A nation is known, recognized and distinguished among the world nations by certain characteristic features. The highest and the greatest of these features is culture.

HEYDAR ALIYEV

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President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited Khudavang Monastery Complex in Kalbajar

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04.09.2024

04.09.2024 02:31

On September 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Khudavang Monastery Complex in the Kalbajar district.

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli provided the President and First Lady with information about the monument.

During the occupation, illegal "restoration" work was carried out at the Khudavang Monastery with the support of the Armenian Apostolic Church and funding from the Armenian government. These so-called restorations included falsifications to the Arzu Khatun and Hasan the Great churches, as well as other buildings within the complex, many of which suffered vandalism. Following the region's liberation, Armenian priests and monks, with the help of foreign specialists, illegally removed ancient frescoes from the site and smuggled them out of Azerbaijan.

In December 2020, items stolen from the Khudavang Monastery, including bells, stone inscriptions, frescoes, carpets, and other cultural treasures, were unlawfully displayed at an exhibition in Yerevan. Later, these frescoes were misrepresented as "Armenian traditional art" at an exhibition in Padua, Italy, titled "Frescoes in Armenian Christian Churches from the 7th to 13th Centuries." This exhibition was also held in several other Italian cities.

NEWS

25.09.2024 15:55

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

25.09.2024 15:28

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

25.09.2024 11:29

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

25.09.2024 10:30

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

24.09.2024 16:51

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

23.09.2024 17:53

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

23.09.2024 16:52

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

23.09.2024 10:22

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

19.09.2024 17:51

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

19.09.2024 09:31

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

18.09.2024 16:19

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

18.09.2024 15:46

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

06.09.2024 19:37

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

06.09.2024 18:18

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

06.09.2024 17:23

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

05.09.2024 15:20

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

05.09.2024 10:54

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

05.09.2024 09:44

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

04.09.2024 10:15

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

04.09.2024 09:50

Children's Creativity Center Named After Kurmangazy in Fuzuli Welcomes First StudentsStarting from the academic year 2024/2025, the Children's Creativity Center named after Kurmangazy in Fuzuli will offer continuous education in various fields of art. As part of the “Great Return“ program, piano, accordion, tar, violin, and dance classes will be introduced in the new school year for children of residents who have returned to their homeland from Baku and other regions. Initially, 24 students will participate in the educational program. They will be taught by five experienced teachers. As more residents return to Fuzuli, the number of students is expected to increase. The Children's Creativity Center, named after Kurmangazy, built by the Republic of Kazakhstan and opened in March this year, will provide an enabling environment for children and youth in Fuzuli to develop their creative talents and gain knowledge in the arts. During the last period, art training sessions for students were conducted at the creative center under the direct organization of the Ministry of Culture, along with a summer camp for schoolchildren. This year, for the first time, schoolchildren will start studying at the Children's Creative Center named after Kurmangazy in Fuzuli. ..

30.08.2024 11:39

"Simurg" Ensemble from Azerbaijan Wins Grand Prix at the 13th Sharq Taronalari Festival in UzbekistanThe Grand Prix of the 13th Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from August 26–30, was awarded to the “Simurg“ mugham ensemble from Azerbaijan. More than 300 representatives from about 80 countries took part in this year's festival, which was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, UNESCO, ICESCO, and TURKSOY. The Mugham ensemble “Simurg,“ consisting of the famous singer Miralam Miralamov and instrumentalists Zaki Valiyev (tar), Elnur Mikayilov (kamancha), Honored Artist Kamran Karimov (drums), Idris Huseynov (oud), and Anar Velizadeh (balaban), for the third time won the main prize of the world-famous festival for Azerbaijan with its outstanding performance. The statuette of the festival and the certificate of the main prize were handed over to the ensemble by the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov, and the Chairman of the International Jury of the 13th “Sharq Taronalari,“ the Director of the International Mugham Center, tar performer, Honored Artist Sahib Pazashadeh. For the first time in the 27-year history of the festival, the representative of Azerbaijan headed the international jury. The amount of the Grand Prix prize is 10,000 US dollars. The “Sharq Taronalari“ festival was established in 1997 and is held every two years. At the first festival, singer Simara Imanova from our country won the Grand Prix, while tar performer Sahib Pashazadeh secured the Grand Prix at the 11th festival in 2017. Various musicians from our country have won at this festival in different years. ..

29.08.2024 16:37

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

29.08.2024 14:50

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

29.08.2024 09:40

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

28.08.2024 17:54

‘One Thousand and One Nights’ Captivates Art Lovers in BeijingThe ballet “The Thousand and One Nights“ by Fikret Amirov, the world-famous composer of Azerbaijan, was performed in Beijing, the capital of China, on August 23-25. The work, which has triumphed on many stages around the world, was performed by the Primorsky stage of St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theater (Vladivostok) as part of the ballet troupe's tour to the People’s Republic of China. Over 3,500 ballet lovers in China watched the performance newly staged by Eldar Aliyev, the troupe's artistic director, at the Beijing National Performing Arts Center. This event was the first major ballet production at the newly opened Beijing National Performing Arts Center. The leading roles were performed by Anna Samstrelova, Irina Sapojnikova, Liliya Berezhnova, Sergey Umanets, Viktor Mulygin, and others. Among the spectators during the three-day performances were Oleg Kojemyako, the Governor of Russia's Primorsky region, Wang Ning, the Director of the Chinese Grand Theater, Claudio Yang, the President of the “Silk Road“ International Cultural Association, and various other officials and guests. The performance was accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Chinese National Ballet under the baton of the Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Azerbaijan Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, the laureate of international competitions, Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev. The performance featured soloists of the Chorus and Opera Troupe of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre Anastasia Kikot and Samira Halimova, a native of Azerbaijan, and the soloists of the Azerbaijan Opera and Ballet Theatre Ramin Azimov (Baku) and Nadezhda Medvedeva (Vladivostok) as tar performers. The ballet “One Thousand and One Nights,“ celebrating the musical glory of Azerbaijan and the Middle East, was received with great interest by Chinese art lovers. Fikret Amirov's ballet “One Thousand and One Nights,“ based on well-known Arabic fairy tales, premiered in 1979 at the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Baku. The libretto of the play is by prominent Azerbaijani writers Magsud and Rustam Ibrahimbayov brothers. The composer included tar, the national instrument of Azerbaijan, in the orchestra and created a rich collection of percussion instruments (bongos, tam-tam, xylophone, vibraphone, drum, bell, timpani, cymbals, etc.) to effectively convey the richness of Arabic rhythms to the audience. ..

28.08.2024 09:21

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

27.08.2024 16:11

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

27.08.2024 13:11

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

27.08.2024 11:36

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

26.08.2024 17:27

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

26.08.2024 16:32

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

23.08.2024 17:51

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

23.08.2024 15:07

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

23.08.2024 09:35

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

22.08.2024 09:05

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

20.08.2024 18:14

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

20.08.2024 17:22

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

20.08.2024 14:23

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

19.08.2024 12:14

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

16.08.2024 14:40

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

15.08.2024 16:54

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

15.08.2024 15:54

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