NEWS

The world’s largest music company said it is suspending all operations in Russia and closing its offices there immediately, Report informs referring to The Wall Street Journal.

Universal Music Group NV, the No. 1 label and No. 2 publisher which has local operations in Russia, said it is adhering to international sanctions.

“Effective immediately, we are suspending all operations in Russia and closing our offices there. We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible. We are adhering to international sanctions and, along with our employees and artists, have been working with groups from a range of countries to support humanitarian relief efforts to bring urgent aid to refugees in the region,” reads a statement on the company’s website.

Similar discussions are happening at the other music majors, Sony Corp.’s Sony Music Group and Warner Music Group Corp., according to people close to the companies, both of which have much larger operations than Universal has in Russia.

Such moves add to the sort of cultural sanctions global entertainment companies are making in an effort to isolate Russia economically and culturally as punishment for its military actions.

There is something enchanting about Venice Carnival masks. Colorful and unique they continue to astonish the imagination.

Since the 13th century, the Venice Carnival masks are typically worn during the Carnival to entirely hide the wearer's identity.

Inspired by the centuries old tradition, Azerbaijani artist Afsana Khabib has created a unique series of art pieces.

Her personal exhibition titled "Favolé" opened at Baku Museum Center. The exhibition consists of a large collection of art pieces that are united by a common theme, such as the love of beauty.

Favolé is translated from Italian as "fairy tales, legends" and echoes the name of the artist herself, because in Azerbaijani "Afsana" means "legend".

Venice Carnival through eyes of artist

Afsana Khabib delights art lovers with 70 unique canvases inspired by the Venice Carnival. All art pieces are united by the idea of ​​a riddle, a multitude of meanings and games.

A life-sized Venetian masks were also showcased as part of the exhibition initiated by the Baku Museum Center's director, member of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union, Honored Cultural Worker Liana Vazirova.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition was hosted by TV presenter Javid Gul.

Brightly colored, complex in shape and embossed, these characteristic details of the carnival are brilliantly reflected in the artist's canvases. Each handmade mast is original and unique.

Apart from the Venice Carnival theme, art enthusiasts were surprised by living statues at the exhibition. Bright still lifes, city and sea landscapes made the exposition even more spectacular.

The fabulous exhibition aroused great interest among the guests, among whom were well-known cultural figures including the director of the Azerbaijan State Museum of Musical Culture, Honored Cultural Worker  Alla Bayramova, People's Writer Natig Rasulzade, Honored Artist Irina Eldarova and many others.

Colorful art pieces and stories behind them

Afsana Habib lives and works in Baku. Since childhood, she grew up in a wonderful creative atmosphere.

Her father is an architect, and as a child she always viewed her father's drawings with great interest.

Furthermore, Afsana started her education at the Azerbaijan University of Economics.

After much thoughts, the artist realized that she wants to be engaged in art.

" I had the honor to get acquainted with the school of one of Azerbaijan's most beloved artists, Sakit Mammadov. He accepted me into his team and entrusted me with the secret of his mastery. I really liked the style of opalism. With the support of Sakit Mammadov, I chose my own creative style inspired by opalism. Opalism was the cornerstone in my art.  Working in this style, I managed to create my own art technique," said Afsana Habib.

She also expressed her gratitude to Sakit Mammadov for his invaluable support to her as an art teacher.

The artist's works have been exhibited in Paris, Rome, London, Moscow, Brussels, Tbilisi and other cities.

Afsana Khabib is a participant in international competitions and the winner of many competitions.

Govharagha (real name Govharnisa), the daughter of the last khan of Karabakh Ibrahim khan, was also one of the famous philanthropists of her time.

The Ashagi Govharagha Mosque, built at her expense, was built in Shusha in 1874-1875 by architect Karbala Safikhan Garabaghi.

The mosque was included in the "List of immovable historical and cultural monuments of national importance" by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 132 dated August 2, 2001. During the occupation of Shusha in May 1992, the building and minarets of the Ashagi Govharaga mosque came under heavy fire from armored vehicles.

The Yukhari Govharagha Mosque was built in 1883-1884, i.e about eight years after the Ashaghi Govharagha Mosque, at the expense of Govhar Agha by the architect Karbala Safikhan Garabaghi.

This mosque, which has a square plan (21.30 x 26.20 m), generally supports the construction idea of Aghdam Juma and Ashaghi Govharagha mosques. One of the main construction criteria of the architect is the balcony on the second floor, installed along the side walls of the hall, and the glazing opposite the altar.

