation for visitors from the metro stations “Academy of Sciences,“ “28th of May,“ and “Koroghlu“ to the Baku Expo Center. The exhibition is open from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm, and entry is free. You can check the bus schedule at this link. ..

26.09.2024 09:50

Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble Performs in KazakhstanOn September 25, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble performed at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana as part of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture. The event was attended by officials, scientific and cultural figures of both countries, and other guests. During the concert, the ensemble presented “My Azerbaijan Suite,“ “Kazakhi,“ “Drummers,“ “Gaytaghi,“ “Wedding,“ “White Flower,“ “Chaychi“ dances, the “Yellow Bride“ composition, “Motherland Suite,“ and other performances. The Kazakh audience responded with loud applause to the lively performances. It is worth mentioning that the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble was established in 1970. Over the years, the group has been an excellent promoter of Azerbaijani choreography based on national dance traditions. The ensemble has performed in the USA, Japan, Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Israel, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, India, Nepal, Switzerland, China, Iraq, Vietnam, Morocco, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, South Korea, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, and all republics of the former USSR. The repertoire of the ensemble includes the works by Azerbaijani composers such as Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Tofig Guliyev, Jahangir Jahangirov, Fikret Amirov, Telman Hajiyev, Said Rustamov, Haji Khanmammadov, Vasif Adigozalov, Agshin Alizadeh, Eldar Mansurov, Javanshir Guliyev, Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, and dances of various world nations. The ensemble took part in the cultural program of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow and performed at the EXPO exhibitions in Japan (1988), Germany (2000), China (2010), and Italy (2015). In 1979, it was awarded the gold medal at the International Festival of Carthage in Tunis. In recognition of its contributions to the development and promotion of our national culture, the ensemble was awarded the honorary title of “Honored Ensemble“ in 1991. Since 2018, the People's Artist Rufat Khalilzadeh has been leading the ensemble. The group intends to go on a world tour with a new concert program that highlights the rich dance and music culture of Azerbaijan. ..

