NEWS

Baku Open Dance Championship will be held in Azerbaijan Union of Theater Workers on February 9.

The event is co-organized by Azerbaijan Youth Union and National Dance Association and Jam Group Production to discover talented dancers, directors and exchange dance experience.

The competition will be held in the following age categories: small group (up to 6 years old), kids (7-10 years old), adolescents (11-15 years old), young people (16 and above).

Young dancers will compete in cheerleading, hip-hop, break dance, dance shows, classical dances, etc.

The best ones will have a chance to represent Azerbaijan in the international arena.

Jury member will evaluate  performance, image and criteria of the show. For registration, please contact:

Az.gencler@mail.ru
+994124971236
+994502502293
+994557079002

World's first Mountain Jews Museum has solemnly opened in Azerbaijan.

The museum is located in the building of the Karchog synagogue, closed during the Soviet years. The unique building was restored, regaining its original appearance.

The decision was followed by an initiative of businessmen and philanthropists God Nisanov and Zarakh Iliyev.

STMEGI International Charitable Foundation, which unites Mountain Jews from all over the world, was engaged in collecting exhibits for the museum. SetLine company was involved in the interior design of the museum.

The museum's collection was enriched with valuable exhibits: ritual utensils, manuscripts,  ancient household as well as books in Juhuri, a traditional language of the Mountain Jews.

In near future,  the museum will present the world's largest library in this language and a center for the study of the history, traditions and culture of the Mountain Jews.

For centuries, Azerbaijan has shown the possibility of peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic and faith groups. 

The Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples have a long tradition of tolerance and interaction. The friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Israel are built on centuries of shared Jewish-Azerbaijani existence. 

Mountain Jews had settled in the Caucasus more than two thousand years ago.

Located 165 km northwest of Baku, Krasnaya Sloboda (Red village) is home to the country's largest community of Mountain Jews and one of the largest Jewish populations in the former Soviet Union.

This Jewish settlement in Guba has been inhabited by Jews since the 13th century. Here the Jews have lived together with the Azerbaijanis for many years in peace.

When Azerbaijan Airlines launched direct flights connecting Baku with Delhi, last year, the twice-a-week flights appear to have gained in popularity with Indians, Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) said.

Report informs, citing the Times of India, that tourist arrivals from India into Azerbaijan jumped from 39,000 in 2018 to 65,000 arrivals in 2019.

Though the direct flights have stopped for now, the tourist traffic from India will only be on the rise, according to Azerbaijan Tourism Board which expects 30% jump on tourist arrivals this year. If airlines launch direct flights, then the numbers would double, said Sengstschmid, who was in Mumbai on Monday.

Azerbaijan gets the majority of its tourists from metros like Delhi, Mumbai, followed by Bengaluru, Ahmedabad. ATB officials say this December and January, Baku has witnessed a sizable presence of Indian tourists.

“India is a key market for us with immense potential due to its high number of international travelers and growing interest in the Caucasus region. With strong cultural and historical touchpoints between both countries and a simplified electronic visa process that can be done in under three hours, we aim to welcome many more Indians to discover Azerbaijan’s many offerings.”

Azerbaijan Best Awards has been solemnly held in Baku, bringing together public figures.

Since 2016, the prize has been awarded in various categories for achievements in public life, education, medicine, business, culture, art, science, architecture, sports, the fashion industry and the media.

Dozens of guests have walked across the red carpet at Boulevard Hotel. Stands of various companies were presented at the event, Moreover, participants took part in a lottery with valuable prizes.

At the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a stunning fashion show and an after party with DJ China.

The project organizers, including Agil Mamiyev, Leman Mirtalibli and Parviz Azimzade welcomed the guests, wishing everyone further success. The hosts for the evening were Kamran Yaradanguliyev and Samir Bayramli.

The winners of Azerbaijan Best Awards include the Egyptian ambassador to Azerbaijan Adel Ibrahim, Moroccan ambassador Muhammad Adil Embarsh, Indonesian ambassador Husnan Bey Fanani, People's Artists Hamida Omarova, Ilham Namig Kamal, Nisa Gasimova, Faik Agayev, Honored Art Worker Fakhriya Khalafova, famous singers Chingiz Mustafayev, Eldar Gasimov, Zamig Huseynov, Gunay Ibrahimli, Sevda Yahyayeva, Nura Suri, Khayyam Nisanov, Dilara Kazimova, Natavan Habibi, TV presenters Afag Ganjali, Vusala Alizade, Zumrud Badalova, Suna Kasimoglu, sportsmen  Eduard Mammadov, Tofig Musayev, Mahir Emreli and others.

