NEWS

Chasing your dreams is a journey that will not be fast or easy. That's why most people give up too early on their dreams.

Everyone has moments when life seems too hard and giving up seems like the only option. However, the only way to handle life's challenges is by facing them. 

The story of young and incredibly talented dancer Farid Kazakov teaches us to never give up on our hopes and dreams.

Today he is a multiple champion of Baku and Azerbaijan Dance Championships. Kazakov has successfully toured Azerbaijan, Russia and Georgia.

They say that childhood dreams are the true ones. Perhaps there's some truth in that.

At a very young age, Farid Kazakov had a burning desire to be a gymnast.

"As a child, I went to a circus with my grandmother and saw aerialists there. I was so impressed and inspired by their flexibility, plasticity, artistry and generally their beauty that I told my grandmother that I also want to become like them. My grandmother found out about a selection of gymnasts and took me there...," said Kazakov.

The commission was delighted by the young talent, especially his good physical shape. However, when the commission members asked him to stretch, their decision was very disappointing. The boy didn't meet all necessary gymnastics requirements.

But seeing his persistence the commission decided to give him a chance.  Later, he successfully graduated from the Baku Academy of Choreography. And that's how it all began...

Since then, he has thrilled audiences in many countries. His masters classes have always been a great success.

"Each performance is memorable for me. I always do all the best. I really enjoy to perform in front of orphanages and in homes for disabled persons. For me, the most precious viewer is a child. Children can not be fooled - they feel the artist's energy. By the way, I will go back to Baku to organize charity projects for orphanages and homes for the disabled people," the dancer said.

2019 was amazingly fruitful year for the young talent. Speaking about his latest achievements, Kazakov noted Azerbaijan's Naional Prize, Trend of the Year 2019 Award and victories at international competitions.

For the dancer, the National Prize of Azerbaijan was among the most important victories as he was named "The Most Professional Young Dancer of Azerbaijan."

He has been 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.

As the dancer says, such high appreciation of his work is his greatest victory. 

Farid Kazakov also successfully performed at International Kremlin Stars Competition, Solo Star All-Russian Theater Festival and Art Star International Competition and Festival.

"In 2019, I made my own project "Create Yourself " that I successfully presented at YARAT Contemporary Art Space, Baku Youth Center, Russian Information and Cultural Center as well as in Moscow. I also performed in orphanages and homes for the disabled people. In a word - the year 2019 was a very creative one. I really hope that 2020 will not be an exception, since creativity is my life!," Kazakov said.

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

The premiere was unforgettable and full house! It was the first choreographic solo performance in the history of Azerbaijan, which made it even more exciting and responsible.

Speaking about the director, Farid stressed her professionalism adding that Louise Eyre worked with famous actors such as Nikolai Lebedev, Nikita Kukushin, Yan Tsapnik and others.

"I am very grateful to my director for the fact that she revealed my completely different side, the side of a dramatic actor! Our performance is called "Enument" - a return to the past and a conversation with ourselves," he said.

"Sometimes, we wants to return to the past and tell ourselves what awaits us in the future: to warn about envy and glory,  triumphs and physical injuries. In this one-man show, I divided the space into: the stage (performances, applause and jubilant spectators) and backstage (pain, bruises, injuries and envious people).

During the one-man show, the dancer brilliantly demonstrated  the other side of the stage scenery and appeared in completely new roles.

Prominent public and art figures attended the event, including well-known singer Gasim Khalilov, who shared his thoughts about the performance.

In his remarks, Khalilov emphasized that the premiere of the solo performance with the participation of a very talented actor and dancer Farid Kazakov left the most wonderful impressions.

The actor created a collective image of all creative people who devoted themselves to their favorite art. He named Farid Kazakov a phenomenon of high multifaceted talent in cultural society.

"Besides the fact that he perfectly owns the plasticity of his body, he is a magnificent, dramatic actor who conveyed the emotions, doubts, despair of various artistic images with his facial expressions and body movements. Farid Kazakov will glorify Azerbaijan many more times! I wish him good luck and further success," he said.

