NEWS

Russian Information and Cultural Center in Baku is pleased to delight art lovers with a new project.  

The meetings hosted by photographer and curator Rustam Huseynov touch upon numerous art topics. The guest of the second meeting was talented national dancer Farid Kazakov. 

During the meeting, Farid Kazakov spoke about his latest achievements in dance art.

Farid Kazakov has been recently named the country's best young dancer. He won Khazar National Prize 2020 for his professionalism and devotion to dance art. The dancer is being chosen as the youngest professional dancer in Azerbaijan for the second year in a row.

Over this time, Farid Kazakov has participated in many large-scale projects.

In July, the national dancer presented a patriotic video "My Azerbaijan" to the music of Muslim Magomayev and poems by Nabi Khazri.

In his video, Kazakov performs in a military uniform with the Azerbaijani flag in his hands. As the dancer himself says, he decided to release this video after the Armenian cross-border military provocation in July. 

In August, Kazakov won Grand Prix of the St. Petersburg Open Word National Award in performing arts.

The dancer also thrilled the audience with a one-man show "Enuement"  premiered at YARAT Contemporary Art Space this year.

The one-man show, staged by Russian director Louise Eyre, is considered the first solo choreographic performance in Azerbaijan.

In 2019, the dancer successfully performed at International Kremlin Stars Competition, Solo Star All-Russian Theater Festival and Art Star International Competition and Festival.

He was also named "The Most Successful Dancer" according to "Trend of the Year 2019" Awards. The winners were determined by voting on social networks and media monitoring.

Farid Kazakov also shares his skills and knowledge with young people. Farid has been training future gymnasts since 2012. Presently, he is a head coach of the Zabradance Baku School of Gymnastics and Dance.

He is also actively involved in charity work. In February, he presented his new charity project "For Kids of Azerbaijan" at Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Down Syndrome.

The famous dancer also held a charity project in several organizations such as Ders Evi Education Center and Yaradan Creative Union.

The third ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival was solemnly held in Baku on October 14-18. The festival was organized virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

The main goal of the festival was to support and educate Azerbaijani kids during difficult times of escalating Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, where Azerbaijan fights for its internationally recognized and historical territories occupied by Armenia.

The festival's organizers have removed all public screenings amid the current situation.

This year, the jury members of the Jury for Animated Films included Olivier Catherin (France), Nancy Denney-Phelps (Belgium), Daria Kashcheeva (Czech Republic), Zurab Diasamidze (Georgia), Shamil Najafzada (Azerbaijan)

Members of the Jury for Screenplays were Aaron Wood (England), Mohammad Zare (Iran), Rana Vaezi (Iran), Alena Polikowska (Russia), Oleg Safaraliyev (Azerbaijan)

The international jury was led by Nancy Denney-Phelps, a well-known journalist writing about European animation and festivals.

The third ANIMAFILM Festival also announced Kids Jury, composed of 31 members.

The festival featured some events such as stop-motion workshops, a meeting with international jury members, the festival's opening and closing ceremonies as well as the announcement of winners that were available to view worldwide.

Three virtual and live theater trainings on bullying were organized as part of the festival. The trainings were led by the founder of Ritual Mobile Theater Laboratory, Kids Jury coordinator and trainer Aynur Zarrintaj.

Golden Boat Award of the third ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival was presented at the opening ceremony. This year's award was given to director Hafiz Akbarov for his contribution to Azerbaijani animation.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the head of the Cinematography Department at the Culture Ministry Rufat Hasanov. In his speech, Hasanov noted that the financial problems related to animated films will be further solved in new ways.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Deputy Ambassador of the Czech Republic Daniel Putik, Secretary of the Azerbaijan Union of Filmmakers

Ali Isa Jabbarov and a member of the Kids Jury Nurjahan Mammadli.

With the support of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijan, 2-day intensive master classes for young animation enthusiasts "Stop motion animation and puppet armature skeleton" were conducted by Daria Kascheeva, winner of ANIMAFILM 2019. Notably, her short animated drama film "Daughter" received a Student Academy Award (Student Oscar) last year.

The winners were announced at the closing ceremony on October 18. The winners were awarded a trip to the famous Annecy Festival in France and a valuable photo camera.

EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas, director of the French Institute in Azerbaijan Jerome Kel and director of the Film School at Azerbaijan Union of Filmmakers, member of the festival's international jury Oleg Safaraliyev announced the winners in local categories.

Afterwards, the festival's partners - Chairman of the US Educated Azerbaijani Alumni Association Nail Akhundzade and co-founder of Toxum.org Crowdfunding Platform Togrul Ismayilov addressed the closing ceremony.

The event aroused great interest among the festival's guests and participants.

In conclusion, the founder of ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival and PERI FILM company, film director Rashid Aghamaliyev thanked all the teams, partners and those who supported the festival, especially Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture, Azerbaijani Union of Filmmakers,  Embassy of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijan, Embassy of France in Azerbaijan, French Institute in Azerbaijan, Annecy International Animation Film Festival,  EU delegation in Azerbaijan,

US-Educated Azerbaijani Alumni Public Union, MR Chemical company, Salaam Cinema, "Mucru" and "Chinar" publishing houses and 28 supporters who helped organize this year's festival through Toxum.org Crowdfunding Platform

Azerbaijani flag mural has appeared on one of the buildings in the Old City, a historical core of Baku.

The mural art brought together talented artists Vusala Agharaziyeva, Dashgin Bayramov and Aghayar Bayrishev. The artwork was created on a 10-meter-high building in just five days.

"We experienced incredible feelings while working on the image of the state symbol in ancient Icherisheher," said Agharaziyeva.

The artist plans to paint patriotic murals in other parts of Baku.

The artists expressed their gratitude for the support of Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve.

A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other permanent surfaces. A distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.

Some wall paintings are painted on large canvases, which are then attached to the wall. This technique has been in common use since the late 19th century.

With its majestic buildings and ruins, Icherisheher hides a centuries-old history.

The city, built on a high hill in the form of an amphitheatre, is exposed to the sea in the lower part, and is surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains in the upper part. With its triple row of fortress walls, the Maiden Tower and other fortification facilities, Icherisheher appeared to be an impressive stronghold.

Large squares and wide streets gradually narrowed and shrank into a geometric design fascinate Baku residents and city's guests.

Numerous unique monuments, including the Shirvanshakh Palace complex, mosques and minarets, the ruins of caravanserais and bathhouses make this place one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Old City became the first location in Azerbaijan to be classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

In 2000, the Old City of Baku, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, became the first location in Azerbaijan to be classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Board Chair of the Azerbaijan Translation Center (AzSTC), People's Writer Afag Masud has applied to international writers over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"I appeal to you to speak out, for Human Being and Mankind, the main criterion of artistic expression and great literature, against atrocities and an act of ruthless terror targeting the destruction of universal human and national values on Azerbaijani soil committed by Armenians for over 30 years. Today, the historical roots of Armenia’s insidious policy of massacring our civilian population, as a response to the Azerbaijan Army fighting for our ancient lands, date back to the beginning of the last century - 1905-1918, when tens of thousands of innocent Azerbaijanis were killed on their lands. One of the horrifying deportations and massacres of 1918 and 1920, 1948 and 1953, 1988 and 1994 against Azerbaijan committed by Armenians with its land and territorial claims, relocated to Azerbaijan’s ancient land – the Irevan Khanate (now Yerevan) – following the Kurakchay Treaty on the transfer of the Karabakh and Sheki khanates to Russian rule in the early 19th century (May 14, 1805), where they established the 'Soviet Armenia' state, is the unprecedented genocide of 1992 in the town of Khojaly which was wiped off the face of the earth, with women and children being tortured to death. As the continuation of such attacks, Armenia is using today long-range strikes on Azerbaijan’s big cities, districts and villages before the eyes of the world. Local civilians, including women, children and infants, are losing their lives as a result of shelling Azerbaijan’s various cities and districts by Armenian forces, using heavy artillery installations and rockets," the message said.

In her appeal, Afag Masud stressed that  Armenian invaders occupied part of Azerbaijan`s territories. Four UN Security Council Resolutions have been passed during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, Armenia “still continues to refuse” resolutions by the UN Security Council.

