NEWS

Azerbaijan's Shusha city will be declared the cultural capital of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) in 2023.

The Culture Minister Anar Karimov made this statement at the conference "Great return: Revival of culture".

"The announcement will be made at the TURKSOY session. A number of events will be organized in partnership with all of our Turkic-speaking brothers," said Karimov.

The Culture Minister also touched upon the restoration of the religious sites in Azerbaijan's liberated territories.

"We demonstrate to the whole world that the Azerbaijani people are not destroying monuments, but, on the contrary, are carrying out restoration work. Two churches will be restored in Shusha along with mosques."

Karimov noted that Azerbaijan is returning to the territories liberated from occupation in peace.

"In order for lasting peace to reign on these lands, sustainable development was ensured, and communication between communities was restored," he added.

The conference "Great return: Revival of culture" was held Baku with the support of the Culture Minister.

The event was timed to the first anniversary of Azerbaijan's Victory Day (Nov 8) in the Second Karabakh War.

The conference included four sessions that highlighted Azerbaijani culture, historical monuments and other topics.

Local and foreign guests, including international experts, representatives of the diplomatic corps took part in the conference.

Organized by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture, the Nizami Ganjavi International Forum on "Nizami Ganjavi: Bridge between Cultures" has kicked off in Baku.

The three-day International Forum is attended by more than 40 scientists, scholars and experts from 15 countries, as well as government officials, heads of higher education institutions, representatives of international organizations and the diplomatic corps.

The forum will feature panel discussions, presentations, bilateral meetings, cultural and a number of other events.

It is also planned to adopt a Joint Communiqué of the forum.

Baku Book Center has gathered all admirers of the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky.

His 200th anniversary was solemnly marked by the Russian Information and Cultural Center, Trend Life reported.

Philologist and publicist Leyla Sultanzade provided insight into the life of the classic, his relationship with his contemporaries and immortal novels.

Throughout his works, Dostoevsky touched upon important philosophical topics, controversial issues.

Many literary critics rate him as one of the greatest novelists in all of world literature.

His most acclaimed novels include "Crime and Punishment"(1866), "The Idiot" (1869), "Demons" (1872), and "The Brothers Karamazov" (1880).

In total, Dostoevsky wrote 12 novels, four novellas, 16 short stories, and numerous other works.

Next, the visitors enjoyed art pieces dedicated to the writer. The exhibition  "The Clairvoyant of the Human Sou. Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky" featured art works collected by the Doctor of Technical Sciences Vladimir Belikov.

Remarkable artists, using the entire wide range of symbolic engravings, convey their understanding of the writer's thoughts and ideas to the viewer in real-life and abstract-symbolic images.

The artist and art critic Tamilla Hasanova informed the guests about unique techniques and art styles of the paintings.

International Watercolor Society (IWS) calls for talented artists to share their art pieces.

In honor of its10th anniversary, IWS has announced the acceptance of paintings for the upcoming exhibition.

The event is co-organized by IWS Azerbaijan and Khatai Art Center  with the support of the Culture Ministry, the Azerbaijan Artists' Union and State Art Gallery.

The exhibition will take place in Baku on January 23, 2022. Several paintings (their photos) can be presented to the exhibition, of which one or two will be selected by the artistic council of the project.

The last date for registration is December 30th. Selected works should be submitted to the organizers by January 20.

The exhibition will be held at the Khatai Arts Center in Baku. The participants will be awarded with valuable prizes and certificates. Moreover, some of the best paintings will be included in the electronic catalog.

Founded in 2012, the International Watercolor Society has successfully integrated more than 100 branches worldwide.

Through its activities centered on watercolor promotion, the society aims to promote brotherhood and peace. It also focuses on helping IWS branches develop affordable strategies for promoting art and watercolor in their own countries.

Azerbaijan's literature figures have been awarded at the 5th International Literary Festival "Baltic Gamayun" in Lithuania.

A writer Ulviya Heydarova and the poet Saida Subkhi were recognized as laureates of the first degree in the two main nominations of the festival "Prose" and "Poetry", respectively, Trend Life reported.

Nargiz Bagirova and Lamiya Hasanzade were also among the festival laureates. 