Although the minaret of the Yukhari Govharagha Mosque is made of natural limestone, as in previous mosques, the geometric ornaments used on its body do not correspond to the minaret decorations of the Ashaghi Govharaga Mosque. They mainly continue the artistic idea of geometric ornaments on the minarets of the Aghdam Juma Mosque. The attic roof of the minarets is made of wood. Its end is decorated with a crescent-shaped figure.

This mosque, which has been used as a history museum since 1969, was destroyed by Armenian vandals in May 1992 after the occupation of Shusha.

After the liberation of Shusha by the Azerbaijani army on November 8, 2020, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is carrying out restoration work in the mosques.

Shusha- the cradle of Azerbaijani culture, the pearl of Karabakh, has given a birth to a host of worthy sons and daughters of Azerbaijan.

The prominent Azerbaijani personalities, art and public figures, including poetess Khurshud banu Natavan, singers Kharrat Gulu, Hajı Husnu, Seyid Shushinski, Bulbul, Khan Shushinski, Rashid Behbudov, composers Uzeyir Hajıbayov, Fikrat Amirov, and Niyazi have all lived and plied their trade in Shusha.

However, Azerbaijani nation can proudly highlight another outstanding name to add to the list of renowned residents of Shusha- an outstanding Azerbaijani composer, conductor, professor, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan SSR (1974), ‘Shohrat’ (Glory) Order holder (1999) Suleyman Alasgarov.

Suleyman Alasgarov was born on February 22, 1924 in the capital of Karabakh. Drawing inspiration from his beloved Shusha, the future author of two operas, twelve operettas, numerous symphonic works, cantatas, pieces and romances, graduated with honors from Azerbaijan National Conservatory in 1948. Alasgarov then held a post of the Artistic Director of the Committee for Cinematography of the Azerbaijan SSR from 1949-1951. He also managed Azerbaijan’s Song and Dance Ensemble from 1951 to 1952. From 1954 to 1956 he waas the Director of the Dance and Song Ensemble of Azerbaijan State Philharmonic named after Muslum Magomayev.

Suleyman Alasgarov then had a longer spell as a Director and conductor of the Azerbaijan State Theater of Musical Comedy.

His notable works include operas “Bahadur and Sona”, “Fading Flowers”, operettas “Ulduz”, “Flower of Love” “Millionaire’s beggar son”, as well as symphony “Motherland” and symphonic mugham “Bayati Shiraz”.

The renowned figure of Azerbaijani culture, Suleyman Alasgarov has passed away at the age of 75, on January 21, 2000 in Baku.

Halva (also known as halvah, halwa) is considered as dessert in the east. Mainly it is made from flour, walnut, hazel, fat seed (sesame, sunflower, ground-nut and soya-bean) butter and sugar.Since ancient times people had been engaged in halva making in different cities of Azerbaijan like Ganja, Shaki, Nakhchivan and Ardabil, Tabriz. Halva has few kinds: halva with nuts, seed halva, samani halva, bamiya, zulbiya, tara etc.

Shaki halva is the most spread one.

Shaki halva, in reality has come from the east, Syria. Then it became more perfect in Shaki. In Syria hazel pieces are added in it but in Shaki – almond pieces. One of the traditions of Shaki halva making coming from ancient times is treating anybody visiting the shop with piece of halva.

The most difficult is preparation of the samani halva. It sometimes called as suhan halva or İsfahan halva, too. One of the features distinguishing Samani halva from other halvas is its ecological cleanness and preparation only from natural products.

Once there were some ceremonies related to samani halva, too. For instance, at the beginning of great chilla (period before the spring) people cooked samani halva in order to show that they are not afraid of winter. The flour of samani was taken from 7 homes. When cooked they put almond pieces and if same is not available - hazelnuts. Then women join hands and sing song dedicated to samani.

Presently samani halva is prepared in Baku, Ganja, Nakhchivan and other regions. But masters of halva making are just in Shaki and they do prefer preparing of Shaki halva.

Gachrash is the most popular recreation area in Guba district, located 25 km from the district center. Gachrash means come and sit down. This toponym is also interpreted as “a place where sunlight does not fall”. In this vast area, trees grow so densely that indeed the sun's rays do not reach the ground and in summer it is pretty cool here. In winter, these places are covered with a thick layer of snow.