"Taking advantage over the unstable socio-political developments set in Azerbaijan in the difficult 1990s, when the country had just re-gained independence, Armenia occupied part of the ancient lands of Azerbaijan, and counting on its supporters, it continues to ignore four UN Security Council resolutions affirming Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. I call on you to raise voice in order to give a legal and objective assessment to the actions of Armenian vandals, who continue their heinous ethnic cleansing policy against Azerbaijanis, going beyond any framework, including human and moral norms, and to come together as international writers that this historical injustice could be heard around the world!," she wrote.

The appeal produced in Turkish, Russian, English, German, Arabic, French and Spanish is sent to Chairman of the Writers Union of Turkey Prof. Dr. Musa Kazım Arıcan;  Chairman of the Union of Russian Writers Nikolai Fedorovich Ivanov;  Chairman of the National Writers’ Union of Ukraine Mykhaylo Sidorzhevsky; Chairman of the Writers' Union of the Republic of Belarus Nikolai Chernigets; Chairman of the Writers' Union of the Republic of Georgia Makvala Gonashvili; Chairman of the Union of Bulgarian Writers Boyan Angelov; Chairman of the Union of Estonian Writers Tiit Aleksejev; Chairman of the Union of Latvian Writers Arno Yundze; Chairwoman of the Union of Lithuanian Writers Birutė Jonuškaitė-Augustinienė; Honorary Chairman of the Union of Serbian Writers Radomir Andric; Chairman of the Union of Slovak Writers Miroslav Belik; Chairman of the Spanish Writers' Association Manuel Rico Rego;President of the Austrian Society for Literature Marianne Gruber; Federal Chairwoman of the German Writers Association Lena Falkenhagen; President of the Writers' Union of the Swiss Confederation Nicolas Couchepin; President of the Writers' Union of Mexica Eugenio Aguirre; President of the Argentine Society of Writers Alejandro Vaccaro; President of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba Miguel Barnet; President of the Writers’ Association of French Language Jacques Chevrier;  President of the Syrian Writers' Association Malik Sakura; President of the Jordanian Writers Association Alyen Al-Adwan; President of the Egyptian Writers Union and Secretary-General of the Arab Writers Union Alaa Abdel Hady; Honorary President of the Emirates Writers and Writers Union Al Hanouf Mohammad; Chairman of the Palestinian Writers Union Murad al-Sudani; President of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) Sandi Toksvig OBE and Chairman of the Hungarian Writers Union Janos Senmartoni.

The Cultural Ministry has provided insight into historical and cultural sites located on Azerbaijan's territories occupied by Armenia.

The initiative is carried out through the project "Karabakh is the cradle of our culture" which aims at spreading facts about Armenian vandalism against Azerbaijan. 

Fuzuli Museum of History and Ethnography

After the occupation of the Fuzuli region by Armenia in 1993, the Museum of History and Ethnography of Fuzuli has resumed its activities in Baku based on partially saved exhibits. A new building for the museum was built in Horadiz settlement.

Artistic design works were carried out at the museum in 2014. The area of the museum is 345 m2. The museum's collection includes 5,197 exhibits.

Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque

The Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque (The Upper Govhar Agha Mosque) in Shusha was constructed by Karbalayi Safikhan Sultanhuseyn oglu Garabaghi by the instruction of Govhar agha, daughter of Ibrahimkhalil khan, in 1883-1884. A mosque had been built with cane and thatch in the place of today’s mosque during the power of Panahali khan. The mosque constructed by Panahali khan was replaced with stone by Ibrahimkhalil khan in 1768.

Later, in its place, the mosque called "Yukhari Govhar Agha" was constructed that existed up until today. Armenia is willing to falsify the history by making serious changes in the interior of the mosque as "restoration". Dissemination of photos of the mosque on various internet sources proves it clearly. 

Mammadbeyli tomb

The tomb, located in Mammadbeyli village of Zangilan region was built in 1305 in honor of Muhammad al-Haj's son Yahya. 

The architect and builder of the tomb is Ali Majdaddin, who created monuments on the Great Silk Road during the 14th century. The current state of the tomb after the occupation of Zangilan district by Armenia is unknown.

Gargabazar Caravanserai

Although it is named after the village where the Caravanserai was built in the center of Gargabazar village of Fuzuli region in 1681, this historical monument is sometimes called Shah Abbas caravanserai.

A relic of the 17th century - Gargabazar Caravanserai was located on an ancient caravan route that was very important for the silk trade.

