NEWS

Heydar Aliyev Foundation has presented a spectacular music composition in Shusha, known as Azerbaijan's cultural capital.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and Turkish President  Recep Tayyip Erdogan, First Lady Emine Erdogan attended the event.

The music composition "Musical heritage and Karabakh horses on the Jidir Duzu plain" brought together ballet troupe of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, the Fikrat Amirov State Song and Dance Ensemble, the State Dance Ensemble, Baku Choreography Academy and "Mirvari" dance ensemble. 

Their performance featured graceful Karabakh horses of the Azerbaijan Equestrian Federation and the "Natig" rhythm group. Azerbaijani and Turkish folk songs were also performed as part of the gala event. 

Furthermore, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was presented with a Karabakh horse "Zafar", one of the oldest horse breeds as well as "Khari Bulbul" composition that  featured two Khari Bulbul flowers, uniting and embodying the eternal friendship and brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The participants of the event organized in Shusha were also presented with a collection of publications of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation called "Cultural Heritage of Karabakh".

The collection includes separate publications in the fields of literature, music, architecture, folk art and carpet weaving. In connection with the trip to Shusha, the guests were also awarded commemorative medals.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and Turkish President Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, First Lady Emine Erdogan also viewed the "Khan Gizi" spring, recently restored in Shusha. The Turkish President was informed of the spring.  

The water supply was funded by the daughter of the last Karabakh khan-Mehtiguli Khan, Azerbaijan's prominent poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan. 

Throughout her life, the poetess was involved in educational and charity activities. 

She arranged the construction of the water pipeline for Shusha citizens. Therefore, the city residents named the water pipeline Khan’s daughter's spring (Khan Gizi spring).

The opening of the first water pipeline in Shusha took place on August 18, 1873 with the participation of guests from Shirvan, Sheki, Ganja, Nakhchivan and other places. The feast was organized in the Khan garden with national songs and dances.

The heads of the states also visited the monuments of famous Azerbaijani personalities Natavan, Bulbul, and Uzeyir Hajibayov in Shusha.

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum continues to thrill art lovers with unique exhibits. This time, the museum showcased  colorful carpets woven on the basis of art works by People's Artist of Azerbaijan Tahir Salakhov.

Tahir Salakhov, one of the most prominent representatives of the Azerbaijani art, is the vice-president and honorary president of the International Association of Plastic Arts of UNESCO, the vice-president of the Russian Academy of Arts, People's Artist of the USSR, Azerbaijan and Russia, and the winner of a number of high awards, including the State Prize of the USSR and Azerbaijan.

The world-renowned artist, who sensitively catches the rhythms of life and is able to listen and hear the time, Salakhov is the master of portraits, landscape pictures, still-life paintings and large many-figured paintings.

Let's take a closer look at the portrait carpet depicting​ Azerbaijani poet Mirza Alakbar Sabir. The portrait, characterized by a deep psychological character, realism, and high artistic and emotional language, represents a poet who is in deep thought about the fate of his people.

The ornamental border surrounding the portrait carpet is designed in accordance with the color scheme of the central field and severe realism style. The border is adorned with ulduzlu zanjir (star chain) patterns created by a combination of rhombuses and stars.

The Carpet Museum also displays portrait of the Russian composer Dmitriy Shostakovich.

The portrayal of the world-famous composer in deep thoughts as well as his rich and sensitive inner world are full of creative energy. The central field and the border are in harmonious combination. The portrait is surrounded by kufi main border, often used in Guba-Shirvan carpets, and decorated with almagulu and mollabashi stripes.

"The Maiden Tower" carpet is another part of​ the Land of Fire triptych. The carpet sketch author is the artist Elyar Guliyev.​

Maiden Tower has a monumental appearance in Tahir Salahov`s unique style.​ The flame tounges rising above the tower​ play a significant role in the color scheme of the composition. The main border's color scheme and patterns are in harmony with the central field.​ The Maiden Tower is surrounded by motifs symbolizing seagulls in flight and anchors.

