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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Azerbaijan Chosen as the Filming Location of the Year for Indian Directors and Producers

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28.10.2024

28.10.2024 02:37

The 11th IIFTC - India International Film Tourism Conclave was held in Mumbai on October 23-25. The event was attended by the Ministry of Culture and the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA), as well as film commissions from various countries, including Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Spain, Slovakia and Norway.

Companies from our country, including "Filmlab.az", "Filmbridge Azerbaijan", "CNF" and "Ultra Production" took part in the event at IIFTC.

This year's congress was particularly important for our country. During the award ceremony of the event it was announced that Azerbaijan was recognized as the most popular filming destination for Indian directors and producers.

In his speech, Harshad Bhagwat, head of the IIFTC Congress, emphasized that Azerbaijan has become one of the most sought-after filming locations in recent years.

During the event, the Azerbaijani delegation held several meetings aimed at promoting the country's culture, supporting the development of creative fields, as well as promoting our film potential at the international level and attracting foreign experts to the development of the local film industry. These meetings included discussions on hosting film shoots in our country and cooperation in joint film productions.

We would like to inform you that the implementation of various projects within the framework of the Creative Azerbaijan initiative, the revival of the activities of the Film Commission and the participation of international producers in film shoots in Azerbaijan in the last two years are also important for the development of the local film industry.

NEWS

28.10.2024 10:26

Minister of Culture Meets the Staff of the Academic Opera and Ballet TheaterThe meetings of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, with the staffs of the leading theaters of our country continue. Discussions at the meetings focus on the ongoing activities of cultural centers and creative tasks. On October 26, the Minister of Culture visited the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater and met with its staff. During the meeting, the status of the creative activities of the theater was discussed with the director, People's Artist Yusif Eyvazov, the chief director, Honored Artist Hafiz Guliyev, the chief conductor, Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev, and leading figures such as People's Artist Gulaghasi Mirzayev, Honored Artists Afag Abbasova, Tural Aghasiyev, and Jahangir Gurbanov, soloists Mahir Taghizadeh, Taleh Yahyayev, Atesh Garayev, and Mutallim Demirov. The members of the creative team were concerned with the material well-being of the artists, their provision of housing on preferential terms, the replacement of old musical instruments, solving the problems of ballet dancers' retirement and military service, the payment of fees for performances at state events, the granting of honorary titles, and the production of new works. The discussion also touched upon the re-editing and printing of the works of Azerbaijani composers of the last century and the creation of opportunities for creative people to participate in international competitions, festivals, and workshops. The Minister shared his thoughts on these issues. He emphasized the attention of President Ilham Aliyev to the development of the theater sector as well as other spheres of culture. The infrastructure of theaters is being improved, and artists are regularly awarded honorary titles and prizes. The renovation of the building of the Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre is another example of this attention. According to the Minister, efforts are being made to improve the legislative framework in the cultural sector. At the end of this process, a number of issues will be resolved. At the end of the meeting, Adil Karimli mentioned that the issues raised would be taken into consideration and wished the team success in their creative endeavors. ..