The works of the laureates and diploma winners will be included in the international literary almanac "Steps 2020", timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Lithuania's independence.

The festival celebrated  the 200th anniversary of the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky. 

President of the Society of the International Association of Writers and Publicists Lev Mesengiser, the executive editor of the almanac "Steps" Elvira Pozdnaya, the chairman of the jury of the International Literary Festival "Baltic Gamayun" Elyane Suodene attended the festival.

Fikrat Amirov's ballet "Nizami" has premiered at the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

The ballet  "Nizami" brilliantly links the storyline and the poet's biography.  While creating the ballet, Ajdar Ulduz (playwright)  relied mainly on the poetic text. 

The ballet stands out for its originality and historical accuracy. Ajdar Ulduz could recreate the atmosphere soaked in the poet's main and best known work "Khamsa".

Music part in the ballet deserves special attention. The theater's principal conductor, Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev gave the genius music a new breath but could  preserve the ballet's uniqueness. 

He masterfully recreated a masterpiece composed by one of the brightest figures in Azerbaijan's music history. 

People's Artist Gulagasi Mirzoyev, Honored Artists Afag Abbasova (leading soloist), Nigar Ibrahimova, Anar Mikayilov, Jamila Karimova, Makar Fershtandt, soloists Ayan Eyvazova, Timur Odushev, Samira Mammadova, Nigar Aliyeva perfectly expressed personalities and feelings of their characters.

Undoubtedly, ballet lovers highly appreciated the new choreography. The ballet choreographed by Kamilla Huseynova is built in accordance with all canons of classical European ballet.

"Nizami" ballet  will be staged once again on December 12. The ballet promises to go down in the history of the Azerbaijani national ballet.

Panasonic Corp. is aiming to introduce a security system it has developed for automakers to prevent cyberattacks amid the launch of more vehicles that offer various services via the internet, according to Kyodo News.

The new system will see software installed in internet-connected cars to detect abnormalities and dedicated teams at Panasonic and the automakers will monitor the cars around the clock, the Japanese electronics conglomerate said.

In late October, Panasonic demonstrated an example of a cyberattack and how it could be detected at a mock-up surveillance center set up in Tokyo. Once a demonstration car in Osaka was hit by an experimental remote attack, the car’s steering wheel quickly turned 180 degrees and a warning beep blared out in Tokyo.

“If the computerized control is taken over during driving, it leads to fatal accidents. Practically, abnormalities need to be detected at a much earlier phase,” a company official said, adding that the company’s system is capable of doing just that.

The teams are expected to cooperate in collecting information and revamping the car system. The installed software can be updated remotely when needed to prevent an attack from outside, Panasonic said.

The surveillance center will be able to manage cars both in Japan and abroad in a unified manner, the company said.

According to research firm Fuji Keizai Group Co., the number of internet-connected cars is expected to increase steadily to account for 80% of all passenger cars sold globally in 2035 from 34% in 2019.

The Japanese government is also beefing up measures against cyberattacks. Cars with driving control systems that can be updated wirelessly that are to be sold from July next year must undergo screening by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The evaluation criteria include whether automakers have secured a system to manage cybersecurity and to provide software updates accordingly, the ministry said.

The Panasonic official said the company will work with IT companies and “make this system an industry standard.”

World-famous violinist and conductor Dmitry Sitkovetsky has shared his knowledge and experience with young talents.

Dmitry Sitkovetsky has not been to his homeland in Azerbaijan for 20 years. As musician says, he has been waiting for the return of Karabakh for many years.

"It is very important for me to help my native country in such an important mission as the revival and development of musical culture and education. For this reason, I wanted to hold master classes for Azerbaijan's young talents," he said. 

Master classes with the Baku Music Academy's students including  Laman Asadova, Osman Mustafazade as well as an 11th grade student of the Bulbul Music School Jabbary Ozjan.

Rector of the Baku Music Academy Farhad Badalbeyli accompanied the young talent Laman during her performance at the master class.

During the master classes, Dmitry Sitkovetsky shared the secrets of the performing arts. He stressed the importance of the musician's comprehensive development.

