NEWS

Uzeyir Hajibeyli's operetta "The Cloth Peddler" will be presented at Tianjin Grand Theater in China on September 16.

The event is timed to the Azerbaijan National Music Day, celebrated annually on September 18.

The date is the birthday of Azerbaijan's prominent composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli. 

"The Cloth Peddler" tells the love story of young Asgar, who wants to get married. He is a rich, successful businessman and has everything he could wish for except for one thing - a lovely wife. However, some old-fashioned traditions do not allow him to choose his own bride.

The new production will be staged with the support of the Azerbaijani Embassy in China, the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Tianjin Municipal Bureau for Culture and Tourism. The operetta was previously shown in China in 1959 and in 2010.

The artistic director of the project is Claudia Young (Malaysia), artistic and musical consultant- the chief conductor and music director of the Azerbaijani State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev, general manager - Yang Lingyang (China), conductor - Sun Jingkai (China), producers and casting directors - Li Xaofei and Lu Sheng.

Meanwhile, the Harbin Symphony Orchestra and the Kunming Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ayyub Guliyev will perform at the Tianjin Theater next spring. 

Fikrat Amirov's "One Thousand and One Nights" will be also presented at the Tianjin Theater as part of the concert tour.

On September 3, an event dedicated to the 880th anniversary of the world-famous Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi was held in the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, one of the oldest architectural monuments of Azerbaijan, with the organization of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and with the support of the "Icherisheher" State Historical-Architectural Reserve Department, Baku City Main Department of Culture and the Baku Choreography Academy.

Within the framework of the evening of music, literature and art, reflecting the unique creativity of the poet, the "Dede Korkut" Chamber Orchestra, created under the auspices of the Foundation, performed works of outstanding Azerbaijani composers based on poems of Nizami Ganjavi.

The event was attended by officials, ambassadors accredited in Azerbaijan, representatives of international organizations, well-known figures of culture and art.

Welcoming the guests, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva said: "Welcome to this ancient palace of the Shirvanshahs, where we are holding a literary - artistic evening dedicated to the 880th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet, the pride of the Turkic world Nizami Ganjavi. Today, along with our prominent intelligentsia, ambassadors of foreign countries, representatives of the media of the member and observer countries of the Turkic Council, who have paid a visit to Baku and Shusha, are also taking part here. I would like to greet them too. Nizami Ganjavi lived for 68 years. However, the heritage that he left does not fit not only in 68, but even in the past 880 years. Therefore, Nizami Ganjavi is both our contemporary and a contemporary of all times. During this period, hundreds of research papers and books were written about the work of the great poet. But despite all this, even today Nizami studies continues to make new discoveries, put forward new ideas. Centuries succeed each other. Political and social epochs are changing, and every time the literary heritage of Nizami put forwards a new view. Nizami was born in the ancient city of Azerbaijan - Ganja, located on the Silk Road, lived and created all his life here. He compared the city with ancient Babylon and presented his own creativity as the wealth of Ganja. However, history has proved that his creativity is a human treasure not only of Ganja, but of the whole Turkic world. The states in Azerbaijan during the Nizami period were ruled by such Turkic dynasties as the Shirvanshahs and the Eldegizs. Nizami Ganjavi knew many languages, but he wrote in Farsi, which was the traditional language of poetry of that time. Nevertheless, his spiritual and poetic language was Turkic. His love for the Kipchak girl – Afag is an expression of his love for the entire Turkic world. Nizami was a genius master of the whole Turkic world."