25.09.2024 15:55

Kazakh Language Version of 'Zarifa and Heydar Aliyevs: Eternal Love' Presented in AstanaAs part of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, on September 25, the National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted the presentation of the book ‘Zarifa and Heydar Aliyevs: Eternal Love’ by the people's writer of Azerbaijan, Elmira Akhundova in the Kazakh language. In his speech, Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli said it was a great honor to organize the presentation of the book dedicated to the national leader Heydar Aliyev in Kazakhstan: “This event not only honors the national leader but also underlines the strong historical ties between our countries. As brotherly countries, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have for many years developed relations based on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation. Our common history, culture, and traditions make these ties particularly meaningful. The strong and friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are rooted in our mutual desire for development and progress. This relationship is essential for future cooperation between our two countries. National leader Heydar Aliyev is the key figure behind the establishment of relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan and their current high level of progress. His visits and meetings in the brotherly countries have laid a strong foundation for development in all fields, especially culture. We are pleased with the deep respect and reverence for the memory of the national leader in Kazakhstan. The opening of the street named after Heydar Aliyev in Astana in April last year with the participation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is clear evidence of this. The ideas of the national leader have always contributed significantly to the strengthening of relations between Turkic-speaking countries, especially in the cultural sphere. Strengthening relations with Turkic-speaking nations is a key aspect of Azerbaijan's foreign policy under President Ilham Aliyev. We are confident that Heydar Aliyev's great legacy of statesmanship will support the strengthening and expansion of cooperation between our countries in the future. The ideas of the national leader have always contributed significantly to the strengthening of relations between Turkic-speaking countries, especially in the cultural sphere.” Speaking about the book ‘Zarifa and Heydar Aliyevs: Eternal Love,’ the Minister said that this publication is not only a literary work but also an impressive story that reflects the important points in the life of an outstanding political figure, the founder of the newly independent state of Azerbaijan and national leader Heydar Aliyev, and his lifelong companion, an outstanding ophthalmologist, scientist, and academician Zarifa Aliyeva. Among the numerous books written by Elmira Akhundova, her multi-volume work “Heydar Aliyev and His Era,“ which has been translated into several languages and has been awarded the State Prize of the Republic of Azerbaijan, occupies a special place. People's writer Elmira Akhundova shared details about the book and mentioned: “While working on the six-volume research novel 'Heydar Aliyev. Personality and Time', I became deeply interested in the personality of my protagonist's lifelong companion. Many people I talked to shared interesting stories about Mrs. Zarifa, especially about her relationship with Heydar Aliyev. Gradually, a complete picture began to emerge from these various anecdotes. I understood that without writing about the one woman who brought Heydar Aliyev genuine family happiness, a talented son, and a daughter, the story of my hero's life and destiny would remain incomplete... The result of many years of research is now before you, and only the reader can judge its success. I hope that after reading this short book you will feel even more affection for my heroes. Rollan Kuspan, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Archives, Documentation, and Book Trade of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, Aghalar Atamoghlanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Kazakhstan, Aktotı Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Gaziza Nurgalieva, Director of National Academic Library of Kazakhstan, Fuad Mammadov, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Culturologist, Farida Azizova, Doctor of Philological Sciences, and the Head of the Medieval Azerbaijani Literature Department at Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS, Ilgar Fahmi, Secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, and others, emphasized the significance of the book. In the end, Adil Karimli, the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, presented a copy of the manuscript of “Bangu-Bade“ by Mohammad Fuzuli, and the people's writer Elmira Akhundova donated several copies of her books to the National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The book deals with the family background, childhood, and youth of two brilliant figures of our country's history, Zarifa and Heydar Aliyev, and their eternal love, which helped them to overcome the challenges of life together. The book contains the following sections: “The formation of characters (1940s-early 1950s)“, “The right to love“, “The private life of a counter-intelligence officer“, “From a resident to an academician“, “Leader“, “The daily life of the wife of the head of the republic“, “Without a tie“, “Heydar Aliyev (70s of the 20th century)“, “Life in Moscow (behind the walls of the government garden No. 7), “He hid his sufferings till the end...“ and “Love overcoming death.“. The editor of the book, which was published by the Fuyuzat printing house in Baku, is Tamila Nuriyeva. The book was translated into Kazakh and published with the support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aktau, Kazakhstan. ..

25.09.2024 15:28

World-Famous Writer to Attend 10th Baku International Book Fair as Guest of HonorWorld-famous Irish writer John Boyne will be the guest of honor at the 10th Baku International Book Fair. John Boyne is the author of 25 books translated into 46 languages. The most famous work of the writer is the novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. On October 3, 2024, at 11 a.m., John Boyne will meet with readers and sign books in the Fuzuli presentation area. The 10th Baku International Book Fair will be held on October 2-8, 2024, at the Baku Expo Center under the organization of the Ministry of Culture. The fair is dedicated to the 530th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Muhammad Fuzuli. Special buses will offer free transportation for visitors from the metro stations “Academy of Sciences,“ “28th of May,“ and “Koroghlu“ to the Baku Expo Center. The exhibition is open from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm, and entry is free. You can check the bus schedule at this link. ..

25.09.2024 11:29

Salam Sarvan, Rovshan Abdullaoghlu Named Honorary Authors at the 10th Baku International Book FairAs reported earlier, the 10th Baku International Book Fair (Baku International Book Fair 2024) will take place on October 2-8, 2024, at the Baku Expo Center, under the organization of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Poet Salam Sarvan and writer Rovshan Abdullaoghlu have been selected as honorary authors of the fair by the organizing committee. Salam Sarvan is a key figure of modern Azerbaijani poetry. He is the author of the poetry collections “My words to you are not to be told to you,“ “I did not come; meet the road,“ and “Loneliness of the Statue.“ His poems have been translated into several foreign languages. Rovshan Abdullaoghlu is one of the most popular writers and the author of 32 books. His novel “The Man Lying on the Rails“ won the international book competition “Readers Favorite“ in 2020. As part of the exhibition, various events will be organized in the hall, including book presentations, book signings, readers' meetings, and panel discussions with foreign authors, with the participation of honorary authors. Special buses will offer free transportation for visitors from the metro stations “Academy of Sciences,“ “28th of May,“ and “Koroghlu“ to the Baku Expo Center. The exhibition is open from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm, and entry is free. You can check the bus schedule at this link. ..

