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

3019

Azerbaijan's People's Artist Fazil Najafov passes away

3019

12.07.2023

12.07.2023 12:29

The culture of Azerbaijan mourns a loss as the People's Artist of the Republic, Fazil Najafov, died at the age of 88 on July 11.
Najafov Fazil Imamverdi oglu was born in Baku on February 16, 1935.
He completed his studies at the Azerbaijan State Art School, named after A.Azimzadeh, in 1955 and then graduated from the Moscow Higher Art Institute, named after V.I. Surikov, in 1961.
Fazil Najafov is the author of such works as "Women of the Inner City", "Mother", "Song of the Blind", "Theater", "H.B. Vazirov", "Morning", "Floors of Life", "Games of Time", "Fortune", "Gulyabani", "Old Man", "Girl";, "Young Woman", "Naked Woman",
"Woman", "Sitting Woman", "Blinds", "Angel", "Floors of Life", "Sound of Time", "Conversation", "Resting Old Man", "Millennium Man", "Worship", "Twins" and "Fountain".
A monument dedicated to the distinguished Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev, constructed by Fazil Najafov, was erected in the center of Baku in 2014. Supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action), Fazil Najafov took part in the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015, showcasing eight of his works.
Fazil Najafov received the title of "Honored Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR" on May 7, 1988, and was later recognized as the "People's Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan" on May 30, 2002. To acknowledge his significant contributions to Azerbaijani culture, he was granted the "Shohrat" Order on February 15, 2020.

Rest in peace!

NEWS

20.08.2024 14:23

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

19.08.2024 12:14

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

16.08.2024 14:40

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

15.08.2024 16:54

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

15.08.2024 15:54

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

14.08.2024 17:04

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

12.08.2024 10:00

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

09.08.2024 13:39

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

07.08.2024 15:22

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

07.08.2024 10:26

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

03.08.2024 19:10

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

03.08.2024 14:19

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

02.08.2024 13:11

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

01.08.2024 14:41

Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Awarding Azerbaijani Film WorkersGuided by Items 23 and 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I hereby order: 1. to award “Taraggi“ medal to the following persons for their contributions to the development of Azerbaijani cinematography: Jilgamli Ramziya Akramovna Guliyeva Gulshan Rasul gizi Mammadov Rovshan Isakh oghlu Najafov Bayram Hidayat oghlu Yunusov Adalat Mammad oghlu. 2. to award the individual pension of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the following persons for their enduring effective work in the development of Azerbaijani cinematography: Gurbanova Firangiz Agha Dadash gizi Rustamov Akif Zabi oghlu Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku city, August 1, 2024 ..

31.07.2024 17:24

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

31.07.2024 13:22

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

31.07.2024 09:31

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

30.07.2024 14:04

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

30.07.2024 10:20

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

30.07.2024 10:18

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

26.07.2024 15:32

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

24.07.2024 16:55

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

24.07.2024 16:06

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

24.07.2024 15:04

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

24.07.2024 11:03

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

22.07.2024 18:00

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

22.07.2024 15:51

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

22.07.2024 10:48

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

22.07.2024 10:09

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

19.07.2024 17:34

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

19.07.2024 13:05

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

19.07.2024 12:06

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

18.07.2024 19:44

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

18.07.2024 18:09

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

18.07.2024 16:26

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

18.07.2024 15:19

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

17.07.2024 16:07

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

12.07.2024 18:07

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

12.07.2024 15:22

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

11.07.2024 17:11

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

11.07.2024 14:52

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan Announce the Results of Post-Production Film Support CompetitionIn May of this year, ARKA announced a competition to support the completion of film projects in their post-production stages. The competition, aiming to stimulate and increase the efficiency of the country's film production, raise the competitiveness of independent production centers, and support joint film production, has concluded. Applications from nine projects were received for the competition in various categories, including full-length feature and documentary, short feature, documentary, and animation films. The Arts Council decided to award state support to six of these evaluated projects. Short documentary film “Memory Palaces“ directed by Matlab Mukhtarov, “Rental Azerbaijan“ LLC; full-length documentary film “The Return“, directed by Elmaddin Aliyev, “Karvan Production“ LLC; full-length feature film “Silent Time“, directed by Tahir Tahirovich, “Nova Gorica Kino“ Center“ LLC; full-length documentary “Black cat, white shani“, directed by Alamdar Faig, “Chinar Film“ LLC; short feature film “Inverted Shadows“, directed by Haji Safarov, “Chinar Film“ LLC; full-length feature-documentary “Where are you, crane?“ film directed by Ilkin Yusif “Boomerangfilm“ LLC It’s worth mentioning that for the first time in the country, a competition is held to support film projects in the post-production phase. The Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue to conduct competitions throughout the year to offer state support for film projects. ..

11.07.2024 12:37

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