28.10.2024 09:53

Adil Karimli Meets the Staff of the University of Culture and ArtsOn October 25, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli visited the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts (ADMIU) and met with the staff. He highlighted the rich traditions of the university and noted the significant contributions of its graduates to the development of our culture. It was noted that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, culture, along with other sectors, is receiving special attention in our country. The efforts of educators in this field are recognized and they are honored with various awards and prizes. The Ministry of Culture attaches great importance to the training of personnel and closely cooperates with the Ministry of Science and Education in this area. The improvement of quality in the cultural sector is closely linked to the training of personnel. To make progress in this area, it's important to understand the interests and views of young people in their chosen fields. Despite the rapid innovations and developments in artificial intelligence in our era, the cultural sector is entirely dependent on the human factor—talented, skilled, and qualified personnel. The Ministry of Culture has prioritized the development of human potential in cultural and creative industries. The first 20 students will receive support for their bachelor and master studies abroad. Talking about the development of the cinema industry, the Minister said that last year, in cooperation with the Azerbaijan Cinema Agency (ARKA), a competition was organized for film projects to be produced with state support and order. He noted that more than 40 films were completed as a result of this competition. In addition, the ministry plans to support student film productions. The rector of the university honored artist Jeyran Mahmudova, thanked the minister for meeting with the team. She emphasized the importance of personnel training and mentioned the signing of a cooperation agreement between the educational institution and ARKA. As a result of this agreement, 12 film projects were started. Six of these projects have been screened, and the remaining six projects are currently being filmed. Kamal Mushfig Ibadov, an ADMIU student, received the “Best Documentary Director“ award at the international student film festival “Voskhod,“ organized by the All-Russian State University of Cinematography named after Sergey Gerasimov, for his film “Motivator,“ one of the six projects. In addition, ADMIU received a diploma for its active participation in the festival. The Minister considered their proposals on such issues as the publication of textbooks and study materials by professors and students of the educational institution, the appointment of actors to positions by the Ministry of Culture, raising young people's interest in cinema, free admission to theaters for ADMIU students, master's level education, training of managers, and new educational specialties, and answered their questions. Regarding the publication of textbooks and teaching aids by teachers, the Minister said that the Ministry of Culture purchases books from national publishers every year. Since last year there has been an increase in the purchase of scientific and scientific-popular books, which are then distributed to the libraries of our republic. Commenting on the appointment of actors by the Ministry of Culture, the Minister pointed out that every year about 60 students graduate from ADMIU's Faculty of Theatre Arts: “We must focus on placing these graduates in suitable theaters, and it is important to encourage private theaters to get involved. Adil Karimli mentioned that in order to increase young people's interest in cinema, efforts are being made to expand film production in our country and to support student films. During the meeting, a proposal for free admission of ADMIU students to theatres was discussed. The Minister mentioned that steps are being taken in this area. The Ministry of Culture and the Education Development Fund signed a cooperation agreement as part of the “Student Plus“ project. The agreement provides for special discounts for students in theaters, museums, and reserves. Speaking about the Master's program and new qualifications, the Minister noted that in recent years in our country the legal and regulatory framework of education has been improved, and significant work has been done to improve the material and technical support. At the end of the meeting, the Minister wished success to the staff. ..