25.09.2024 10:30

First Concert of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture Held in KazakhstanOn September 24, in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, the Kazakh National Musical Drama Theatre named after K. Kuanishbayev hosted an ethno-jazz concert of the group “Zaman“ from our country within the framework of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture. Before the concert, the artistic director of the group, Vasif Huseyn, expressed his deep interest in national musical instruments: “My interest and love for our national musical instruments inspired the creation of the group “Zaman.“ In the group, Azerbaijani balaban, reed pipe, zurna, etc. are played. I use many instruments.I preserve the inherent character of these national instruments and combine them with Western instruments when appropriate”. Then the music took over. The group “Zaman“ (Saleh Mammadov on bass guitar, Eyvaz Hashimov on drums, and Fagan Rahmanoghlu on wind instruments) and pianist and composer Vasif Huseyn (also the group's artistic director) presented an engaging program. The program included Vasif Huseyn's “Once upon a time,“ Vagif Mustafazadeh's “Springtime,“ Hans Zimmer's “Improvise“ and “Interstellar,“ and the Kazakh folk song “Yapuray.“ Kazakh music lovers showed great interest in the concert and applauded the performers. It's worth mentioning that Vagif Mustafazadeh (1940–1979), considered a legend of Azerbaijani jazz, developed a unique performance style. He pioneered a new musical genre, jazz-mugham, by mixing traditional mugham with jazz elements. Even today, the jazz-mugham synthesis introduced by Vagif Mustafazadeh is used by many musicians. ..

24.09.2024 16:51

Presentation of the Book "Fuzuli: 530 Verse" Held in AstanaThe Azerbaijan Days of Culture, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, will be held from September 23 to 27 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. On September 24, a presentation of the book “Fuzuli-530 verses“ in the Kazakh language and a literary-poetic meeting “Fuzuli-530“ will be held at the National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as scientific and cultural personalities of both countries and other guests, participated in the event. Ilgar Fahmi, the secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, emphasized that this year marks the 530th anniversary of the birth of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli. On this occasion, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has published “Fuzuli: 530 Verses,“ a collection of Fuzuli's ghazals and qasidas in Kazakh. Rustam Ali, Head of the Committee on Archives, Documentation, and Book Trade of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, emphasized the importance of the Days of Azerbaijani Culture. He noted that the friendship and extensive cooperation between the two countries will continue to bring our peoples closer. Oleg Amirbeyov, Advisor to the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, spoke about the creative work of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli. He mentioned that on January 25, 2024, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to commemorate the 530th anniversary of Fuzuli's birth. ..

23.09.2024 17:53

Azerbaijani Days of Culture in KazakhstanAzerbaijan Culture Days will be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, from September 23 to 27 under the organization of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This event with a rich program will be another celebration of Azerbaijani culture in the brotherly country, and artists, art groups, writers, and representatives of the media of our country have visited Astana on this occasion. Within the framework of the program of the Days of Culture, the National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan will hold a presentation of the book “Fuzuli: 530 verses“ and a literary and poetic meeting “Fuzuli: 530“ on September 24 at 3 p.m. On the same day at 8 p.m., there will be an ethno-jazz concert at the Kazakh National Musical Drama Theatre named after K. Kuanishbayev. The Days of Culture will also be remembered for the interesting cultural events held on September 25. At 11 a.m. in the National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a memorandum on cooperation between the National Library of Azerbaijan and the said library will be signed, and the “Azerbaijani Literature Corner“ will be opened. At 0.00 p.m., the book presentation of “The Story of Eternal Love: Zarifa and Heydar Aliyevs“ by the people's writer of Azerbaijan, Elmira Akhundova, will be held at the same place. Later in the day, at 17:30, the exhibition “Pearls of Azerbaijani Art“ will be held at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana. At 19:00, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble will perform in the same palace. On September 26, at 11 a.m., lectures will be held at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the following topics: “Painting and Graphics in Azerbaijan from 1920 to 1980“ by Shirin Malikova, Director of the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan and Honored Cultural Worker; “Miniature of the Tabriz School“ by the Head of the Department of Art and Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan; and Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum: Ancient Art in a Modern Space“ by Honored Cultural Worker Amina Malikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum. At 19:00 in the evening, a gala concert of Azerbaijani artists and art groups will be held in the Kazakh National Musical Drama Theater named after K. Kuanishbayev. The Days of Azerbaijani Culture will create unforgettable memories for the brotherly Kazakh people, who have always appreciated our literary and cultural treasures. ..