Works of young artists have been showcased at Baku Book Center. About 60 paintings by more than 30 young artists were showcased as part of the exhibition timed to the National Youth Day.

The public holiday takes its origin from the First Youth Forum which was held in 1996. A year later, national leader Heydar Aliyev signed a decree according to which February 2 was declared the Day of the Azerbaijani Youth.

The director of the Azerbaijan State Art Gallery, Galib Gasimov, People's artist Arif Huseynov, the director of the Baku Book Center Gunel Rzayeva addressed the event. They stressed that the main purpose of the project is to discover and support young talents.

At the end of the event, the artists were awarded with diplomas. The exhibition was co-organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Azerbaijan State Art Gallery.

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 search for the desired book thanks to the installed touch monitors.

The Baku Book Center was officially opened to visitors on September 1, 2018. It is located near the Khagani Park.

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."

The Azerbaijan State Art Gallery was created by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan during the period of National Leader Heydar Aliyev's leadership in 1972 on the base of the Azerbaijan State Exhibition Hall, functioning since 1960.

Creativity workshops, master classes, art exhibitions and other events are organized at the gallery with the aim to increase interest in fine art and discover new talents.

The State Art Gallery collects paintings, graphics, sculptures, decorative-applied art works and contemporary art from more than 10000 unique art pieces created by Azerbaijani artists.

The Gallery carries out the search and formation of cultural and aesthetic forms based on rich traditions of national art in the preservation and restoration of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has handed "Heydar Aliyev" Order to Polad Bulbuloghlu for his outstanding contribution to the Azerbaijani culture and long-term fruitful public and political activities.

President Ilham Aliyev said that Polad Bulbuloghlu has left a unique mark in the Azerbaijani musical culture.

"You are one of the most prominent composers not only for Azerbaijan, but  also on a global scale. The fact that your songs are still alive proves that. Despite the fact that some of these songs were composed 40, 50 years ago, they are still beloved. These are immortal songs, valuable examples of Azerbaijan's musical fund," president said.

"Throughout your life you have carried out activities worthy of the name of your father in art, life and politics. From the very beginning of your activity, you introduced yourself as Polad Bulbuloghlu, which is great responsibility as bearing this name you continue the great responsibility of the family, the work of the great, ingenious Bulbul," he added.

In his speech, Ilham Aliyev stressed Polad Bulbuloghlu's contribution to the country's culture and policy. He noted that national singer and politician supported the country's cultural life when Azerbaijan was going through really difficult times.

The president also emphasized Bulbuloghlu's role in the development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations.

"For many years, you have represented Azerbaijan in Russia, which is one of the world's superpowers. I know that the interests of Azerbaijan are above all for you....", he said.

Polad Bulbuloghlu expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev. He also stressed that national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev always paid a great attention to Azerbaijani culture.

Polad Bulbuloghlu, Azerbaijan’s current ambassador to Russia is famous for his contributions to Azerbaijan's social, political and cultural life. World-famous musician and public figure turned 75 on February 4, 2020.

For many times, Polad Bulbuloghlu has successfully presented Azerbaijani pop music abroad. The singer has won multiple prizes at international festivals.

His father was Murtuza Rza oglu Mammadov (1897–1961), a famous opera singer and a native of Shusha, who exposed Polad to musical culture from an early age.

Bulbuloghlu brilliantly combined modern and nation music styles to create a new musical stream in the Soviet Union.

Musical works by virtuoso composer blend multiple genres, including large symphonic works, chamber and instrumental music and so on.

He successfully toured the entire USSR and performed around the world. The singer successfully performed in Russia, Canada, Turkey, France, Argentina, Poland, Germany, Denmark and other countries.

Three of his songs became Song of the Year and he received numerous prestigious awards in the Soviet Union.

Moreover, his  popular roles in many films turned him into a film star and gained ever large popularity among cinema lovers.

Polad is the only Azerbaijani musician who was honored as a star in "Stars Square" in Moscow in 2000.

In the 1990s, Bulbuloghlu started a political career. He became the Azerbaijani Culture Minister and is currently the Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia.