25.10.2024 15:37

Cultural and Creative Industries Scholarship to Support the First 20 BeneficiariesIn our country, it is important for young people to study in prestigious universities abroad and to participate in various training courses and international experience programs. In this context, the Strategy of Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026, approved by the order of President Ilham Aliyev on July 22, 2022, is of special importance. In the Action Plan of the Strategy, emphasis is placed on ensuring the dynamic development of cultural and creative industries (CCI) and strengthening their export potential. The Ministry of Culture is designated as the main implementing body for the development of certificate programs meeting the requirements of the CCI and a special scholarship program for studying abroad. By the decision of the Collegium of the Ministry of Culture, the Criteria for Selection of Individuals for Education, Procedures, and Regulations for Financing Education were approved as part of the Special Scholarship Program for Cultural and Creative Industries. On October 25, a press conference was held at the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan on the conclusion of the selection stage of the scholarship program and the announcement of the candidates selected by the commission. First of all, a video with information about the winners of the scholarship program was presented. Aynur Karimova, Head of the Media and Communication Department at the Ministry of Culture, said that under the CCI scholarship program it is planned to finance the education abroad of 15 students per year and 60 students by the end of 2026. The scholarship program includes opportunities for studying abroad at the bachelor's and master's levels, short-term training abroad, study courses and programs (including distance learning), short-term courses and programs within the Republic of Azerbaijan. It was noted that between August 15 and September 15 this year, announcements were made for funding undergraduate and graduate study abroad in 11 specializations: audiovisual (music, film and animation, videography and photography), fashion art, design, curating, architecture, event organization, cultural and creative management, cooperation with publishing organizations, game industry, theatre, comedy and performance, creative technologies. During this period, 26 people registered on the edu.creative.az website, 21 of whom were shortlisted for interviews. Among the candidates, 8 applied for scholarships for undergraduate studies and 13 for master's studies abroad. Jasarat Valehov, Advisor to the Minister of Culture, highlighted the cooperation with several higher education institutions. It was noted that as of this year, the Ministry of Culture has fully digitalized the processes of student admission to music and art schools, as well as the recruitment of principals and deputy principals. Rashad Azizov, Head of the Department of Creative Industries and Digital Development of the Ministry of Culture, pointed out that the Commission of the Special Scholarship Program for Cultural and Creative Industries, which is composed of experts in this field, has been actively working in this direction under the Ministry in order to fulfill other tasks stipulated by the Regulations for Ensuring Objectivity. The evaluation of the candidates' documents shows that they have been admitted to the top foreign universities and their chosen fields of study are also priority fields. After a thorough review of the applications, it was deemed appropriate to fund the education and living expenses of 18 candidates through the scholarship program. The list of scholarship recipients is as follows: 1. Turkay Gasimzadeh – London Film School, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, MA Filmmaking 2. Nigar Asgarova – Musicube Academy, Federal Republic of Germany, Composition for films, games and media 3. Elmira Azizkhanli – Baden-Württemberg Film Academy, Federal Republic of Germany, International producing 4. Aynur Abdullayeva – University of Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Film studies and English literature 5. Nilufar Alakbarova – The New School, Parsons School of Design, USA, Fashion / Clothing Design 6. Shahin Alibeyli – Nisantaşı University, Türkiye, Textile and fashion design 7. Nazrin Mammadova – Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, Product and Dervice Design 8. Maryam Abdulla – LISAA School of Design, France, Graphic Design 9. Jamila Gul – New Academy of Fine Arts, Italy, Visual Arts and Curatorial Studies 10. Nuray Ibrahimli – Istanbul Technical University, Türkiye, Architecture 11. Nuray Hasanova – Yeditepe University, Türkiye, Architecture 12. Jahid Javadov – Istanbul Beykent University, Türkiye, Architecture 13. Asli Samadova – SDA Bocconi, Italy, Executive Master in Business of Events 14. Lala Sultanli – Luiss University, Italy, Global Management and Politics 15. Mammad Mahmudzadeh – Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, Federal Republic of Germany, Theater and Orchestra Management 16. Ulviyya Farajova – MCI - The Entrepreneurial School, Republic of Austria, International Business and Law 17. Bilal Pashayev – Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, United Kingdom, Art of Filmmaking 18. Farhad Farzaliyev – Berlin University of the Arts, Federal Republic of Germany, Sound Studies and Sonic Arts At the press conference, it was mentioned that the Ministry of Culture also supported the education and living expenses of two students who applied before the given scholarship program: Latif Latifsoy, Sorbonne University, France, Cinema and Audiovisual Studies, and Ayan Mammadova, Warsaw Film School, Poland, Faculty of Film and Multimedia/Film Directing. Advisor to the Minister of Culture, Jahangir Salimkhanov, emphasized the importance of international education for the youth of our country. He said, “It has not always been possible for us to achieve this. However, we are delighted that the CCI scholarship program will cover the education and living expenses of some of our youth abroad. We will strive to keep in regular contact with those who have won the scholarship program. At the end of the event, questions from the media were answered. According to the Criteria, Procedures and Regulations for the Selection of Individuals to Study Abroad, participants in the program are required to work in institutions affiliated with the Ministry or independently, including running a business registered in the Republic of Azerbaijan. In addition, they are expected to act as trainers in master classes organized by these institutions for at least three years after graduation. ..

