NEWS

Victory Day concert has been solemnly held in Paris, France.  The concert "Sounds of Peace" took place at the famous Gavo concert hall.

During the concert, Azerbaijani pianist, jazzman Etibar Asadli and Azerbaijani tar player, Honored Artist Shahriyar Imanov performed Azerbaijan's folklore songs "Sari Gelin", "Gara gashin negmesi", as well as music pieces composed by Uzeyir Hajibayli, Fikrat Amirov, and others.

Samuel F'Hima accompanied Etibar Asadli and Shahriyar Imanov on double bass and Martin Wengermee on drums.

The concert was greeted with a thunderous ovation from the audience.

Etibar Asadli is the author of 11 plays for piano, theme and variation, sonata, for violin and piano 2 preludes, 3 plays for flute and flute, 2 preludes for violin, 1 romance and for the great symphonic orchestra 1 symphonic overture.

In 2008-2013, he successfully performed at multiple festivals, including Baku Jazz Festival and the festival dedicated to Kovkeb Safaraliyeva 

He gave many solo concerts in many parts of the world, thrilling everyone with his own music pieces. 

Etibar Asadli has shared the stage with many worldwide famous musicians like Turkish clarinet performer Hushnu Shenlenderegy, mugham singers Alim Gasimov and Farghana Gasimova.

During the concert with mugham singers, he managed to synthesize jazz with mugham and achieve a very interesting performance. 

In 2014, he performed several concerts as a part of the Rast group in the 48th Montreux Jazz Festival that took place in Switzerland. In October though, he performed a solo concert in the International Baku Jazz Festival. 

Next year, the musician performed ethnic-jazz concert in Paris alongside with tar musician Shahriyar Imanov within Azerbaijan's Days of Culture.

Shahriyar Imanov had his first competitive entry in 1999 in memory of Haji Mammadov and won the 1st place. His first solo concert took place in 2001. The musician was accompanied  by the Azerbaijan State Orchestra. In 2007, he won the Republican contest in memory of Akhsan Dadashov.

He also took the 1st place at the International Mugham Festival 2013.

The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation hosted a presentation of the book "We walked these roads together", dedicated to the unshakable brotherhood and friendship between Azerbaijan and Turkey. The book reflects the merits of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in achieving a high level of relations between the two countries.

The book, begins since 2003, covers the last period of the activity of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and ends with the signing of the "Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey" on June 15, 2021 in the cultural capital of Azerbaijan - the city of Shusha. The book presents speeches, addresses, statements and photographs of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey at bilateral and multilateral meetings.

The event was attended by officials, MPs of Azerbaijan and Turkey, ambassadors, heads of international organizations, well-known political, public and cultural figures.

Opening the event and welcoming the guests, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva noted: "Undoubtedly, we are going through historical times. Remembering those sacred 44 days, we recall the feelings that gripped us while our land was being liberated inch by inch. That excitement, those tears of joy and sadness. That attitude to double standards, to injustice and, finally, that unforgettable feeling of our Victory - a sense of pride. We are immensely grateful to all our heroes, led by Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, for giving us these unforgettable feelings. We always remember our martyrs with great respect, love and wish our veterans a speedy healing. Undoubtedly, this is a Victory not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the entire Turkic world, because this Victory united the entire Turkic world. At the same time, this Victory is the embodiment of values, heroic traditions that we inherited from our ancestors. This is a celebration of our culture, art, literature and music."

Gunay Afandiyeva noted that the state policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for almost 20 years, reflected in the pages of the book presented at the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation on the eve of Victory Day, played an invaluable role in raising the level of relations between the two countries.

The president of the Foundation stressed that these relations are also evidence of loyalty, respect and trust between the heads of the two states.

Speaking at the event Ambassador of Turkey to Azerbaijan Cahit Bagci, emphasized the importance of the event. Cahit Bagci said: "The words of the founder of the Republic of Turkey Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the national leader of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, in fact, reflect the history, form and mission of Turkish-Azerbaijani relations. All this is united by the publication of this valuable book, which addresses the current period and reveals the service of this relationship to the present day. Naturally, the expression "We walked these roads together" has become a symbolic expression of the political path of our esteemed heads of state, as well as the designation of Turkish-Azerbaijani relations. In this sense, the title of the book is also extremely valuable from the point of view of describing our relations, demonstrating their current level. I congratulate the president of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva for organizing the event and all those who made a great contribution to the preparation of the book led by Malahat Ibrahimgizi."

Speaking at the event, Deputy Chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee on Labor and Social Policy, author of the idea and creator of the book Malahat Ibrahimgizi noted that this book has been one of the important publications about the brotherhood of Azerbaijan and Turkey since 2003. Noting that the two fraternal countries have always supported each other in all difficult times, she stressed that Turkey's support for Azerbaijan in the war for justice is an example for the whole world. Malahat Ibrahimgizi thanked the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation for the high level organization of the event.

