NEWS

Azerbaijan`s National Day has been arranged today as part of the International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha held in Qatar, gathering officials from Azerbaijan and Qatar, along with ambassadors from about 60 countries accredited in Qatar.

Co-organized by the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Azerbaijan's participation in the expo is represented by a national pavilion under the theme "Green Desert, Better Environment." This theme aims to inspire the international community to explore and adopt innovative solutions for desertification mitigation.

As a part of the National Day organized at the "Doha Expo", the delegation led by Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anar Alakbarov has met with Qatari officials to discuss the experience of Azerbaijan and successful participation in the Doha Expo 2023.

Addressing the opening event, Assistant to the President, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov touched upon the Azerbaijan-Qatar relations, which are based on mutual respect and cooperation. He highlighted the significance of Azerbaijan's National Day at the expo and expressed hope that the International Horticultural Expo would contribute to addressing climate change, a pressing global issue.

Alakbarov also underscored Azerbaijan's efforts to address global climate change issues, including the upcoming COP29 scheduled to be held in Baku this November. He thanked Qatar for organizing such a successful platform in Doha and emphasized the close relations between the two nations based on mutual friendship, respect, and shared values.

Hailing Azerbaijan`s hosting of COP29, Chief Commissioner of Doha Expo 2023 Bader bin Omar Al Dafa underscored that Azerbaijan actively partners with the United Arab Emirates, which hosted COP28, and Brazil, the host country for COP30, to improve sustainability and cooperation in international discussions on climate change issues. The Chief Commissioner of Doha Expo 2023 also touched upon Azerbaijan`s economic progress and accomplishments.

Then, the event saw performances by People's Artist Azer Zeynalov, the folk dance troupe and mugham singers. Additionally, a photo exhibition showcasing Azerbaijan's mesmerizing nature and historical monuments was presented, along with displays of Azerbaijani culture, including folk crafts and national costumes, in the Azerbaijani pavilion.

Co-organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh in France and the Secretariat of UNESCO, an international event on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day has been held in the city of Paris.

The exhibition dedicated to the International Mother Language Day featured stand of Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan displaying different colored books, postcards, national souvenirs in Azerbaijani language, which aroused great interest among participants.

Addressing the event, Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, spoke about the importance of mother language and education. She also stressed the significance of ensuring cultural and linguistic diversity for sustainable societies, as well as preserving the differences of cultures and languages that promote tolerance and respect for others.

Stefania Giannini, as well as the chairpersons of the UNESCO Executive Board and the General Conference viewed the exhibition on the Azerbaijani language.

The event featured recitation of the ghazals by Khurshidbanu Natavan, daughter of the last Karabakh khan Mehdigulu Khan Javanshir, the outstanding representative of the 19th century Azerbaijani poetry.

The UNESCO Headquarters also hosted a concert program as part of the celebration of the International Mother Language Day, which brought together about 20 countries, including Azerbaijan.

The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. It was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference and has been observed throughout the world since February 21, 2000.

The Old City, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been featured in the prestigious calendar published by the organization for the year 2024.

Selected from among 1,157 historical monuments across 168 countries on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the monuments included in the calendar represent the epitome of human heritage.

The calendar aims to communicate the universal significance of these monuments, often regarded as the jewels of humanity, to a broader audience.

Vice-President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Head of Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva attend the event

An exhibition entitled “Crucible of hope” by famous Ghanaian artist Kojo Marfo has opened at the Heydar Aliyev Center.

Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Head of Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva participated in the event.

Prior to the opening ceremony, artist Kojo Marfo spoke with journalists about the stunning organization of the exhibition.

“It is my first visit to Baku. I am very happy to be here and to host my exhibition,” the artist emphasized.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Jean-David Malat, the exhibition curator, expressed his gratitude to Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, Head of Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva and Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov.

The participants then viewed the exhibition.

Kojo Marfo`s works have been exhibited in Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, New York, Paris, Tokyo, and other cities.

DokuBaku International Film Festival announces the call entry for the 8th edition. The main topic of this year's edition is titled iCOSMOS.

At the core of this year's festival lies a narrative journey that delves into the consequences of choices, both immediate and delayed, shaping the destinies of characters. This thematic exploration acts as a captivating lens through which we navigate the intricate fabric of karma, illustrating how our decisions intricately weave the tapestry of our lives.

Taking this exploration a step further, our festival intertwines the concept of "i" with the cosmic energies that envelop us. Acknowledging the symbiotic relationship between the cosmos and the self, we echo the ancient wisdom of "As above, so below," emphasizing the interconnectedness of the macrocosm (universe) and the microcosm (individuals). By doing so, we invite filmmakers and audiences to embark on an introspective journey, fostering self-awareness and deepening their understanding of the profound ties binding humanity to the vastness of the cosmos—the higher self.

This narrative journey aligns seamlessly with the age-old philosophy of Maya in Hinduism, where the external world is perceived as transient and illusory. By peeling away the layers of illusion, we encourage a deeper exploration of personal truths and a realization that transcends the surface of existence. This inward reflection resonates with various spiritual practices, urging individuals to unravel the mysteries of their true nature.

Festival’s categories are Best Feature Documentary Film, Best Short Documentary Film, Best Local Documentary Film, Best Documentary Film for Children (DokuKids), Non-Main Competition.

The Early bird deadline is 03 March,2024. The regular deadline is 04 April, 2024. Late deadline: 05 May, 2024

The festival will be held between the 1st to 6th of October 2024 at various venues, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The selected films will be announced on 08 August 2024.

Azerbaijan has been honored with the "Cultural Destination of 2023" award by "Voyage" magazine of the People's Republic of China.

According to the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, the award ceremony specifically recognized Azerbaijan's position and reputation as a hub of intercultural dialogue.