23.10.2024 09:31

Cultural Institution in Our Country Acquires 'International' Status for the First TimePresident of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has always paid attention to the development of culture along with other aspects of the development of the country. Moreover, thanks to the initiative and support of First Vice President and Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, significant efforts have been made to improve the social welfare of cultural workers and expand creative opportunities. In line with these efforts, the Mugham Center in Baku, which operates under the Ministry of Culture, was granted “international“ status by the decision dated October 22, 2024 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is worth mentioning that the Mugham Center is the first cultural institution in our country to be granted “international“ status under the law. This new status will improve the financial well-being of the employees of the Center, which has long been one of the leading concert venues in our capital. The Mugham Center was established on the initiative of the First Vice President, Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Patron of our Culture, Mehriban Aliyeva, and by the order of President Ilham Aliyev on April 6, 2005. The building, a unique architectural landmark of Baku, was opened in 2008. Among the projects initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for the preservation and wide promotion of our national and moral values is the establishment of close cooperation relations with cultural centers of several countries. A number of projects on research and promotion of mugham art are underway. Moreover, it should be noted that on October 21, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers, by a resolution, amended its Decision No. 382 of October 5, 2016, on the approval of “Regulations on granting special status to cultural institutions“ and “Additional monthly salaries for employees of cultural institutions granted special status. The word “international“ has been added after “academic“ in the relevant clauses and sections of the “Regulations on Granting Special Status to Cultural Institutions“ approved on October 5, 2016. ..

18.10.2024 17:11

Music Education Discussed at National ConservatoryOn October 17, the Minister of Culture Adil Karimli visited the National Conservatory of Azerbaijan and met with its staff. He spoke about the richness of national music of Azerbaijan and stressed the importance of quality education in this field. It was noted that after the first music forum in our country last year, there is a need for contacts with musicians and exchange of ideas in the field of music education: “It is important to focus on improving the level of teaching in music schools. It is essential to improve the content of national music, and this progress should start from music schools. At present, music and art schools are being reformed and improved. The main focus is on solving the problems related to the supply of instruments to regional music schools”. During the conversation, the importance of creating new educational programs for folk musical instruments was underlined. The Minister emphasized the importance of identifying specific directions for the tasks set by the country's leadership in the field of culture and working together in this area. It was noted that the Ministry of Culture gives priority to the development of human resources in culture and creative industries. Within the framework of the scholarship program launched for this purpose, applications are accepted for undergraduate and postgraduate education and training abroad. The Rector of the National Conservatory, People's Artist Siyavush Karimi, also noted certain challenges in the field of music education. He expressed his hope that the recent reforms and innovations in the field of music will have an impact on the education. After that, the suggestion of the teachers of the educational institution on culture and music education were heard. ..

18.10.2024 09:02

Extensive Concert Program Presented in FuzuliOn Fuzuli City Day, a wide concert program was presented with the participation of singers and performers originally from the Fuzuli region. Emin Huseynov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, was the first to take the stage. He opened the event by congratulating the attendees and gave a brief overview of the history of Fuzuli City Day. He mentioned that “City Day“is being celebrated for the second time in liberated Fuzuli: “I honor the souls of our martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to give us these joyful moments. Precisely four years ago, under the command of our victorious commander-in-chief, our heroic army liberated Fuzuli from occupation. The city, once prosperous and beautiful, was left in ruins”. It was noted that under the direct supervision of President Ilham Aliyev, large-scale reconstruction works are being carried out in Fuzuli and other liberated residential areas. E. Huseynov concluded his speech by thanking the Ministry of Culture for the high-level organization of the event and noted that the Ministry organizes lively cultural and public events in the liberated territories. The musicians then took the stage. Singers Zamiq Huseynov, Eldeniz Mammadov, Elnur Mammadli, Konul Mammadli, Zemfira Ibrahimova, and Orkhan Huseynli, instrumentalists Parviz Farhadov on kamancha, Adalat Behbudov on tar, guitarist Rahman Mammadli, and pianist Tural Mammadli performed a selection of folk and composer songs. The concert program was received with applause. Fuzuli City Day, which was celebrated on October 17 with the joint efforts of the Ministry of Culture and the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavand, ended with a stunning fireworks display in the evening. The colorful exhibitions, performances, compositions, and concerts left a lasting impression on the residents of Fuzuli as they celebrated their return to their homeland. ..

