NEWS

The International Mugham Centre is pleased to announce a new project "Pearls of Ashiq Music". The virtual project aims to promote the ashiq art in Azerbaijan. 

Multiple video archives are presented as part of the project. The first part of the project highlighted the history of Kalbajar ashiq art. 

The video provided insight into the life of ashiq Dede Shamshir, known for his unique voice. 

For the first time, musicologist Amina Eldarova recorded 75 music pieces performed by ashiq Dede Shamshir. Some of his recordings are kept in the gold fund of the Azerbaijan State Radio.

The art of Azerbaijani Ashiqs combines poetry, storytelling, dance and vocal and instrumental music into a traditional performance art.

Ashiq is frequently accompanied by traditional stringed musical instruments. The classical repertoire of ashiqs includes 200 songs, 150 literary-musical compositions known as dastans, nearly 2,000 poems in different traditional poetic forms and numerous stories.

Since 2009 the art of Azerbaijani Ashiqs has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Famous for its spectacular concerts, scientific-theoretical and research projects, the Mugham Centre is now switching to online projects.

The Mugham Centre holds multiple virtual projects such as online conferences and lectures.

The centre has recently presented a new video "Karabakh is Azerbaijan!".

The video which marked Azerbaijan`s victory over the Armenian occupiers, brought together National Artists Ramiz Guliyev, Mokhlat Muslimov, Fikrat Verdiyev, Mansum Ibrahimov, Teyyub Aslanov, Munis Sharifov, Gulyanag Mammadova, Fakhraddin Dadashev, Honored Artists Nuria Huseynova, Elnur Zeynalov, Sabukhi Ibayev soloists of the Mugham Center Rovshan Gurbanov, Konul Khalilzade, Sabina Arabli, Elgiz Aliyev and others.

Over the past years, the Mugham Center has also successfully implemented multiple cultural projects aimed at promoting national music: "Evenings of ashig music", "Treasury of Secrets", "Unforgettable", "Pearls of ethnic music", etc.

The National History Museum's Archaeological Fund has preserved a clay jug dating back to the 10th-9th centuries BC.

Found in Agjabadi region, the jug was made of dark clay. The neck of the vessel is widened to the top. The body of the vessel is in the form of a cone. There are trapezoidal handles on the sides. 

Small holes are drilled in the centre of the handles. The surface of the case is polished and decorated with parallel lines. 

The exhibit is in good condition. Only some parts of the handle are broken. The centuries-old vessel kept in the museum is important for the study of Azerbaijan's archaeological history.

The Azerbaijani National Museum of History is one of the architectural pearls of the country, dating back to the 19th century.

The largest museum in the country was originally the private residence of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, who was the famous national oil baron remembered for his generous philanthropy.

Over 300,000 items are assembled in 10 collections in the museum, including a valuable library consisting mainly of unique books.

The collections allow visitors and researchers to investigate the history of the country and the daily life and culture of the nation from ancient times to the present.

The Eurovision Song Contest has agreed not to proceed with a new Allocation Draw in January. That means all the countries drawn to perform in Semi-Finals 1 and 2 this year will remain in the same show for Rotterdam 2021, eurovision.tv has reported.

The Big 5 and the Netherlands will also vote in the same Semi-Final as drawn last year.

Notably, Azerbaijan marked its debut in 2008 with the duo of Elnur and Samir, who managed to become the eighth in the final with their song "Day after day".

The brilliant duet of Aysel and Arash, which represented Azerbaijan next year, took the third place at the song contest, while Safura Alizada, who represented the country at Eurovision 2010 in Oslo, became the fifth.

On its fourth attempt with Ell and Nikki's "Running Scared" song, the Land of Fire won the event, bringing the contest to Baku’s Crystal Hall in 2012. Ell and Nikki were the first mixed-gender duo to win the contest since 1963 and the first winners from Azerbaijan.

It is noteworthy that Azerbaijan reached the Top 5 in five consecutive contests - 3rd in 2009, 5th in 2010, 1st in 2011, 4th in 2012, and 2nd in 2013.

In 2018, Aysel Mammadova brilliantly performed at the Eurovision 2018 semi-final, but she couldn't make it to the final. The singer represented Azerbaijan with the song "X My Heart".

Azerbaijan's Chingiz Mustafayev impressed all Eurovision fans with his stunning performance last year. The singer finished in eighth place at the song contest.

The State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre has taken part in the 4th Silk Road International League of Theatres.

The virtual conference brought together the heads of the Chinese opera houses and members of the International League of Silk Road Theatres.

The chief conductor and musical director of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev addressed the event. He informed the conference participants about Azerbaijan's rich musical heritage. The conductor provided insight into the history of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Ayyub Guliyev also touched on the theatre's latest achievements.

Furthermore, the conference participants enjoyed video and audio materials about the theater's activities.

Notably, the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre has recently joined the 4th Silk Road International League of Theatres.  