The dancer 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. 

The dancer is planning to further continue both his career and training activities.

Farid Kazakov believes that a good trainer must find personal fulfillment. Otherwise, he will be very insecure, which negatively affects his training activities. Also, a great trainer should have great patience and love for his profession.

No secret that self-motivation is a significant predictor of success. For the dancer, his art admirers are the best source of inspiration.

Farid Kazakov had to face a lot of challenges on his life path. Many people tried to talk him out of pursuing his biggest dreams.

"Fortunately, I had the strength to withstand all life tests and achieve high results! I want to appeal to all the young artists who dream of a big stage and say: Never stop believing in yourself! If you don't believe in yourself, who else will? This is my life credo!", he said.

In his interview with Azernews, the dancer also shared his future plans. Farid will be back to Baku to take part in the International Most Fashionable Awards. The prize is given for public and art figures for their achievements in various fields.

Moreover, he also joined the jury of the 3rd World Harmony International Competition to be held in Baku on February 17-24.

The competition aims to promote classical music and the popularization of folklore, the identification and support of young talents.

There are also plans to hold a series of creative meetings with Azerbaijani schoolchildren and organize a charity concert for the orphanage.

"I never make guesses. If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans. The most important thing is health! I wish it to all of us in 2020!", he concluded.

The National Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources has issued a warning about changes in weather conditions.

The Ministry told that the strong southwest winds would blow in Baku and the Absheron peninsula on January 23, and turn into an intense northwest wind on January 24.

The weather will be rainy from January 24 to 25 in the morning. It will intensify at times, with sleet predicted on the evening of January 24 and on January 25.

On January 24, the temperature will drop 4-6 C compared to previous days to 0-3 C. The weather is expected to change abruptly in the regions of Azerbaijan from January 23 to 25. Occasional rain and sleet in some places, snow in mountainous and foothill regions are in the forecast. It is likely to deteriorate in some areas.

On January 23, strong southwest winds will be replaced by strong northwest winds on January 24. The temperature will drop 4-6 C in comparison with the previous days. The roads are likely to be frozen in mountainous and foothill areas.

The value of the products sold by retail trade facilities in Azerbaijan reached 39 billion 319.7 million manats ($23.1 billion) in 2019, thus, increasing by 3.6 percent compared to 2018.

Over the year, the population’s expenditures on the purchase of food products, beverages and tobacco products amounted to 19 billion 967.4 million manats ($11.7 billion), which is a 3.2 percent increase, and to 19 billion 424.3 million manats ($11.4 billion) on the purchase of non-food products (a 4 percent increase), local media reported.

During the reporting period, 45.8 percent of consumer spending in the retail trade facilities was spent on food products, 4.9 percent on beverages and tobacco products, 17.5 percent on textile products, clothes and shoes, 6 percent on electrical appliances and furniture, 5.9 percent automobile fuel, 1.3 percent on pharmaceutical and medical products, 0.9 percent on computer, telecommunication and printing equipment, and 17.7 percent on other non-food products.

Per capita expenditures for the purchase of food products, beverages and tobacco products in 2019 amounted to $98, whereas for the purchase of non-food products - to $96.

Earlier, the State Statistics Committee noted that prices of consumer goods and services in Azerbaijan increased in 2019.

According to the information, the consumer price index grew by 2.6 percent, as did prices for food, beverages and tobacco products by 3.8 percent, for non-food items by 1.2 percent, for services - 2.1 percent.

The prices increased by 0.5 percent, prices for food, beverages and tobacco products by 0.9 percent, for non-food items - 0.2 percent, for services - 0.1 percent in November compared to October.

Meanwhile, based on the government's medium-term forecasts, inflation rate in the country is expected at 4.6 percent in 2020, 4.5 percent in 2021, 4.1 per cent in 2022, and 3.9percent 2023.

The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has left for Tbilisi for an official visit on January 21 at the invitation of his Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashvili.