17.10.2024 17:40

Children's Play "Bear Cub" Staged in Fuzuli on "City Day"As part of Fuzuli City Day celebrations, the children's play “Bear Cub“ was performed at Fuzuli City Secondary School No. 1, named after Mirza Ulugbey. The creative team of the Fuzuli State Drama Theater, including artistic director Emin Abishov, art designer Ellinaz Balashova, and music composer Sanan Sevindikzadeh, brought to life the play written by Vugar Hagverdiyev. The main idea of the play is to teach children important moral values such as friendship, companionship, and solidarity through beloved animals. It emphasizes the importance of honesty and aims to reduce children's fear of doctors and needles in a fun and entertaining way. The cast included Vugar Babayev, Sevinj Mammadova, Sahila Abbasova, Emin Abishov, Shabnam Bakhishova, Aygun Jafarova, Gulnar Guliyeva, Vugar Ismayilov, and Vusal Hasanov. The performance left the children with lasting memories of the Fuzuli City Day Festival. ..

17.10.2024 17:02

Next City Day Held in FuzuliFuzuli residents who have returned to their homeland, are filled with joy today. On October 17, the next Fuzuli City Day was celebrated with great ceremony organized jointly by the Ministry of Culture and the special representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts. On July 31, 2023, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed an order on the establishment of city days in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and now October 17 has been designated as the Fuzuli City Day. The Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan organized photo exhibitions entitled “National leader Heydar Aliyev and Fuzuli“ and “;On the Wings of Time: Fuzuli“ in the park situated in the 1st residential district of Fuzuli city. Stands illustrating President Ilham Aliyev's visits to Fuzuli, titled “Fuzuli: Before the Occupation,“ “Fuzuli: During the Occupation,“ and “Fuzuli: After the Occupation,“ were set up. In addition, exhibitions about Chorum in Türkiye and Gulustan in Uzbekistan, which are twin cities of Fuzuli, were installed. An art exhibition entitled “My Fuzuli“ was also organized by the Ministry of Culture. In another stand set up in the exhibition space, the State Service of Cultural Heritage Conservation, Development, and Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Culture and the Institute of Archeology and Anthropology of ANAS presented information on the historical and cultural monuments of the Fuzuli district, as well as material culture artifacts discovered through archaeological excavations in the region. A special tent dedicated to “ABAD“ hosted master classes in various decorative and applied arts. The park also offered entertainment facilities for children. Emin Huseynov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts, Deputy Minister of Culture Murad Huseynov, city residents, and public representatives visited the exhibition. On the stage set up in the park, a musical and literary composition called “Fuzuli-530“ was performed under the direction of Arif Buzovnaly, the head of the Khazar branch of the Union of Azerbaijan Writers. Buzovnaly spoke about the creativity of the brilliant poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli, praising him as a rare master of words who composed diwans in Azerbaijani, Persian, and Arabic. Various mugham pieces based on the ghazals of Muhammad Fuzuli were performed by the singers Orkhan Huseynli and Konul Mammadli. Some of the poet's ghazals were recited by artistic reciters Azizakhanim Kazimova and Aghaali Karimli. Young poets Kamal Huseynzadeh and Elsar Qadri read their nazires written in response to Fuzuli's ghazals. Finally, a choreographic composition based on M. Fuzuli's poem “Leyli and Majnun“ was presented. The well-received musical and literary work “Fuzuli-530“ was written by the secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers poet and playwright Ilgar Fahmi, and directed by the Honored Artist Loghman Karimov. ..