"Dede Korkut" carpet has been woven at the initiative of​ People’s Artist​ Eldar Mikayilzade.The color scheme of the portrait enabled to transfer it to the carpet and to add a national flavor with the help of classical ornaments.​

The portrait of a wise elder man stands out by its spiritual and monumental nature.

The bottom part of the portrait is decorated with the elongated medallion called ketebe. Islimi, bulud, yarpag, and Shah Abbasi ornaments adorn​ the border​ surrounding the central field. The elegant cypresses,​ symbols of honesty and​ inflexibility​ appear​ rhythmically​ among the patterns.

A feature film "Farida will be screened at Cheboksary International Film Festival on June 21-25. 

The film "Farida" was shot by the Narimanfilm film company in cooperation with the St. Petersburg School of New Cinema.

The film tells about a young girl with hearing problems from the village of Khinalig, who comes to St. Petersburg to find her husband. She doesn't know anything about where he is now. The big city brings her together with different people and turns her life upside down. 

The film was shot in the genre of drama. Filming took place in St. Petersburg. 

The duration of the film is 70 minutes. Screenplay and director of the film Ksenia Lagutina, cameraman Dmitry Nagovsky, sound engineer Alexander Demyanov, costume designer Philip Nyrkov, make-up artist Alexandra Kosvintseva, producer Nariman Mammadov. The main role in the film is played by the young actress Maryam Ibragimova. Abdukarim Nasirov, Dilya Ulasheva and other actors also starred in the film. 

Last year, the film was awarded in the category "Best Director" at the 4th Gorky Fest Film Festival of Contemporary Cinema in Nizhny Novgorod, the prize for the "Best Actress" and third place at the 9th Moscow Film Festival "Let's Live".

In December, the feature film won two awards at Stalker International Human Rights Film Festival 

The film received the Jury's diploma to the film director Ksenia Lagutina for the truthful disclosure of women's fate, while the director of the film was awarded the Special Prize of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.  

Chirag Gala monument might be included into UNESCO Heritage List. The Culture Ministry is working on restoration and promotion of the ancient fortress. 

In 2019, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an order regarding measures to carry out restoration and conservation work at Chirag Gala monument.

Local and foreign experts are engaged in the restoration of the historical monument.

The destroyed bridge was restored, pedestrian paths were laid around the fortress. The destroyed parts of the central tower were restored. A road was laid between the bridge and the tower. 

The restoration work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The legendary fortress, which means lamp castle in Azerbaijani is a ruined ancient fortress overlooking the Caspian coastal plains north of Baku in Azerbaijan.

The fortress was used as a defense for Guba khanate in the 18th century. 

The location of the fortress makes it absolutely impregnable. Five times the Mongolian armies tried to captivate it but did not succeed. 

Alexander the Great, the Huns and the Arabs couldn’t invade the fortress as well.

More than 1,500 years ago, this tower was used as a signal point. The fortress was part of the system of the Caspian watch-observation structures.

When the enemy approached, a fire was lit on it. The fire was visible for hundreds of kilometers. Another point was in Derbent. If there was a fire there during the invasion of the invaders, they did the same in the Chirag Gala fortress. The flames were visible in Baku, so that all the northern borders were under control.

Chirag Gala is built of roughly treated river stones. The thickness of the defensive wall is two meters. There is a cliff behind the fortress.

The fifth Zhara International Music Festival will be held in Crocus City Hall on June 23-27. Initially, the festival was planned to be held in Luzhniki complex. However, the event organizers decided to change venue amid epidemiological situation in Moscow.

"Due to the unstable epidemiological situation in Moscow and the impossibility of holding the event in the format we have planned, Zhara International Music Festival has been moved to Crocus City Hall. The dates of the concerts and the program remain unchanged. All previously purchased tickets are valid and will be transferred to the concert hall according to the selected categories. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. At Crocus City Hall, we can provide all the necessary security measures for the festival," said Emin Agalarov.