Report says, citing the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan, that during the meetings with the military and political leadership of the neighboring country, the Minister of Defense will discuss prospects for bilateral cooperation, as well as issues of international and regional security.

Azerbaijan's two ski resorts are among the best in the CIS.

Report says, citing the ranking, compiled by TurStat agency, that Azerbaijan's Tufandag (Gusar region) and Shahdag (Gabala) are among TOP-10 best winter resorts in the CIS space.

"The best resorts for skiing and snowboarding in the CIS space are in Kazakhstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan," the authors of the ranking said.

Nargis Fund hosted another charity fair "Cold hands, warm heart" from December 1, 2019  to January 13, 2020.

Following the fair’s tradition, all the funds raised from the fair will be transferred to the treatment and surgeries of children who applied to Nargis Fund for help. The honored and beloved guests of the fair were children from orphanages and boarding schools.

The sum collected directly from the organization of the 2019/20 fair amounted to 401,459 AZN.

"On behalf of our children, their families, as well as the staff of the Nargis Foundation, we want to sincerely thank the sponsors, participants, and also all the guests of our charity fair! Thanks to you and your support, many families have regained happiness - the happiness of seeing their child healthy. All detailed information, as well as invoices from the hospital, fund transfers, are provided on nargisfund.com, "the Nargis Foundation said in a statement.

Nargis Fund was created in 2012 by the editor-in-chief of the Nargis magazine, Ulviyya Mahmudova and began its activities in 2013.  It was the start of a good tradition of holding annual charity fair "Cold Hands, Warm Heart".

Since then, the Fund organized and held a number of charity projects including providing financial support to the families and children in need.

Ganja State Drama Theater will host Kapaz 2020 Cup on January 26.

The art contest is co-organized by the Azerbaijan Youth Union and Dance Association with the support of the Cultural Ministry and Jam Group.

The competition will held in the following age categories: babies (6 years old), children (7-10 years old), juniors (11-15 years old), adults (16 years old and older), Trend Life reported.

Speaking about the competition, the head of the Azerbaijan Dance Association and board member of  the Youth Union, Aziz Azizov, stressed that the contest aims to enable the younger generation to demonstrate their skills, competing with each other on various projects.

"For the fifth year in a row, we are holding Kapaz Cup. We need to develop our art in the regions and encourage talented youth, help make dreams come true, stimulate their development. Youth is our future and our followers...," he added.

For more information, please contact:

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

YARAT Contemporary Art Space will host the presentation of the first collection of poems by Nurlana Jafarova titled "Both of me" on January 24.

Nurlana Jafarova is a well-known TV and Radio, She is the author of lyrics for numerous pop songs.

In 2016, Nurlana joined Azerbaijani Public Radio and Television and made her first appearance as s host in “Meeting point” show. She also worked as a presenter in "Mərc Meydanı" show on "İdman Azərbaycan" sports channel.

She currently hosts "Baku nights" program on Azerbaijani Television. Starting from 2017, Nurlana was appointed as a chief editor for music and entertainment programs.

The poems will be presented in Azerbaijani language. The event starts at 19:00. Admission is free.

YARAT is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to nurturing an understanding of contemporary art in Azerbaijan and to creating a platform for Azerbaijani art, both nationally and internationally.

Based in Baku, YARAT was founded by Aida Mahmudova in 2011.

The organization realizes its mission through an on-going program of exhibitions, education events and festivals.

YARAT facilitates exchange between local and international artistic networks including foundations, galleries and museums.

New charity volunteer project "Giving Joy' has been successfully launched in Azerbaijan.

The project is co-organized by Honored art worker, famous fashion designer Fakhriya Khalafova, chairman of the Azerbaijan Public Association of Women Entrepreneurs Zemfira Aghayeva and director of Star Kids Group Aygun Aliyeva, Trend Life reported.

In her speech, Fakhriya Khalafova spoke about charity evening held to mark the beginning of the New Year.