Speaking at the event Rector of Ankara University Nejdet Unuvar, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Deputy of Milli Majlis Azay Guliyev, Chairman of the Commission on Investigation of Violence against Women GNAT, Deputy of Turkey Oznur Chalik, Rector of Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry Mustafa Babanli and Chairman of the Committee on Culture of Milli Majlis, Deputy Ganira Pashayeva shared their impressions about the book, talked about the inviolability and eternity of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations, said that the expression " Two States - One nation" in all respects finds its confirmation in the face of the united people of the two countries.

The artistic part of the event was attended by People's Artist, Professor of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory Mansum Ibrahimov, students-winners of the national television mugham contest Gulzar Farajova and Elsever Muradov, as well as a student of the music school No. 26 named after Magomayev Elkhan Mammadli, who performed Azerbaijani and Turkish folk songs. The singers were accompanied by the musical Mugham group "Karabakh": People's Artist Elchin Hashimov on tar, Honored Artist Elnur Ahmadov on kamancha, Siyavush Karimov on naghara.

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum (ANCM) and the Russian Hermitage Museum are pleased to announce a joint project. 

An inclusive exhibition "Unseen Art: Pushing the Boundaries of Potential" will open at the Hermitage Museum on November 13.

This exhibition is the result of many years of research on creating replicas of art works for individuals with visual disabilities.

The museum visitors are invited to explore world art heritage through a tactile display.

The exhibition presents the inclusive fragments of the Pazyryk carpet, the oldest carpet in the world preserved in the State Hermitage Museum, newly woven by the Carpet Museum's Traditional Technologies Department.

The project makes it possible for visitors with visual impairments to experience a variety of techniques and feel the ornaments' shapes.​

The exhibition also displays relief replicas of felt products found in the Pazyryk burial mound, bas-reliefs designed based on the famous Panjakent murals and their animated narratives, a relief model of Rembrandt's painting Self-Portrait with Shaded Eyes, and much more.

The ANCM's inclusive project in the State Hermitage Museum is part of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation signed between the two museums in 2020. The exhibition will run until December 12. 

The Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque is regarded as one of the finest religious monuments in Shusha.

The mosque was built by order of Karabakh ruler Ibrahim Khalil Khan in 1763-1769. However, the construction was stopped for a long time.

It was then restarted and completed in 1883–1885 by architect Karbalayi Safikhan Karabakhi ordered by Govhar Agha, daughter of Ibrahim Khalil Khan.

The construction was completed by Azerbaijani architect Karbalai Safi Khan of Karabakh by order of Ibrahim Khan's daughter Govhar Agha in 1883-1885.

The Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque has two cylindric minarets. The balconies used to host women's premises of the prayer hall.

The religious site was constructed out of stone while the two minarets are made of bricks. Its minarets have cylindric forms with horizontal belts with each section laid in distinguishing brick patterns.

The mosque stopped functioning after the Armenian occupation. 

The interior of the mosque was destroyed, the decor of the minarets was damaged. The covering and other architectural elements were destroyed as well.

After the end of the Armenian occupation, restoration work has started at the mosque.

Stones in the walls of the mosque are put in accordance with the original project.

Azerbaijani music has sounded in Liechtenstein City Palace in Vienna.

Public and cultural figures, representatives of international organizations and diplomatic missions attended the official reception organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Austria, Trend Life reported.

In his speech, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Austria Rovshan Sadigbeyli noted that the year  2021 is special for the Azerbaijani people.

The country marks the 30th anniversary of the restoration of independence with great successes in the economic and political spheres, occupying a worthy place in the international arena.

Azerbaijan has always adhered to a peaceful policy and principles of humanism, multiculturalism and tolerance.

He stressed the importance of the first anniversary of the Azerbaijan's Victory Day in the Patriotic War.

Led by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijani Armed Forces liberated the country's territories from the Armenian occupation.

The people of Azerbaijan will always remember and honor the heroes who gave their lives for the country's freedom and independence.

The Day of the State Flag of Azerbaijan is also celebrated on November 9.

The ambassador brought to attention that the   Azerbaijani and European classical music will sound at the concert held as part of the reception.

"I would like to note that People's Artist Yalchin Adigozalov is a third-generation Karabakh musician and the grandson of eminent mugham singer Zulfugar Adigozalov. Shusha, long known as the Conservatory of the Caucasus, has presented many talented musicians and singers, whose masterpieces we will enjoy tonight ," said the Ambassador.

The guests enjoyed an amazing gala concert with the participation of the Vienna Chamber Orchestra under the baton of the Yalchin Adigozalov.

Laureates of international competitions, vocalists Seljan Nasibli and Orkhan Jalilov performed patriotic compositions, while Honored Artist,  tar musician Aliagha Sadiyev delighted the listeners with mugham music.

The musicians stunned the audience with the music pieces by such well-known composers as Uzeyir Hajibayli, Fikrat Amirov, Gara Garayev,  Niyazi, Vasif Adigozalov, Franz Schubert and many others.

Their performance was greeted with a storm of applause.

Hilal Baydarov's film "Crane Lantern" has been screened at the 34th Tokyo International Film Festival.

The film was included in the main competition program and won an award in the "Best Artistic Contribution" category.

"Crane Lantern" tells the story of law student Musa, who is looking for Davud, who was imprisoned for the abduction of four women. He soon discovers that all of his victims are reluctant to press charges.