23.09.2024 16:52

Region's Biggest International Book Fair is Days AwayFrom October 2 to 8, the Baku Expo Center will host the 10th Baku International Book Fair, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This year's anniversary exhibition is dedicated to the 530th anniversary of the birth of the great Azerbaijani poet and philosopher Muhammad Fuzuli (1494-1556). A total of 47 foreign organizations from 19 countries on 4 continents, including more than 100 local publishing, printing, and book art enterprises, have registered for the event. Famous writers, poets, scientists, and young writers from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Ireland, Germany, Venezuela, and other countries will take part in the exhibition. An extensive program has been organized for this upcoming event. During the Book Fair, there will be master classes for children and adults, book presentations on inclusion and other key issues, book signings, conferences, symposiums, competitions, reading and music sessions, and interaction platforms for members of the book industry. More than 270 events in various formats are scheduled to take place during the fair. The 16th meeting of the Asian Storytelling Committee, of which our country is a member, will also be held during the event. Special buses will transport visitors from the “Academy of Sciences,“ “28th May,“ and “Koroghlu“ metro stations to the Baku Expo Center. You can visit the exhibition free of charge every day between 10.00 and 20.00. ..

23.09.2024 10:22

Ministry of Culture Announces Internship Program!The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, under the organization of the “Culture Volunteers“ Public Union, announces a 3-month internship program for final-year bachelor students, master students, and recent graduates. This program aims to provide talented young individuals with professional work experience as well as deep knowledge and skills in international relations and culture. The internship program allows young participants to work within a dynamic team of experts and take an active role in organizing events with international intergovernmental cultural organizations. Purpose of the Program: To increase the knowledge and skills of young individuals in international relations and culture. To improve professional growth and career prospects in the field of culture To promote the contribution of young people in the organization of international projects To develop human resources in the field Requirements: Academic background in international relations, international law, political science, management, or related areas Fluency in both English and Azerbaijani (note: additional language skills are a plus) Strong communication and analytical thinking skills Ability to work in a team and be proactive Proficiency with office software A broad world view and erudition Promptness, responsibility, and strong discipline Commitment to physically work at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan 5 days a week, either full or half time, for a period of 3 months. Responsibilities: Assisting the preparation and implementation of international projects Performing research and analysis, developing concepts, and creating presentations Supporting collaboration and coordination with foreign partners Carrying out additional technical tasks as required Young people interested in contributing to the development of Azerbaijan’s cultural sector and cultural diplomacy can join our internship program by filling out the registration form below. The selection process will be conducted in several stages, including tests and interviews. Application deadline: October 10, 2024. To apply: http://bit.ly/3AQfPV2 ..

19.09.2024 17:51

Azerbaijan Cultural Center Celebrates 530th Birth Anniversary of Poet Muhammad Fuzuli with 'The Poet in My Heart' EventThe Azerbaijan Cultural Center organized an event titled “The Poet in My Heart“ (Der poet in mir) to celebrate the 530th anniversary of the birth of the distinguished figure in Azerbaijani literature, thinker, and poet Muhammad Fuzuli. Speeches were delivered by Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Germany Nasimi Aghayev and German Orientalist Dr. Michael Raynhard Hess at the event, which was held upon the order of President Ilham Aliyev on the Occasion of the 530th Anniversary of the Birth of the Great Azerbaijani Poet Mahammad Fuzuli. They emphasized that Fuzuli's creative work is a significant contribution to the global cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people, pointing out that his work “Leyli and Majnun“ is a gem in the country's literature. They also emphasized that his writings have a profound influence not only on the development of Azerbaijani literary and artistic thought but also on the literature of the Near and Middle East. After the speeches, the ensemble “Anima Shirvani,“ led by the famous musician Tural Ismayilov, who lives in Germany, presented a blend of Azerbaijani mugham, folk songs, and classical German and English Baroque music. The poems of the famous poet were recited by Naibe Tural and Aydin Habibov. During the event, it was mentioned that a postage stamp has been issued in Germany to commemorate the 530th anniversary of Fuzuli's birth. ..