"President Ilham Aliyev declared 2020 the Year of Volunteers in Azerbaijan. Volunteering is one of the most successful formats for joint activities of a citizen, society and state, uniting people around common intentions. Volunteering is also a school of patriotism, an example of affection and service to one’s people, the state, national-spiritual values. One of the areas of volunteer activity is charity, which we are going to do together in the framework of our project "Giving Joy". On our first evening, we decided to gather women - heads of various organizations, companies and representatives of the spheres to continue this journey together ", she said. 

The project will feature many activities aimed at material and moral support for orphans. Fashion festival, various actions and events will be organized as part of charity.

The guests were presented a very interesting and colorful entertaining concert program with the participation of Honored Artist Zaur Amiraslanov, pop and opera singer Latifa Soyuoz, young star Nurai, TV host Elmeddin and DJ Crash. 

Notably, Khalafova's fashion collections can be found in Egypt, the library of Alexandria, the Cultural Center of Istanbul, and the cultural centers of various cities in the U.S.

The designer, who is also an Associate Professor of the Modeling Department at Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, took part in preparing the classic Azerbaijani operetta "Arshin mal alan" by famous composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli staged at the 100th anniversary of the State Theatre of Musical Comedy, where she created costumes.

Her works are also very popular among Turkish public figures, representatives of culture and art such as Ajda Pekkan, Emrah Erdogan, Beyazit Ozturk, Soner Sarikabadayi, and others.

The fashion designer has been awarded with the Russian Order "Serving the Art".

Famous pianist Riad Mammadov will perform at Botanical Garden of the Moscow State University on February 28. 

The musician is going to surprise music lovers with second concert of the cycle "Four Tales from the Thousand and One Nights". In four concerts, pianist and his jazz trio tell the story of 20th century music.

"The collection 'A Thousand and One Nights' about the Persian king Shahriyar and his spouse Scheherazade is built on the principle of a framed story that allows you to include new texts of independent significance. We use this principle to build our cycle of concerts. Four musical tales will reflect different attitudes, personal stories, experiences of composers and performers associated with the emergence of new music."

Riad Mammadov is a prodigy pianist, accomplished in Classical and Jazz and also known for beautifully combining various styles and genres of music.

In 2014 Riad was appointed special musical advisor for the 1st European Games Ceremonies under Musical directors, Maestro Teodor Currentzis, Vangelino Currentzis and Artistic Director Dimitris Papaioannou.

He was a student of such prominent music teachers as V. Merjanov, A. Bonduryanskiy, M. Lidskiy, E. Nazirova, S. Beybutova and others. While studying, Riad became a scholarship holder of the Azerbaijan H. Aliyev Presidential Fund. Upon graduating he was invited as guest artist to the Tchaikovski Opera and Ballet Theatre.

The musician has successfully performed in over 15 countries. She shared the same stage with the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, Gare Garayev State Chamber Orchestra, Canadian Chamber Orchestra, New Munich Orchestra, the State Academic Chamber orchestra of Novosibirsk Philharmonia, headed by famous conductors T. Currentzis, R. Abdullayev, M. Emelyanychev, A. Skoryer, T. Geokchayev, E. Kuliyev and others.

As a pianist he has been a participant of such music festivals as Niagara Music festival (Canada), Diaghilev festival (Russia), Primavera Classica festival (Russia), Music ark project by V. Martinov (Russia), Summer jazz festival in the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, the U. Hajibeyli International festival (Azerbaijan), Caspian Jazz and Blues Festival, International Baku Jazz Festival (Azerbaijan), International music festival in Gabala (Azerbaijan), Electro Jazz Festival in Electrotheatre named after Stanislavsky and others.

His performances have been broadcast on television and radio in Russia, Azerbaijan, Canada, Belgium and the U.S. and other countries.

Moreover, Riad has extensive teaching experience and is an author of a number of scientific articles on classification of genres in Azerbaijan modern music. He is considered a founder of the new term "hybrid genre" in modern music.