The festival's fifth edition was planned to be held in Baku but was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The gala event is expected to take place in the Luzhniki Olympic Complex on June 23-27.

The music festival will feature numerous concerts with more than 200 pop singers from the CIS countries.

However, music lovers in Baku have a chance to enjoy the music festival at  Sea Breeze resort next summer.

The audience will enjoy five days of a varied concert program with participation of more than 200 singers from Russia and the CIS countries on July 27-31, 2022. Turkish singers will also perform at the festival in Baku. 

The music festival is co-organized by Emin Aghalarov, Russia's Honored Artist Grigory Leps, founder of Russkoye Radio and Zolotoy Grammofon award Sergei Kozhevnikov.

Many famous singers and bands like Chingiz Mustafayev, Monatik, Philipp Kirkorov, A’Studio, Vera Brezhneva, Bosson, Rita Dakota, Dmitry Matatov, Glyuk’oza, Nikolay Baskov, Kristina Orbakaite, Burito, Aleksandr Panayotov, Ani Lorak and others took part in the festival's previous editions. 

Famous opera singer Afag Abbasova will perform in Ottorino Respighi's "​Al mulino" opera next year. 

Honored Artist of Azerbaijan was invited to Italy by Giuseppe Verdi Opera House to perform the role of Aniuska.

Meanwhile, the CD recording of "Al Mulino" was presented on June 6. The CD features a performance of Afag Abbasova. The disc will be sent to the leading opera houses of the world.

The premiere of the opera "Al Mulino" is scheduled for 2022. Theater will put up tickets for sale in the near future.

The management of the Trieste Opera House has already made a decision on Afag Abbasova's participation in the first premiere performance of the opera. 

Famous for her beautiful voice, she is considered to be one of the national opera singers.

The opera star is known for her wonderful range and effortless sound. She is a leading soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

In 2021, Afag Abbasova was presented the Commonwealth of Debuts Prize, awarded to cultural figures of the Commonwealth countries, whose creative achievements have made a significant contribution to the development and popularization of various art forms.

The prize was awarded based on the results of 2018, which was proclaimed in the CIS as the Year of Culture.

The Commonwealth of Debuts award was established by the CIS Council for Humanitarian Cooperation and the  Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund  in 2008.

The Winner of the ANIMAFILM Festival has a great chance to travel to France.

The festival is pleased to announce an award for category "Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film" in partnership with the French Embassy in Azerbaijan, ​​the French Institute in Azerbaijan (IFA) and with the support of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

This year's winner of this category will have a chance to attend in 2022 Annecy Festival in France and receive professional MIFA accreditation. Trip to Annecy, France (flights and accommodation) for the winner will be offered by IFA.

Submission rules for animated films:

- Deadline for applications: 30.06.2020

- Films should be sent via FilmFreeway platform: https://filmfreeway.com/ANIMAFILM-Baku_International_Animation_Festival

- The film must be shot after January 1, 2019

- More than 50 percent of the film must be an animation

- There are no limitations in the animation techniques used in the film

- There are no limitations in the theme of animated films

For more information:  https://animafilm.az/en/submission/

Notably, the film "The Crow" by Fidan Akhundova was named  "Best Azerbaijani short animated film" at the third ANIMAFILM Festival.

The winner in this category, Fidan Akhundova, will travel to the Annecy Festival this June.

This award is the result of the cooperation between ANIMAFILM Festival, French Institute in Azerbaijan and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

The fourth ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival will be held in Baku on October 20-24, 2021.

The five-day festival will feature dozens of foreign and local animated films for kids and adults. The theme of this year's festival is "DISABILITY".

Founded in 2018, ANIMAFILM  is the first and only international animation festival in Azerbaijan.

The festival focuses on bringing together local and foreign audiences as well as professionals on a single platform. It also contributes to the training of young talents and actively promotes and develops the art of animation in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan State Art Gallery has displayed patriotic art works.

The exhibition "Great return. End of anguish" is dedicated to the courage shown by the Azerbaijani servicemen in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.

