NEWS

The European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan is pleased to announce the 4th IMAGINE Euro Festival in Baku.

This year, in the middle of the global pandemic situation, the festival brings hope and creativity into people's homes with messages of tolerance, solidarity, diversity and multiculturalism.

The format of this year’s festival is adapted to the situation: all events will be online, from all over the world, films, music, photos, masterclasses, debates, travel experiences will be delivered at your home. Stay home, keep safe and join the European Union Delegation and the Embassies of EU Member States to have a unique experience on  May 7.

Since its first edition back in 2017, IMAGINE festival has developed as a platform of interaction and exchanges between Europe, Azerbaijan and beyond.  The festival features fascinating musical performances, theater plays, film screenings, master classes, debates and discussions with internationally acclaimed film directors, photographers, painters, scholars and musicians.

International Mugham Center continues to present virtual lectures about famous mugham singers.

The main goal of the project is to promote Azerbaijan`s mugham art and national musical instruments. 

The last lecture provided insight into life and work of such eminent mugham singers as Khan Shushinsky,  Kechachioglu Muhammad and  Sadikhjan who left a significant mark on the history of mugham art. The lectures aroused great interest among viewers.

Famous for its spectacular concerts, scientific-theoretical and research projects, the International Mugham Center is now switching to online projects, which can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

The Center successfully implements cultural projects aimed at promotion of national music: "Evenings of ashug music", "Treasury of Secrets", "Unforgettable", "Pearls of ethnic music", "Evenings of mugham music", etc.

Baku Modern Art Museum presents a virtual journey through its halls.

The video was presented in the days of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, when museums and other cultural centers are closed. 

Baku Museum of Modern Art houses one of the most influential collections of contemporary art in Azerbaijan. The iconic museum has been drawing contemporary art lovers since it opened on March 20, 2009.

The museum was built at the initiative of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva. It was funded by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Over 800 works by notable Azerbaijani painters and sculptors, particularly avant-garde art of the 1960s and 1970s are collected here.

Baku Museum of Modern Art  gives a possibility to get acquainted more closely with peculiar works of such artists, as Rasim Babayev, Ashraf Murad, Gennady Brejatjuk, Fazil Najafov, Mamed Mustafaev, Aga Oussejnov, Ali Ibadullaev, Mir-Nadir Zeynalov, Fuad Salayev, Farhad Halilov, Darvin Velibekov, Eldar Mamedov, Mikail Abdurahmanov, Museib Amirov, Mahmud Rustamov, Huseyn Hagverdi, Eliyar Alimirzayev, Rashad Babayev, Altay Sadikh-zadeh.

At the same time, art lovers can get familiarized with works of Azerbaijan classics of figurative art Sattar Bahlulzade, Tahir Salahov, Mikail Abdullaev, Huseyn Aliyev, Tagi Tagiev, Nadir Abdurahmanov, Elmira Shahtahtinskaya, Nadir Kasumov, Oktay Sadikh-zadeh, Tokay Mamedov, Togrul Narimanbekov, and Omar Eldarov.

There are also non-Azerbaijani modern masterworks by Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Marc Chagall from private collectors.

Here one can find fascinating masterpieces by Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Marc Chagall from private collectors.

The author of the museum concept, architecture and design, the collection and exposition selection is the artist Altay Sadikh-zadeh.

A two-storey building is designed as a whole with an architectural linking device – an art-object of "forgotten staircase".

There is no fixed subject area in the museum, no imposed routes. Any of two points, two exhibits, and two segments of the museum are interconnected. The idea of architectural concept of the museum – the halls with no corner, open passages, inclined walls under various angle - allows to create multidimensional perspective view of pictures.

In addition, the museum includes a children's fine arts department, a video hall, a café and a restaurant, a separate hall for private exhibitions, a library, and a bookstore with materials on the world art, architecture and sculpture.

Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall has allocated money to Azerbaijan’s Fund to Support Fight against Coronavirus.

Funds from the monthly salary are transferred as a contribution to measures taken by the state to prevent the wide spread of COVİD-19. 

The State Philharmonic Hall support all measures taken by the state based on obligations under the corporation social responsibility.

The Fund to Support Fight against Coronavirus was established by the decree of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on March 19.

The Fund aims at providing financial support in fight against COVID-19  preventing the spread of coronavirus in Azerbaijan. 

Under the presidential Order, the Fund was initially allocated 20 million manats to prevent the rapid spread of the virus and the implementation of health care activities.

International Jazz Day is celebrated on April 30 with a series of spectacular events around the world.

The idea came from jazz pianist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock.

The Day was declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2011.