The President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation stressed that 2021 in Azerbaijan has been declared the "Year of Nizami Ganjavi" by the relevant Order of President Ilham Aliyev. "This is a vivid expression of respect not only for classical Azerbaijani literature, but also for the great Turkic world. Nizami Ganjavi played an important role in the development of both Azerbaijani literature and other fields of art. Many outstanding Azerbaijani composers in their work turned to the works of Nizami. Today, some of these pearls will be performed by the “Dede Korkut” Chamber Orchestra, created under the auspices of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. Together with the musical director of the orchestra, People's Artist of Azerbaijan, famous conductor Yalchin Adigozalov, we have set ourselves the goal of promoting the rich culture, art and music of the Turkic world throughout the world. In this historical place I invite you to the magical world of art of the great Nizami, as well as our immortal composers such as Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Gara Garayev, Fikrat Amirov,” said Afandiyeva.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anar Karimov thanked President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva for organizing the event and said: “Indeed, we all really missed such events. The initiative of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in organizing this event deserves praise. As you know, by the leadership of the country this year was declared the "Year of the Nizami". This is another example of the attention and respect shown to the Azerbaijani genius, poet and thinker Nizami by the state. The announcement of this year means the promotion of Nizami both in Azerbaijan and in the international arena. Despite the fact that this person did not go beyond the borders of Azerbaijan-Ganja, his works and philosophical ideas spread not only throughout the Turkic world, the region, the Middle East, but also around the world; they became a role model; many referred to the principles and values reflected in his works. This is the uniqueness of Nizami. It is no coincidence that leading European writers and poets were inspired by his works."

The Minister of Culture stressed that other relevant institutions have also prepared a plan of events dedicated to the "Year of Nizami Ganjavi". The Minister noted that this year it is planned to publish gazelles of Nizami Ganjavi, widely promote his works, hold an international literary festival, release films based on his poems, as well as a number of other events. Anar Karimov also said that the Baku International Book Fair will be named after the poet. The Minister stressed that today's event is of particular importance among such events.

"I would like to note that as the Ministry of Culture, we closely cooperate with organizations representing the Turkic world. This is a priority part of our policy. We can promote the heritage of our common personalities, traditions and history of the Turkic world," he said.

Then, under the guidance of the People's Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan Yalchin Adigozalov, a concert of the "Dede Korkut" Chamber Orchestra was held. The orchestra performed the works of outstanding Azerbaijani composers Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Gara Garayev, Fikrat Amirov based on poems by Nizami Ganjavi. At the evening, People's Artist of Azerbaijan Nuraddin Mehdikhanli voiced Nizami's ghazals accompanied by the performance of People's Artist of Azerbaijan Mirjavad Jafarov on ud. Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Anar Shushali sang the romances of Uzeyir Hajibeyli "Without you" and "Beloved". Choreographic scenes staged by the People's Artist of Azerbaijan Kamilla Huseynova were presented at the concert.

Azerbaijan's Cinematographers Union invites film makers to submit their works for the Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars.

The decision was made during the meeting of the Cinematographers Union. The domestic films will be selected for the nomination "Best foreign language film 2020-2021", Trend Life reported.

The chairman of the Union Shafiga Mammadova announced the renewed composition of the commission and called on the film makers to submit their works on DVD to SCAR until September 20.

The Academy Awards are awards for artistic and technical merit in the film industry. They are regarded as the most prestigious and significant awards in the entertainment industry worldwide.

Given annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the awards are an international recognition of excellence in cinematic achievements, as assessed by the Academy's voting membership.

The various category winners are awarded a copy of a golden statuette as a trophy, officially called the "Academy Award of Merit". The statuette depicts a knight rendered in the Art Deco style.

The award was originally sculpted by George Stanley from a design sketch by Cedric Gibbons. 

The 93rd Academy Awards ceremony was held on April 25, 2021, after it was postponed from amid coronavirus pandemic.

The ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California for the 19th consecutive year, along with satellite location taking place at the Union Station also in Los Angeles.

The 4th Animafilm International Animation Festival was held in Baku on September 3-7, Report informs.

According to the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan (UCA), the festival screened about 200 various animated films from 40 countries for children and adults over five days.

The festival also included various workshops for young animators and the development of Azerbaijani animation, including a master class by Masud Panachi, a master class for film and animation producers by Olivier Catherine, and workshops for composers and sound directors by Nik Phelps and Nancy Denney-Phelps.