The Voice of Youth Festival has solemnly opened at the State Philharmonic Hall. Public and cultural figures attended the event aimed at discovering young talents.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture Abulfas Garayev stressed the festival's importance. He said that the holding of the first Youth Forum in Azerbaijan on the initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev in 1996 opened up new horizons for very talented and open-minded youth.

The proclamation of February 2 as Day of Azerbaijani Youth by the national leader was a great example of the great leader's attention to the youth.

The minister said that the festival brought together young people from all over the country. He emphasized that young people should be provided with opportunities to show their creativity.

"That is why awarding high-achieving young people in various fields and participation of talented young people in international festivals and contests is always supported by the state. The projects implemented within the framework of the State Program "Youth of Azerbaijan in 2017-2021", approved by the President's Decree, stimulate the comprehensive development of the younger generation. It is gratifying that the activities of our creative youth are not left unnoticed. Special attention is given to the activities of young people in creative organizations under the Ministry of Culture. Various competitions, presentations, new projects are being implemented," the minister added.

Speaking about the Year of Volunteers in Azerbaijan, Abulfas Garayev said that the majority of the volunteers are young people.

"President Ilham Aliyev, First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva are making major efforts to promote Azerbaijan in the world, and this policy is being successfully continued. We are also trying to support this policy in our field," he added.

Later, a group of talented young people were awarded for their successful activities in 2019.

Works of young artists were also exhibited in the hall. The exhibition aroused great interest among the viewers. The festival continued with gala concert.

The weather will be partly cloudy, occasionally gloomy and mostly dry in Baku and Absheron peninsula on February 5.

Report says, citing the National Hydrometeorology Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, that the mild north-west wind will become an intense south-west wind.

The air temperature on the Absheron peninsula will be +4 to +7 C at night, +9 to +14 C in the daytime, in Baku +5 to +7 C at night, and +11 to +13 C in the daytime.

The atmospheric pressure will rise from 758 to 762 mm mercury column, and relative humidity will be 60-70% at night and 45-50% in the daytime.

Rain may fall in some regions of Azerbaijan tomorrow. Mountain areas may see snow, but no precipitation is expected in the day. It may be foggy in some places at night and in the morning, and west wind will occasionally intensify in some places.

The air temperature will vary from +2 to +7 at night, +11 to +16 C in the daytime, in the mountains from -2 to -3C at night, +4+9 C in the day.

According to the medical-meteorological forecast, south wind in the Absheron peninsula, with temperature drop compared with the previous days, is mostly unfavorable for people sensitive to the weather.

First World War drama “1917” was the big winner at the BAFTAs on Sunday, picking up seven awards including best picture and director for Sam Mendes, at a glittering ceremony that made headlines for a glaring lack of diversity among nominees.

The thrilling drama, shot in what appears to be a single take, was also honored in the outstanding British film, sound, production design, cinematography and special visual effects categories.

Joaquin Phoenix, voted best actor for his critically acclaimed transformation from vulnerable loner into confident villain in “Joker”.

Renee Zellweger beat Scarlett Johansson to the best actress gong for her portrayal of Judy Garland in “Judy”. The two will go head-to-head again at the Oscars on Feb. 9.

It was a frustrating evening for Netflix's “The Irishman”, Martin Scorsese's star-studded gangster drama, which was nominated in 10 categories but left empty handed.

The streaming giant, however, fared better with divorce drama “Marriage Story”, which saw Laura Dern win best supporting actress.

Brad Pitt picked up best supporting actor for Quentin Tarantino's “Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood”, the only success for a movie nominated for 10 awards.

Bong Joon Ho's darkly comic film “Parasite” triumphed in the original screenplay and film not in the English language categories at the ceremony at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Works of famous artists Vadjiya Samadova and Latif Feyzullayev have been displayed at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Baku.

Some 40 art pieces were presented at the exhibition organized by the Culture Ministry and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Baku.

First, Honored Artist Nargiz Jalilova informed the guests about the exposition.

Secretary of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union, People's Artist Aghali Ibrahimov then stressed the richness of the artists works. He also noted their merits in the country's fine art.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the grandson of the artist couple Aghshin Feyzullayev expressed his gratitude for project organizers.

Later, a website was presented to the art lovers with the purpose to inform a wide audience about the work of both artists. The exhibition was highly appreciated by visitors.