NEWS

On the International Children's Day, Children and Youth Support Public Association has launched new campaign "Give your child music in a modern arrangement", which runs until June 30.

The main goal of the action is the promotion of national culture and children's music as well as to form good aesthetic taste of younger generation.

The campaign features video performances of various children's groups. As part of the project, young talents delight viewers with works by Azerbaijani composers Fikrat Amirov, Ogtay Zulfugarov, Maryam Alibeyli and others. Some music pieces will be presented in karaoke version.

Children and Youth Support Public Association is a non-political, non-governmental organization united on the basis of common interests.

The Association aims to spark the interest of children and adolescents in science, education and culture.

For more information, please visit the Union`s Facebook page.

Irevan State Drama Theater has revealed its program for June. 

The plays "Lawyers", "Longing for Death", "A Thousand Splendid Suns", "Savior" and others will be streamed on the theater`s Facebook and Youtube. 

The Irevan State Drama Theater named after Jafar Jabbarly was established in 1928. In April 1944, the theater presented "Othello" tragedy at the All-Union Shakespeare Festival dedicated to the 380th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare.

In 1967, after a long break, the Irevan State Drama Theater once resumed its activities. Since 1989, the creative troupe of the theater continued its activities in Baku.

In 1994, by decree of the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the theater regained the status of a state theater.

The Irevan State Drama Theater has regularly performed with tours in country's regions and abroad.

The Cyprus Museum of Modern Art has displayed the works of Honored Artist Asmar Narimanbayova.

Inspired by the fight against coronavirus, the artist created four colorful paintings "Cyprus Dance Festival", "Kyrenia Fortress and the Ancient Port", "Cyprus Ceramics", "Lily Flower and Acacia". These vibrant art pieces instantly captivate any viewer's eyes. 

Notably, the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art invited Asmar Narimanbayova to take part in the international art project that united artists across the world. Her personal exhibition was expected to be held in March. However, the event was postponed amid coronavirus pandemic.

Previously, Asmar Narimanbayova published a video which provided insight into the creative process.

Asmar Narimanbayova lives and works in two cities - Paris and her native Baku.

The artist grew up in the atmosphere of love to art, music and literature. Her father Togrul Narimanbayov was the world-famous Azerbaijani artist and her mother Elmira Huseynova was a sculptor.

Narimanbayova is distinguished by her bold and unique art works. The artist thrills art connoisseurs with her vibrant paintings in different styles, including impressionism, postimpressionism, cubism and others.

Narimanbayova’s works are displayed at prestigious exhibitions, international festivals and symposiums all over the world.

Azerbaijan is a country with a strong equestrian tradition. The country`s traditional sport game known as chovqan, has been played by horsemen for centuries.

Chovqan is a traditional horse-riding game played between two teams mounted on the Karabakh horses. Chovqan is the predecessor of modern polo. The horse racing was held during holiday festivities.

Each team has five riders, with two fullbacks and three forwards. The game starts at the centre of the field and players use wooden mallets to try to drive a small leather or wooden ball into their opponents’ goal. The game lasts 30 minutues.

There is no age limit in this sport game.

Chovqan players traditionally wear large astrakhan hats, long tight-fitting coats with a high waist, and special trousers, socks and shoes.

In 2013, UNESCO decided to include the game of “chovqan” on its Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

There are many historical facts, which prove that this sport game has ancient origins. 

As a result of archaeological excavations conducted in the Oren-Kala area, a vessel with images of fragments of the game Chovgan was found, which indirectly confirms the existence of this game in the 11th century in the city of Beylagan (in south of Azerbaijan).

Moreover, chovqan game is mentioned in Nizami`s  poem "Khosrov and Shirin", as well as in the epic "Kitabi Dede Gorgud" (the Book of Dede Gorgud).  The 11th century miniatures to the "Khosrov and Shirin" poem and Tabriz miniatures illustrate different scenes of this game. Detailed descriptions of the rules of the game are also found in ancient manuscripts. 

Chovqan tournaments are being held in Azerbaijan. The sport game is still popular in the country`s regions.

Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum has presented the oldest embroidery from its collection.

The 12th–13th century fabric was found during the archeological excavations among the ruins in Kharaba Gilan near Nakhchivan.

The unadorned beige basis of the linen is woven in a simple form and has calligraphic images on it. The embroidery was made using the satin stitch technique.

The method was applied using various stitches, and this embroidery was decorated with a su tikishi (stem stitch embroidery). 

"Embroidery art developed owing to our country’s rich and mysterious environment, people’s refined taste and inexhaustible talent. Girls used embroidery and knitting to make their dowries, and the mothers of boys embroidered when making gifts for wedding ceremonies. Until the early twentieth century, embroidery and textiles were widely used in everyday life, especially in house interiors," the message said. 

Previosly, the Carpet Museum provided insight into the 9th century sleeveless jacket from its "Textile, Clothing and Embroidery" collection.

The third ANIMAFILM Festival has announced the members of its jury, composed of professionals and children from such countries as Azerbaijan, France, Czech Republic, Belgium, England, Georgia, Russia and Iran.

Two International juries and one Children jury will evaluate animated films and screenplays of the festival's competition programs, aimed at supporting talent and further development of animation.