The international jury at the festival included professionals such as Masud Panachi (Azerbaijan), Olivier Catherine (France), Nancy Denney-Phelps and Nik Phelps (Belgium), Maryam Kandelaki (Georgia), Irada Baghirzade (Azerbaijan), Peter Kardas (Poland), Mehdi Khorushi and Maryam Roohbakhsh (Iran).

Traditionally, this year's children's jury also participated in the festival.

After the 18-member team took part in an educational and entertaining children's program during the festival, two winners were selected in the categories of "Best Short Animated Film for Children" and "Best Animated Film Made by Children."

The winners were announced at the closing ceremony of the festival. This year, director Ramiz Aghayev was awarded the Golden Boat Award for his contribution to Azerbaijani animation.

The "Embassy Festival" is one of the most successful traditions of our city. This festival has been on for 9 years and I am proud that Azerbaijan also joins this festival every year, showcasing its colorful national values, Mayor of the Dutch city Hague Jan van Zanen told AZƏRTAC.

While visiting the Azerbaijani stand, the city mayor noted that the Festival gives city residents the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the culture of different countries. “The residents admire the festival and look forward to it every year,” he said.

“The Embassy Festival is a successful promotion of international ideas. I thank all of those who have contributed to the success of the festival, as well as the participants. I also express gratitude to the Embassy of Azerbaijan for organizing such a successful stand. Your embassy has always been represented at a high level. I am convinced that they will install such a beautiful stand in the coming years too," Mayor Jan van Zanen added.

DokuBaku (IDFF) is looking for volunteers to assist the festival's organizers in arranging it.

The volunteers will have a great opportunity to enjoy multiple documentaries and meet some local and international industry experts and get a valuable experience.

If you are a cinema lover and unafraid to try yourself in something new, hurry up to join the festival!

The fifth edition of DokuBaku (IDFF) will take place on November 3-7 in Baku.

Founded in 2017, the festival is the first independent international documentary film festival, aimed to present a showcase documentary films from all over the world.

DokuBaku also intends to find new names and support local documentary filmmakers.

The main topic of this year's festival is "Senses ±". Such a choice was made as in the modern world people's feelings are subjected to serious tests, such as social development and political environment, financial well-being and a global pandemic.

All this imprints on the person's perception of the world, including individual's personal experiences and physical condition.

The jury will be especially interested in films devoted to the people's inner and outer metamorphoses, their search for themselves, and the meaning of their existence on earth.

The out-of-competition films will be screened as well. Moreover, a retrospective of the Azerbaijani documentary films will be also arranged as part of the festival. It will be dedicated to the memory of the late Azerbaijani screenwriter and director Chingiz Rasulzade.

The applications can be submitted on the FilmFreeWay till September 20th, 2021.

Baku's most anticipated jazz festival is back in the City of Winds.

The long-awaited festival will take place in Baku on September 10-18, bringing together jazz musicians from Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, Israel and Luxembourg.

This year, Baku Jazz Festival 2021 will differ from the traditional one as it will be held in a club format amid a coronavirus pandemic. 

Despite all the difficulties, the Baku Jazz Festival remains international and holds a high standard, gathering the world-famous musicians.

Speaking about the musical event, the festival's  director Leyla Afandiyeva said that Baku Jazz Festival unites musicians from different countries. 

"Our jazz festival keeps the bar high, bringing together musicians from all over the world. This year, the festival unites talented musicians from the Netherlands, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Germany, Luxembourg and Geogria. Along with foreign guests, Azerbaijani jazzmen will perform at the festival, including Honored Artists Rain Sultanov, Shahin Novrasli, Isfar Sarabski, musicians Elbay Mamedzade, Elvin Bashirov and many others," she said. 

Famous jazz singer Elnara Hasanli added that the Baku Jazz Festival pays great attention to talented young musicians.