Once the center of attraction for tourists was the suspension bridge located here - Asma Korpu, across the Gudyalchay River.

On the very outskirts of the territory of Gachrash there is a natural formation called the Minara - in the form of natural minaret. The length of this natural monument is 30-35 m, width - 4-5 m, and height - 3-4 m. It is assumed that it was formed in the 4th century as a result of tectonic movements and river erosion. The Minara also plays the role of a natural bridge at a height of 10-15 m. The small cave between the rocks is called the “fridge”. Indeed, it is so cold here that the owners of a nearby restaurant attached doors to the entrance, hung the lock and used the resulting room as a refrigerator.

Nar Bayrami, which was inscribed in 2020 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is an annual festival in October/November in Azerbaijan’s Goychay region that celebrates the pomegranate and its traditional uses and symbolic meaning.

Pomegranate culture is a set of practices, knowledge, traditions and skills related to the cultivation of the fruit, which is used not only in a range of culinary contexts, but is also referred to in crafts, decorative arts, myths, storytelling and other creative outlets. The element is linked to local agriculture and to the farmers and individuals in rural communities that grow and collect the fruit. These participants have an understanding of environmental characteristics and harvesting techniques. The fruit enjoys great visibility in society as both the pomegranate and Nar Bayrami perform a range of cultural and social functions – everything from its use in traditional meals to being cited in poetry.

Symbolically, the pomegranate is associated with long-term productivity, abundance and is considered as a carrier of energy. Azerbaijani Local legends viewed it as a symbol of love and passion, while religious people saw it as symbolizing eternity.

The annual celebration displays pride for centuries-old traditionsthis festivity and culture related to the fruit and encourages active exchange and communication among communities and visitors to the festivity, a time to highlight local nature and culture.

The Argan, as one of the rare trees, grows in the south region of Azerbaijan. Argan trees are short with a wide spreading canopy of small, oval, leathery leaves. Its trunk is twisted, and its branches bear thorns.

Argan tree flowers are small and yellow-green, and its fruits have a thick peel and soft pulp that surrounds a hard nut containing oil-rich seeds. It is very interesting that the piece of this tree neither burns in the fire nor sinks. It is impossible to drive a nail into this tree either. Duration of life of the tree growing in the Talysh woods is more than 200 years.

Another wonder is that the branches of the tree merge while rubbing with each other. As the argan tree has a strong wood, it is used in telephone and electric posts, in the construction of bridges and in making some parts of cars and instruments. Argan oil is hailed as one of the best natural ingredients for hair and skin.

The two-storey house of Khurshidbanu Natava, known as the famous Azerbaijani poet, khan gizi, is a historical and architectural monument of the 18th century.

On the first floor of the building there are seven service rooms for servants. There are three entrance gates on the south side. The door in the middle of them leads to the corridor, and the other two doors on the sides lead to the side rooms.

The southern façade of the building is divided by vertically placed ridges. The backs that frame the windows on the second floor are wider than the others.

Khurshidbanu Natavan's house is one of the first houses built in Shusha. Natavan's palace is a courtyard covering a large area and has various service buildings in this courtyard.

On the initiative of Bulbul, on October 10, 1932, the Azerbaijan Shusha Music School was officially established in this historical place (it was also the first children's music school established in Azerbaijan).

In 1987, the building was restored and the house-museum of Khurshidbanu Natavan, a branch of the National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi, was opened.

After the occupation of Shusha, the monument was destroyed by Armenians.

After the liberation of Shusha from occupation on November 8, 2020, Azerbaijan is implementing a special state program for the restoration of historical monuments.

Algerian “Al-Harir” portal has posted an article highlighting one of the historical monuments of Azerbaijan – Ateshgah, a fire temple of worshipers in Surakhani settlement of Baku, which was built in 17-18th centuries.

The article, citing AZƏRTAC news agency mentions that fire played a vital role in Azerbaijani culture, and it is no coincidence that the country is called "the Land of Fire," adding that Ateshgah temple is the most obvious example of this.

The article provides detailed information about the Ateshgah temple, saying that located 30km from Baku in the Absheron peninsula, the temple was used as a Hindu and Sikh shrine at different times. The temple consists of 24 cells and central altar.

Built on the site of a natural gas bursting out, the earliest construction of the temple dates back to 1713.

The article mentions that following the restoration works in 1975, Ateshgah temple was again opened to the public.