16.10.2024 11:31

516-year-old decree of Shah Ismail Khatai PresentedOn October 15, the decree dating back to 1508 of Shah Ismayil Khatai, the founder of the Safavid state and famous poet, was presented at the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan. An Azerbaijani citizen purchased the decree at the famous “Christie's“ auction in England this year and donated it to the History Museum. The document, signed by Shah Ismail Khatai on July 4, 1508 (25th of the month of Safar, 914 according to the Islamic Hijri calendar), is written in Persian using the “gara shikasta“ style and bears Khatai's official seal. It holds great historical value as one of the Safavid ruler's property-related decrees, especially because it remains intact and sealed. Academician Rafael Huseynov, Deputy Chairman of Milli Majlis, Polad Bulbuloglu, Chairman of the Culture Committee of Milli Majlis, representatives of the Ministry of Culture, and cultural and scientific figures attended the presentation ceremony. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov emphasized that the Azerbaijani state continues to focus on the restoration and preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people. He noted that this is a key aspect of the country's cultural policy: “It is praiseworthy that our citizens contribute to the efforts of state institutions in this field, as such initiatives emphasize the unity of our society and commitment to national values. This rare document from the early years of the Safavid Empire is not only a significant exhibit of Azerbaijan's statehood traditions but also a valuable historical source for future generations.“ Academician Isa Habibbayli, President of ANAS, assessed the return of a document signed by Shah Ismayil Khatai to our country as a significant historical and political event. Academician Naila Valikhanli, Director of the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan, noted that the return of samples of Azerbaijan's historical and cultural heritage to the country has already become a tradition. “The acquisition and donation of an edict of Shah Ismayil Khatai, a great Azerbaijani commander and poet, to our museum by one of our citizens is a true demonstration of patriotism. It also shows the commitment of our people to preserve their history and claim it as their own,“ said N. Valikhanli, noting that the decree will be displayed in the permanent exhibition of the museum. She added that bringing it to Azerbaijan on the 500th anniversary of the death of Shah Ismayil Khatai has symbolic significance. Professor Karim Shukurov, Director of the Institute of History and Ethnology of ANAS, shared his views on Khatai's statecraft, while Ilgar Fahmi, Secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, talked about his artistic creativity. The event concluded with the performance of an artistic-musical composition by the Ensemble of Ancient Musical Instruments of the State Museum of Musical Culture of Azerbaijan. ..

15.10.2024 17:32

Ministry of Culture and Education Development Fund Sign Cooperation AgreementAs part of the “Student Plus“ project, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Ministry of Culture and the Education Development Fund (EDF). The document was signed by Saadat Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture, and Elnur Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDF. Stressing the importance of the project, Saadat Yusifova said that in accordance with the agreement, students will receive special discounts in theaters, museums, and nature reserves. According to Elnur Nasibov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDF, the aim of the project is to provide students across the country with access to the same benefits and discounts, in addition to supporting their social life. EDF and its partners have agreements with more than 200 companies to provide students with special discounts in shopping malls and catering facilities, which they frequently visit. The meeting continued with the discussion of other issues of mutual interest. The“Student Plus“ card is a joint project of EDF, Kapital Bank, and the international payment technology company “Visa,“ specially designed for students of higher education institutions in Azerbaijan. The project covers all levels of education, including bachelor's, master's, and PhD students. ..

15.10.2024 10:00

Meeting with Circus Experts and Leaders Held at Ministry of CultureLeaders and experts of famous circuses of Hungary, Russia, and Belarus were invited by Azerbaijan to visit our country. The purpose of the visit is to establish cooperation with Baku State Circus. On October 14, a meeting with the visiting circus experts was held at the Ministry of Culture in Baku. The meeting was attended by Peter Fekete, director of the Budapest Circus, head of the Budapest International Circus Festival, president of the East European Circus Association, former minister of culture of Hungary; Maksim Nikulin, artistic director and general director of the Moscow Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard; Vladimir Shaban, director of the Belarusian State Circus; Elmira Bulatova, director of the Kazan Circus (Republic of Tatarstan- RF); Lyudmila Kuznetsova, general director of the largest amusement park in Russia, and other guests. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli welcomed the guests and mentioned the rich circus art traditions of our country. He noted that the Baku State Circus has a long history and is internationally recognized beyond Azerbaijan. During the discussion, the leaders of the circus shared their experience and talked about the establishment of cooperation with the Baku State Circus and the implementation of joint projects. At the same time, they discussed the construction of a light circus structure, a chapitone, during the renovation period. In this sense, the experience of the Hungarian circus was taken into consideration. At the meeting, opinions were also exchanged on the issues of specialization of the creative team of the Baku State Circus in relevant educational institutions of foreign countries. At the end of the meeting, commemorative photos were taken with the guests. ..