Each year on April 30th, Azerbaijan  celebrates this tribute to jazz music and its great role in uniting people across the globe.

On this day, Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Baku International Jazz Festival invite to enjoy a new project “When jazz sounds in empty hall ”.

This project was shot to the music of famous jazz saxophonist Rain Sultanov, with the participation of Honored Artists of Azerbaijan Isfar Sarabski and Ruslan Huseynov in the unique concert hall of the Heydar Aliyev Center.

Earlier, a large-scale gala concert was planned to be held with the participation of Azerbaijani jazz stars and foreign guests. However, the event was postponed amid coronavirus pandemic.

Moreover, the director of Baku International Jazz Festival Leyla Efendiyeva will take part in panel discussions organized as  part of World Jazz Day.

Notably, the 9th annual International Jazz Day worldwide celebration will transition to a virtual format for 2020 instead of taking place as previously planned in Cape Town, South Africa and other locations around the world on April 30th.

International Jazz Day 2020 will take place online and be hosted by Herbie Hancock. The day’s centerpiece will be a virtual Global Concert featuring artists from across the globe, streamed live on jazzday.com. The concert will begin at 15h00 US eastern time (19:00 UTC) and will feature performances by Marcus Miller, Lang Lang, Charlie Puth, Cécile McLorin Salvant, John McLaughlin, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sibongile Khumalo, Alune Wade, John Beasley, Ben Williams, Lizz Wright, John Scofield, Igor Butman, Evgeny Pobozhiy, Youn Sun Nah, A Bu, Jane Monheit, and Joey DeFrancesco, among others.

Leading up to the virtual Global Concert, there will be a free series of educational master classes, children’s activities and discussions via web conference featuring renowned educators and jazz artists, streamed live via jazzday.com.

Azerbaijan`s famous poetess and pianist Zahra Badalbeyli and talented violinist, Honored Artist Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev have performed as part of the campaign "Stay home and create!". 

The duo delighted music lovers with "Songs from a Secret Garden" by renowned Irish-Norwegian band, led by Fionnuala Sherry and Rolf Lovland.

During their performance, Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev and Zahra Badalbeyli immersed listeners into the charming world of music. 

Notably, "Secret Garden" music band has sold over 3 million albums since having won Eurovision Song Contest (1995), representing Norway with the composition "Nocturne".

The band`s participation at Eurovision spearheaded the success of its first album "Songs from a Secret Garden". It sold a million copies around the world going platinum in Norway and South Korea, gold in Ireland, Hong Kong and New Zealand and spending two years in the Billboard new-age charts in 1996 and 1997. 

Famous for her poetry and fascinating performances, Zahra Badalbeyli has successfully conquered the art scene.

The musician performed many concerts as a pianist, worked as a teacher and concertmaster.

In 2008, Zahra became involved in the Eurovision Song Contest being the author of the lyrics to the first song from Azerbaijan.

In 2011, she released her first collection of poems and became editor-in-chief for "OK! Azerbaijan" magazine on the same year.

Moreover, Zahra Badalbeyli became the cultural program adviser for the European Games in 2014 and founded her own company - Gamma Agency in 2015.

Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev has brilliantly performed with renowned conductors, such as Zubin Mehta, Yuri Bashmet, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Zakhar Bron, Sasha Goetzel, Gürer Aykal, Rauf Abdullayev, Server Ganiyev, Rengim Gokmen, Naci Ozguuc, Valery Vorona, Klaus Weise, Placido Domingo, Erol Erdinc, Jules van Hessen, Ender Sakpınar, Nikolay Lalov, and David Bernard. He has worked and others.

His name is included in the Golden Book of Azerbaijan's young talents.

He has received many honours and awards, including a medal from the Pope.

In 2018, Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev was presented with the certificate and badge of the honorary title of the Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan.

The musician was awarded with the title of Honoured Artist for his merits in the development of Azerbaijani culture.

The City of Winds is blessed with some of the most impressive streets in the world. Strolling through them gives you the great opportunity to reveal the city`s secrets, hidden in its rich history. 

Charmed by this wonderful atmosphere, Azerbaijan`s eminent artist Vugar Ali has presented his colorful art works on social networks. 

In his video "Streets of Baku", the artist shared a series of stunning paintings inspired by the capital of Azerbaijan. 

The video is accompanied by the music by prominent national composer Emin Sabitoglu.

Vugar Ali's paintings are filled with sunlight. The canvases depict picturesque houses, narrow streets of the Old City as well as wide avenues and majestic buildings.

Vugar Ali has been drawing since a very young age. He inherited his father's devotion to art.

However, the things have turned out quite differently. Many years passed and the artist's father chose another profession. Despite all challenges, Vugar Ali made his father`s elusive dream come true.

Vugar Ali was engaged in drawing at the Palace of Culture and Visual Arts in Zagulba and other institutions. During this time, he met with Mesume Aghayeva, who played an invaluable role in the life of the artist.

In 1991, the artist entered the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, where he studied at the Faculty of Industrial Graphics.

As a student, Vugar Ali participated in various exhibitions. His first solo exhibition was held in 1985 at the Palace of Pioneers.

Musical theme takes a special place in the art of Vugar Ali. Through his art, the artist perfectly expressed all richness of jazz music.

His art works were successfully presented at Baku International Jazz Festival (2016).

The exhibition featured the portraits of Azerbaijani and foreign jazzmen of different generations - Emma Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Rafig Babayev, Parviz Rustambayov, Vagif Mustafazade, İsfar Sarabskiy and others.

His next exhibition "The Rhythms of Colors" displayed more than 50 paintings inspired by jazz music. The event took place at Baku Museum Center, bringing together public and art figures.

Moreover, Vugar Ali is currently teaching at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts.

Presently, the artist is working on new paintings. He plans to further delight art lovers with his colorful art works.

People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, leading soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater Samir Jafarov and soloist of the Izmir State Opera and Ballet Theater Levent Gunduz have joined project "Bizi birləşdirən mədəniyyət " (United by Culture), co-organized by the Azerbaijan Cultural Ministry and Medeniyyet TV. 

The opera singers brilliantly performed the "Duke's Song ", "La donna e mobile" from G. Verdi`s "Rigoletto" opera.

Each vocalist recorded his performance at home. Then all the records were mounted in one video. The vocalists were accompanied by director of the Gara Garayev State Chamber Orchestra, Honored Artist Nargiz Aliyeva.

Notably, "La donna è mobile" (Woman is fickle) is the Duke of Mantua's canzone from the beginning of act 3 of "Rigoletto" opera. 

The tune has been used in popular culture for a long time and for many occasions and purposes. Verdi knew that he had written a very popular melody, so he provided the score to the singer at the premiere, Raffaele Mirate, only shortly before the premiere and had him swear not to sing or whistle the tune outside rehearsals. And indeed, people sang the tune the next day in the streets. Early, it became a barrel organ staple, and later was used extensively in television advertisements.

Russia's TurStat has listed Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Society among the best philharmonic halls in the CIS countries. 

The rating is based on  the popularity of philharmonic societies and offers of online concerts.

The list also included the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic Hall, St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonic Society, the Belarusian State Philharmonic, the Kazakh State Philharmonic named, the State Philharmonic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic.

The Philharmonic Hall is a unique center of classical music, which perfectly unites seven performing groups, including the State Symphony Orchestra, the State Choir Capella, the State Chamber Orchestra, the State Piano Trio, the State String Quartet, the State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble as well as the State Orchestra of Folk Instruments.

Numerous International projects, music festivals, concerts of local and foreign musicians are regularly organized here.

"The Steppe Man" film has been awarded at Mont. Blanc International Movie Fest in France. The film  won  four prizes at the festival.

Mont. Blanc International Movie Fest is a unique awards competition with seasonal deadlines. The festival is globally orientated, looking not only for Western films but also works from Africa, Asia, South America, and Australia.

The officially selected project in each season receives MBIMF laurel and certificate. All seasonal Award Winners receive laurel and customized certificate and are rated on their respective IMDb pages (if applicable).

Directed by Shamil Aliyev, "The Steppe Man" tells a story of a young steppe man who lives in remoteness from the city, closely tied to nature. His father teaches him the subtleties of life in the steppe.

Soon after his father's death the young man meets a girl from a city. Their meeting becomes a new page in his life, a step to a big life unfamiliar to him before.

The film was produced in 2012 at Azerbaijanfilm studio by the order of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

"The Steppe Man" has been screened at more than 60 international film festivals, including Florence Film Awards 2019 (Italy), European Screen Awards 2019 (Indonesia), White Unicorn International Film Festival 2019 (WUIFF) and others.

The film also won in such nominations as "Best Director", "Best Screenplay", "Best Female Actor", "Creative Search".

"The Steppe Man" was selected as the Azerbaijani entry for the "Best Foreign Language Film" at the 86th Academy Awards (the Oscars).

The scriptwriter of the film is Vidadi Hasanov,  cinematographer-Rafig Guliyev, art directors-Rafig Nasirov and Ibrahim Halil Aminov, composer-Rauf Aliyev, producers-Mushvig Hatamov and Azer Guliyev.