For many years, the festival has invited young talents to take part in the contest "I Am Jazzman".

The project aims to reveal young talents among beginner musicians who love jazz music. The competition serves as a great platform for future professional jazz music.

The contest "I Am Jazzman" is open for 14-30 years old musicians.

Moreover, two art projects will be presented as part of the Baku Jazz Festival on September 10. 

Azerbaijani artists Huseyn Hagverdiyev, Bahram Khalilov, Rustam Huseynov and Arif Guluzade will present their art project "Improvised by Industry" about transforming an abandoned space and filling it with new meaning and spirit, just like new jazz improvisation makes forgotten classics sound in a new way.

In addition, young artist Ramina Saadatkhan will create her masterpiece during the concert. 

Film critic Ulvi Mehdi invites  jazz lovers  to plunge into the atmosphere of audiovisual harmony within a jazz-cinema program.

The legendary films of the 20th century will be screened at Art Tower Gallery on September 11-12.

Fashion designer Leyla Ahmadova will present her new collection inspired by jazz music on September 17.

The festival will also feature master classes and jam sessions. 

For more than 15 years, the Baku Jazz Festival has become an essential part of the country's musical life.

The musical event is organized by acclaimed saxophonist Rain Sultanov to showcase Azerbaijan's long-running attachment to jazz. 

The first ever Baku Jazz Festival was held in 2005 since then it has grown to be widely recognized as one of the country's leading festivals.

Baku Jazz Festival and related advertisements are broadcasted in Euronews TV channel. In 2006, it was included in the list of the top biggest jazz festivals worldwide.

Since 2017, the festival joins the Europe Jazz Network. Baku Jazz Festival is also a member of UNESCO International Jazz Day Celebration.

A statue of national philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev will be soon erected in Baku.

Preparatory work is underway to install a three-metre monument near Icherisheher metro station.

In 2020,  President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with a group of art workers.  President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree  on the erection of a statue to Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev.

Sculptor Khanlar Ahmadov’s work has been chosen as the best among 26 projects that were submitted to the open sculpture contest initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Cultural Ministry and Baku City Executive Power.

The statue was planned to be installed on the eve of Novruz holiday this year. However, the statue's erection was postponed amid a coronavirus pandemic. The monument is made of bronze, red and black granite.

Born in a poor family of a shoemaker in Icherisheher, the old part of Baku, on January 25, 1821 (1838), Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev had to work from childhood to support his family.

He began his life journey as an apprentice of a bricklayer in Baku. Taghiyev’s dedication and hard work ensured quick professional advancement and at the age of 18 he became a contractor.

In 1873, along with his partners, Taghiyev rented a plot of land near the oil-booming town of Bibi-Heybat, a few kilometers to the southeast of Baku. They hired workers and started drilling for oil, but with no success. The partners gave up hope and decided to sell their shares.

Taghiyev purchased them and became the sole owner of the land. He continued drilling and paid workers despite all financial difficulties.

Finally, fortune smiled on him in 1877, when oil gushed out of the well with a mighty force. Oil gush instantly made him an oil baron and a millionaire.

One of the first things Taghiyev did after becoming wealthy was to surface the road between the city and his oilfield in Bibi-Heybat. He then extended the road on to the Bibi-Heybat mosque.

Taghiyev invested in many important projects such as the first textile factory and fisheries. He sponsored the first Azerbaijan National Theater (1883), the first Muslim School for Girls (1896), the first Technical School (1911) and covered all the expenses for the construction of what would later become the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

He also helped to solve the water crisis in the city by helping to finance the Shollar water pipeline (1916).

Baku's best-known philanthropist allocated 11,000 old roubles for the construction of the head office for the Muslim Benevolent Society in Saint Petersburg, 3,000 roubles for the education of Armenian orphans, 5,000 for the St. Nina's School for Girls in Baku, 10,000 roubles for the construction of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Baku, tens of thousands of roubles for the construction and repair of mosques and madrasas throughout Russia and Persia.