19.09.2024 09:31

16th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival Kicks Off with Opening CeremonyThe opening concert of the 16th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival took place on September 18 at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic named after M. Magomayev. Among the attendees were officials from the Ministry of Culture, well-known cultural figures, and music lovers. At the beginning of the event, the guests visited the exhibition “Our Culture in the Traces of Ornaments“ organized by the Scientific, Methodical and Specialization Center for Culture in the foyer of the Philharmonic. Saadat Yusifova, the Deputy Minister of Culture, noted that today is the 139th anniversary of the birth of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, an outstanding composer, musicologist, educator, columnist, and public figure whose achievements are celebrated in the musical history of Azerbaijan. She added that September 18 is also the National Music Day in our country, in honor of the brilliant composer. On September 18, 1995, National leader Heydar Aliyev signed a decree on celebrating “Uzeyir Music Day“ every year on September 18. The birthday of the genius composer is celebrated with great solemnity in our country. The most significant of these celebrations is the Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture since 2009. This prestigious music festival is taking place for the 16th time this year. According to the festival program scheduled from September 18 to 28, interesting events and concerts will take place in Shusha, Ganja, Shamkir, Lankaran, and Nakhchivan, along with Baku. In addition, a number of events will be organized across the country to celebrate the occasion. These include open-air and indoor concerts, performances, exhibitions, scientific conferences and master classes. Soloists and groups of artists from the USA, Germany, Croatia, Vienna, Türkiye, Russia, Korea, Spain, Brazil, and other countries will take part in the upcoming festival. For the first time, the Azerbaijan National Conservatory will host a symposium of the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD), operating under UNESCO, as part of this festival. The symposium will feature discussions and panels titled “Echoes of Ancient Heritage: Exploring the Heritage of Music and Dance in Turkic Cultures and Beyond.“ According to the deputy minister, the most significant aspect of the traditional festival is the inclusion of the city of Shusha, the birthplace of Uzeyir Bey, in its agenda starting in 2021: “Various events are planned in Shusha this year, including the performance of the first Eastern mugham opera, Uzeyir Hajibeyli's timeless piece 'Leyli and Majnun'. At the same time, a concert will be held in honor of the 100th anniversary of another outstanding composer from Shusha, People's Artist Suleyman Alasgarov. We are confident that the 16th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival will bring joy and lasting memories to music lovers for years to come. Uzeyir Hajibeyli's art will always retain its value as an important part of our historical and cultural heritage. The concert program included performances by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Hajibeyli (Artistic Director and Chief Conductor: Honored Artist Fuad Ibrahimov), the Azerbaijan State Choir Chapel (Artistic Director: People's Artist Gulbaji Imanova), People's Artist Ulviyya Hajibeyova (piano), honored artists Ramil Gasimov (tenor) and Inara Babayeva (soprano), and laureate of republican and international competitions Mahir Tagizadeh (baritone). The program featured the “Overture“ from Hajibeyli's opera “Koroghlu,“ “Aria of Firuza“ from his opera “Firuza,“ his “Spring Song“ for choir and orchestra, “Cantata“ for baritone, choir, and orchestra, “National March,“ and S. Alasgarov's ballad “Glory to the Artist“ for vocalists and orchestra. Among other works performed were M. Mirzayev's poem “Dedication to the Great Master,“ I. Hajibeyov's rhapsody “Jangi“ for piano and orchestra, A. Javid's Variations dedicated to Uzeyir Bey (adapted for orchestra by Ayaz Gambarly), F. Amirov's “Dedication to Uzeyir Hajibeyli,“ V. Allahverdiyev's “Ashigsayaghi“ (dedicated to Uzeyir Bek), and S. Hajibeyov's symphonic composition “Caravan.“ On this wonderful night, each piece was a gesture of respect to the dear memory of the selfless person whose name is written in golden letters in the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. The audience responded to each performance with thunderous applause. ..