Members of the Jury for Animated Films include Olivier Catherin (France), Nancy Denney-Phelps (Belgium), Daria Kashcheeva (Czech Republic), Zurab Diasamidze (Georgia), Shamil Najafzada (Azerbaijan)

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

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

For the second time festival forms active Children Jury. The members of Children Jury were selected by well-known animation director, laureate of Golden Boat award Elchin Hami Akhundov. Selected children’s photos were published in Mujru Magazine (June edition).

In addition, every audience member has a chance to vote for his favourite animated film. At the end of the voting, an Audience Award will be presented.

Notably the third ANIMAFILM Festival will be held in two cities of Azerbaijan, Baku and Sheki on October 14-18.  

The festival is supported by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture, Sheki City Executive Power, Azerbaijan Union of Film-makers, Embassy of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan, Embassy of France in Azerbaijan, French Institute in Azerbaijan, Nizami Cinema Center, Mujru Publishing, Barat Abdullayev and other partners and sponsors.

Azerbaijani musicians have delighted music lovers with a wonderful performance.

Initiated by the soloist of Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater, pianist Firuza Najafli, the virtual project was timed to the 102nd anniversary of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

The performance of young talents Firuza Najafli (piano), Farida Najafli (violin), Samira Farajova (cello), Zamina Babayeva Yalchin ( qanun),  Jala Karimova, Osman Ozel, Sevinj Samadova, and Ahmad Balayev (vocalists) left no one indifferent. The music video was arranged and mounted by Akram Babayev. 

Notably, this is not the first virtual music project organized by Firuza Najafli. The previous project brought acclaimed musicians from Azerbaijan, Turkey and Argentina as part of  "Evdə qal" (Stay  Home) campaign.

State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater has captivated listeners with a unique music project.

The theater's orchestra brilliantly performed a song "Azerbaijan", composed by legendary singer Muslim Magomayev in the words of Nabi Khazri.

Initiated by the director of Medeniyyet TV,  Honored Artist Ramil Gasimov, the music performance was conducted by musical director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev.

Vocalists included  theater's soloists People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva, Honored Artists Jahangir Gurbanov, Farida Mammadova, Ilaha Efendiyeva, Farid Aliyev and laureate of international competitions Taleh Yakhyayev.

The 1st Caspian Waves International Watercolor Festival has wrapped up.

Co-organized by the Culture Ministry, Azerbaijan Artists Union, the State Painting Gallery, IWS Azerbaijan (local branch of the International Watercolor Society – IWS Globe) and Khatai Art Gallery, the art project aims to promote watercolor painting, showing the country's rich culture, historical monuments and nature through art.

Over 500 watercolor paintings from more than 20 countries were submitted to the competition timed to the Republic Day (May 28).

The first place went to Ekaterina Shilyayeva, Ilham Mirzoyev was placed second, while Chonkhet Phanwichien was third. The fourth place went to Nizami Asad by choice of Khatai Art Gallery. 

Carlos Pavon, Chainarong Wirunphat, Jafarov Intigam, Tess Lisowska, Viktor Novotnyi were awarded with incentive prizes.

The jury included Sabina Iskandarova (Azerbaijan), Atanur Dogan (Canada), Ilya Ibrayev (Russia), Nader Mohazabnia (Iran), Ihor Yurchenko (Ukraine), Subban Mammadov, Jalal Agayev, Khasay Mirzoyev.

Founded in 2012, the International Watercolor Society has successfully integrated more than 100 branches worldwide. 

Though its activities centered on watercolor promotion, the Society aims at promoting brotherhood and peace. It also focuses on helping IWS branches develop affordable strategies for promoting art and watercolor in their own countries.

With its abundance of historical monuments, Gala State Historical Ethnographic Reserve offers unique insight into the past.

Founded in 2008, the Reserve treasures a rich collection of artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations. Traveling these historical sight will mesmerize you for sure.

People in love with historical journeys take great pleasure for visiting Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography (open-air), the Museum of Antiques and Castle Museum (partly open-air), operating under the Reserve. 

The museum centers display more than 2,000 archaeological and architectural monuments, including ancient rock paintings, pottery, household items, jewelry, weapons, coins and much more.

The 18th-century tandoor and two underground passages (10th-15th centuries), old houses, portable tents made of animal skins, stone and straw houses with domes are of particular interest.

Ancient mounds, grave stones, dwellings, places of worship and other monuments also ultimately grab attention of curious visitors.

Gala settlement, where the Reserve operates, is especially famous for its magnificent rock carvings. Hunting scenes, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic images are depicted on the ancient stones.

Scenes of sacrifice, separate images of deer, goats, oxen can also be found here. Ancient findings are presented in the open-air museum and a mosque next to Gesr tower.

Gala is considered one of the oldest shopping centers. Even in the 17th century, the European traveler Engelbert Kempfer wrote that salt, which is distinguished by its taste and whiteness, was mined in the village of Gala.

The eighteenth-century researcher, Johann Lerch, in his notes told about the journey to the village of Gala. In the 40s of the 19th century, the Russian traveler Berezin also mentioned in his notes the fortress in the village of Gala.

The territory of Gala Reserve was suitable for sowing in the Middle Ages, and the defense tower located here was restored by Nadir Shah.

Today Gala State Reserve successfully preserves the spirit of Azerbaijan's historical past. Every year, the Reserve welcomes dozens of visitors who are ready to soak up an unforgettable atmosphere of this place.