Taghiyev also provided scholarships for many talented young people who strove for higher education in prestigious Russian and European universities. He built a number of schools and gave a lot of attention to mosques, since he considered them to be centers for enlightenment, culture and science.

After Azerbaijan's "Sovietization" in 1920, the country's wealthy people suffered severe repressions from the Bolshevik government resulting in the emigration of many of them. Therefore, Taghiyev's house and his other possessions were confiscated. He was exiled to his summer house in Mardakan.

Taghiyev's heart stopped beating on September 1, 1924. People remember Taghiyev not only for his great wealth, but for how he spent it.

For his outstanding contributions, Taghiyev was twice awarded with the Order of Saint Stanislaus, as well as with a number of other orders and medals from many countries.

ANIMAFILM 2021 International Animation Festival has solemnly opened in Baku. 

Over 134 animated films from 40 countries have been included in the competition program. 

This year the festival's theme is dedicated to the people with disabilities. The proceeds from the sale of tickets to the festival will go to help kids with disabilities.

At the opening ceremony, ANIMAFILM director Rashid Aghamaliyev touched upon the history of the Azerbaijan's first animation film festival. 

The idea to launch ANIMAFILM came up to the festival's director after his book presentation "Azerbaijani Animation".

Speaking about the festival Rashid Aghamaliyev said that the festival promises a rich and interesting program year by year. He stressed that ANIMAFILM focuses on promoting the art of animation in Azerbaijan.

He pointed out that the ANIMAFILM 2021 features  master classes and workshops led by famous animators - Masoud Panahi, Nancy Danny-Phelps and Nick Phelps (Belgium), Olivier Catherine (France).

Among the speakers were the coordinator of the kids jury Aynur Zarintaj, organizer of master classes and workshops for the festival Nazrin Aghamaliyeva, members of the kids jury Asma Mansurzade, Rashad Alizade and others.

Meanwhile, the winner in two categories have been already determined.

The animation "Emsahar" (Qatar) won the first place in the category "Best Animated Short Film for Kids", while the work " Monster" (Iran) was "Best Animated Short Film". 

The winners in this category were determined by the members of the children's jury, consisting of 18 young animation fans. The event was followed by an out-of-competition program. 

Meanwhile, the winner in the category "Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film" will take part in the Annecy International Animated Film Festival to be held in France next year.

The category was established within the partnership of the ANIMAFILM and the French Institute in Azerbaijan (IFA). The winner in this category will also get e professional MİFA accreditation. 

Turkey Quality Awards 2021 has been solemnly held in Baku.

The large-scale event was organized by Avand Production in accordance with the quarantine rules.

First, the participants of the event paid tribute to the Azerbaijani martyrs and national heroes who fought in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.

The founder of the Turkey Quality Awards Oya Uludzhan, the head of Avand production Ayaz Mammadov and TV presenter Azer Akhsham were hosts for the ceremony. 

The heroes  of the Azerbaijan's Patriotic War, holders of state medals Elnur Akbarov and Zakir Imanov as well as People's Artists Mansum Ibrahimov, Elchin Gashimov, Konul Khasiyeva, Melekkhanum Ayyubova, Honored Artists Farghana Gasimova, Elnur Ahmadov, Nigar Shabanova, Tayyar Bayramov, Elza Seidjakhan, Trend Life correspondent Vugar Imanov, representative of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Emergency Situations Kamil Dunyamaliyev, cultural figures Aynur Dadashova, Fatima Fataliyeva, Rufat Akhundov, Elshan Aliyev, Sabina Imanova, as well as other representatives of  business, education, medicine, sports and public life were awarded with Turkey Quality Awards 2021.

The project manager of the Turkey Quality Awards in Azerbaijan is Ayaz Mammadov, executive producer - Khayal Ahmadov, executive producer for the project's cultural part-Narmina Gafarli, producer for design and graphics - Gunay Tapdigova.