NEWS

"Creative Azerbaijan" online portal has launched a charity event aimed at supporting creative people during the quarantine.

Their art works will be put up for sale on a social network. The products purchased by customers will be delivered by Azəri Ekspress.

Notably, the charity project is organized with the support of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Azəri Ekspress.

As part of the action, coordination services will be provided by Creative Azerbaijan portal for free.

For more information, please contact:

facebook.com/creative.az

instagram.com/kreativaze

E-mail: info@creative.az

"Creative Azerbaijan" is a web portal,  created for the Ministry of Culture in order to promote the country`s rich cultural heritage. 

The web portal features various news, information about events, companies and individuals working in the field of the creative industry. The portal aims at encouraging the creation of art works  under the portal`s brand. 

The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has announced an essay competition "Let's Protect Our World: Traditions of the Turkic World" among students of higher education.

“Realizing the magnitude of the threat of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), aimed at the world and changing our lifestyle, we must responsibly comply with the restrictions, give preference to scientific activity, reading, creativity, culture and make full use of these values. There is no doubt that we will overcome this difficult struggle by combining our efforts, while maintaining hope and enthusiasm for the future, ” the message said. 

Th main goal of the competition is to encourage students in various fields to study and promote the rich history of the Turkic World, its cultural heritage, traditions, national and spiritual values. At the same time, the contest aims to identify and develop potential abilities of talented youth, to encourage such writing skills as the expression of their thoughts.

The essay should not only contain information, but also reflect the author’s thoughts and worldview about the national traditions and rites of the Turkic peoples, as well as about the features of the general culture of the Turkic World.

Essays in the native language and English, not less than three pages with the addition of information about the students who will participate in the competition (name, surname, date of birth, institution, country, city, address and contact number) should be sent to turkictraditions@gmail.com by e-mail by May 15, 2020. Selected essays will be given in a special publication to be created.

The winners will be awarded with diplomas and prizes.

Famous dancer Farid Kazakov and talented violinist Nijat Feyziyev have performed with a fascinating concert during the quarantine.

On March 24, Farid Kazakov has been placed under quarantine, after arriving from Russia. Farid Kazakov has been in quarantine for 14 days in Baku Olympic Village. The dancer decided to cheer up quarantined people with his performance. 

In the Baku Olympic Village, Farid Kazakov met a talented violinist, a graduate of the Baku Music Academy Nijat Feyziyev.

"I invited him to take part in the concert, while creating several joint duets. We were given a whole large hall for rehearsals. The concert turned out to be very interesting. We presented our solo and duet performances in classical and modern styles. The audience thanked us for holding such event. It’s real happiness to share your joy and positive emotions with people ", he told Azernews. 

Farid Kazakov stressed the importance of quarantine measures in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and expressed gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice- President Mehriban Aliyeva for the measures taken and the excellent conditions created in the quarantine center.

"Now is a very difficult time for all of us, which  tests us for strength and will. The people of Azerbaijan have long been known for their strength and perseverance.  The main thing is to believe and hope for the best. Lets not forget about positive emotions, love as well as creativity in our  blood. For this purpose, I decided to organize a concert for the people here," he said.

Notably,  Farid Kazakov is a multiple winner of prestigious prizes. 

In 2019, Farid Kazakov 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.

Moreover, the dancer also surprised the audience at YARAT with a one-man show "Enuement" staged with the participation of Russian director Louise Eyre.

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.

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

Azerbaijan National Art Museum has has launched an action in support of the country's medical workers.

“Dear friends, our doctors are now day and night standing guard over peace, stability and most importantly, the health of the country's population. We think that today each of us would like to share warmth and support the doctors and their patients. We decided to announce the collection of artworks in support for medical workers. Please, send your works in any genres: posters, comics, computer graphics, videos, drawings, photographs. The choice of creative tools is yours. All works will periodically appear on our official website and social networks. All art works are printed on color printers and sent to the city hospitals ", the message said. 

To join the action, send your art works to the following e-mail:

museumofart.azerbaijan@gmail.com.

Founded in 1937, the National Art Museum consists of two buildings standing next to each other.

Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum. Moreover, about 12,000 items are kept in storage.

Art connoisseurs have a chance to enjoy the best examples of decorative-applied arts of Western Europe.

Art works of Italian, French, German and Polish painters are displayed at the museum.

The second edifice built in 1885 houses Eastern art, represented particularly by Persian, Turkish, Chinese and Japanese art.

Russian art is represented by paintings of Karl Briullov, Alexey Venetsianov, Vasily Vereshchagin, Isaac Levitan, Vladimir Makovsky, Valentin Serov, Vladimir Borovikovsky, Vasily Tropinin, Konstantin Korovin and Ivan Shishkin. There are also restored samples of Russian avant-garde.

The works of Azerbaijani artists Mir Mohsun Navvab, Bahruz Kangarli, Tahir Salahov, Azim Azimzade, Salam Salamzade, Vidadi Narimanbeyov, Mikail Abdullayev, Togrul Narimanbeyov and sculptor Omar Eldarov are also kept in the museum halls.

Azerbaijan and Turkey have applied for inclusion of balaban and other multinational objects in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List.

Stories about Molla Nasreddin, tea culture and balaban are presented as multinational objects.

The application for inclusion of the balaban in the list was submitted jointly by Azerbaijan and Turkey, while the stories  about Molla Nasreddin were submitted jointly by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Balaban is cylindrical-bore, double-reed wind instrument with seven finger holes and one thumb hole. When you play balaban you should use fingers of both hands to open and close certain holes. It can be made of mulberry or other harder woods, such as walnut.

Balaban refers to aerofoams. The silver ring, which is more than 2,000 years old, has been discovered during archaeological excavations in Bargoed village of Ujar region.

For the first time, balaban was  mentioned in the epos of "Kitabi Dada Gorgud".

Ring with the blue stone imprinted the image of Balaban. The word "Balaban" combines two Azerbaijani-Turkish words "bal" and "ban".

"Bala" means small or fragile and “ban” is an archaism which means "voice".

The name of the first performer on this instrument in Azerbaijan is unknown. However, the oldest performer was poetess Mahsati Ganjavi. In his works, Nizami also notes the name of Nagisa, master harpist and composer of the royal court of King Khosrau II of Persia.

Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater has presented a video,  featuring  talented musicians from Azerbaijan, Turkey and Argentina as part of #evdəqal (#StayAtHome) campaign. 

Initiated by the soloist of the theater’s symphony orchestra, pianist  Firuza Najafli, the virtual project "Love" brought together famous composer and pianist Serhat Gunduz (Turkey), bass player Hashim Yılmaz (Turkey) and drummer Matias Menarguez (Argentina).

The music composition "Love" was composed by Serhat Gunduz to support of the struggle of humanity against the coronavirus pandemic. The performance left no one indifferent. 

"The Steppe Man", a film by the Azerbaijani director Shamil Aliyev has entered the main competition program of Košice International Montly Film Festival 2020 in Slovakia. 

"Despite the global coronavirus pandemic, the film industry continues its activities in the online format. I am very pleased that my film has been nominated for the international award in Slovakia. The festival winners will be announced in May," said Shamil Aliyev.

Košice International Monthly Film Festival is a festival with live screenings once a month. The event is a brilliant opportunity to participate in international competition.

The films of the official selection and the winners are selected each month, so the filmmakers will know about jury’s decision very quickly. The best films will be screened live in front of a live audience in Košice.

The festival aims to present the audience with the filmmakers from over the world and to discover new talents. 

"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 many international film festivals such as 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, the director of photography is Rafig Guliyev, art directors are Rafig Nasirov and Ibrahim Halil Aminov, the composer is Rauf Aliyev, and producers are Mushvig Hatamov and Azer Guliyev.

Azerbaijani and Georgian artists are preparing for international symposium organized by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Art. 

Inspired by the fight against coronavirus, the art project brought together incredibly talented national artists Asmar Narimanbayova, Aysel Mirgasimova, Rena Amrahova as well as Georgian artists Ketevan Shalamberidze, Irina Lavrinenko and David Mkheidze. 

In the following video, world-famous artist Asmar Narimanbayova provides insight into the upcoming event,  held during the quarantine regime.

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 State Philharmonic Hall has presented its official YouTube channel.

Soloists of all philharmonic ensembles, including the Azerbaijan State Choir, the State Chamber Orchestra, the State Orchestra of Folk Instruments, the State Symphony Orchestra, the State Dance Ensemble and others pleased music lovers with their home performances, calling for self-isolation amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Social media users can also enjoy these thrilling music performances on YouTube channel of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture. 

Notably, the State Academic Philharmonic Hall joined campaigns "Bizi birləşdirən mədəniyyət" (United by Culture) and "Gələcəyin üçün evdə qal! (Stay home for your future), co-organized by the Cultural Ministry of Azerbaijan and the Medeniyyet TV.

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.

A concert of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra will be aired on Medeniyyet TV on April 5.

Famous pianist, director of the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall Murad Adigozalzade will be the soloist of the concert. The orchestra will be conducted by People's Artists of Azerbaijan Fahraddin Karimov. The concert will feature music pieces by world-famous composers.

Founded in 1920, the Uzeyir Hajibeyov State Symphony Orchestra was among first orchestras, formed in the Soviet Union.

Today the orchestra successfully performs works of such eminent composers as G. Mahler, I. Stravinski, C. Debussy, A. Bruckner, J. Brahms and others.

Moreover, State Symphony Orchestra is an active participant of "Music of the 20th Century" organized by R. Abdullayev and Festival of M. Rostropovich, which is held annually. 

Medeniyyet TV is a cultural television channel, operating under the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint-Stock Company (AzTV). The channel started broadcasting on February 14, 2011.

The main goal of the Medeniyyet TV channel is to promote Azerbaijani rich cultural heritage on a global scale.  

Medeniyyet TV has the exclusive right to broadcast all projects related to cultural events organized in the country.