The caravanserai is considered one of the immovable historical monuments of Azerbaijan.

After the occupation of Gargabazar village by Armenians, they turned this historical and architectural monument into a cattle barn.

Aghdam Bread Museum

The Aghdam Bread Museum, the second bread museum in the world and the first and only in the CIS, was opened in November 1983.

Fossilized ancient grains, rare sorts of cereals, numerous valuable books on grain farming, manuscripts, also labor tools - wooden plough, threshing board, toothed sickle, reaping hook, hand-mill and thresher were among the exhibits collected in the museum.

A missile fired by Armenians on August 12, 1992, put an end to the existence of the Aghdam Bread Museum and about 1,500 exhibits in the museum were burned down.

Kalbajar Museum of History and Ethnography

Kalbajar Museum of History and Ethnography was established in 1982. After the occupation of Kalbajar region by Armenia, the museum ceased to exist, its collection was completely lost. Since 1993, the museum has been partially restored in Baku. It is currently operating on the ground floor of a residential building in Mehdiabad. The museum houses nearly 6,237 exhibits.

Shusha Branch of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum

The Shusha Branch of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum began its activity on May 19, 1987 in Shusha in an 18th-century mansion owned by General Samad Bey Mehmandarov.

Because of the occupation of Karabakh by Armenia, the exhibits in the branch that could be transported were evacuated and brought to Baku. Since then, the rescued objects have been stored at the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.

Melik Ajdar Mausoleum

Two tombs rise side by side in a large cemetery near the village of Cicimli (Dzhidzhimli) in Lachin region.

The oldest of them is a tomb monument, visited as a shrine and known to the locals as the tomb of Melik Ajdar (inv. 311). The epitaph on the tomb, built in the 14th century, is in Arabic. The inscription is not fully readable due to exposure to erosion.

Lachin Historical and Ethnographic Museum

The Lachin Museum of History and Ethnography, rich in exhibits of high artistic and historical value, was founded in 1979. More than 5,000 exhibits were collected in the main fund of the museum. In general, the museum collected around 10,000 exhibits. 

As a result of the occupation of the city of Lachin by Armenia in 1992, the museum building was razed to the ground, its exhibits were destroyed and looted. More than five thousand valuable exhibits were pillaged and smuggled to Armenia and now the stolen exhibits of the Lachin Historical and Ethnographic Museum are exhibited in a number of countries "as samples of Armenian culture."

The museum has resumed its activities in Baku. The museum is mainly engaged in collecting, and so far 1089 items have been included in the museum's fund.

“Red” short film by Azerbaijani filmmaker Tahir Aliyev will be screened at the “Days of Ethnographic Cinema” Film Festival in Moscow on October 21-23.

The plot of the film is about a schoolgirl, who lives alone in a remote village because her parents are divorced. Her only dream is to walk in the muddy roundabouts of the village in her new red shoes.

Famous public and cultural figures continue to support Azerbaijan in the fight against Armenian occupation.

Azerbaijan's vocal treasure, mugham singer Alim Gasimov expressed his confidence that Azerbaijani flag will wave in Karabakh.

"Our glorious army is fighting heroically against the Armenian aggressors, liberating our lands occupied for about 30 years. Karabakh is the sacred land, soul and heart of Azerbaijan, which is home to many creative people, cultural and art workers. Nearly one million refugees and IDPs they are looking forward to returning to their homes. Armenian vandals have destroyed our historical monuments in the occupied territories," he told.

"Over the years, they have constantly committed provocations, killing our soldiers and civilians. And recent events have again shown the true nature of the Armenian aggressors, who, losing to our soldiers, direct their missiles towards the civilian population. Unfortunately, there are serious casualties. But our noble warriors do not fight with civilians, but with an armed enemy. Our strong spirit and will to victory, the courage of soldiers and officers, the unity of the people and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev lead us to victory! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!," he added.

Word-famous jazz singer Aziza Mustafa Zadeh, in turn, congratulated Azerbaijani people on the liberation of many regions as a result of successful counter-offensive operations of the National  Army. She also shared a fragment from "Sugovushan", one of the most popular films of Azerbaijani cinema, directed by Habib Ismayilov.