The project unites 124 well-known musical groups from 42 countries. The State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater was officially presented to all members on November 23.

Ayyub Guliyev is the winner of several competitions, including the International Conducting Competition after B. Lyutoslavckiy in Belostok in 2006 and the International Conducting Competition after D. Mitropoulos in Athens in 2008 and many others. 

In 2010, Guliyev won the top award, the Giuseppe Sinopoli prize, at the International Conducting Competition named after Arturo Toscanini in Parma.

The Honored Artist of Azerbaijan also successfully collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (United Kingdom), Hamburg Klassik (Germany), Radio France, Lamoure, Elios (France) orchestras, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Wiener Consilium (Austria), Toscanini Philharmonic (Italy), Kolors Symphony Orchestra (Greece), Sichuan and Kunmin Philharmonic Orchestras (China), Danube Orchestra (Hungary), Russian National Orchestra (RNO), Russian Philharmonic Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra (Croatia) orchestra (Croatia, Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra (Croatia), Lithuanian National Orchestra, etc.

He gave concerts at the Mariinsky Theater, the National Opera Theatre of Belgrade (Serbia), the Mikhailovsky Opera Theatre (St. Petersburg) and the E. Theodorini Opera House in Romania.

In 2018, Ayyub Guliyev was appointed as chief conductor and music director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Being one of the city's major cultural venues, the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre always delights its guests with fascinating ballets, operas, and other theatrical performances.

The theatre's building was erected in 1910-1911. On October 18, 1918, the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) decided to officially turn this building into a state theatre.

Since 1920, the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre has been operating at the building.

The State Opera and Ballet Theatre has played a major role in shaping the Azerbaijani opera art.

"Leyli and Majnun" by Uzeyir Hajibeyli, the first opera of the entire East, was first performed at the theatre in 1908.

The opera laid the foundation of the new genre in the musical culture of the world, which synthesizes oriental and European musical forms, resembling a dialogue of two musical cultures of East and West.

It was followed by multiple national operas such as "Sheikh Sanan" (1909), "Rustam and Zohrab" (1910), "Shah Abbas and Khurshid Banu" (1911), "Asli and Kerem"(1912), "Harun and Leyla" (1915), "Koroghlu " (1932).

Today, the theater continues to delight its guests with fascinating ballets, operas, and other theatrical performances.

Recently, the theater has marked its 100th anniversary. The theatre's chief director, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Hafiz Guliyev as well as the soloists - Honored Artist Ilaha Efendieva, Jahangir Gurbanov and Farid Aliyev provided insight into the country's opera art as part of the United by Culture project.

The Azerbaijani Culture Ministry and the Harvard Art Museums have discussed ways of expanding partnership in various areas.

The sides expressed readiness to carry out joint activities aimed at preserving Azerbaijani carpets in the Harvard Art Museums.

The Culture Ministry thanked the museum management for correcting the section on the Talysh carpet of the 1860s, which was mistakenly presented as part of the Armenian culture in the museum's digital collections.

The ministry presented historical reference to the carpet's origin. The 19th-century Talysh carpet was woven in Azerbaijan.

According to prominent carpet artist Latif Karimov it was included into Azerbaijan's Karabakh carpet school.

The Culture Ministry informed the other side about the celebration of the 10th anniversary since the inclusion of Azerbaijan's carpet weaving art in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Notably, the research on national exhibits kept in world museums is currently underway.

The book "The Stars of the Caucasus: Silk Embroideries from Azerbaijan"  (2017) was the first academic publication giving information about embroidery and presenting photos of previously unexplored exhibits.

Next book, "Pearls of Azerbaijan in world museums" is also regarded as one of the most important works done in this direction.

A group of renowned cultural figures from France (directors, writers, performers, musicians, journalists, singers) have signed an appeal supporting Armenian separatism in Karabakh, based on lies and slander; this was reported in the French newspaper Le Figaro.

The appeal demonstrates solidarity with the Armenians, a concern for their fate in Karabakh, the reoccurrence of the so-called “1915 genocide”, support for Armenian separatism, and, in general, Azerbaijan’s mythical “insidious plans”.

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan states that for about thirty years Armenia had illegally occupied internationally recognized territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts, refusing to implement UN Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884.

During the many years of occupation, as a result of the aggressive policy of Armenia, immovable historical and cultural monuments in these areas that belong to the Azerbaijani people have been destroyed, misappropriated and vandalized by not being used in accordance with their historical and cultural purposes. Along with houses, educational and industrial facilities in the occupied territories, hundreds of cultural institutions, including 927 libraries with a stock of 4.6 million books, 808 palaces of culture, clubs and cultural centres, 85 music and art schools, 22 museums and museum branches with more than 100,000 exhibits, 4 art galleries, 4 theatres, 2 concert halls, 8 culture and recreation parks, and more than 2,000 historical and cultural monuments have been victims of this vandalism. Such barbaric treatment of cultural heritage, including unique monuments of special importance, should be seen as a threat to world heritage.