Sitkovetsky spoke about his experience in musical art.

Among the guests were the representatives of the  Culture Ministry, the Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan and students of the Baku Music Academy.

Over the four decades, Dmitry Sitkovetsky has worked with many of the world's great conductors and orchestras – Sir Neville Marriner, Mariss Jansons, Sir Colin Davis, Yuri Temirkanov; Berlin PO, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, London Symphony, Philharmonia, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, etc.

Since 2003, Sitkovetsky has served as the Music Director of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, North Carolina, to whom he has brought such soloists as Emmanuel Ax, Yefim Bronfman, Lynn Harrell, and Pinchas Zukerman.

Baku Music Academy (BMA) has celebrated its centenary with a marvelous concert.

The gala night ended a series of concerts and events held since the beginning of the year to mark the Academy's 100th anniversary.

Among the guests of evening were the head of the department of the Presidential Administration Farah Aliyev, the Culture Minister Anar Karimov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov, the Education Minister Emin Amrullayev, chairman of the State Examination Center Maleyka Abbaszade, representatives of diplomatic missions, creative intelligentsia.

Rector of the Baku Music Academy Farhad Badalbeyli addressed the event.

In his speech, he especially emphasized that the Academy celebrates its centenary with great joy as it coincides with a major historical event- Azerbaijan's victory in the  the 44-day Patriotic War.

A video about BMA's history and activities was screened at the event. In the foyer, an exposition of the best scientific works in the field of musicology was presented to the guests of the events. The books on musicology are written by the Academy's leading specialists.

During the concert, BMA's Vice-Rector  Yegana Akhundova, People's Artists Ulviya Hajibeyova, Murad Adigozalzade, Murad Huseynov, Gulnaz Ismayilova, the State Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the People's Artists Rauf Abdullayev, Yalchin Adigozalova, Honored Artists Fuad Ibrahimov and Ayyub Guliyev and many others performed on the stage.

The anniversary concert featured music pieces by Uzeyir Hajibayli, Gara Garayev, Vasif Adigozalov, Ismayil Hajibayov, Frangiz Alizadeh, Hasan Rzayev, Sergey Rachmaninoff, Maurice Ravel, Francis Poulenc and Kevin Cartner.

Special guest included an outstanding violinist and conductor Dmitry Sitkovetsky, who is recognised throughout the world for his versatility.

The concert program was completed by an oratorio "Karabakh shikestesi".

In conclusion, all musicians went on the stage and gathered around the anniversary cake. The audience met them with a round of applause.

The 12th Baku International Short Film Festival (BISFF) once again gathers cinema fans in Baku.

BISFF aims at reviewing and discussing films and selecting the best ones and reaching a wide audience.

Around 3217 short films from 72 countries applied for participation in the festival. Only 26 films out of  82 were submitted to the national competition program.

Some 30 films from 18 countries have been included in the international competition program.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, First Deputy Minister of Culture Elnur Aliyev touched upon the state's attention to the Azerbaijani film industry. He stressed the importance of the cinema industry in promoting moral, moral and patriotic values.

BISFF director Fahruz Shamiyev, noted that Baku International Short Films Festival has been held since 2004.

Previously, the festival featured films that received recognition at prestigious international festivals, including Cannes, Venice, Berlin and the Oscar. The festival is the longest running and largest in Azerbaijan.

The festival's main award is a Gold Pomegranate statuette made by young sculptors.  Gold Pomegranate has been awarded to screenwriter, cameraman and producer Huseyn Mehdiyev for "For services in Azerbaijani cinema".

Along with this, the winners of the national competition program will receive a cash prize  in the categories "Best Feature Film", "Best Documentary", "Best Animated Film" and "Best Social Video".

As a result of the partnership with British Council Azerbaijan, four films nominated and won by the British Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2020-2021 are presented to local audiences.

These films nominated for BAFTA are a great selection for all fans of short films, covering various genres and topics.

BISFF is organized by the CINEMA Young Cinematographers Center with the support of the Culture Ministry, Nizami Cinema Center,  Azerbaijanfilm studio, the State Film Fund, Azerbaijan Producers Guild, OZ Film company and the British Council in Azerbaijan.