It should be noted that the village of the same name has been recently liberated from Armenia’s occupation. Azerbaijan Defense Ministry released video footage from Sugovushan village of Tartar region.

One of the world’s truly gifted singers, Alim discovered the world of mugham as a child, when he began singing for his own enjoyment. He grew up in the town of Shamakhi, 100 km northwest of Baku. "I had no idea that I would become a singer," he recalls.

Gasimov continues to play an important role in the promotion of the Azerbaijani culture, especially mugham around the world.

He was awarded the International Music Council-UNESCO Music Prize, one of the highest international accolades for music in 1999. For that achievement, he was quoted by the New York Times as simply one of the greatest singers alive, with a searing spontaneity that conjures passion and devotion, contemplation and incantation.

Also known as an artist of supreme versatility, Gasimov has collaborated and performed with some of the world’s leading musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma, Kronos Quartet and Jeff Buckley.

People's Artist of Azerbaijan Alim Gasimov was one of four Azerbaijanis among the 500 most influential Muslims in the world, chosen by competition, conducted by the Center for Strategic Studies and the famous American Georgetown University in Jordan.

Azerbaijani jazz singer Aziza Mustafa Zadeh has undoubtedly found a way to the hearts of music lovers around the world.

After a spectacular concert at Queen Elizabeth Hall, she was named "The Queen of Jazz".

In her music, the jazz singer brilliantly unites classical and jazz music with Azerbaijani folk motifs. 

She successfully performs at the best world stages. Aziza is a frequent guest of international music festivals. She has performed with such world-class musicians as John Patitucci, Dave Wakele, Bill Evans, Omar Hakim, Toots Tillemans and others.

The names of Aziza Mustafa Zadeh and her father are included in the World Jazz Encyclopedia edited by US authors, as well as in the literary revision of Vladimir Feertag in the Russian edition.

At the age of three, she made her stage debut with her father, improvising vocals. She began studying classical piano at an early age, showing special interest in the works of such composers as Johann Sebastian Bach and Frédéric Chopin.

In 1991, Aziza released her debut album, "Aziza Mustafa Zadeh". The music album showed influence of Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett, as well as Near Eastern music.

Her second album, "Always", won the Phono Academy Prize, a prestigious German music award, and the Echo Prize from Sony.

After 12 years, Azerbaijani jazz singer and pianist  Aziza Mustafa Zadeh has released a new album.

The jazz singer found a very unique approach for her next album, combining the musical genius of her father, Vagif Mustafa Zadeh, with some tunes of her little son and with her own songs and recording it all in one CD "Generations".

The new album features 12 music pieces, including "Mimi", "Lullaby", "Sieben Kreisel", "Netter Junge", "Despite All", Prelude,  Condert No. 2 and others.

Azerbaijan's cultural institutions and major event venues have expressed their support to the National Army in its fight against Armenian invaders.

Heydar Aliyev Palace transferred 5,110 AZN to the Armed Forces Assistance Fund, established in 2002.

The Fund finances at the expense of funds received on a voluntary basis from legal entities and individuals operating in Azerbaijan and other receipts not prohibited by law for the purpose of financial assistance to strengthen the material, technical and social base of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces.

The staff of the Heydar Aliyev Palace expressed support for the Azerbaijani army, which is fighting for the liberation of the territories occupied by Armenia.

The team is confident that Azerbaijan Armed Forces under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev will restore Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. 

Heydar Aliyev Center also donated its monthly salary to support counter-offensive operations towards the liberation of Azerbaijan's territories occupied by Armenia.

In addition, the International Mugham Center donated money from the monthly salary of its employees.

"Today, every Azerbaijani is looking forward to the final liberation of Karabakh from Armenian occupation. 

The staff of the International Mugham Center believes in the strength of the National Army, fighting for the territorial integrity of the country. 

Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve supported the National Army as well. 

The management of the Icheri Sheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve, as well as employees of the Office and its affiliates, transferred 36,151 AZN to the Armed Forces Assistance Fund. 

Armenian Armed Forces launched a large-scale military attack on positions of Azerbaijani army on the front line, using large-calibre weapons, mortars, and artillery on September 27.

Azerbaijan responded with a counter-offensive along the entire front. As a result, the Azerbaijani Army liberated a number of territories previously occupied by Armenia, as well as took several strategic heights under control.