During the event, participants of the event were informed about Azerbaijan`s rich historical heritage sites, including the Old City with the Shirvanshahs Palace and Maiden Tower, both UNESCO World Heritage List sites, the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, the historical center of Sheki together with the Khan Palace, and the cultural landscape of "Khinalig and Migration Route".

The Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau, in collaboration with Voyage magazine, shared information about Azerbaijan`s history and culture with millions of travelers through the magazine`s Weibo social platform page.

Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev has visited the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation to meet with President of the Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova.

During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the significant contribution of heads of state to strengthening integration processes in the Turkic world. The importance of the coordinated activities among Turkic cooperation organizations established by the heads of Turkic countries was highlighted. Discussions also revolved around strengthening interaction between the Foundation and the Organization of Turkic States.

The meeting underscored the special role of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in promoting, protecting, and restoring the material and spiritual heritage of Turkic states. The Foundation's initiative to prepare a "Convention on the Cultural Heritage of the Turkic World" was highly praised.

The meeting continued with discussions on the implementation of future international projects within the framework of joint cooperation between the Foundation and the Organization of Turkic States.

The Vincent van Gogh painting stolen from the Singer Laren museum in 2020 was damaged during the theft, but nut irreparably, said art restorer Marjan de Visser, Report informs via NL Times.

The painting was recovered last year when a man delivered it to art detective Arthur Brand one evening. It was shown to reporters during a media event a the Boijmans van Beuningen Depot in Rotterdam on Wednesday, where it will remain for several months.

The painting, known in Dutch as De Lentetuin and in English as The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring, will be further studied to determine the necessary repairs and restorations following the theft. De Visser said the top left corner likely broke when it was bumped against something,

Since the theft, the painting developed several deep scratches that broke through all layers of paint. One scratch cut all the way to the canvas. At other points, varnish was damaged. The experts who studied the painting said they believe all of the damage can be repaired.

"It's not too bad for us," said Andreas Blühm from the Groninger Museum. The painting is expected to be put on display at his museum from March 29, four years after it was stolen off the Singer Laren museum wall during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic. Until then, fans of the artwork can view it later this month while it undergoes restoration at the Boijmans van Beuningen Depot.

The 1884 painting was on loan from the Groninger Museum to the Singer Laren when it was stolen in a smash-and-grab on March 30, 2020. During the first coronavirus lockdown, a man entered the Singer at night, smashed the glass doors with a sledgehammer, and walked out with the multi-million euro work tucked under his arm.

In April 2021, the authorities matched DNA traces found after the theft to French-born career criminal Nils M. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for the robbery of The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring and another painting stolen from a museum in Leerdam in September 2020.

Billie Eilish has won the Grammy for song of the year, her second time taking home the Recording Academy’s marquee songwriting prize, Report informs via the Los Angeles Times.

Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?,” co-written with brother Finneas O’Connell, was the emotional centerpiece of last year’s “Barbie,” the box-office success of 2023. They also won earlier in the day for song written for visual media.

Eilish also thanked Greta Gerwig “for making the best movie of the year” with “Barbie.”

“It’s hard to feel deserving ever, but we certainly don’t right now,” O’Connell said. “We feel very humbled, very grateful.”

While the acclaimed film was largely a neon-pink romp and inescapable pop culture phenomenon, “What Was I Made For?” was a relatively somber and intimate single, built on sparse piano and existential lyrics that lent emotional depth to the film.

“The whole song was an excuse to say the truth,” Eilish told The Times last year. “When I did meet-and-greets back in the day, [fans] would be talking to me and I literally would think, ‘Oh my God, if you actually knew me, you would not like me.’ It’s very interesting to be an ideal in somebody’s mind, and they actually have no idea who you are.”

Eilish bested Taylor Swift (who struck out for the seventh time in a category the veteran songwriter has yet to win), fellow “Barbie” soundtrack artist Dua Lipa, SZA and Olivia Rodrigo for the Grammy. The ballad may also earn her a second Oscar for original song.

Eilish has been a Grammy favorite throughout her young career, coming into 2024 with seven wins and 25 nominations. She dominated the Grammys in 2020, winning all four top awards including album, song, record and best new artist.

An exhibition of the London-based Ghanaian artist Kojo Marfo “Crucible of hope” will be launched at the Heydar Aliyev Center on February 14.

The enchanting exhibition will display more than 20 works by the artist inviting viewers on an exploration into the intertwined realms of success, happiness, and the burdens that shape our very existence.

The striking work of this Ghanaian painter living in London, growing up amongst the influences of the ancient Akan art and artists, merging with the influences of graffiti art whilst living in new York City; fused with a strong appreciation of European figurative and surrealist artists.

Through his thought-provoking artworks, Marfo skillfully explores the intricate nature of shared and personal human stories, with each piece carrying the weight of experiences we have lived and continue to live today.

At the heart of ‘Crucible of Hope’ lies a powerful narrative that sheds light on the societal pressures placed upon us to succeed at any expense, often overshadowing the pursuit of true happiness. Marfo’s art becomes a mirror to society, inviting introspection and igniting a dialogue on the complex interplay between success and fulfilment, and how we can reach for a sense of equilibrium.

His paintings reflect a matriarchal energy, a combination of hometown traditions with a neo expressionist style. The vibrant acrylics of families, grandmothers and relationships painted in a luminosity of colour echoing a playful innocence. His artworks resonate the idea of a colour sunny disposition with a deep narrative and complex observations of society and humanity. Using the symbolisms of Kojo’s west African cultures, referencing flowers, gods, fertility dolls and vodou symbols, his work communicates the central aspect of living in this century.

His works have been exhibited internationally, including in Amsterdam, Barcelona, New York City, Paris, London, Tokyo and in other countries.