11.10.2024 15:36

Minister of Culture Adil Karimli Receives Citizens in NakhchivanOn October 11, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli met citizens in Nakhchivan. Before the reception, the Minister honored the memory of the national leader by laying flowers at the monument in front of the Heydar Aliyev Museum. During the reception held at the Ministry of Culture of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Minister addressed the concerns of citizens from Nakhchivan city, Babak, Julfa, Kangarli, Ordubad, Sadarak, Shahbuz, and Sharur districts. The concerns of the citizens were mainly related to projects, proposals, employment, and other issues in the field of culture. The Minister of Culture, after hearing their requests and suggestions, stated that all issues would be promptly reviewed and resolved in accordance with the law. Special instructions were given to pay particular attention to the concerns raised by the families of martyrs and veterans in order to resolve them in a timely and objective manner. ..

11.10.2024 12:54

Adil Karimli Meets "Yugh" Theater TeamMinister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli met with the staff of the Azerbaijan State Yugh Theatre. During the meeting on October 10, which was held on the second floor of the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theater named after A. Shaig, the Minister emphasized the important role of the “Yugh“ theater in Azerbaijani culture. It was mentioned that the theater not only presents interesting performances and projects but also successfully represents Azerbaijan abroad. Director of the Azerbaijan State Yugh Theatre Islam Hasanov thanked the Minister for the participation in the meeting with the staff of the theater. According to the director, the theater has experienced difficulties for years due to not having its own building. It was mentioned that the “Yugh“ Theater, which has been functioning as a studio since 1989 and as a state theater since 1992, has been using the building of the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theater since 2016. This problem of space has a negative impact on creative activity and the work process. Chief director of the theater Mikayil Mikayilov, People's Artist Mammadsafa Gasimov, honored artists Sonakhanim Mikayilova and Gulzar Gurbanova, as well as actor and director Abdulgani Aliyev, discussed the achievements, creative process, and current challenges of the theater. Adil Karimli said that the building problem is being addressed and will be solved soon. He also mentioned that the Ministry is ready to support initiatives and creative proposals for the development of theatrical art. At the end of the meeting, the Minister wished the team success in their creative endeavors. ..

11.10.2024 12:38

Minister of Culture Visits the State Puppet Theater of AzerbaijanOn October 10, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli visited the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theater, where he met and talked with the team. The Minister noted that it was no coincidence that the first meeting with state theater institutions began with this theater, which has been a hotbed of art for 93 years and preserves national puppet traditions. It was mentioned that the theater stands out for its activity in planning indicators, diverse repertoire, national and international tours, and participation in international festivals. Discussing the future goals and objectives, the Minister pointed out the importance of meeting the challenges of the new era in the operation of the theater. Emphasis was placed on developing a repertoire policy that respects national traditions while incorporating modern art trends and the global theatrical process; attracting talented and qualified young people to the art center; and ensuring that creative and technical staff attend advanced training courses and master classes overseas. The Minister emphasized the importance of the continuation of the national touring marathon and wished the team of the art center new creative successes. The director of the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre and honored cultural worker Rashad Ahmadzadeh thanked the minister for the sincere meeting and kind words about the work of the team. The director emphasized that they always feel the attention and care of the Ministry in their activities. Referring to the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre, as the center of five puppet theaters in the country, he expressed the wish to acknowledge the efforts of the puppeteers working behind the scenes. Noting the regular participation of the theater in prestigious international festivals, the director expressed the necessity of implementing a new project similar to the “Jirtdan“ Baku International Puppet Theatre Festival held in our country. ..