The 44 days of war ended with the Russian brokered peace deal signed on November 10 by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders.  

The peace agreement ended the 30-years-old conflict between Baku and Yerevan over Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region that along with the seven adjacent districts came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.

In their art works, the artists reflected the heroism of the Azerbaijani military personnel, the beauty of nature, samples of the material and spiritual culture of liberated Karabakh region.

The exposition includes works by such artists as Elchin Mustafayev, Shahly Gahramanli, Farhad Yalguzag, Ayyan Aziz Mamedova, Narmin Huseynova, Emin Seidov, Lala Huseynova, Rahib Garayev, Leyla Altunay and many others. The exhibition aroused great interest among viewers.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation is working on restoration and repair of religious monuments in Shusha after years of destruction under Armenian occupation. 

The historic mosques, namely, Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque, Yukhari Govhar Agha mosque and Saatli Mosque were designed by architect Karbalayi Safikhan Karabakhi,  one of the representatives of Karabakh architecture schools.

These mosques have been included in the list of historical and cultural monuments of national importance.

The religious monuments were vandalized the occupation of Shusha city by the Armenians.

The interior of Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque was destroyed, the decor of the minarets was damaged. The covering and other architectural elements were  destroyed as well. 

The first stage of the reconstruction has been completed. Now the work is underway in the second stage.

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

Assessment work is being carried out with the participation of foreign experts in Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque, which was destroyed as a result of the Armenian occupation.

After the occupation of Shusha city by Armenians, Saatli historic mosque was destroyed and turned into ruins.

Heydar Aliyev Foundation is engaged in restoration work of Azerbaijan’s religious and historical monuments in the Nagorno-Karabakh region after the liberation of the country’s territories from the Armenian occupation. 

As a result of Armenian vandalism, hundreds of cultural institutions were destroyed on Azerbaijan's occupied territories. 

Over 700 historical and cultural monuments registered by the state before the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were looted, including the 11 and 15-span Khudaferin bridges in Jabrayil, Ganjasar and Khudavend sanctuaries in Kalbajar, the mausoleum in Aghdam's Khachin Turbetli village, Azykh cave in Fuzuli as well as Shusha state historical and architectural reserve.

Local and foreign experts are working on the restoration of Azerbaijan's  liberated territories.

The clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan resumed after Armenia launched large-scale attacks on Azerbaijani forces and civilians on September 27. 

The 44 days of war ended with the Russian brokered peace deal signed on November 10 by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders.

Nizami's "Leyli and Majnun" poem has been published in Ukraine. The publication will be transferred to Ukrainian libraries and universities.

The epic love poem was published in Ukrainian by the Kyiv-based publishing house "Yaroslaviv Val".

The translator of the poem is poet and translator Leonid Pervomaisky. Agafangel Krimsky penned the foreword to the book edited by Grigory Guseinov.

The poem was published on the occasion of the 880th anniversary of Azerbaijani poet and thinker and the Year of Nizami Ganjavi in Azerbaijan. The book has already aroused great interest from the literary community.

Nizami Ganjavi started his creative activity with lyrical poems- gasidas, gazals and rubais. He dedicated his whole life to lyrical poems, and different philosophical problems.

The works of Azerbaijani poet and thinker have been translated into many languages. The rare manuscript copies of his works are kept and preserved in world-famous libraries, museums and literary foundations in  Moscow, St. Petersburg, Baku, Tashkent, Tabriz, Tehran, Cairo, Istanbul, Delhi, London, Paris and others.

In Khamsa (Quintet), the poet revealed the living pages of history. The attack of the Russians on Barda city, a fairy tale of the Russian Princess, the beautiful Shirin amazons, battles, described in various poems of Nizami - all this is historically and geographically related to medieval Azerbaijan and the Caucasus.

The description of a man's inner world, his feelings, and thoughts along with the dynamic development of the main hero's characters underlies the basic aim and content of Nizami’s literary school.

Nizami Ganjavi passed away in 1209 in his native city of Ganja. A grandiose tomb was raised over his grave.