The film cast includes Orkhan Iskandarli, Elshan Abbasov, Huseyn Nasirov, Rena Askerova, Aytekin Mirishova, Maryam Naghiyeva, Nigar Isayeva, Seda Hasanova, Kamran Huseynov.

The scriptwriter, director and cameraman is Hilal Baydarov, composer-Kanan Rustamli.

Founded in 1985, the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is considered to be the largest film festival in Asia.

The awards handed out during the festival have changed throughout its existence, but the Tokyo Grand Prix, handed to the best film, has stayed as the top award. Other awards that have been given regularly include the Special Jury Award and awards for best actor, best actress and best director.

In recent years, the festival's main events have been held over one week in late October. A series of events include open-air screenings, voice-over screenings, seminars and symposiums related to the film market.

For the first time, the  4.4 Festival of Short Performances has been held in Baku.

The event was co-organized by the Culture Ministry and Teatro.az with the support of the State Academic Musical Theater and the International Union of Theater Critics.

Theater teams from Baku and the country's regions, including 1 state, 6 private and 5 independent theaters took part in the festival. 

The main goal of the festival was to increase the number of dramatic performances reflecting the courage and heroism of the Azerbaijani soldiers. It was also focused on reviving the work theaters which were previously suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

First Deputy Minister of Culture Elnur Aliyev and project manager Vidadi Gafarov stressed the festival's role in patriotic education and revealing new talents. The guests were presented with a video overview of the festival events, performances and panel discussions.

The awarding ceremony was attended by the director of the State Academic Musical Theater, Honored Art Worker Aligismet Lalayev, festival's director Elchin Jafarov and jury members, including  Honored Art Workers Israfil Israfilov ( jury chairman), Aydin Kazimzade, Mehriban Alakbarzade, Ali Amirli and People's Artist Parviz Mammadrzayev. 

ESA Inclusive Theater won the first place for the play "Neighbor". The play was presented to the audience. 

The second place went to the State Academic Musical Theater for the play "44", while the Lankaran State Drama Theater ranked third for its work "The Last Meeting". The winners were awarded with a cash prize. 

The evening was staged by the chief director of the State Academic Musical Theater Javid Imamverdiyev.

A gala concert "Jazz says Victory" has been held at the International Mugham Center as part of the project "Jazzery Voices".

Initiated by the Culture Ministry, the large-scale project is timed to the 100th centenary of  the Baku Music Academy.

Speaking at the Mugham Center, the Culture Minister Anar Karimova stressed the importance of the project that featured numerous jazz concerts, conference, research seminar, master classes and much more.

A series of events took place at the International Mugham Center, Chamber and Organ Music Hall and the Garayev Conference Hall.

The host for the event, Honored Cultural Worker  Rahib Azeri spoke about the Baku Music Academy and its role in jazz promotion in Azerbaijan.

Baku Brass Bing Band, Bakustik caz, Bakuba Band, Forward Azerbaijan, Afshin Alizade quartet, Arslan and his band performed in the final concert.

The audience was stunned by the professionalism and sensitivity displayed by talented musicians.

Around 250 exhibits have been showcased at the National Art Museum as part of the exhibition "Pearl of Culture - Karabakh".

The exhibition highlights a contribution of Karabakh art figures to Azerbaijan's cultural heritage and displays valuable exhibits kept at the National Art Museum, the State Museum of Musical Culture, the State Theater Museum, Uzeyir Hajibayli House-Museum, Bulbul Memorial Museum and Niyazi House-Museum. 

In his speech, the Culture Minister Anar Kerimov informed the museum visitors about a series of events held within "Victory Week".

The exhibition "Pearl of Culture - Karabakh" also included in this series of events. The main goal of the exhibition is to demonstrate Karabakh's centuries-old culture. 

The exposition plunges viewers into a wonderful atmosphere of the Karabakh region, a native place of the country's prominent cultural figures. 

Karabakh carpets and carpet products, artistic embroidery, traditional costumes, Khurshidbanu Natavan's manuscripts, drawings by Gambar Karabagi and Mir Mohsun Navvab, Uzeyir Hajibayli's violin, Gurban Pirimov's tar, personal belongings of Bulbul, Niyazi and numerous photographs reflecting the life and work of art figures occupy a special place in the exhibition.

Artistic landscapes reflecting the unique beauty of Karabakh, portraits of Khurshidbanu Natavan, Uzeyir Hajibayli, Niyazi, Bulbul, Ilyas Afandiyev, Shamsi Badalbeyli, Farhad Badalbeyli, including public portraits of political and public figure of Karabakh, poet Molla Panah Vagif aroused great interest among public and cultural figures.

The event was followed by a fascinating performance by Honored Artist Tayyar Bayramov.

The exhibition will run until January 31, 2022. Admission is free. 

Internationally acclaimed musician of Azerbaijani origin Sami Yusif has composed a musical composition "Qarabagimsan” (Land of the Nightingales), he wrote about it on his Twitter page, Report says.

"I’m very pleased to share this teaser from my soon to be composition," he tweet read.