11.10.2024 09:07

Meeting with Euronews Delegation Held at Ministry of CultureOn October 10, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Culture with a delegation led by Pedro David, founder of the investment company of the Euronews channel. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli welcomed the visitors and expressed his satisfaction with the longstanding cooperation between the Ministry and Euronews. He praised Euronews for producing videos highlighting centuries-old cultural heritage of Azerbaijan, including carpet weaving and mugham art, and for broadcasting reports on various cultural projects, in particular the “Kharibulbul“ music festival in Shusha. During the meeting, they discussed prospects for future cooperation. The importance of creating and presenting documentaries on various aspects of Azerbaijani culture to an international audience was emphasized. Pedro David thanked for the warm welcome and expressed confidence that the cooperation between the TV channel and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan will continue successfully. At the end of the meeting, gifts were presented to the guests, and group photos were taken to commemorate the occasion. ..

09.10.2024 18:17

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

09.10.2024 09:17

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

07.10.2024 22:31

8th DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival Held as Part of Baku Cinema BreezeThe eighth DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival concluded on October 7 within the framework of the Baku Cinema Breeze Festival of the Ministry of Culture. In 2024, DokuBaku presented a selection of thought-provoking films under the theme “iCosmos.“ The program consisted of 72 films chosen from over 200 entries across 36 countries, offering fascinating stories on a wide range of subjects. Categories included Best Feature Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Local Documentary, Best Children's Documentary (DokuKids), and a non-main segment. In addition to the film screening, the festival also hosted a contemporary photography exhibition, “Changing Reality: Noises and Dreams,“ in collaboration with photography platform f37Union. The exhibition displayed a range of visual images focusing on themes of identity, transformation, and sustainability by local and international artists. The winners of the festival: Best Short Documentary: I've been flying ever since (Switzerland), Director: Aylin Gokmen Best Short Documentary / Special Jury Award: 4:30 (Russia), Director: Vasilii Ovchinniko Best Local Short Documentary: First place: Call of Kaifu (Azerbaijan), Director: Saghaali Sadirli Second place: Seasons (Azerbaijan), Director: Parviz Hasanov Best local short documentary /Special Jury Award: God's Saving Hand (Azerbaijan), Director: Babek Abbaszadeh Best Feature Documentary: Faces of Agata (Poland), Director: Małgorzata Kozera Special Jury Award: Mother of Snow Cranes (Finland), Director: Iiris Härmä Special Jury Award: A Stranger Quest (Italy), Director: Andrea Gatopoulos Non-main nomination: Best Documentary Feature: These Wildcats (Canada), Director: Steve Patry Special Jury Award #1: Alice On&Off (Romania), Director: Isabela Tent Special Jury Award #2: Mrs. Buica (Romania), Director: Eugene Buica Non-main nomination: Best Documentary Short: Getting to Know You (Poland), Director: Joanna Krzyżewska SPECIAL AWARD #1: To Esteban (Cuba), Director: Héctor Almeida Audience Choice Award: I Did Not Wake Up Dead Today (Belgium), Director: Erin McPherson ..

07.10.2024 17:27

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

07.10.2024 17:22

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

07.10.2024 17:18

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

07.10.2024 14:37

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

04.10.2024 17:15

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

04.10.2024 15:17

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

03.10.2024 17:26

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

03.10.2024 12:34

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

03.10.2024 12:14

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

03.10.2024 11:40

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

02.10.2024 17:29

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

01.10.2024 14:35

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

01.10.2024 10:22

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

30.09.2024 17:47

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

30.09.2024 17:40

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

30.09.2024 17:01

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

27.09.2024 16:55

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

27.09.2024 15:44

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

26.09.2024 15:51

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

26.09.2024 09:50

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

25.09.2024 15:55

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

25.09.2024 15:28

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

25.09.2024 11:29

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

25.09.2024 10:30

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