18.09.2024 16:19

National Music Day Event Celebrated at Azerbaijan National ConservatoryOn September 18, the Azerbaijan National Conservatory (ANC) hosted the next traditional event of the National Day of Music. The Rector of the Conservatory, People's Artist Siyavush Karimi, spoke about the importance of this significant day associated with the name of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, the legendary composer's creativity, and his contributions to the development of Azerbaijani music: “Uzeyir Bey is one of the rare figures given to Azerbaijan by the great God.“ Farhad Badalbeyli, People's Artist and Rector of the Baku Music Academy named after U. Hajibeyli, commented: “Uzeyir Bey's memory will always be cherished, and we will celebrate his contributions to music with immense gratitude. Happy Music Day! We always honor Uzeyir Hajibeyli as a genius composer and an exceptional person. We are blessed to belong to a nation that had outstanding composers like Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Gara Garayev, and Fikret Amirov.” The program continued with a musical performance. The “Karabagh shikastasi“ was performed by the khanandas Khayal Huseynov, Gulzar Farajova, and Gullu Muradova, accompanied by an orchestra of folk musical instruments consisting of ANC students. ..

18.09.2024 15:46

Uzeyir Hajibeyli's Grave Visited on His BirthdayOn September 18, we commemorate the 139th anniversary of the birth of Uzeyir Hajibeyli (1885-1948), a brilliant composer, musicologist, educator, columnist and public figure who left an indelible mark on the musical heritage of Azerbaijan. In honor of his birthday, this day is celebrated in our country as the National Day of Music. It is worth mentioning that on September 18, 1995, the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev issued a decree to commemorate Uzeyir Hajibeyli's “incomparable contributions to the development of Azerbaijan's musical art and to reflect the people's respect and admiration for the great artist“ by celebrating “Uzeyir Music Day“ every year. Since 2009, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture have jointly organized a traditional international music festival in honor of the great composer. This year, the prestigious festival is held for the 16th time. The events of this historically significant day by tradition began with a visit to the grave of Uzeyir Bey in the First Alley of Honor. The ceremony was attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture and well-known cultural figures. A wreath and flowers were placed on the grave of the great composer. At the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture Murad Huseynov congratulated the participants on the occasion of the National Day of Music. He mentioned that September 18 is the birthday of Uzeyir Hajibeyli and National Music Day in our country. Consequently, a number of events are organized in our country every year to pay tribute to the composer's invaluable contributions to our culture. The 16th Uzeyir Hajibeyli International Music Festival is being organized today by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture. This year's festival, which will be held from September 18 to 28, features a rich program. Farhad Badalbeyli, People's Artist and Rector of the Baku Music Academy named after U. Hajibeyli, noted that Uzeyir Hajibeyli occupies a special place among the immortal artists of our nation: “Uzeyir Hajibeyli is the person who marked the beginning of a historical era in Azerbaijani music, laid the foundation of our classical music, and created new genres. He made great contributions to our culture and was able to elevate our national music to the world level. The rector of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, people's artist Siyavush Karimi, spoke about the immortal creative work of Uzeyir Bek. He noted that thanks to the educational system established by Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Azerbaijan's musical culture has been graced with great artists. People's Artist Sardar Farajov, Director of Uzeyir Hajibeyli's House Museum, and Dr. . Jeyran Mahmudova, Rector of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, and others discussed the extensive contributions of the composer, whose work has left a lasting mark on our cultural history. It was emphasized that despite the passage of years and centuries, Uzeyir Hajibeyli's art will live forever. Following the speeches, the attendees of the ceremony also visited the resting places of Gara Garayev, Fikret Amirov, Bulbul, Rashid Behbudov, Niyazi, and Muslim Magomayev, the prominent figures of Azerbaijani music, in the First Alley of Honor. The attendees of the ceremony also paid tribute to Heydar Aliyev, the great supporter of our culture, and Zarifa Aliyeva, a distinguished ophthalmologist, scholar, and academician, and laid flowers on their graves. ..