It is unfortunate that the participation of influential cultural figures in this appeal, which was presented to the world community without relying on relevant evidence and facts, including any scientific research, has become a tool of Armenian propaganda; this unprofessional approach casts a shadow over the image and impartiality of these individuals.

Despite being a member state of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1970 Paris Convention on the Prohibition and Prevention of the Illicit Import, Export and Illegal Transfer of Cultural Property (UNESCO), there are indisputable facts and evidences about how Armenia has destroyed, falsified and looted Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage in the Azerbaijani territories that were once under occupation.

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan invites renowned cultural and scientific figures from France to the liberated territories to witness the cultural genocide against Azerbaijan and to see in real life the current state of Azerbaijan’s destroyed and vandalized heritage.

The historical film "Tomiris" has been named the best at the Taurus World Stunt Academy Awards. The film won the award for "Best Action in a Foreign Film". 

In September, the historical drama received the award at the 26th L'Etrange Festival in Paris. The film won Grand Prix for the best international feature film.

The film "Tomiris" features many battle scenes, horse races, sword fights with participation of Azerbaijani stuntmen Sain Farmanli, Vugar Mammadov, Emin Abishov, Tural Khalili and Tural Shirmammadov. They were invited by the head of the international NOMAD group Zhaidarbek Kunguzhinov, who directed the stunts.

From fighting scenes to acrobatic falls, all tricks were extremely difficult. During the filming, there were unplanned tricks, improvisations, and, of course, injuries. However, national stuntmen could overcome all challenges. 

The film tells the story of the Massagets Kingdom, which existed on the territory of modern Azerbaijan.

The film is dedicated to the events of the 6th century. BC e. and is based on the story told by Herodotus about the death of the Persian king Cyrus the Great during the war with the Massagets, which were commanded by Queen Tomiris.  

This is the life story of the great queen who destined to become a skilful warrior, survive the loss of close people and unite the Saka tribes under her authority.

The film shootings took place in such cities as Almaty, Kapchagai, Burabay and Chundzha. The lead actors were trained in a special Nomad camp.

The historical film was shot by Akan Sataev, scriptwriters - Aliya Nazarbayeva and Timur Zhaksylykov. The cast includes Almira Tursyn (Tomiris), Adil Akhmetov (Argun), Erkebulan Daiyrov (Kharasp), Berik Aytzhanov (Kurtun), Azamat Satybaldy (Kavaz), Gassan Massud (Kir). 

Founded in 2001, the Taurus World Stunt Academy has a worldwide membership of 1,500 and is strongly supported by the stunt community.

The Taurus awards go to the industry’s best and brightest stunt people for extraordinary performances in feature films. Selected and voted by the members of the Taurus World Stunt Academy, who are all in the Stunt industry themselves, the winners are not only recognized for their contribution to the film industry but also honoured by their own peer group, the Academy members.

The Azerbaijan Culture Ministry has appealed to UNESCO and ISESCO amid Armenian vandalism on liberated territories. 

The preliminary monitoring has been carried out on Azerbaijan's territories, recently liberated from Armenian occupation. 

The appeal reflects the results of the monitoring of the damage caused to the country`s historical, cultural, and religious monuments in the liberated territories. 

The ministry emphasizes that the destruction of historical and cultural heritage is a gross violation of the requirements of relevant international conventions and a crime against humanity.

The appeal notes that the development of a historically multicultural and tolerant society in Azerbaijan is one of the key priorities of the state policy. 

Nowadays representatives of different nations and religions enjoy peaceful coexistence and contribute to the country's overall progress.

Along with the Muslim community, Christian and Jewish religious communities are also regarded as an integral part of society.  Monuments and places of worship belonging to all these religions are protected and restored by the Azerbaijani state, regardless of their origin.

The Culture Ministry informs that results of the ongoing monitoring on the liberated territories will be regularly presented to the leaders of both organizations.

Notably, Azerbaijan and UNESCO have been enjoying successful cooperation since 1992. In 2003, the parties signed the framework agreement on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, education and communication, which allowed Azerbaijan to become one of the donors of UNESCO.

Many Azerbaijan's cultural sites have been included into UNESCO's World Heritage List: Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and the Maiden Tower, the Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace and Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape.

Azerbaijan has been a member of ISESCO since 1991. Established in 1991, these relations have entered into a stage of successful development after the awarding of Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva as Goodwill Ambassador of ISESCO on November  24, 2006. Aliyeva was honoured for her services in the development of education and dialogue between civilizations.

The country is closely cooperating with various organizations of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation - ISESCO, the Islamic Development Bank, the Islamic Conference of Parliamentary Union, the Islamic Conference of Youth Forum.

The Islamic World Heritage Committee, at its extraordinary meeting held at the ISESCO headquarters last year, approved the inscription the following heritage sites of  Azerbaijan on the list of the Islamic World Heritage: Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah’s Palace and the Maiden Tower, the Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace and the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape.