NEWS

Soz (Word) literature project has announced the contest of poems, essays and photographs dedicated to nature protection.

The competition "Let's save nature with love!" is open for students receiving education in a specialty related to the ecology and nature in Azerbaijan.

Kids aged 12 and older can join another contest titled "Nature through the eyes of children".

According to the rules, all poems and essays should be in Azerbaijani, Russian and English. Those who wish to take part in the competition must provide their biography and photograph.

Poems, essays, photographs and artwork for the competition should be sent to the email address: sozliterary@gmail.com The final date is April 30, 2020.

Soz (Word) literary project aims to promote works of national poets and writers and increase attention to literature.

Supported by the Cultural Ministry and the State Economic University (UNEC), the  project is important from the point of view of propaganda of Azerbaijani culture. Soz project is headed is famous poetess Nigar Hasanzade.

For many decades, jazz has been fascinating people all over the world. With its charming sounds, this music style leaves no one indifferent.

Inspired by great musicians, Vugar Ali uses bright colors and shapes to reflect jazz music through art.

In his interview with Azernews, famous artist revealed his art secrets and passion for art jazz music.

Chasing Dreams

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.

In addition to studying, Vugar also attended the lectures of the famous scientist crystallographer Khudu Mammadov, who drew parallels between the shape of crystals and carpet patterns.  All these lectures impressed the artist.

Jazz Legend

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 is inextricably linked with Azerbaijani jazz legend Vagif Mustafazade, who was born on the same day with the artist. Each year, the artist pays tribute to jazz man on March 16.

As a child, Vugar Ali often played the piano imitating the jazz musician. The artist was fascinated by his unique performance and charisma.

Music through eyes of the artist

Speaking about his passion for jazz music, Vugar Ali also noted his solo exhibition, organized in 2016 as part of the International Jazz Festival.

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.

Presently, Vugar Ali is working on new paintings. The artist plans to further delight art lovers with his colorful art works.

Azerbaijan marks 41st death anniversary of Khan Shushinski who was one of the most famous Azerbaijani mugham singers. Shushinski Khan (Isfandiyar Aslan oglu Javanshrov’s stage name) was born on August 20 in 1901 in Shusha. His father Aslan bey grandchild of Mahammad Javanshir who is from generation of Panahali khan, the founder and first ruler of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh khanate. Famous intellectuals of the Shusha would often gather in Aslan aga’s home and build meetings of poetry and music. Isfendiyar had grown up in the environment of music. Islam Abdullayev was his teacher. In 1918, he and his mugham teacher Islam Abdullayev attended a wedding ceremony in the village of Novruzlu (presently in the Aghdam district of Azerbaijan), where the guests were listening to a gramophone record of the Iranian singer Abul Hasan Khan performing the Kurd Shahnaz variety of mugham. After the song, young Isfandiyar was emphatically asked to resing that song live. Despite the complicated nature of Kurd Shahnaz his performance impressed the guests to the point of them comparing Isfandiyar to Abul Hasan Khan and saying: “Now, here is the real Khan. Shushinski made his first appearance in Baku in 1923, at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall. Khan Shushinski also highly represented Azerbaijani music abroad. In 1943, he was awarded with the title of people’s artist and later with different honor awards. The 70th birth anniversary of Khan Shushinski was held at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall in 1971. Khan Shushinski died on March 18 in 1979 in Baku. He was one of the well-known khanendes (singers) and popular artists of Azerbaijan.

The National Museum of History will be enriched with new exhibits from Nakhchivan.

The National Museum of History will mark its 100th anniversary this year. By the relevant order of the President Ilham Aliyev, preparations for the anniversary have already begun.

As part of the preparatory work, the museum's collection will be enriched with archaeological artifacts for permanent storage.

Archaeological materials such as pottery and fragments found in the monuments of Kultep I, Ovchulartepesi, Duzdag, Nakhchivantepe and Oglangala, as well as archaeological material consisting of a single fragment with cuneiform writing, were transferred to the museum's archaeological fund. The finds date back to the VI-I millennia BC.

The Azerbaijan 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.

Azerbaijani films "Sholler`s Archive" and “Stalin`s Dark Past” have received awards at the “Zoroaster Award” the Italian-Azerbaijan Film Festival, the film director Jalaladdin Gasimov told.

The films were awarded in the categories the Best Azerbaijani Film and the Best Azerbaijani Documentary respectively.

The film director said: “We are making films to promote Azerbaijan around the world and we can achieve our aim. We have almost won the 104th award. This is not only our success, but also of Azerbaijan. I think that every creative person should contribute to the promotion of our country.”

Zoroaster Award aims to promote the past, present, and future of cinema in Italy and Azerbaijan. By showcasing the film industries of both countries, in their similarities and their differences, this festival helps to bring them to the forefront of international film discourse, and stimulate international market presence.

Baku's Icherisheher (Old City) has been named one of the most comfortable and accessible historical cities in Europe.

The Organization of World Heritage Cities in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean has distributed another book on mobility and cultural heritage.

The book features 13 historical cities in Europe with the best experience in terms of accessibility and comfortable traffic.

The publication provides information about ongoing projects and work to ensure the accessibility of this space, as well as comfortable traffic for Icherisheher visitors and residents.

The project "Mobility and Cultural Heritage" was launched in 2014. The main goal of the project is to support local authorities in preserving the cultural heritage, including ensuring the comfort and accessibility of historical monuments to people.

With its defensive fortresses, Icherisheher is a symbol of patriotism and a great source of national pride and dignity.

All the buildings within the fortress walls of the Old City were of a defense nature in terms of their tactical and strategic functions.

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

Numerous unique monuments, including the Shirvanshahs 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.

Baku Book Center has hosted traditional "Reading Hour" in a new format. The center  brought book lovers via social networks.

Famous TV hosts Sema Abiyeva, Jeyhun Ali, Turana Huseynli and Emil Shahzadeh delighted young readers with Azerbaijani folk tales, as well as tales of foreign writers.

The Baku Book Center offers a wide range of books of various genres in many languages, including Azerbaijani, Russian, Turkish, English, Chinese, French, German, Arabic. There is a convenient book searching service at the Center.

The Baku Book Center was officially opened to visitors on September 1, 2018. 

 The main goal of the Center is to encourage people in reading book as a bearer of cultural, spiritual values and useful knowledge.

Here booklovers can also take part in presentations of books, literary and musical evenings, meetings with cultural and art workers, thematic master classes and much more.

The Center also organizes events with the participation of international organizations and diplomatic missions.

By the decision of the CIS Executive Committee, Baku Book Center has been awarded the diploma "For the great work in development of domestic book distribution and international book exchange in 2018."

Famous writer and journalist Varis Yolchuyev has been elected as a member of PEN International, worldwide association of writers.

Varis Yolchuyev is a member of the Russian Writers Union. He is a winner of Azerbaijan Higher Literary Award "Golden Word", International Prize for Literature in Moscow in 2016 and many other prestigious international awards.

In 2004, he was appointed as editor-in-chief of the Azerbaijan Publishing House. He also worked  as director of the Department of Periodical Publications and Sociological Studies at Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting CJSC (AzTV).

His famous works include "I believe you", 'Last letter", "Triangle", "Metamorphosis. "The Story of one night" and others.

Founded in London in 1921, PEN  International promotes literature and intellectual co-operation among writers everywhere.

Its name was conceived as an acronym: "Poets, Essayists, Novelists" (later broadened to "Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, Novelists").

Following World War Two, as the notion of an executive developed, PEN became known as International PEN, comprising a growing number of Centers around the world.

In 2010, as part of a general rebranding, the organisation was renamed PEN International.

Hundreds of music lovers flocked to Sochi to enjoy spectacular Zhara Music Festival.

The new high-tech venue of the WOW Arena gathered many festival  fans under the same roof.

During the show, the audience witnessed a great show with participation of Russian pop stars such as Grigory Leps, EMIN, Sergey Lazarev and many others.

The whole concert hall sang their favorite music hits together with pop singers.

The event was hosted by Yulia Baranovskaya and Konstantin Tarasyuk.

A day of sunshine and fascinating music also awaits music lovers in Monaco on May 7. The festival will gather some of the best Azerbaijani and Russian performers.

Being favorite among music lovers in Azerbaijan, Zhara Music Festival will also delight German audience this spring.

The event will take place at the ISS Dome Arena Dusseldorf on May 31. People's Artist of Azerbaijan Emin Agalarov (EMIN), "Rauf & Faik" duo, Elman Zeynalov (ELMAN), Jony (Jahid Huseynli),  Timati, Egor Creed, Irina Dubtsova and many others will rock the stage.

Meanwhile, the festival's fifth edition will be held in Baku from July 29 to August 2. 

Zhara offers an unforgettable experience for everyone. The festival features numerous spectacular shows and much more.

The festival is co-organized by People's Artist of Azerbaijan Emin Agalarov, Honored Artist of Russia Grigory Leps, founder of Russkoye Radio and Zolotoy Grammofon award Sergei Kozhevnikov.

More than 200 singers and bands like Chingiz Mustafayev, Monatik, Philipp Kirkorov, A’Studio, Vera Brezhneva, Bosson, Rita Dakota, Dmitry Matatov, Glyuk’oza, Nikolay Baskov, Kristina Orbakaite, Burito, Aleksandr Panayotov, Ani Lorak and others took part in the last year’s festival.

The 1st Caspian Waves International Watercolor Festival will be held in Baku on June 2-5.

The festival is timed to the Republic Day, which is celebrated annually on May 28.

The art project aims to promote watercolor painting, showing the country's rich culture, historical monuments and nature through the watercolor art works.

The event co-organized by the Cultural Ministry, Azerbaijan Artists Union, the State Painting Gallery,  IWS Azerbaijan (local branch of the International Watercolor Society – IWS Globe) and Khatai Art Gallery.

All local and foreign artist older than 18 years can join the festival. The painting should be mainly done in watercolor techniques (90 percent). All paintings should be original and should not be copies of other artists’ art works. Each participant may submit up to 3 paintings, but only 1 of them will be selected for exhibiting. Participation in the festival is free. Artworks will be selected online.

Artworks should be posted online in Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FestBaku/  during March 5 – April 15, 2020.

Please, note your full name, country, name of artwork, techniques, size and email address.

Digital representation: JPEG file 300 dpi, 3-4 Mb.

The list of authors of selected artworks will be announced on April 20.

Photos of selected artworks and completed questionnaires should be sent to xsm.2016@mail.ru during April 20-25.

Moreover, please send the original paintings via any post service to the following address till May 5: AZ1025 Azerbaijan, Baku, 62 Khojaly Ave, Khatai Art Center.

Paintings will be exhibited in Baku, Azerbaijan. Their authors will reach the next stage. The winners will be selected and announced by jury.

Photo references will be published on Facebook

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/FestBaku/

Please write the names of the photographers.

Workshops and plain-airs will be also organized during the festival. The catalog will be prepared as well. 

After the closing the ceremony, the artworks from exhibition will be sent together with the catalog back to the artists. The winning artworks will remain in the Fund of the Khatai Art Gallery.

The artists who exhibited their painting are welcome to take a live part in the festival, paying arrival and accommodation themselves.

Notably, if artist sells his painting during the exhibition, he will be charged 25 percent commission.

The best artist will be rewarded with 500 €, while the winners of the second and third places will  get 300€ and 200€ respectively.

The winners in special nominations will get 100€.Diplomas and certificates will be presented as well.