06.09.2024 19:37

Shusha Branch of Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum Acquires Two New Craft PiecesSahib Hasanov, a resident of Shusha, donated to the branch the “Flowers in the Garden“ carpet, handmade by his grandmother and mother in 1959, along with a mid-19th century mafrash (bedding bag). Recalling his memories, S. Hasanov said that the carpet hung on the wall of their house in Shusha before the First Karabakh War: “When the city was occupied, we took it to Baku, considering it the most valuable possession of our family. The initials of my grandmother's name 'A' (Azat) and my mother's name 'S' (Saltanat) are inscribed on the carpet.“ We are happy that this carpet, a keepsake from my relatives, has finally returned to its homeland with us after many years. I think the best thing to do is to donate it to a museum. Let the tourists see the handicraft of Azerbaijani women.“ Roses are described in the center of the presented Karabakh carpet. Another item that S. Hasanov donated to the museum is a century-old mafrash. He mentioned that this carpet product was used as a storage bag during the seasonal migration between summer and winter pastures. ..

06.09.2024 18:18

Reception of Citizens by the Minister of Culture Adil Karimli in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan ResheduledThe date of reception of citizens from Nakhchivan city and Babek, Julfa, Kangarli, Ordubad, Sadarak, Shahbuz, and Sharur districts by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, planned to be held on September 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the Ministry of Culture of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (address: Nakhchivan city, Heydar Aliyev Avenue, 1), has been changed. Details of the date of the reception will be posted in advance on the official Internet resources of the Ministry. ..

06.09.2024 17:23

Appeals Council of Ministry of Culture Holds Its Next MeetingThe next meeting of the Appeals Council of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held on September 6, 2024, under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister Saadat Yusifova. The members of the Appeals Council: Deputy Chief of Staff, Head of the Department of Work with Documents and Citizens, Elchin Najafov, Head of the Department of Human Capital Management, Kamil Bayramli, Head of the Department of Strategic Development and Project Management, Vugar Mammadov, Head of the Department of Creative Industries and Digital Development Rashad Azizov, Head of the Legal Department Guler Mikayilova, and Deputy Director of Internal Control and Audit Department Farid Gurbanzadeh participated in the meeting. During the meeting, the appeals of three candidates on the revision of the results of the general interviews announced by the State Examination Center on April 30, 2024, for filling vacant positions in the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan were considered. At the meeting, the opinions of the candidates on the interview were heard, and the members of the Council discussed their prepared opinions and the video recordings and documents of the interviews provided by the State Examination Center. Finally, decisions on the issues discussed at the meeting were made on the basis of the votes of the members of the Appeals Council. On the basis of the decision of the Appeals Council on the appeals of Sabuhi Bashirov, Isakh Mammadov, and Vusal Mammadov, the result of the previous interview with these candidates was changed, and they were considered suitable for the claimed positions, and they were included in the reserve list of personnel. ..

05.09.2024 15:20

Azerbaijan Represented at the 37th Moscow International Book FairThe 37th Moscow International Book Fair started in Moscow, Russian Federation, on September 4, 2024. The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Russian Federation organized the representation of our country at the exhibition. Representatives of the Ministry of Culture and children's writer Solmaz Amanova participated in the exhibition. The delegation of the Ministry took part in several events on the opening day of the exhibition. At the national stand displaying newly released valuable books about Azerbaijan, participants and visitors of the exhibition receive comprehensive information about Azerbaijan's history, culture, and book art. On September 6, as part of the exhibition, the writer Solmaz Amanova will be awarded the “Grand Prix“ and the 1st place of the “Book Art“ competition. The Moscow International Book Fair, with the Republic of Belarus as the special guest, will continue until September 8, 2024. ..

05.09.2024 10:54

State Service and Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Sign Memorandum of UnderstandingThe Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Protection and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments Located in the Territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan was signed between the State Service for Cultural Heritage Conservation, Development, and Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Culture and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. Sabina Hajiyeva, the head of the State Service, and Aktotı Raimkulova, the president of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, signed the document. The aim of signing the Memorandum of Understanding is to safeguard, restore, and maintain historical and cultural monuments under state protection in our country, to organize relevant training, and to broaden cooperation in the field of cultural heritage. On the basis of the mentioned document, it is planned to support the restoration of the mosque located in the liberated village Gochahmadli in Fuzuli district. At the signing ceremony, the importance of establishing relations with the brotherly Turkic republics in various fields, especially strengthening cultural ties, was emphasized as a source of great satisfaction. The Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation was praised for its active role in the protection, promotion, and development of the culture and cultural heritage of the Turkic people. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan provides significant support to this cause, and expectations were expressed that cooperation will be strengthened in the future. During the meeting, the participants discussed issues of mutual interest. ..

05.09.2024 09:44

Our Composers' New Works Added to Music and Art School CurriculaStarting from the academic year 2024/2025, the curricula of music and art schools will include compositions of modern local composers. The representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan discussed this at their meeting. They agreed to continue the process from time to time and to include new compositions in the curricula after proper analysis. With the support of the Ministry of Culture, the music samples prepared by the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan will be systematically presented to the above-mentioned schools both in electronic and paper form. The program will include Firangiz Alizadeh's “Victory March“, piano pieces by Elnara Dadashova and Adila Yusifova, Adila Yusifova's cantata “Summer Tale“, as well as works for children by Sardar Farajov, Faig Naghiyev, Mehriban Ahmadova, Zabita Mammadova, Jahangir Zulfugarov, Pike Akhundova, Ilaha Kismet and other composers. The primary goal of this initiative is to help the new generation of musicians master traditional and modern musical styles, whilst supporting the creativity of modern composers. With the updated curriculum, students of music and art schools will be exposed to a diverse repertoire and further develop their knowledge and skills in the field. ..

04.09.2024 14:31

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited Khudavang Monastery Complex in KalbajarOn September 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Khudavang Monastery Complex in the Kalbajar district. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli provided the President and First Lady with information about the monument. During the occupation, illegal “restoration“ work was carried out at the Khudavang Monastery with the support of the Armenian Apostolic Church and funding from the Armenian government. These so-called restorations included falsifications to the Arzu Khatun and Hasan the Great churches, as well as other buildings within the complex, many of which suffered vandalism. Following the region's liberation, Armenian priests and monks, with the help of foreign specialists, illegally removed ancient frescoes from the site and smuggled them out of Azerbaijan. In December 2020, items stolen from the Khudavang Monastery, including bells, stone inscriptions, frescoes, carpets, and other cultural treasures, were unlawfully displayed at an exhibition in Yerevan. Later, these frescoes were misrepresented as “Armenian traditional art“ at an exhibition in Padua, Italy, titled “Frescoes in Armenian Christian Churches from the 7th to 13th Centuries.“ This exhibition was also held in several other Italian cities. ..

04.09.2024 10:15

The First "Baku Cinema Breeze" International Film Festival to be Held in AzerbaijanWith the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Cinema Agency, the first international film festival, “Baku Cinema Breeze,“ will be held in Baku from October 2 to 8. “Baku Cinema Breeze“ will serve as a single platform to present the masterpieces of world cinema by bringing together major events such as the DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival, the BIFF Baku International Film Festival, the ATA Turkic World International Animation Film Festival, and the ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival, which were previously organized separately. The OMA Cinema Market, dedicated to the film industry of East and Central Asian countries, will be held as part of the festival. During the event, participants will be able to network and discuss future cooperation opportunities. It will be an important step for the development of the local film industry. The “Baku Cinema Breeze“ festival in Azerbaijan will also bring together representatives of the film industry from the USA, Canada, India, the Netherlands, Turkey, Germany, Portugal, the UAE, Greece, Korea, Georgia, Estonia, and other countries, as well as well-known figures of world cinematography. During the festival, screenings will be organized for residents of the capital, guests of our city, and all film lovers in various cinemas and venues of the city. This event, aimed at the development of the audiovisual industry, will be a part of the project “Creative Azerbaijan“ of the Ministry of Culture. The “Baku Cinema Breeze“ project aims to become the most important cultural event in Baku this fall, and to attract the attention of both film specialists and art lovers. To learn more about the festival, please visit www.bakucinemabreeze.az. ..